Tennis is a game of whacking the ball hard most of the time.
Pickleball is more about finesse.
A pickleball is a like a whiffleball, a plastic ball with holes. On outdoor courts, the wind and the sun become a factor.
Learn how to judge if a ball is going out. Don't give away points easily. Shots are more likely to land out if:
1) Your opponent's point of contact is below the net.
2) If your opponent likes to hit mostly bangers, rarely softer shots.
3) If they're moving forward when they strike the ball.
4) If the wind is to your opponents' back.
5) After your opponent hits that first hard shot they're likely to hits the ball faster and faster. Let it fly out.
Try to place every shot to the left foot of the opponent on the left, on or near their toes.
Many players who stick with the game reach a level of 3.5 and won't move up because they have bad habits, and they don't bother with lessons or clinics.
Many players are are happy with their play where they are and there's nothing wrong with that!
If you want to move up from 3.5, you'll need to practice drills and attend clinics more than you play. When you play matches, you want to win and you stick with your habits.
Your best bet is always to hit to the toes as opposed to vigorous back-and-forth volleying, going for the kill.
The first person to put it to their opponen's toes is most likely to win the rally. Practice is how you get there.
You'll probably need to hit third shots 5,000 to 10,000 times before you get it right.
After you have these basic skills under your belt, a great way to practice is to play "Skinny Singles." One person on each side, playing on only one half of the court. (Actual singles games use the whole court. Lots of running, as in tennis.)
Most importantly, have fun!
A pickleball is a like a whiffleball, a plastic ball with holes. On outdoor courts, the wind and the sun become a factor.
Learn how to judge if a ball is going out. Don't give away points easily. Shots are more likely to land out if:
1) Your opponent's point of contact is below the net.
2) If your opponent likes to hit mostly bangers, rarely softer shots.
3) If they're moving forward when they strike the ball.
4) If the wind is to your opponents' back.
5) After your opponent hits that first hard shot they're likely to hits the ball faster and faster. Let it fly out.
Try to place every shot to the left foot of the opponent on the left, on or near their toes.
Many players who stick with the game reach a level of 3.5 and won't move up because they have bad habits, and they don't bother with lessons or clinics.
Many players are are happy with their play where they are and there's nothing wrong with that!
If you want to move up from 3.5, you'll need to practice drills and attend clinics more than you play. When you play matches, you want to win and you stick with your habits.
Your best bet is always to hit to the toes as opposed to vigorous back-and-forth volleying, going for the kill.
The first person to put it to their opponen's toes is most likely to win the rally. Practice is how you get there.
You'll probably need to hit third shots 5,000 to 10,000 times before you get it right.
After you have these basic skills under your belt, a great way to practice is to play "Skinny Singles." One person on each side, playing on only one half of the court. (Actual singles games use the whole court. Lots of running, as in tennis.)
Most importantly, have fun!
