INSTRUCTION By Alice Tym
THE ABC ’ s OF LEFTIES
Things a Lefty Should Do Things a Lefty ’ s Partner Should Do Things a Lefty ’ s Opponent Should Do
The Lefty
A left-handed player should realize that being lefthanded is a tremendous advantage in pickleball and he needs to develop as many skills as possible that enhance his advantage .
A left-handed player tends to have a natural forehand topspin . It is a big shot , a forcing shot , and the crosscourt ball carries out wide to a right-handed player ’ s backhand . This pulls the lefty ’ s opponent wide off the court , creating an opening . This is a real weapon and most successful lefties build their games around it . Along with the crosscourt , a lefty should develop a forehand down the line to take advantage of the opening he has created . As his opponent ’ s partner shifts to cover the middle , the lefty can place the ball down the line . The left-handed player should recognize the opportunity that he is given by being left-handed . Watch other good lefties and work hard to develop a power shot .
Lefties tend to have a natural slice backhand . It is a complement to the power forehand . It slows the point down enough for him to set up for the power forehand . It should not be considered a weakness just because it is not hit with great pace . A left-handed backhand can be a chip , as in chip and charge , that allows him time to get to the non-volley zone ( NVZ ) line . This slice should be considered a change-of-pace weapon and developed accordingly .
A left-handed player needs to develop serves that maximize his advantage . For example , lefties can hit a serve from the even ( right ) side of the court wide to a right-handed player ’ s forehand . It is an inside / outside forehand serve that pulls the opponent wide and gives a spin that makes it difficult for the receiver to hit a sharpangle return . Serving from the odd ( left ) side , a lefty has a natural wide topspin serve that pulls the receiver off the court and opens up the middle . A lefty has natural spin that carries the ball away from a right-handed player ’ s backhand . Work on it . Add more spin . Most right-handed players do not practice enough against lefties . Stay ahead of the game .
The lefty should develop a put-away overhead using both power and angled placement . The overhead angle to the backhand is a natural shot and it opens up the middle if the overhead is returned . Placement drills are in order . A lefty should hit overheads at targets and work on his footwork to increase his options . Lefties tend not to hit the ball deep on their overheads . Work on full extension and moving the ball around . Just because there is a potential advantage does not mean that hard work is not needed to make those advantages a reality .
The same goes for volleying . Placement is just as critical for a lefty as it is for a right-handed player . Make your volley solid and work on that sneaky drop volley angled to the backhand .
Lefties need to learn to stack . They need to practice stacking and train their partners in stacking . The purpose is to keep both forehands down the middle for better court coverage . Stacking takes practice , especially in keeping service position and scoring straight . It also takes practice to move into position quickly . And learn to set up the point so that you force your opponents to hit down the middle where you have the best court position and coverage .
The Lefty ’ s Partner
Obviously , you need to practice with your partner a lot since it requires different shots , spins , and court positions . Learn to stack and be comfortable stacking . It needs to feel natural to move laterally from a different court position .
You also need to practice hitting your backhand from a wide angle . To keep your forehand down the middle means that your opponents will try to draw you out wide on your backhand to open up the center . Practice a down-the-line backhand to keep your opponents honest , and work on a deep crosscourt drive and a sharp-angle crosscourt backhand . If you are quick , you can run around your backhand and hit an inside / outside forehand drive . It can have a lot of pace or be a sharp angle . If you develop a weapon on the backhand side , your opponents will have to come up with another