INSTRUCTION
By Alice Tym
How , When and Why You Should Change the Pace in a Pickleball Match
We work so hard to improve our strokes , to copy those of Ben , Zane , and Tyson , and to hit “ screamers ” that flabbergast our opponents , but sometimes it is the nondescript floater that wins the match . How do you know when to change pace ? You need a well-rounded game — well-rounded enough to change what you like to do best in order to keep your opponents from doing what they do best .
First , you need a game plan , a pace plan . What is your strategy ? You want to keep your opponents deep , but are you going to do that with your stroke , your pace , or both ? A lob can be deep , but it does not have great pace unless it is hit with a lot of topspin . Your game plan should consider the following :
• Pace – Are you going to hit hard consistently ?
• Depth – Are you focusing on the depth with or without pace ?
• Direction – Are you keeping the ball to a certain side , maybe to the weaker player or to someone who has a weak backhand , for example ?
• Variation – Are you going to change the pace ?
My general rule of thumb is : If I can outhit the opponents , I will choose to do so , but if they can outhit me , I won ’ t give them anything to hit . No matter what your initial plan , you need a backup plan . You need to practice changing the pace to prepare for the times you want to avoid being outgunned . If they are outhitting you , you are letting them do so .
Start with your serve . If your opponent is taking your pace and driving it back hard and deep — harder than you served — you need to try a lob serve . Force him to time the shot and generate his own pace . Make him think . Make him adjust . If he is rocketing a serve at you , take pace off of your return with a lob or high drive to give yourself more time to get to the NVZ ( No Volley Zone ) line . Force your opponent to make some adjustments . Otherwise , he is cruising without having to think .
Remember that playing against someone who hits a clean ball is easy . You get into a good , even rhythm . The players who look good are often the easiest to play and beat . Junk balls , on the other hand , require some thought . Learn to hit topspin . Learn to slice . Learn to take pace off the ball . Learn to angle the ball . There must be something you can do when you cannot just overpower your opponent . If you are winning , you do not need to change .
What if your opponent is getting to the NVZ line and pounding volleys at you like a machine gun ? You are letting him look good . You are giving your opponents too much pace . Slow it down . Dink , lob , hit soft returns . It is much easier for players to hit a volley off of a drive than it is to time a soft , descending ball . That takes more