Net Cord Game

Make practice fun...

Continuing the series Jordan Briones Primetime videos, today is an unstructured drill that works on dinks, volleys, reactions, and footwork, at a minimum. The video is called Pickleball Game | FUN Net Cord Game. The name is associated only with the start of the drill. 

The drill starts by holding the ball on the top of the net and tapping it with a paddle. The player on whose side the ball falls must dink the ball to their partner. After the first dink, players are free to any shot they choose, including lobs. After a dead ball, the play restarts the same way.

The drill (game) is not complicated and no further explanation is necessary. Enjoy the video and go practice.

East Naples Winter Classic

The wind is the same for everyone...

Yesterday's post was about the facilities at the US Open site in Naples, Florida. I mentioned that there was a tournament taking place during my visit - the East Naples Winter Classic. I will cover it in any detail but will show photos of NC players and friends. Most of these are from men's doubles play. I was not available for the entire tournament so some players were missed.

Paul Coletta, bronze medal winner, and Inga Carr, referee

Naples - the site of the US Open

From The Villages to pickleball mecca...

Eight days ago, I left pickleball heaven in The Villages, as I wrote about in Saturday's post The Villages.  After zigzagging around Florida - South Beach, Sarasota, and Naples - I visited pickleball mecca at East Naples Community Park, the site of April's US Open. The East Naples Winter Classic was being played and I got lots of photos of NC friends...and others. Check back tomorrow for those. Today's post is about the facility.

The walk from the parking lot is dominated by the huge tent-like canopy over a section of courts.

Offbeat Sunday: Peppy and Pickleball Experience

Pickles never change...

It has been a while since we heard from Peppy. Today he talks about his pickleball past.

The Villages

Retirement or pickleball heaven...

Last weekend I visited friends in The Villages, Florida. They are pickleball players and I was anxious to check out the reported enthusiasm and courts in the "city". It was all true. I was there for 3 nights and 2 days. In those 2 days, I played at 3 different facilities. Don't even think about asking me which of the 50 or so sites that have courts - they all looked alike to me.

Each set of courts on which I played had 6 courts - 2 rows of 3 courts each. The rows were divided by a net but there was no divider between the 3 courts in each row. That resulted in a lot of play stoppages but it was nothing I wasn't used to.

Rule Changes - Player/Referee Interactions

Rules were made to be broken, no, what???

The USAPA announced last week the availability of the 2018 USAPA\IFP Official Tournament Rulebook. The rulebook contains some significant changes that we have been and will discuss over the next several weeks. We will continue today with rules regarding interaction with a referee. The first is a repeat from Rule Changes - Serve due to its relevance to both topics.

Service Motion

For the first time, the rules have defined the defined the service motion and, specifically when the service motion starts. From the definition section (Section 3):

Service Motion – Begins when the player’s arm moves to initiate the swing backward or forward to contact the ball.

Controllables - Spin

Don't let opponents control you...

This is the third in a series from DJ Howard, an IPTPA instructor in Michigan. This post will include 2 of his Forum tips about the controllables of a pickleball. The first is an introduction to the series and the second focuses on the third controllable - spin.

Lateral Shuffle Exercise

Its called muscle memory...

Yesterday's post included a lot of lateral movement. It was not only extensive but it required quick foot movement. The motion may not be natural to all players and practicing proper technique can help. Besides, even someone as fit as Marcin Rozpedski seemed to get a little out of breath. A little exercise can't hurt, right?

Basic Lateral Shuffle Technique

A Drill to Create Space

One, two, hit...

Today's post brings another Jordan Briones Primetime video where he works with Marcin Rozpedski on a volley drill. The video is called Pickleball Volley Drill | Creating Space on your Volleys with Marcin Rozpedski. The drill consists of 2 players hitting volleys directly to each other. But the receiving moves side to side to rotate the volley from forehand to backhand. The partner does not vary the location of his volley - it always be directly at the player.

There are 2 points of emphasis in this drill. First, foot movement is critical. Marcin focuses on sliding and not not hopping. His feet move quickly with foot opposite the direction he wants to move sliding to to the foot on the side of desired direction. Then the second foot quickly moves his body in that direction. 

Second, the volley must be controlled. Again, the target is directly at your partner. In order for the drill to be effective, the player should move around the ball and not to the ball. The combination of the points of emphasis is "one, two, hit".

Third Shot Drop Success by Skill Level

Everything has a purpose...

We have spent a couple of days discussing what defines a successful third shot drop. But what are the expectations for success? As you might guess, the expectations vary significantly by skill level. The International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association has established standards for their ratings system. Their ratings closely correspond to USAPA ratings, although the USAPA standards for each shot are not as specific. The IPTPA standards are shown below.

Offbeat Sunday - Happy Dance

We play for the fun...

From the Pickleball Forum, what is your happy dance after an awesome shot?

A Contrarian View of the Drop Shot

Everything has a purpose...

Yesterday post was my view of what an effective third shot should be. As you might guess from the title of this post, Mark Renneson also has a strong opinion on he topic. In this case, his is pretty closely aligned with mine. Below is an excerpt from his article It's Not What You Think: Myth-busting the Drop, which can be read in its entirety at the link.

..when we are all together in the gym or on the court, everyone knows exactly what is meant by a third shot drop: a slow-moving reply to the return-of-serve. A shot that lands in or near the kitchen when the opponents are near the net. This is not big news. But then I ask them: “Why, exactly, would we hit this shot? What is the point of a drop?”. This is where things get interesting.

The 3rd Shot Drop is a response to a return of serve, used when opponents are at the NVZ.

Rule Changes - Serve (Update)

Rules were made to be broken, no, what???

In Tuesday's post, I wrote about the redefinition of "underhand" and my interpretation of what it meant to the service rules. I also mentioned that it was unconfirmed and I was not ready to state that the serve would change. While it remains unconfirmed from anyone on the USAPA rules committee, there is another interpretation gaining traction. It is also one that made sense to me as soon as I heard it. 

That interpretation is that the underhand definition was changed to clarify that the backhand serve is legal. Many debated whether the backhand serve fit the previous rules. This redefinition removes that argument. So, the serve rule implementation remains unchanged from previously, again, though, unconfirmed as of now. Luckily we have until January 31 to figure this out. I just wish the wording was clear to begin with - a simple "Serve may be made with a backhand or forehand" would have been clear.

Measuring the Third Shot Drop

Everything has a purpose...

Everybody talks a lot about the third shot drop...and they should. After all, it is one of the most important shots in any rally. But what makes it so important? I want to discuss what makes a third shot drop effective but we must first make clear its purpose before effectiveness can be determined.

Prior to any discussion, let's ensure that we are all on the same page with regard to the court positions and advantages or disadvantages at play on the third shot. The third shot is hit by the serving team immediately off the return of serve made by their opponents. The serving team must wait for the return of serve to bounce before making a play. This normally allows their opponents to be positioned at the NVZ while the serving team remains stuck in the back of their court. This is pictured below. The gray (serving) team is back while the black (receiving) team is up near the NVZ.

Controllables - Speed

Don't let opponents control you...

This is the second in a series from DJ Howard, an IPTPA instructor in Michigan. This post will include 2 of his Forum tips about the controllables of a pickleball. The first is an introduction to the series and the second focuses on the second controllable - speed.

Rule Changes - Serve

Rules were made to be broken, no, what???

The USAPA announced yesterday the availability of the 2018 USAPA\IFP Official Tournament Rulebook. The rulebook contains some significant changes that we will discuss over the next several weeks. We will start today with rules regarding the serve.

Service Motion

For the first time, the rules have defined the defined the service motion and, specifically when the service motion starts. From the definition section (Section 3):

Service Motion – Begins when the player’s arm moves to initiate the swing backward or forward to contact the ball.

Revised Rulebook for 2018

Rules were made to be broken, no, what???

The USAPA is scheduled to announce today the availability of the 2018 USAPA\IFP Official Tournament Rulebook. From the USAPA:

"This revised rulebook has been 2 years in the making and is a result of countless hours of volunteer time from the USAPA Rules Committee and careful review by the USAPA Board of Directors. In this finished product, we feel that significant strides have been made including:

Clarification of many rules through better wording.

Addition of an index.

More pictures/diagrams.

Reorganization of many chapters for better overall flow.

Skill Level Guidelines for Targeting the Return of Serve

Be sure to positively identify your target before hitting the ball...

Today's post will finish the current discussion on the down-the middle return of serve. We previously read Prem Carnot's article 7 “Hit to the Middle” Secrets Every Pickleball Player Should Know in 7 Down-the Middle Secrets. Prem included a separate section in that article that provided guidelines about how frequently a player should target the middle based on his skill level. Those guidelines are shown below.

Click here to request your FREE copy of my Ratings & Goals Guide, which will help you figure out your exact skill level and will also give you skill-level specific goals to help you take your game to the next level. Once you’ve identified your skill level using that guide, then come back here to read the rest of this article.

Here are some quick, skill-level specific guidelines for how frequently to hit to the middle compared to going for a cross-court shot or hitting straight on.

Newbie (2.0) – Aim 5/5 Shots to the Middle

Offbeat Sunday - Winter Pickleball Review

Some things are not made to go together...

Mark Renneson has entertained us with winter pickleball - played on ice. His recent winter pickleball review video - Pickleball Ball Review: Winter Edition - seems appropriate for the bitter cold weather we have been experiencing in the eastern US.

7 Down-the Middle Secrets

Be sure to positively identify your target before hitting the ball...

So far you have read all kinds of thoughts about hitting the return of serve down the middle. Mark Renneson, other instructors, and I have helped us learn the best strategy. Its time for Prem Carnot to chime in. His article 7 “Hit to the Middle” Secrets Every Pickleball Player Should Know is shown below.

If you’ve been playing pickleball for any length of time you’ve probably been told by some player (probably more advanced than you) to “Hit to the Middle”.  Maybe you’ve even congratulated your team on a winning shot by saying “Down the Middle Solves the Riddle!” (With or without a somewhat obnoxious “Yeah, Baby!” added before or afterwards…)

Hitting down the middle is often an excellent strategy, but it’s also frequently mis-understood and incorrectly implemented.  In this article, we are going to cover some of the lesser-understood strategies and nuances tied up in this oft-repeated phrase.

#1) Hit to The Middle Because the Net is Lower There

More on The Return of Serve Target

Be sure to positively identify your target before hitting the ball...

Last week, I posted (Is the Middle the Right Target for the Return of Serve?) a Mark Renneson video in which he suggested that the best target for the return is the weaker opponent. His rationale is that a hit down the middle cedes control of the point to the opponents' best player. This contrasted with my earlier post in the "targeting" series (Targeting: Where and Why - The Return of Serve). 

In that article, I identified the primary target as deep down-the middle for 3 reasons:

1. It could create a hit by a weaker backhand if placed properly.
2. It draws the opponent to the middle and exposes the sideline for the next shot.
3. It holds the potential for an easy point if the opponents get confused about who should hit the ball.

Interview with Top Referee Byron Freso

Nobody does it better...

I have been posting a series of videos from Jordan Briones showing lots of good drills. Some of those videos were made while at the USAPA Nationals. While there, Jordan interviewed Byron Freso, who is generally acknowledged as the top referee in the game. Byron provides some great insights into refereeing and encourages others to join the ranks in this short video called Pickleball Rules and Refereeing | Q&A with Top Referee Byron Freso.

Controllables - Direction

Don't let opponents control you...

One of the most important articles I have written for this blog was The Most Important Shot. That article talked about controlling the rally with your next shot. It is all about focusing on the aspects of the game within your control. Today's post will start a small weekly series based on the contributions from an outside pickleball instructor. 

Daniel Joseph (DJ) Howard is an IPTPA instructor in Michigan. He is also a member of the Pickleball Forum where he offers a weekly tip. DJ has kindly agreed to allow me to include his Forum tips on this blog. I previously posted one his tips in Watch to Learn. This post will include 2 of his Forum tips about the controllables of a pickleball. The first is an introduction to the series and the second focuses on the first controllable - direction.

Two Touch Drill

Make drills fun...

This post is the next in the series of Jordan Briones' drills. This drill focuses on improving a player's paddle control and touch. Each of 4 levels of drills are shown in which the ball is stopped/caught before being hit back. The drill progresses from dinks to volleys.

Drill 1 is called "bounce, touch, bounce, touch" and uses dinking as the shot to practice. The drill starts with a dink to your partner who allows it to bounce then "touches"/taps it to himself, allows it to bounce again, and then dinks it back. This shown pictorially below.

Mental Toughness

Play to the best of your ability in a pressure situation...

How many times have you seen (or been in) a game where a team with a big lead ended up on the losing end? I have (and I have). I know what happens to me in those situations. I start to lose just a little focus at first. Then I make a mistake. Then I keep replaying the mistake in my mind and my focus is further diverted. Things snowball. Sometimes the focus returns but the opponents now have so much confidence that it becomes a dogfight to the bitter end.

In other words, the problem is not generally a physical one but is a loss of mental focus. So how is a player to overcome the loss of focus and get stronger mentally. I have done a little research on the subject and some common themes have emerged as discussed below.

Recycle Sunday - It Should be Called Dinkball

A blast from the past...

I have been posting Offbeat Sunday content for a long time. While it may continue sporadically as new material becomes available, I am starting a new series called Recycle Sunday in which I will repeat some old articles. This article was originally published November 29, 2015.

***

Recent posts have been about moving from the baseline to the kitchen line. Prem Carnot’s article in a recent post made clear why you need to get there. If you haven’t read it yet, please do. Prior to my recent tournament, I planned to follow those posts with a series on kitchen line play ultimately leading toward several posts on dinking. However, my experience at the Holiday Smash has caused me to move dinking to the head of the line.

So, what is dinking and just why is it so darn important? A dink is a ball hit low and soft into your opponent’s kitchen. It is important because it is effective either in a defensive or offensive mode. Its importance grows as the skill level of your opponent rises. It provides you a significant competitive advantage against opponents who can’t or don’t prefer to dink. I saw match after match won and lost by the dinking game in Concord.

The Pickleball Doctor

I can't stand being on the sideline...

The last 3 months of 2017 were painful for me. My left knee had been swollen but without much pain. Then, suddenly the pain shot up - I would say to level 6 or 7 on a scale to 10. Arthritis runs in the family but I always thought that it was a gradual process so this pain couldn't be related, at least in my mind. So I rested and sat on the sidelines. It drove me crazy. But I did a lot of research and visited an orthopedist. It was arthritis and it then became a matter of managing pain and inflammation.

But that information is just to set up the topic of the post. During my downtime, a new contributor joined the Pickleball Form. Noe Sariban started a Facebook page - The Pickleball Doctor - with the stated purpose of "Injury prevention and rehabilitation tips from a Doctor of Physical Therapy and avid Pickleball player to help you play the sport you love!". As the saying goes, just what the doctor ordered.

Is the Middle the Right Target for the Return of Serve?

Be sure to positively identify your target before hitting the ball...

Back in September, I had a series on targeting. One part of that series was the proper target for the return of serve - in the article Targeting: Where and Why - The Return of Serve. 

First, it should be noted that the return of serve should be a relatively easy shot since no opponent is waiting for your ball at the NVZ line. Therefore, targeting for a return of serve can get very specific. 

In that article, I identified the primary target as deep down-the middle for 3 reasons:

1. It could create a hit by a weaker backhand if placed properly.
2. It draws the opponent to the middle and exposes the sideline for the next shot.
3. It holds the potential for an easy point if the opponents get confused about who should hit the ball.