ANNA LEIGH WATERS ATTEMPTS TO CATCH HER OPPONENTS MEGHAN DIZON AND MARIETTA WRIGHT OFF GUARD , REDUCING THEIR TIME TO REACT , WHEN SHE TAKES THE BALL OUT OF THE AIR BY JUMPING OVER THE KITCHEN TO HIT A FOREHAND ERNE SHOT DURING THE WOMEN ’ S PRO DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE PPA DESERT RIDGE OPEN .
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG ; IG : @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY .
� have amazing anticipation and movement to the ball , which allows them to take more risk with some shots or reset if necessary to practically start the point strategy all over again .
So , what I am asking you to think of , before you speed up the ball , is : Are you ready for what happens if the ball comes back quickly ? If not , maybe you should just keep it slow and wait on a better opportunity to speed it up or put it away .
Knowing every shot has a purpose , while the sport is speeding up , it ’ s still important for every player to master a variety of shots because in almost every game , each of them will either take time away from your opponent or give you that extra second to get into position .
From the German poet / philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe : “ Every second is of infinite value .”
Use the tips above to make sure time is on your side in your next match . •
Christine Barksdale PPR Professional LevelUp Pickleball Camp Instructor Senior Pro Player
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 | MAGAZINE 69