INSTRUCTION by ALICE TYM
A BEGINNER ’ S MANIFESTO
At one of the regional championships recently , a friend told me that there is a need for entry-level player information . People want to know how to get started and how to get up to speed with players who started sooner . So , here are some suggestions to prepare you for the ride .
PART I : HOW TO GET STARTED
Buy a pair of good-quality shoes that are designed for lateral movement .
Become a member of USA Pickleball . Support the sport you play . Visit usapickleball . org .
Take lessons . Ask around the courts and find out which teaching pro suits your style and pocketbook . If you are at a recreation center , suggest that it offer a beginners clinic .
Look at the many videos on YouTube . There is excellent instruction available and it ’ s free .
Join a league . The more people you meet , the more available practice partners you will have .
Play tournaments . That will help you find people of a similar level , and competition will highlight the things you need to work on in your game .
Hit against a wall . You can practice all the things you learned on YouTube and experiment . The wall will help you prepare earlier , keep the ball in play , watch the ball better , and control the pace .
Drill . When you drill — as opposed to playing games — you hit more balls , you focus on specific qualities , you develop useful patterns , and you are practicing productively . Pickleball is a game of placement so you need to drill accordingly .
If you are at the point where you know you like pickleball , now is the time to buy a quality paddle . Your teaching professional can make suggestions for you . Take advantage of demo paddle programs to try out different brands . Be an informed buyer .
Learn the venues and court times for your level in your area . Familiarize yourself with the USAP website so you know how to locate available places to play near you and when you travel . You are going to want to take your paddle everywhere .
Read the rules . Ask questions at the courts . Learn the terminology and the rules of the game .
Absolutely , first and foremost , learn the etiquette . Never go on someone else ’ s court . Don ’ t fetch the ball on anyone ’ s court other than your own . Politely wait until a point is finished and then ask for your ball . If a stray ball goes on your court , pick it up and toss or hit it with a high bounce so the player doesn ’ t have to stoop to pick it up . It is the Golden Rule and commonsense safety . Respect . You want to be accepted into the pickleball pack . Proper etiquette will make people want to encourage you .
PART 2 : UNDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURE OF THE GAME
Learn the difference between mechanics , strategy and tactics . This will help you when you take lessons , and it will help you build a game rather than just hit shots .
Mechanics are the physical things you do to hit the ball , such as watching the ball , bending your knees , and following through with your paddle . Strategy is the overall plan you have to defeat your opponent , such as moving him all over the court in singles , or keeping your opponents off the NVZ line in doubles . The NVZ is the non-volley zone . You may not step into this zone and volley the ball ; you must let the ball bounce before hitting it . However , you want to position yourself close to the NVZ line to control the net and the point . Tactics are the shots you are going to hit to accomplish your strategy . For example , in singles you need sharpangle crosscourt shots to move your opponent , and in doubles you need deep serves and returns to keep your opponents back off of the NVZ line .
Understanding these three terms will help you build an effective game rather than just a set of shots . Every shot should have a purpose .
PART 3 : HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
Start by watching the ball . Develop this skill because it will be essential whether you just play for fun or become a touring pro . Everything is predicated on watching the ball . It allows you to anticipate when you see the ball come off the opponent ’ s paddle . It allows you to start moving in the right direction immediately . This is a discipline . No shortcuts . You can ’ t hit what you can ’ t see .
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