When discussing strategy in sport there is a certain level of intelligence expected in order to execute any game plan or assess your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.  It seems there should be an exception to this idea for a competitive activity with a silly name like Pickleball.  How could it be intellectually challenging when the tools of ignorance are a whiffle ball and a short hard paddle with the appearance of a 1950’s disciplinary instrument used by an exasperated mother.  To this I say codswollop!!

Tactics and technology in pickleball, both nuanced and vital for success, are evolving as this blog is written.  Created in 1965 the sport is in the mere toddler stage and those confusing age and maturity risk falling from a 3.5 to a 2.0 in their DUPR rating.  Using a quality paddle from a manufacturer such Engage, Selkirk or Paddletek will also increase your playing enjoyment.

Let’s get started with one of my favorite mistakes, dinking and driving.  Don’t Dink and Drive!! A player on the base line ready to drive the ball while the partner is situated with toes neatly on the NVZ line ready to dink will surely cause me to get that 1950’s paddle out for discipline should members of my team attempt it.  I refer to this as a caddywampus formation and it must be rectified. 

There are a number of ways this formation is forced upon a team.  The serve returner is off balance after hitting the ball and can’t advance toward the net.  The third shot drop is weak and not recognized by the partner who aggressively attacks the NVZ line while the dropper recognizes the poor shot and remains back or a lob where the players simply are not on the same page.  In live action all these things and many more will indeed occur.

The main purpose of today’s blog, other than not boring you to death, will be to advise how to survive this unfortunate situation and possibly win the point. 

First it is vital you do not immediately become irritated with your partner or vice versa for your poor placement on the court. Forget it, you are here and must deal with it.  No matter who made the error causing the caddywampus formation it is the job of the baseline player to enforce a remedy.  The player on the NVZ line may not even be aware of your dire straits. 

It is important all balls be hit by the out of formation team at the player directly across from your player at the NVZ line.  Balls hit to the opponent across from the base line player can easily be directed on an angle between the out of position players and make a bad situation worse.  The player at the NVZ line should attempt to remain steadfast in position and wait for the baseline partner to fight through the transition zone (zone of opportunity) and join the dinking.

One of the toughest plays to execute in Pickleball is advancing to the NVZ while all three other players have established position at the line.  This must be done with patience, proper pace and accurate shots.  The days of charging into enemy fire like a bat out of hell to accomplish this feat ended about 4 years ago when the sport was not yet crawling on the kitchen floor. 

Patience is vital as you attempt to join the other players at the NVZ.  According to the US Census bureau 31% of Pickleball players were born during the Jurassic Period but that does not mean strategies from that time should still be employed.  We must hit good shots and advance at a measured pace to join the fun at the NVZ.  Hit a cross court shot at the opponent opposite your partner and advance a step or two.  If the ball comes back to you, stop and hit another cross court shot and repeat.  If the opposition engages your partner you may be able to take an extra step or even advance all the way in.  Drops are preferred but drives may be used if your opponents have difficulty with them.  During this process it is vital you are in a completely stopped low position with your rump down when you contact the ball.  Moving or stepping forward as these shots are executed greatly increases the chance for error.  Try to make contact in front of your body and hit the ball out of the air but battle all the way in.  This takes drilling and may result in your friends excoriating your pace as you don’t rush to the NVZ as they were taught 4 years ago.  Shrug it off, practice and make your way to the winners circle.

Paddles Up,

Mother

1950 paddle ready for discipline

When discussing strategy in sport there is a certain level of intelligence expected in order to execute any game plan or assess your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.  It seems there should be an exception to this idea for a competitive activity with a silly name like Pickleball.  How could it be intellectually challenging when the tools of ignorance are a whiffle ball and a short hard paddle with the appearance of a 1950’s disciplinary instrument used by an exasperated mother.  To this I say codswollop!!

Tactics and technology in pickleball, both nuanced and vital for success, are evolving as this blog is written.  Created in 1965 the sport is in the mere toddler stage and those confusing age and maturity risk falling from a 3.5 to a 2.0 in their DUPR rating.  Using a quality paddle from a manufacturer such Engage, Selkirk or Paddletek will also increase your playing enjoyment.

Let’s get started with one of my favorite mistakes, dinking and driving.  Don’t Dink and Drive!! A player on the base line ready to drive the ball while the partner is situated with toes neatly on the NVZ line ready to dink will surely cause me to get that 1950’s paddle out for discipline should members of my team attempt it.  I refer to this as a caddywampus formation and it must be rectified. 

There are a number of ways this formation is forced upon a team.  The serve returner is off balance after hitting the ball and can’t advance toward the net.  The third shot drop is weak and not recognized by the partner who aggressively attacks the NVZ line while the dropper recognizes the poor shot and remains back or a lob where the players simply are not on the same page.  In live action all these things and many more will indeed occur.

The main purpose of today’s blog, other than not boring you to death, will be to advise how to survive this unfortunate situation and possibly win the point. 

First it is vital you do not immediately become irritated with your partner or vice versa for your poor placement on the court. Forget it, you are here and must deal with it.  No matter who made the error causing the caddywampus formation it is the job of the baseline player to enforce a remedy.  The player on the NVZ line may not even be aware of your dire straits. 

It is important all balls be hit by the out of formation team at the player directly across from your player at the NVZ line.  Balls hit to the opponent across from the base line player can easily be directed on an angle between the out of position players and make a bad situation worse.  The player at the NVZ line should attempt to remain steadfast in position and wait for the baseline partner to fight through the transition zone (zone of opportunity) and join the dinking.

One of the toughest plays to execute in Pickleball is advancing to the NVZ while all three other players have established position at the line.  This must be done with patience, proper pace and accurate shots.  The days of charging into enemy fire like a bat out of hell to accomplish this feat ended about 4 years ago when the sport was not yet crawling on the kitchen floor. 

Patience is vital as you attempt to join the other players at the NVZ.  According to the US Census bureau 31% of Pickleball players were born during the Jurassic Period but that does not mean strategies from that time should still be employed.  We must hit good shots and advance at a measured pace to join the fun at the NVZ.  Hit a cross court shot at the opponent opposite your partner and advance a step or two.  If the ball comes back to you, stop and hit another cross court shot and repeat.  If the opposition engages your partner you may be able to take an extra step or even advance all the way in.  Drops are preferred but drives may be used if your opponents have difficulty with them.  During this process it is vital you are in a completely stopped low position with your rump down when you contact the ball.  Moving or stepping forward as these shots are executed greatly increases the chance for error.  Try to make contact in front of your body and hit the ball out of the air but battle all the way in.  This takes drilling and may result in your friends excoriating your pace as you don’t rush to the NVZ as they were taught 4 years ago.  Shrug it off, practice and make your way to the winners circle.

Paddles Up,

Mother

1950 paddle ready for discipline

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