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1 . Patti is demonstrating a tripod stance where she is well balanced , her eyes are watching the ball , and she is able to swing in a linear motion so that her weight transfers from back to front . Her power goes forward into the ball . Keeping your head down prevents you from shanking the ball up . A linear swing gives you greater contact point options — you are hitting a line drive rather than a scoop . Photos by Alice Tym . 2 . A good way to teach proper biomechanics on court coverage is to put a towel around your waist and have a friend hold you back as he says “ go .” You have to dig down and propel yourself forward . This exercise gives you the feel of proper propulsion . It is more than just “ bend your knees .” Your body goes where your eyes go . Watch the ball . 3 . Vic is using cones to work on his forward and lateral movement . Run to the center cone , sidestep to the cone on the right , scissor back to the baseline cone , forward to the dented cone , sidestep to the left cone , scissor back using your paddle as if you are hitting an overhead . Make up your own patterns . Work on picking up your feet . Work on your paddle ready position . Take a swing each time you hit your mark . Time yourself . 4 . To keep your ankles supple and to work on balance and conditioning , find a hill and run the contour . Run the contour in each direction . My players never had ankle injuries because they stayed flexible and balanced with this drill . 5 . Patti is wearing boxing gloves to get the proper feel of hitting a volley . Her hands are up as she meets the ball in front . Her weight shifts from back to front as she punches the ball . 6 . To get the feel of extension on the overhead , Vic suspends a ball so that Patti must fully extend to hit an overhead . Many players do not realize how high they can and should reach . The overhead should be powered by the legs . A player should drive up into the ball . This exercise shows a player what full extension means .
And , finally , the overhead . To get the feel of extension on an overhead , try hitting a few balls over the far fence . Reach . Flex your spine to be eight feet tall . That is extension . Then tie a ball in a tree and practice hitting it . Think volleyball spiking for the extension . Then go to the pickleball courts and turn your side to scissor backward , plant your feet like a javelin thrower , push upward while maintaining your side to the net , point at the ball with your non-racket hand , and follow through to the spot where you want to hit the ball . It is easy to hit the ball down — what you are looking for is extension and hitting out into the court . The power is in your legs . Do not “ arm ” the ball . Back to the javelin thrower . Watch his legs . Watch tennis players ’ legs . The drive is forward and upward for power .
Good body mechanics make you feel comfortable . You have rhythm . You are balanced . You feel like you are getting a head start . You can be consistent because your fundamentals are correct . Your game is not blurry because your tripod is stable . Your arm is not sore because your legs are doing the work . Have someone video you hitting balls and analyze your movement . Good body mechanics are efficient . Keep it simple . Keep it comfortable . •
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 .
MARCH / APRIL 2024 | MAGAZINE 61