INSTRUCTION
By Rick Cipes
The Wolf of Wall Ball
If you ’ re at all like me , you ’ re “ hungry like the wolf ” to improve your pickleball match . To that , I say : Find a wall . If you can ’ t find a wall , get creative — make a wall . In your garage , on your back patio with a piece of cement from Lowe ’ s , etc . FYI : Your game will grow by leaps and bounds .
Here are a few drill ideas for you on your soon-to-be-found wall .
1 . Groundstrokes
The first thing I ever did on a wall was practice my backhand the first week I started playing . I can ’ t tell you how many players I have pointed in the direction of the wall for this purpose . “ Get thee to the wall !” Along with the backhand , you can practice the forehand , and specifically hitting it low down the center line . For bonus credit , develop a two-handed backhand .
2 . Dinking
People have questioned my wall workouts . They wonder how they can be effective while not having anyone to play against . Two words : Muscle Memory . Dink hundreds of times against the wall , and it builds up psychological confidence that DOES transfer to the court . Start stationary , then work up to alternating forehands and backhands . Lastly , start moving the length of the wall as you dink .
3 . Short Hops
One of the toughest shots to get back in pickleball is when you ’ re moving rapidly to the NVZ and the ball is hit at your feet . This is easier to simulate on a wall than it is on the court with a partner . Start from the imaginary backline , hit it hard and run to the wall , pausing for that brief second to scoop the ball up and drop it gingerly in your imaginary opponent ’ s kitchen . Alternate forehands and backhands . For bonus credit , try some ‘ tweeners !
4 . Firefights
The wall has helped me immensely in this area . Because I am practicing my volley battle skills only
seven feet from the wall , when I get on a real court — and add an extra seven feet for where my opponent will be standing — time just slows down for me in the firefights . Once you start to get rhythm at seven feet , start moving in , until you ’ re right up against the wall , close enough to smell its breath . If , ya know , it had a breath .
5 . Partner Practice
You can do all the above drills with a partner , but my favorite thing to do with a partner is a reset drill . One partner slams while the other resets . For added difficulty , have the resetter move into the wall . Offer it a Tic Tac .
The other thing about the wall is that it will make you sweat ! You can build up a stronger workout faster than you ’ ll ever get in an actual game . And , with time , I ’ m confident the wall can be highly instrumental to your game . Try it out ! •
Rick Cipes has written for more than 40 publications including the L . A . Times and ESPN Magazine . Check out Bite Size Pickleball on YouTube if you want to see videos of his workouts using a wall .
MARCH / APRIL 2023 | MAGAZINE 83