Pickleball: Three key mistakes that will hurt your game

[ASFN Admin]

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week​

I just watched this new video from Jordan Briones on three main mistakes players make that will hurt their pickleball game. It's so good.

Let's recap:

First mistake -- serve​

· Jordan demonstrates the “bowling serve”.

· I see this every day from players who learned this 5-10 years ago. It is hard to correct, but you can do it.

· Straight elbow, straight back-see the yellow line.

· Difficult to create power or topspin.

So what should we do instead?

· Contact in front of you, closer to your body.

· Contact low to high, follow-through out in front.

· Compare the yellow line from the bowling serve to the proper one with the topspin serve.

Second mistake -- ready position at the NVZ​

· Grip – continental or “hammer” grip. Use this. Do not change your grip.

· Too low – see the demo. Causes a chicken wing and pop-ups.

· Arms locked out in front – if you are trying to counter, you will have to bring your arms in closer from that extended position.

· Paddle too far to the backhand side. See the yellow lines. Yes, if it is right at your chest, this will work.

· What if it is coming to your forehand? Chicken wing!

· Paddle too far to the forehand side.

· See the demo. Goes straight down. Late getting to the backhand counter.

· Your best ready position is the neutral-ready position, one to one-and-a-half feet in front of your belly. See the yellow circles on the tourney players. May tilt a bit to the backhand side.

Third mistake -- too much practicing on dinking, third-shot drops​

· Yes, these are important.

· Beginners need to perfect the serve and the return of serve prior to the third shot drop or dink.

· After developing a consistent serve and return, on both the forehand and backhand side, think about keeping them deep.

· Develop a third shot drive. Why? Third shot drops take time to develop. While you are working on it, practice a third shot drive that keeps you from being attacked as you come into the kitchen.

· I see my beginners often just hit a high ball to the net players, who are already waiting at the net after they returned. If they can learn to put topspin on their third shot, and aim low to the middle, they will not get attacked.

· Good counter volleys! Coming to the net with your paddle up, balanced, using your hips and shoulders to attack out in front, at your opponents’ feet.

Upcoming​

We had a great Paddle for St. Paddy's event last Sunday. Thanks for playing.

The last outdoor event will be April 6 at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert. This summer, I will offer five indoor round robins at the gym at Civic Center Park. All my events will now be posted on the RPPA website, and also on my Facebook page.

Introduction to RPPA​

To all my students, round robin tournament participants and friends, here's an opportunity to get a free or discounted membership to this great new app with the Recreational Pickleball Players Association.

Here's their website:

www.rppa.org/join

Because Elena was one of my pitchers when I was coaching softball in the 80’s, I am helping her with the Fit Pickler and RPPA. I can now advertise my events on this site for free whereas it was $50-$500 per event on other websites that I used the last 10 years.

Visit the website above to create a profile and get more information. It will help you get online lessons, plan social meetups, find tournaments, and much more. Their new travel app is launching this week, with great deals. If you mention my name in an email to Elena at [email protected], she will give you a free membership.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball: Three key mistakes that will hurt your game

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