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SCIENCE OF PICKLEBALL
MAKE UP YOUR MIND !
By Joe Dinoffer
Pickleball is a fast sport . How fast ? Those details were offered in our “ Cup of Joe ” in the last issue .
We established scientifically what we all know intuitively : quick reactions including “ reading ” your opponents ’ incoming shots is a key component to better play at all levels .
The earlier you judge the incoming ball , the more time you will have to get into position to hit your response PLUS more time to make your own shot-making decisions as well !
The opposite of early ball recognition would be to wait until the ball bounces on your side of the net to react and move . Try standing still and waiting to move when the ball bounces and you will immediately feel what “ late ” means .
Ideally , you want to read the direction , depth , speed , arc , and spin of each ball before the ball crosses the net coming to your side ! This may sound easy , but it is not . Can you develop this ability ? Absolutely .
Here is one exercise to speed you up . It is based on where your opponent ’ s shot is relative to the net when you judge the incoming ball .
Rally baseline to baseline cooperatively with a partner and have a third player , who is acting like a coach , stand at the net . This third person calls out “ Net !” when each shot crosses the net . Each player is trying to call out loud whether the inbound ball is coming to their forehand or backhand . Just call out “ Fore ” or “ Back ” before the third player / coach at the net calls out “ Net .”
An onlooker should hear “ Fore !— Net !” or “ Back !— Net !” If you call out “ Fore ” for an inbound ball coming to your forehand after the ball crosses the net , the onlooker will hear “ Net !— Fore !”
Variations are many : Is the ball coming high or low over the net ( you would just call out “ High ” or “ Low ”), fast or slow , short or deep , etc .
We hear all the time that we should prepare early . This simple drill will help you improve your skills faster than verbal instructions . No doubt about it . •
Joe Dinoffer is a master professional in the USPTA and PTR , has written nine books , produced 22 DVDs , and has appeared on the Tennis Channel . His company ,
OnCourtOffCourt . com , designs and manufactures training aids for pickleball , tennis , and yoga . He has also produced dozens of pickleball tips for YouTube . Joe shares that experience and passion in this regular column for Pickleball Magazine . •
FIND YOUR CRUSH ON THE COURTS !
Is your love life in a pickle ? There ’ s an app for that ! Introducing the first online dating app focused on pickleball players and their enthusiasm for the sport . The Pickleball Dating app is the brainchild of pickleball enthusiast Jyl Steinback who , divorced for 18 years , wanted to find her soulmate on the courts . This app is not only designed to help players find their perfect match in life — but
also to find a pickleball partner to better your game . Go to
pickleball-dating . com or find it in your Apple or Google Play app stores . •