Winners, Another Guest Post from Scott

 Scott has passed on the following information.  I greatly admire Scott's game and style and he has my full endorsement - which isn't worth much, but he's got it.   The following points are designed to make you a steadier player and tougher to beat.  It discusses common errors made by beginners and advanced alike.  It also embraces a style that will lead to longer points, which is the philosophy of pickleball.  So to make yourself tougher to beat and to maximize court time, read on and hopefully make this part of your game.  -Rich

Ok here is what a lot of people don't want to hear....STOP GOING FOR WINNERS ALL THE TIME!

 

1. Always get your serve in. 3/4 deep is fine with plenty of clearance over the net. You can maybe try something fancy when up 9-0 but not at 8-9, or 0-0. The serve should be treated as simply a way for the rally to start.

 

2. Always get your return in. Send up a moon ball 3/4 deep and get to the net. You never should go for a winner or flirt with the sidelines. I like to return in the middle of the court and watch my opponents sometimes fight over it and make an error, plus  a lot of times the ball hits the center line and does the Livermore skid!

 

3. When at the baseline stop killing the ball and watching it fly out. If you want to hit it hard go 3/4 pace and hit it down the middle or at a body, but avoid going for the sidelines. Most shots from the baseline should be hit softly into the kitchen so you can get to the net.

 

4. When at the net stop taking big swings and going for winners. You need to master control before you master winners. I rarely go for an outright winner when I am in control of a point. Your first option should be attacking opponents feet, second is going middle, and the 3rd option is hitting it long when you want to end the point, and the 4th option is hitting it wide because you feel you have to hit a winner. Eliminate options 3 and 4 and watch how much you will improve.

 

5. When you are in no man's land and are trying to get to the net, stop taking full swings and expect to make the shot. You should take no backswing in this area and hit the ball gently so hopefully it goes into the kitchen and you can move up to the KL. Hit to the middle if you want to be aggressive.

 

6. When you are forced off the KL (BIG MISTAKE) don't get on your heels and try for a wild swinging winner that might go in 5% of the time. If you have to step back, you need to be balanced and land on the balls of your feet right before your opponent hits it at you. You want to be gentle with the shot and try to get it back into the kitchen for a reset. If you can start making half of these shots it's a lot better than 5% wild winners.

 

7. When you and your partner are at the net and your opponent throws up a nice lob and you run back and hit a wild attempt at a winner and miss every time....STOP DOING THIS! The pros never do this, they always hit soft back into the kitchen, but this shot is not easy. I recommend always to lob the lobber. Hit a high defensive lob to the center of the court and medium deep. Then you and your partner have time to move back to 3/4 court and dig in and play defense.

 

8. If in doubt where to hit the ball, always choose at the feet or middle of the court. Location, Location, Location!

 

9. Good defense will beat good offense, just watch the Newman siblings play mixed doubles together!