INSTRUCTION By PPR ’ s Taylor Taylor
Overcoming Transition Zone Disorder
So , we all talk about how learning pickleball is so easy , and on some level this is very true . However , there are parts of the game that tend to cause anxiety for new ( and sometimes , experienced ) players . For me , the transition zone was the aspect of the game that caused great apprehension .
After years of playing tennis primarily from the baseline , it was terrifying to move forward , especially off a return of serve : “ Wait , what ? You want me to return serve and come in ? Not serve and come in ? Are you sure ?” This was an ongoing internal ( and external ) conversation for the first six months to a year after I started playing . Anyone else experience this ? Anyone ? Anyone ? Bueller ?
Assuming the answer is yes , I am compelled to share how I overcame my “ fear of the transition zone ” disorder . It all started back in … just kidding . I will not bore you with all the details . The truth of the matter is that no one really explained to me the “ why ” behind an efficient and effective transition . Instead , I was encouraged to “ hurry , hurry , hurry ” and get from the baseline to the non-volley zone as fast as possible . I was told things like , “ You only have to let it bounce once on your side , so the faster you can get there , the better .”
I still could not quite figure out why I needed to rush to the NVZ line when I was not allowed to go past it ! This made no sense . Until one day , I realized that if I could execute a shot that was at least below my opponent ’ s shoulders , causing him or her to hit up on the ball , I had time . And it was free !
Figuring out how to buy time to get from baseline to NVZ was a game changer for me . I was suddenly in control of my own destiny . I could take my time and hit a third shot , and then a fifth shot , and sometimes even
Ben and Collin Johns not rushing into the Transition Zone when playing against Riley Newman and Matt Wright at the 2023 PPA AZ Grand Slam Championships . Photo by Bruce Yeung ; IG : @ yeungphotography .
a seventh shot . But because I bought into the concept of buying time , I no longer experienced fear associated with the transition zone .
So , I guess the bottom line is to take the time to understand how to buy the time to get from the baseline to the non-volley zone efficiently and effectively , and you will not waste time being anxious and afraid . The beauty of being smart about how you get to where you want to go is the reward of slowing down and enjoying the process !
Hope to see you on the courts ( moseying through the transition zone ) soon ! •
Taylor Taylor PPR Certified Instructor and Clinician Founder of Pickle Mania (
picklemania . org )
MARCH / APRIL 2023 | MAGAZINE 73