INSTRUCTION
By Morgan Evans
The Skill of Anticipation
Anticipation is a skill , and just like our other
pickleball skills , it can be trained . So let ’ s examine how to read your opponent — and react faster .
What ’ s at play here is called the anticipation cycle , which looks like this :
1 . Tactical Anticipation —> 2 . Technical Anticipation —> 3 . Visual Reception
Watch for these technique cues :
• Takeaway : Creating power takes more paddle head speed than a dink , so players very often increase the length of their takeaway . Watch for either the shoulder turning or wrist hinging to indicate that an attack is imminent .
• Stepping back : Leverage is one of the key components to power , so be sure to watch for your opponents stepping back , giving themselves extra room to strike .
• Dropping body height : Rapidly dropping body height is a classic indicator that an attack is coming . First , it ’ s the perfect way to get the paddle under the ball to create lift and topspin , and second , it allows leg drive to be used for additional power .
Tactical Anticipation refers to how the position of your opponents and the type of shot they receive helps you determine what kind of shot they are likely to hit . Your opponents ’ position on the court , balance , and contact point should tell you if an attack is imminent . But , to get a head start , be sure to watch your partner when he or she is playing the ball . Simply watching your opponent will only give you secondhand information , whereas seeing your partner ’ s shot can alert you of danger early .
Visual Reception refers to reading the direction and speed of the ball coming off the opponent ’ s paddle face without any anticipation cues .
A simple trick for you to improve your visual reception is to count in your head during practice . Count 1 when you or your partner hits the ball , count 2 when the ball bounces on the other side , or your opponent plays a volley , and count 3 when your opponent contacts after the bounce . This will force your eyes to closely watch the paddle face and gather more information to be used for visual reception .
Technical Anticipation relates to how you read your opponents ’ feet , hips and shoulders as they stroke the ball . Building your technical anticipation gives you a great chance to not only know when an attack is coming , but also to read the power , direction , and spin of the attack .
PHOTOS BY STEVE TAYLOR