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SCIENCE OF PICKLEBALL
3 WAYS TO DRILL AND IMPROVE
By Joe Dinoffer
playing defense , play cooperative points with your partner where you both must hit 10 balls in a row before the point begins .
Blocked , Serial , and Random Drilling helps you practice with purpose . Practice with purpose and you will play your best ! What more can you ask for ? •
The three major ways to practice are called Blocked , Serial , and Random Drilling . By practicing with purpose , you will practice your best . And , by practicing your best , you will play your best ! Here ’ s how to do it :
1 . BLOCKED PRACTICE – Hitting the same shot over and over is called blocked practice . Example : Hitting repeating crosscourt forehands from a ball machine , against a wall , or with a partner feeding .
2 . SERIAL PRACTICE – Hitting repetitive patterns over and over is called serial practice . Two examples : Hitting repeating patterns like alternating crosscourt and down-the-line forehands or alternating shots like crosscourt forehands and crosscourt backhands . Again , ball feeds can come from a ball machine , against a wall , or with a partner feeding .
3 . RANDOM PRACTICE – Random practice most closely resembles real play . This is where drilling can get most creative , as there are virtually unlimited exercises that can be both fun and productive . Here are two examples : To learn how to play more aggressively and better close out points , one player serves and the point must end within six shots for the point to count . Or , to work on consistency and patience , as well as
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 .
The Miami Marlins hosted their inaugural Pickleball Day on Sunday , July 9 . Fans enjoyed playing pickleball outside the ballpark before the game with PPA Tour pros . Anna Leigh Waters , No . 1 player in the world , threw the first pitch . Those who purchased promo tickets received a custom Marlins pickleball paddle . Photo courtesy Miami Marlins / Jasen Vinlove .
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