Next comes your focus on preparation . You need to take your paddle back as soon as you determine where the ball is coming . That means that your paddle goes back as you take your very first step , not when you arrive at the bounce . Better players prepare earlier than lesser players . Plain and simple . You can ’ t hit what you aren ’ t prepared to hit . “ Be Prepared ” isn ’ t just for Boy Scouts .
Move your feet . Racket sports are all about footwork . Getting in good position to hit the ball is the key to placement . If you are tired , move your feet . Your teaching pro can show you what constitutes good footwork . Essentially , it is having your feet lined up in such a way that you can transfer your weight into the ball with a consistent , linear swing . If you are off-balance , you will shank the ball rather than hit smoothly and evenly .
Now comes the drilling . Hit crosscourt forehands and backhands , working on depth . Keep the ball within a couple of feet of the baseline . Don ’ t poke it , stroke it . Long and smooth . Then work on your down-the-line shots . Smooth swing . Bend your knees to put more body in the stroke . Always , always come back to basics . Watch the ball closely . Get your feet in a twinkle-toe mood . Extend your follow-through . Drill until you feel the fundamentals come together .
Do volley drills . Be a punching prizefighter . Keep the volley simple . It is a punch guided by the followthrough . Keep the volleys deep . Move your feet rather than adjust your punch . Set up for the shot rather than just reach out and hope . Good footwork produces crisp volleys .
Buy some cones or paint some water bottles that you can use for targets . It is time to practice your serve . Check out YouTube videos on serving . Take a lesson . You need to have a consistent serve that is deep . Then you will need a variety of serves as you improve . Experiment . High and deep can be very effective . Low and hard will keep your opponent back deep . Wide to the backhand opens up the court . Move the serve around . Develop a routine so that you don ’ t rush . Good servers pause and plan . This shot you control . Don ’ t waste it . Serve 100 balls a day .
To practice returning you need a partner . Or , by now you may have bought a ball machine . Either way , you need those targets to practice returning deep down the middle . Bend those knees . Remember why you worked on watching the ball come off the opponent ’ s paddle . Now you need those skills . Develop a comfortable waiting position . Paddle well in front and ready . Weight on the balls of your feet . Ready but not tense . Purposeful .
Learn to lob . A good practice partner will lob to you , and you practice overheads . Then you lob and have her practice overheads and you lob off of her shots . The lob is essentially a carry . You lift the ball like an elevator . The overhead requires preparation . You need to take the paddle back as you begin your move backward . You must be ready when the ball descends . You need to go back to basic skills to develop a solid overhead . Footwork . Discipline . Drills .
Understand the difference between offense and defense . All shots have both sides . You have a defensive high lob , letting you get back into the court and into play . Or you hit an offensive lob to catch your opponent crowding the NVZ line too closely . Both are necessary . You must learn to know which one is appropriate in each situation . And always remember that placement beats power .
Every day you should focus on one fundamental while you are drilling or playing . Purposeful practice is the key to progress . Do not waste a minute . Pickleball is way more fun when you can use all the shots and nuances in the game .
And , finally , learn to respect your opponents . You will be a better sport and a credit to the game if you respect the hard work and diligence of other players . Help those who are just coming into the game and acknowledge those who have paid their dues . •
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the ‘ 60s . She ’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional . As a 4.5 pickleball player , she won gold in Huntsman , NSGA Nationals , US Open , and USA Pickleball events around the country . Alice is an IPTPA member , SSIPA founding board member , Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain , Italy , and Germany .
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | MAGAZINE 85