Watch to Learn

Listen, watch, and learn...

We all love to play pickleball. And playing/drilling is certainly the best way to learn the nuances of the game. But that doesn't mean that watching others play should be just for entertainment. Much can be learned by watching better players as well as playing with them. Such is the lesson espoused by instructor Daniel Joseph (DJ) Howard in one of weekly tips.

Watch top players play.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a video worth? If a video is worth more than a picture, of how much more value is watching a live event?

In your spare time, please watch videos of top players playing. Watch Facebook livestreams when they are available. Watch YouTube videos of past matches.

Watch men's pro doubles.

Watch women's pro doubles.

Watch mixed pro doubles. (You'll notice this is played far differently than men's or women's!)

If you can, attend a 5.0 or pro event live! You will see great matches from start to finish. You can learn a lot by watching and even more if you take notes. Not only that, but the atmosphere is contagious. Images of top players playing will soak into your psyche and you can begin to try and emulate WHAT those players do, even if you don't yet fully understand HOW they are able to do it!

What's more, if you attend a tournament live, chances are you will get to meet some of the top players and my guess is you'll discover that they are regular people - down to earth, friendly, and willing to give some helpful advice. (Just don't try to catch them on the way to their assigned court for a match!) How inspiring is THAT?!

Let me make a recommendation of a recent video. Women's doubles from this past weekend from DelRay Beach Florida between Abbie David and Catherine Parenteau vs Dominique Levin and Christie Bradley. This video already has over 5300 views. It's high quality pickleball!

https://www.facebook.com/daniel.j.howard.9/videos/10214505514212535/

Watch top players and I promise you won't regret it. Then you'll have inspiration and more info to get out there and practice playing like the pros!

Keep reppin'!

-DJ