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INSTRUCTION by KYLE McMAKIN
Attacking , Defending or Neutral : Understanding Pickleball Dynamics
Mastering attacking and defending is essential for players aiming to reach higher levels of proficiency in pickleball . While these concepts may seem straightforward , understanding the nuances of when to attack , defend or hit a neutral shot can significantly impact the flow and outcome of a match . Let ’ s break down these elements to simplify and provide a comprehensive understanding of when to hit an attack , defensive or neutral shot .
Defense : Relieving Pressure
Effective defensive play requires awareness of court position , balance , and contact . Players find themselves on defense when :
• Their court positioning is compromised .
• They are off-balance or forced to stretch for a shot .
• The ball is behind them , requiring a defensive reaction .
• They are faced with an opponent taking a ball out of the air .
In defense , the primary goal is to relieve pressure from the opponent ’ s attack . Strategies include creating space by backing up slightly to gain time to react and generating time by making the next ball you hit bounce , allowing for recovery or neutralizing the point . Keys to Effective Defense 1 . Ready Position : A good ready position is when you are balanced on both feet and your paddle is in front and you are ready to react or move . You should feel loose and relaxed . Start every point in your ready position , and every time right before the ball is struck , be in this ready position . Maintaining an athletic stance empowers players to counter effectively , turning defense into offense .
2 . Pickleball Split Step : Adopting a split step , akin to tennis , allows players to swiftly adjust and react with precision . The pickleball split step is where both feet slightly lift and then land or bounce together , leaving you in your ready position . Time this right when the other team is about to contact the ball . This will make it so that you are balanced and ready for the opponent ’ s shot .
3 . Correct Court Position : Avoid lunging for shots by preemptively positioning yourself based on the position of the ball . If you must move , splitstep right before the ball is struck so that you are stationary . Being still and waiting to see the ball off your opponent ’ s paddle will give you the best opportunity to counter .
4 . Counterattack : When someone attacks , you should try to counterattack if you can . To do this you will want to contact the ball in front of you so that you do not get jammed . Don ’ t take much of a backswing and keep your paddle face and the path of your paddle in line with where you want the ball to go .
Offense : Applying Pressure
When players have a positional advantage , or their opponent is off-balance with a compromised contact point , they are poised to apply pressure and transition to offense . Offensive opportunities arise when :
• Players have superior court positioning compared to their opponents .
• The opponents are off-balance or struggling to reach for a ball .
• There is a chance to take the ball out of the air or capitalize on a dead dink .
To capitalize on offensive opportunities , players should :
• Take away space by following their shots and closing the gap between themselves and their opponents .
• Reduce the opponent ’ s time to recover or react to the next shot .
• Utilize strategic dinks to push opponents into a defensive position .
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