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INSTRUCTION by MATTHEW SCHWARTZ
Top Five Common Mistakes — And How to Fix Them
Three leading instructors weigh in on how to fix the most common mistakes made by recreational players .
You know exactly what you did wrong on the shot you just hit . You will yourself to correct it , only to make the same mistake several more times that day .
You ’ re a 3.5 pickleball player or thereabouts , and you ’ re frustrated about those repeated mistakes . You are far from alone . Pickleball instructors estimate that 75 to 80 percent of all recreational players are at the 3.5 level . Pickleball Magazine asked a dozen 3.5 players to list their five most common mistakes . Then we asked three top instructors for advice on ways to fix them .
For expert advice , we tapped Pickleball Hall of Fame members and certified instructors Steve Paranto and Seymour “ Rif ” Rifkind as well as the legendary Richard Movsessian , known in the pickleball community as “ Coach Mo ,” who has conducted thousands of clinics in more than 20 states and overseas over the past 20 years .
In no particular order , here are the five most common mistakes 3.5 players make , and the instructors ’ advice on how to fix them .
MISTAKE # 1
“ I don ’ t remember or just fail to get up to the non-volley line quickly , if at all .”
HOW TO FIX IT :
Paranto : “ Remember the mantra ‘ Return and go ’ in your head . Don ’ t stay back and admire your shot .”
Rif : “ Begin stepping forward to the NVZ after you strike your third , and get ready to do a split step [ feet parallel to each other ] when you see your opponent getting ready to strike the ball .”
Coach Mo : “ You should get to within an inch of the non-volley zone as quickly and efficiently as possible . Playing from there gives you the highest percentage shot .”
MISTAKE # 2
“ I creep up past the baseline after I serve or my partner serves , the return lands at my feet and I hit the ball into the ground or net because it ’ s too close to me .”
HOW TO FIX IT :
Paranto : “ Remember the mantra for the serving team is ‘ Serve and Stay .’”
Rif : “ Avoid creeping up by doing a split step after your serve , which could actually be a slight hop back behind the baseline .”
Coach Mo : “ Stay at least a foot behind the baseline after your team serves . Do not step into the court until you are sure you know where your opponent ’ s return will bounce .”
MISTAKE # 3
“ I hit too many pop-ups .”
HOW TO FIX IT :
Paranto : “ A lot of pop-ups are caused by grip pressure that is too tight . Remember to relax your grip between shots .”
Rif : “ Hitting the ball too late and close to the body is a common cause of a pop-up . Using too much wrist , rushing the shot , and lifting your head too early are common errors when dinking , which causes pop-ups . Make sure you use the continental grip as it accommodates for both a forehand and backhand volley and avoid trying to switch grips .”
Coach Mo : “ Do not hit the ball on the run . Be in a set position , with your feet shoulder width apart .”
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