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INSTRUCTION
by ALICE TYM
Why You Should Take the Ball on the Rise
Pickleball has its own skill set . It is not tennis . But tennis players make good pickleball players . With certain adaptations or in some cases carry-over skills , tennis players make really good pickleball players . There is a lot to be learned from the new players coming into the sport . Taking the ball on the rise with a short backswing is the new pickleball .
Jimmy Connors did it in tennis and rushed his opponents . John McEnroe took “ chip and charge ” to a new level . Net-rushing tennis players are few and far between these days because of equipment changes and the conversion from grass to hard courts in the major championships , including the U . S . and Australian championships . On grass , players had to be up on the ball ; they had to take it early . Time is of the essence in paddle and racket sports , and that principle works for pickleball , especially in singles .
Successful pickleball singles players are shortening their backswings . They “ short hop ” the ball by taking it early before it crests the bounce . The short backswing saves time and eliminates some chance for error . It is more efficient . The early hit then rushes the opponent . The combination allows a player to move forward toward the Non-Volley Zone ( NVZ ) line that much sooner . It is a game of King of the Mountain , and the guy hitting the ball early is the most likely to become king .
A player should anticipate and be ready for the short hop . He still needs to set up and stroke the ball rather than just run through it . But the key is to rush the opponent by taking the ball early rather than rush yourself by letting the ball drop and being late in your preparation .
What to practice ? Start with the mental aspect of anticipating where the opponent ’ s shot will land . Good players are on the hunt as soon as the ball leaves the opponent ’ s paddle . You need to be in the area where the ball is going to land . Proactive not reactive . Watch their hands , their stance , their swing . Then shorten your backswing . Do not take the paddle past your hip . Keep it a compact swing . Your forward momentum and your legs give you the power .
Hitting the ball early gives you the advantage of rushing your opponent . It creates more angles , more opportunities . Bisect the angle of the ball to force your opponent to move quickly . Don ’ t let the ball drop and don ’ t let the ball play you . That short backswing gives you more opportunities , more openings . Of course you still have to keep your head down while hitting , and you need to practice the timing . But it all begins with attitude . You are going to move early , shorten your backswing , take the ball on the rise , and rush the opposition .
How to practice ? Start with forehand crosscourt drills , coming into the NVZ line on every short ball . Look for opportunities . Make sure you finish forward of where you struck the ball . Keep your paddle up and in front so that you are prepared for a quick exchange . It should feel almost as if a string is drawing you forward , and that string is your follow-through . Make your approach shot flow and let your stroke carry you forward . Stay down through the stroke . If you come up too soon , you will lift the ball long and your power will go up rather than into the hit . Focus on preparing early , keeping your head down on the ball , transferring your weight into the ball , staying poised , and following through along the trajectory of the attack .
To work on your short backswing , use a wall . Discipline yourself as you machine-gun shots close to the wall . That long , flowing tennis backswing must be compressed into a pickleball short hop . New game , new lingo . Remember that a short backswing is less complex . And it gives you greater versatility in shot selection . After hitting on the wall , practice your crosscourt sharp angles . Adding sharp angles will improve your singles game immensely . Now your opponent is doing the running . •
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 .
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