INSTRUCTION by ALICE TYM
SLAY YOUR SINGLES GAME
Singles play is increasing due to the overall popularity of pickleball and the increasing number of pickleball courts . The number-one deterrent is the lack of available court time because a doubles foursome takes precedence over two singles players at most facilities . But there is every reason to play singles when possible .
Singles will help your conditioning . It will add new shots to your repertoire . Singles will increase your strategic and tactical toolbox . And singles is easy to organize because it just takes two players .
First , you need to accept that it ’ s a different game than doubles . Speed , agility , and conditioning are more important . Add conditioning drills to your routine . Jogging every other day gives you a place to start . Then find a track to alternate sprinting a quarter and walking a quarter . A good on-court fitness footwork drill is to start at the baseline then dart ( with your paddle back ) to the right corner where the NVZ line meets the sideline , stop and scissor back as you return to center , dart to the left corner , return , and dart up the center to the T . Reverse and repeat . Now you are committed and ready to play !
While doubles is a game of placement , singles is a game of placement and movement . You want to make your opponent move to the max while reducing your own movement , especially those movements that get you out of position . You want your opponent to be the one lunging .
So , the chess game begins with the serve and a strategy . If your opponent has good angle shots , you want to serve down the middle and take them away . If he does not have a strong backhand , you want to serve wide to the backhand on the left side and pull him off the court . You have to initiate your strategy from the get-go . Place your serve , and vary your serve ’ s height , depth , and spin .
Singles has myriad options . The more fit you are , the more spin you can generate , the greater the depth you can achieve , and the more pace you can initiate all give you greater options in your arsenal . Focus on creating openings . If your opponent has a strong shot , try hitting to that shot to force him to run to his weaker side for the second shot . Hit to the strength to open up the weakness . Of course , you must be able to deal with his strength . Or you can chip away at his weaker side until you get a put-away shot .
In women ’ s singles , pull her up to the net with a short ball then lob over her head . Make her run the diagonal . Deep to the backhand , drop to the forehand and vice versa . In tennis the secret is deep crosscourts . Because the pickleball court and the paddle are smaller , sharp angle shots are especially effective in setting up an opening . A good way to learn and practice shots is skinny singles , using the half court . If , for example , you have a weak backhand , use the diagonal half court and force yourself to hit every ball using your backhand . Find out what you can do with each shot . “ Know thyself ” is the singles mantra .
The return of serve is the “ money ball .” You must be able to determine where the serve is coming to , prepare early to hit it , transfer your weight into the ball , and make a quick recovery to gain good court position . Good body mechanics and no shortcuts — it takes PRACTICE .
Now the point is developing . You need to anticipate . When can you hit a shot that will carry you to the NVZ line ? Always look for an opportunity to get to nirvana , the NVZ line . By now you have a sense of the opponent ’ s favorite passing shots . Take them away with your spin and placement . Don ’ t give your opponent hero shots . When he is playing well , you are letting him .
For ladies , a good strategy is to return a high loopy ball to the backhand corner since the server cannot rush the net . If your opponent runs around it to hit a forehand , she will be way deep and out of position . Make her run the diagonals . Height is a huge advantage in both pickleball singles and doubles . Some ladies must compensate in that department by being especially fit and by being shot makers . Develop a good drop shot . If you can pull your opponent up to the NVZ line then lob her a few times , you will start controlling the pace of the match . Women ’ s singles is tough . Help your opponent build character .
For men , roll that topspin serve and groundstrokes or chip with a slice . It is not enough to just pound the ball unless you pound it better than he does . Men ’ s singles is a dogfight . You have to work your opponent over with angles . Deep shots to the corners then drop
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