Pickleball Magazine 6-5 | Page 28

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INSTRUCTION
By Alice Tym
PHOTOS BY ALICE TYM

PICKLEBALL PUZZLERS

Here are six questions to test your pickleball prowess . Remember , a great deal depends on the skill , age and size of the player , as well as outdoor conditions .

1

The receiver in blue has a very strong forehand but a weak backhand . He stands near the corner to protect his weak backhand . Where should Kitty serve ?
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ANSWER
The server should serve down the center of the court near the center tick ( not the center of the service court ) to the receiver ’ s forehand . This will prevent the receiver from being able to hit an angle with his strong forehand . It will also expose his weakness for your next shot to his backhand . It will force him to hit his weaker shot on the run . You assume he will run around his backhand , so you hit to his strength to expose his weakness .
ANSWER
This is so individual . Under normal weather conditions , choosing the serve gives you a chance to get on the scoreboard right off the bat . Some players think you should choose to receive to give you time to get your act together since only one person gets to serve . I suggest getting your act together before you walk on the court and be ready to play . If conditions are such that the wind is a major player , then choose the side . Which side ? Guys tend to want to hit into the wind because they can hit out full bore . This scenario is mixed doubles . I would choose to hit with the wind in order to take charge of play as soon as possible . The wind may change . You need to remember that junk shots are more effective in the wind than nice deep , clean hits . Let the wind be your partner rather than fight to overcome it .
The referee , on the right , has tossed the coin for mixed doubles in a strong headwind blowing north to south the length of the court . You win the toss . Do you choose to serve or receive , or do you choose the side ?

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