Play Pickleball Like a Smart Boxer

PLAY PICKLEBALL LIKE A SMART BOXER
Tip of the month from Coach Mo


A boxer always jabs with his left hand waiting patiently for an opening to connect with a K.O. swinging right hand.


A pickleball player should jab at his volleys [extension at the elbow joint] waiting patiently for the ball to be the proper height [12 inches or higher above the net] and proper speed [not to fast] before hitting a K.O. swinging


Volley shot.
If a boxer used his powerful right hand too often he would probably be knocked out cold.


The same thing applies to a pickleball player who does not work the point with his jab volley waiting for the proper time for a swinging volley.


COACH MO


Check out all of Coach Mo''s tips at http://www.pickleballcoach.com

Poaching: when pickling isn't enough

Another article by Coach Diller's favourite author.

Sun, 10/18/2009 - 16:07 — Gale H. Leach

Poaching comes in two varieties: planned and unplanned (or opportunistic). Both types can help you win points.

What is poaching? When you are playing doubles and you step out of your usual area to return a ball meant for your partner, you have poached that shot. Done well, it catches your opponents by surprise, making it harder for them to return the ball. [In the kitchen, poaching is to cook in a simmering liquid. In pickleball, poaching causes your opponents' tempers to become heated so that they start to stew.]

Planned poaching takes practice with your partner. You need to develop a signal that tells your partner you're going to move. In response, your partner will also shift position so that both of you still cover all of the court.

The easiest planned poaches are made by the player who is close to the net on the receiving team. After the serve, the receiver should return the ball deep to keep the serving team at the baseline. The most common return by the serving team would be to the receiver in back. Expecting this, the player near the net executes a planned poach, moving quickly to the other side of the court and intercepting the ball.

Poaching only works if your opponents don't expect it, so you should occasionally fake a poach. How do you signal this so that your partner doesn't become confused, too? Typically, forward players signal behind their backs to their partners. One scheme uses an open hand for a poach and a closed fist for staying put. This last is important: signaling only when you are going to poach will be a sure giveaway of your intentions, so you must also signal when you are not going poach for this to work. Whatever scheme you use, make sure it's clear and easy to remember.

There are other times when unplanned poaching suddenly seems appropriate. If you are up near the non-volley zone and your partner is further back, the opponents will likely try to hit the ball to your partner. You should definitely take advantage of an opportunity like this, especially if the ball is a little higher or slower, giving you added time to intercept it. You must keep your move a surprise for as long as possible though, so your opponent doesn't realize what you're about to do and return the ball behind you. Wait as long as possible -- preferably until your opponent has committed to the shot.

Sometimes poaching only requires you to step a few feet into your partner's side of the court, allowing you to return to your own position easily. When you must go further, it's usually best to call out "switch," signaling to your partner to do the same and cover your side of the court. Either partner can call this "switch," but it is important to communicate it since the player in front cannot see what his partner in back is doing.

However, this action is called 'poaching' because it derives from stealing a ball that rightfully belongs to your partner. Two things about poaching are important: do it wisely and make sure you and your partner are clear about why and when it will happen. Some players are so keen to poach that they deprive their partners of shots without a need. This is especially true if the poacher does not make the shot. Do not hog the court and poach unnecessarily.

In competitive pickleball, strategy says you should hit to the weaker player. If that person is your partner, poaching may be a good strategy, but make sure your partner understands that this technique is for the "greater good." In non-competitive pickleball, too much poaching often leads to bad feelings. Use this option wisely and don't monopolize the court.

Practice poaching just like you practice anything else in pickleball. It is a useful skill that can help win points you might otherwise lose. When adding poaching to your repertoire, try it early in the game so you can make up the point if it doesn't work. Certainly try it if you are far ahead or way behind.

Hone your poaching skills and dish out a recipe for success!

Pickleball Percentages - Monthly Newsletter by Coach Mo

Again Coach Diller is going to the expert for tips of the week.  Diller's motto, "how can you make it better than the master?"  This weeks tips are from the monthly newsletter of Coach Mo at http://www.pickleballcoach.com/.  This newsletter is free to members and membership is free so go to pickleballcoach.com and sign up

This months tips are on Pickleball Percentages

Never sacrifice placement for power. A slow ball hit at your opponent's feet is better than a very fast ball hit at the waist

Two for Won

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 21:28 — Gale H. Leach

Professor Diller's Comments

I feel that the best writer about pickleball by far, is Gale H. Leach.  Her book, "The Art of Pickleball" is in my humble opinion, the best out there.  Gale continues to keep her book current by attaching a blog to the website, http://www.pickleballstore.com/.  I check this blog frequently to see what articles I feel all Pickleball players could benefit from.  This week I have posted Gale's article that brings out the fact that a team of weaker players that play well together can beat a team of stronger players.  How often have you tried to take shots that should have been your partner's?  Failed to communicate.  Been too predictable.  Learn from Gale's advice "Two for Won"

This week, I was thinking about winning strategies (again). While there’s a lot to be said for just getting out there and enjoying playing pickleball, if you’re reading this, chances are you also think about winning and want to better your odds.

 Most pickleball games are played as doubles. (You singles players out there can either skip this posting or keep it in mind for when you do play with a partner.) Doubles is a team sport, and I believe two players working well together will usually beat two players who don't work together as a team, even if the latter are each better individual players. I did a little research online to back up my thinking. While the statistics I found have to do with tennis, I believe they probably apply to pickleball as well.

The top men’s doubles tennis teams at the professional level don’t usually include players who are ranked very highly as singles players. There are exceptions and, in the case of the women’s teams, at least one of the doubles players is often a great singles player, too. But statistics indicate that two players who work well together often beat two players who may be individually better than they are but don’t work as well as a team.

 When we pair up with someone on the court, we almost never spend enough time discussing strategy or figuring out how we can capitalize on our combined strengths and minimize our combined weaknesses, yet that would be the logical thing to do since it would win us more points. Even people who have been playing with the same person for a long time should occasionally take a look at how they play together and examine their strategy critically to see how it could be improved. Here are some things to keep in mind in Gales article, "Two for Won"

Coach Diller Quotes Coach Mo

Some may call this creative stealing, in my case it is straight plagiarism. I figure if something is so good, why not pass it on as it is. In my opinion, these tips are by the master himself, Coach Mo, Dick Movsessian. That said, "how can I make them better?" I can't.


I have posted these before, but I think we all need a reminder from time to time. When you are struggling with your game, sometimes, as you hear the pros say, "you just need to get back to the basics."


Here is what Mo says are 10 ways to guarantee that you will LOSE more
Pickleball games than you WIN

1. FREQUENTLY miss your serve.
2. FREQUENTLY miss your return of serve.
3. HELP your opponents by keeping their OUT balls in play.
4 When your opponent hits a very difficult FAST shot at you, try and hit a low
percentage sharp angled shot for a winner rather than a DEFENSIVE PUNCH shot. 5. Take away your PARTNER’S easy forehand shots, with your weaker backhand
shots.
6. Get upset with your Excellent Pickleball partner who has SUCCESSFULLY
jumped in front of you to win the point!
7. Do NOT keep the ball at your opponents feet as much as possible.
8. Do NOT play up at the Non-Volley Zone.
9. Hit the ball TOO FAST for good placement, and do NOT give yourself enough
leeway for error.
AND
10. Take TOO MANY sharp angle shots rather than high Percentage shots down the middle of the court that bounces between your opponents.



For More with Mo go to http://www.pickleballcoach.com/ and order Coach Mo's brand new DVD, "Pickleball Clinics - Strategies and Techniques", today.

Diller is watch his copy right now.

Diller's Tim Bits This Week - Making and Defending the Lob

When I am asked to compare the game of Pickleball in Ontario with Florida, I have to think about it. There are decided differences.

One of the differences I have noticed is the fact that lob shots are a much higher percentage shot indoors than out. Articles by coaches in the US suggest that the lob shot although very effective is a low percentage shot at best. The reason is the 15' X 20' area to land a high towering shot in. Add the wind, and you can appreciate the reasons coaches call it a low percentage shot.

However, indoors the percentage goes up without the wind and makes it a shot all players should practice and use more frequently than most of us do.

As much as I like the lob shot to force the opposition back from the NV-line, I always fear for players running back to get it. Never, never, never, back peddle to get the lob over your head. Backing straight up is a recipe for disaster. Tripping over your own feet is so easy to do regardless of our agility. What do you do?

Last week, I commented on communication. Here is a good place to put that into action. Tell your partner that if the shot is over his or her head, you will take it. Since you will be running on the diagonal, you have a less dangerous shot to get to. Try to pick up the direction of the ball off the paddle so you can get a head start. You know some players like to lob more than others, so be prepared.

If your partner goes back to cover for you, don't forget to cover their side and yell, "switch".

If you do decide to go back on your own, tell your partner, "mine", and peel to the left to run back, turn and plant your feet so the ball is on your forehand if you are right handed.

Diller also suggests that sometimes, "discretion is the better part of valor." Is getting to the ball really worth it? What kind of return will you be able to make if you do get to it? If the return is weak and right in the wheel house of the other side, why bother. Diller even suggests blowing some garlic dill on the ball and maybe it will keep on sailing.

Remember. Diller Discretion.

Player Communication in Pickleball

"Summer Time Picklers taking a little time out to discuss the game or communicate

Coach Diller's Tips this week deal with player communication.

One of the great things about playing Pickleball is the fact that it is a social game. Because partners are closer together on a Pickleball court, they talk to each other and often enter in some friendly banter back and forth. This is a "Diller Delight".

Although the friendly pokes at each other is great, there is a need for serious communicate with your partner as well. Communication is even more important in recreational play where each game may involve a new partner. You may never have played with that person before or not very often. Start right from the beginning of the game by shaking hands and introducing yourself if you have not met the person before. If the person is new, that will make them feel more at ease.

It is a good idea to find out if one or both of you are left handed. If you do not realize your partner is left handed until well into a game, it may be too late to make adjustments. Depending on which side of the court you are on, you will end up with two forehands up the middle or two backhands. Some times experienced players will switch sides after the serve or return of serve in this scenario to offset the two backhands in the middle. Diller does not recommend this until you have more experience.

Remember if your partner is playing the ball it is your job to watch the lines and communicate that the ball is out loud and clear. Yell as soon as your realize the ball is out. If you are not sure remember to yell, bounce it. Saying nothing, tells your partner he or she should be playing the ball.

This brings up that Indecision line Diller talked about last time. Players should communicate early who is going to cover that shot down the middle. Yell, "mine" or "yours" as soon as you realize where it is going. The person on their forehand should be the automatic choice but communicate anyway so their is no indecision.

A lob over both partners' heads at the NV-line presents a problem. If it is over your head, it is often better for your partner to run diagonally back to get it and you move to cover the position they vacated. Always yell "switch" so your partner knows what you are doing because he or she is looking up at the ball and may not see you. This avoids leaving a side open and a possible collision if the partner tries to get back. Remember when you switch, you must return to your proper side before serving or it is loss of serve or if receiving loss of point.

Don't forget player etiquette requires that the server call out the score loud and clear.

Also, compliment a good play by not only your partner but the other team as well. Even if you are getting beaten by the other team, be gracious and give credit. They may be, " having a great game or a stronger team but appreciate their play. On the other hand, if the other partnership is struggling, remember, we all have good and bad days.

Diller says, "Pickleball is a social game. Joke and have fun. Communicate with your partner. After all, Pickleball is no Big Dill."