tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19864941844721410922024-03-05T07:57:44.507-08:00Jojoba Hills Pickleball ClubWe are members of Jojoba Hills SKP RV Resort, a 55+ cooperative community, located in Aguanga, California and we love to play Pickleball. This blog is intended to help beginning players to learn more about the game so they can join us.Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-64468453988898581802016-01-18T15:00:00.005-08:002019-12-13T12:57:24.385-08:00Welcome to Pickleball at Jojoba Hills!Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the 55+ age group. It is great fun, good exercise AND you don’t have to be 20 to play it well! The intent of this site is to encourage members, guests and visitors at <a href="http://www.jojobahills.com/" target="_blank">Jojoba Hills SKP RV Resort</a> to give it try and to help you learn more about this great sport. So let’s get you started! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYeXL0RMDbseQCnK81nJxe4uLSiVcXwWBZiAENQvcQychLTgwxNwN5R9aScxSBB1VyXCBLQDZnaYbDwW90h1qMNEW7yIO30Cxfl0BqL3CPs5VLQqjZja65Fvj2dkRNqDV2u_iMSItuQQ/s1600/Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYeXL0RMDbseQCnK81nJxe4uLSiVcXwWBZiAENQvcQychLTgwxNwN5R9aScxSBB1VyXCBLQDZnaYbDwW90h1qMNEW7yIO30Cxfl0BqL3CPs5VLQqjZja65Fvj2dkRNqDV2u_iMSItuQQ/s640/Girls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shary, Buzz and Nancy enjoying the game - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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We want to help introduce you to this fun game and incorporate you into our club. We realize how intimidating it can be to just show up at our doubles daily drop in play from 8:00 - 10:00. That is why we put together this website to provide information you can use to get started as well as to improve your game.<br />
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We have several experienced players who are willing to work with
beginners and show you how to use the Pickleball Tutor ball machine to
enable you to practice. Check the bulletin board at the Pickleball courts to learn who our current instructors are. Feel free to give any of them a call from any park phone or come to the courts about 10:00. <br />
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If you come down to the courts before 10:00 then head over to the patio seating area and put your paddle in the rack for Courts 1, 2 and 3. Court 4 is for more competitive play so if you are already a skilled player then feel free to head down there and put your paddle in the rack. You can believe us when we say we want you to join us in the fun!<br />
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<b>If you have never played before: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Check the bulletin board at the Pickleball courts to
learn who our current instructors are and call one of them to set up
some beginning Pickleball lessons.</li>
<li>To get the most from your first Beginning Pickleball lesson please take the time to read through the information on "<a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html" target="_blank">Getting Ready to Play</a>" and "<a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/starting-game.html" target="_blank">Starting a Game</a>". Watching some of the short videos will help as well. </li>
<li>It would also be helpful for you to begin to learn the "<a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#thebasicrules" target="_blank">Basic Rules</a>".<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html" target="_blank"> </a></li>
</ul>
<b>If: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>You have a paddle (or you plan to borrow one of ours) </li>
<li>You have some familiarity with the <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#thebasicrules" target="_blank">basic rules</a> of the game </li>
</ul>
Then check out “<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html" target="_blank">Getting Ready to Play</a>”<br />
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<b>If:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>You know what the court looks like </li>
<li>You know what the Non Volley Zone (AKA the “Kitchen”) is </li>
<li>You know how to tell if the ball is "in" or "out" </li>
<li>You know where to stand </li>
<li>You know what the ready position is </li>
<li>You know how to keep score </li>
</ul>
Then check out “<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html" target="_blank">Starting a game</a>”<br />
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<b>If: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>You know how to serve the ball</li>
<li>You know how to return a serve </li>
<li>You know how to practice these two shots </li>
</ul>
Then check out “<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html" target="_blank">Continuing to Play</a>”<br />
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<b>If: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>You know about getting up to the Kitchen line</li>
<li>You know about drop shots </li>
<li>You know about dinking</li>
<li>You know who takes the middle</li>
<li>You know about poaching </li>
</ul>
Then check out "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/tips-and-strategy.html" target="_blank">Where to Learn More</a>"<br />
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<b>We look forward to having you join us!</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Participants in the December 2015 Jojoba Hills Pickleball Tournament - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Don Schultz </span></div>
Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-54370063767244839772016-01-18T15:00:00.002-08:002016-05-02T14:09:13.370-07:00Where to BeginIn this post:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#choosingapaddle">Choosing a paddle </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#howtoholdapaddle">How to hold a paddle</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#thebasicrules">The Basic Rules</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="choosingapaddle"></a>
Jojoba Hills has several used paddles available for members and visitors to use. However, after giving the game a try if you think there is any chance you will want to continue you are encouraged to purchase a new and better quality paddle. For detailed information on selecting a paddle you can check out <a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/" target="_blank">Pickleball Central’s</a> <a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickleball_Paddle_Guide_s/49.htm" target="_blank">Pickleball Paddle Guide</a> and their <a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickleball_Paddle_Guide_s/49.htm#faq" target="_blank">FAQs</a>. <a href="http://pickleball002.com/en/selecting-a-paddle" target="_blank">Pickleball 002</a> also has good information. Another good resource is this blog post by <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a>, the (Pickleball Guru), “<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/how-to-pick-the-right-pickleball-paddle/" target="_blank">How to Pick the Right Pickleball Paddle So It Helps (Instead of Hurts) Your Game</a>”.<br />
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But basically there are three categories of paddles depending on what they are made of; wood, composite (fiberglass) and graphite. <a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/" target="_blank">Pickleball Central</a> states that weight is the most important factor. Pickleball paddles can range from 6 to 14 ounces. Wood paddles are the heaviest (as well as the least expensive) and in general, composite paddles are slightly heavier than graphite paddles.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span> </div>
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A heavier paddle will help you to drive the ball but it will increase fatigue and can strain your elbow as well as it offers less control of the ball. On the other hand, a paddle that is too light will not provide enough drive and it may be difficult to support in your hand but it will increase ball control. If you have arthritis or an injury to your hand, elbow or shoulder Pickleball Central recommends you select a middle-weight paddle between 7.3 and 8.4 ounces as this will be heavy enough to provide stability and absorb shock, yet light enough not to tax your arm. And it is important to get a paddle with the correct “grip size”. Almost all paddle grip sizes are between 4 to 4 1/2 inches in circumference. <a href="http://www.pickleballcentral.com/Pickleball_Paddle_Guide_s/49.htm#checkfit" target="_blank">Follow this link</a> to learn more about checking the fit of the grip on paddles.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="howtoholdapaddle"></a>
Once you have a paddle you have to know how to hold it. As in tennis there are several different ways to hold the paddle but “<a href="http://pickleballcoach.com/forums/index.php?page=2" target="_blank">Coach Mo</a>” recommends that you use a “continental grip”. It is also referred to as the "handshake grip". An advantage to this grip is that you don’t have to change it during play. The point of the "V" between your thumb and index finger should be placed on top of the handle of the paddle when the face of the paddle is perpendicular to the ground.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://users.rowan.edu/~wysock65/tennisgrips.html" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="thebasicrules"></a><br />
The next thing is you need to begin to learn the basic rules. The best place to get the rules of the game is from the <a href="http://www.usapa.org Rules Summary http://www.usapa.org/rules-summary/ " target="_blank">USAPA (USA Pickleball Association)</a>. But to get you started I've excerpted the following basic rules from <a href="http://www.azpickleballfun.com/rules.php" target="_blank">AZ Pickleball Fun.com</a>. <br />
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Serving: <br />
<ul>
<li>In Pickleball a player or team can only score points when serving. </li>
<li>Players must announce the score prior to serving. Always call the server's score first! </li>
<li>The serve must be made with an underhand stroke so that contact with the ball is made below waist level (Underhand Defined: The arm must be moving in an upward arc and the paddle head shall be below the wrist when it strikes the ball). </li>
<li>Serves must travel diagonally and land between the non-volley zone and the baseline of the service court opposite of the serving player. </li>
<li>Each player is allowed only one serving attempt unless it is a “let” serve. A let serve occurs when the serve hits the net and still lands in the correct service court. If this occurs, the serve is played over. </li>
<li>Each player will continue to serve until he does not win a point. </li>
</ul>
Serving in Doubles: <br />
<ul>
<li>At the start of each new game, only one player on the first serving team is allowed a service turn before giving up the ball to the opponents. </li>
<li>Thereafter both members of each team will have a service turn before the ball is turned over to the opposing team. </li>
<li>In doubles, the player on the right at the start of a service turn, will be the first person to serve for their team and will continue to serve until he or she does not win a point. </li>
<li>Then his or her partner will serve until he or she does also does not win a point. Then it is the other team's turn to serve. </li>
<li>When the serving team scores a point, the server moves to the other side of the serving team’s court. </li>
<li>The receiving team should never switch sides. </li>
<li>If the serve rotation is done properly in doubles, the serving team's score will always be even when the player that started the game on the right side is on the right side and odd when that player is on the left side. </li>
</ul>
Non-Volley Zone:<br />
<ul>
<li>To volley a ball means to hit it in the air without letting it bounce. </li>
<li>All volleying must be done with the player’s feet behind the non-volley zone (an area of the court adjacent to the net). </li>
<li>If a player's momentum causes them to step on or over the non-volley line after hitting a volley they have committed a fault and lose the point. </li>
</ul>
Double Bounce Rule:<br />
<ul>
<li>Each team must play their first shot off the bounce. </li>
<li>That is, the receiving team must let the serve bounce and the serving team must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. </li>
<li>After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce. </li>
</ul>
Faults:<br />
<ul>
<li>The ball may only bounce once per side. </li>
<li>After the ball is hit by a player, it must travel to the other side of the net. </li>
<li>If the ball hits one of the sidelines or the baseline, it is a playable ball. </li>
<li>When a player or team fails to win the rally they are said to have made a fault. </li>
<li>Some, but not all of the things that cause a fault are listed below: </li>
<ul>
<li>Serving the ball into an incorrect area. </li>
<li>Hitting the ball out of bounds. </li>
<li>Volleying the ball before it has bounced once on each side. </li>
<li>Hitting the ball into the net or hitting the net with your paddle or body. </li>
<li>Hitting the ball while in the non-volley zone before it is allowed to bounce. </li>
<li>Touching the non-volley zone with your paddle or clothes while attempting to hit a volley. </li>
<li>Stepping on or over the non-volley zone line on a follow through. </li>
<li>Missing the ball when you try to hit it.</li>
<li>Server swings the paddle with the intent of hitting the ball but misses.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Don't worry if the rules don't make much sense to you. We will review them as we go along. Now you are ready to move on to "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html" target="_blank">Getting Ready to Play</a>". <br />
<ul><ul>
</ul>
</ul>
Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-31924279181588326712016-01-18T14:59:00.003-08:002016-05-04T09:34:11.604-07:00Getting Ready to PlayIn this post:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Links to <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#choosingapaddle" target="_blank">choosing a paddle</a>, <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#howtoholdapaddle" target="_blank">how to hold it</a> and <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#thebasicrules" target="_blank">the basic rules </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#thecourt">The court, the net and the Non Volley Zone (AKA the “Kitchen”)</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#istheballinorout">Is the ball "in" or "out"?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#wheretostand">Where to stand</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#readyposition">Ready position </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#orderofserving">The order of serving</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#keepingscore">Keeping score</a></li>
</ul>
Jojoba Hills has several used paddles available for members and visitors
to use. When you are ready to purchase your own paddle you can check out <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#choosingapaddle" target="_blank">Choosing a Paddle</a>. It is good to know <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#howtoholdapaddle" target="_blank">How to Hold It</a> and to begin to become acquainted with the <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/2016/01/where-to-begin_18.html#thebasicrules" target="_blank">Basic Rules</a>. Don't feel overwhelmed as we will also cover the rules as we go. <br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="thecourt"></a><br />
A Pickleball court is similar to a Badminton Court. Something unique to Pickleball is the “Non Volley Zone”, more
commonly known as the “Kitchen”. Players are not allowed to step into
the Kitchen (which includes the line) and hit the ball on a volley
(hitting it without letting it bounce first). However, if it first
bounces in the Kitchen then a player MAY step in to hit the ball. It is worth remembering is that while the net is 36 inches high at the posts it is only 34 inches high in the center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNQ5J_r2YT78cXSRkvAV0RJyHApEVTBbaesLzR8Tk4q1jQ6aD1MMPVMqZDds6NBfvIVBTG1c1rl-ztR40p56Plq_cd28iEGgrsBktjuTo80qv3Z205htjgKMdU-HahjT5SsovBi5DcHE/s1600/Pickleball+court.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNQ5J_r2YT78cXSRkvAV0RJyHApEVTBbaesLzR8Tk4q1jQ6aD1MMPVMqZDds6NBfvIVBTG1c1rl-ztR40p56Plq_cd28iEGgrsBktjuTo80qv3Z205htjgKMdU-HahjT5SsovBi5DcHE/s640/Pickleball+court.png" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballnaplesfl.com/?page_id=252" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="istheballinorout"></a><br />
Before you actually start playing it is also good to understand how to tell if a ball that hits a line is “in” or “out”. Pickleballs are made of hard plastic that doesn’t compress on contact like a tennis ball does. Therefore the contact area is small, about the size of a dime.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSn5Kcjnt7k" target="_blank">Source of image </a></span></div>
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So even if part of the ball looks like it is <i>over</i> the line that small area of the ball may not actually be <i>touching</i> the line. If so then that ball is out. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSn5Kcjnt7k" target="_blank">short video</a> illustrates the point well. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSn5Kcjnt7k" target="_blank">Source of image </a></span><br />
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So whose responsibility is it to call the ball "in" or "out"? Even though players on the opposite court may think they can tell if the ball is "in" or "out" the fact is that they have a poorer view, especially of the baseline, so they don't get to call it. It is the responsibility of the players who are receiving the ball and one or both team members may call it "in" or "out". An important rule to remember is if there is a dispute and one player calls it "in" and their partner calls it "out" then it goes to their opponents as it is considered to be "in". So it is probably a good idea in close calls to quietly confer with your partner before announcing your verdict to your opponents.
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="wheretostand"></a><br />
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Another thing you need to know before you start is where to stand. Both players of the serving team stand behind the base line. The player who will receive the serve (the one diagonally opposite the server) should also stand behind the base line so they are prepared to receive a deep serve. However, the other player on the receiving team (the one standing opposite the server) should stand with their feet just a few inches from the Kitchen line. The reason for this will be explained in "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html" target="_blank">Starting a Game</a>".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdhQunhE3l6y2TS2r0nKs8vB2Jt_-dvjnXAuckv4gLgIUuHIlloaB1hhHQjyk88xb5Z-uUu7iuWfGNB_j293sU8GJWC1mpc7ZzjkZKMC3sv_4n_T3Ot_JZ1jjW-j0268TYZLVRDAiPCo/s1600/Starting+position.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdhQunhE3l6y2TS2r0nKs8vB2Jt_-dvjnXAuckv4gLgIUuHIlloaB1hhHQjyk88xb5Z-uUu7iuWfGNB_j293sU8GJWC1mpc7ZzjkZKMC3sv_4n_T3Ot_JZ1jjW-j0268TYZLVRDAiPCo/s640/Starting+position.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="readyposition"></a><br />
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With the exception of the server all players should assume a “ready position”. <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a>, AKA “The Pickleball Guru”, describes this as standing with your knees bent, your chest up but leaning slightly forward on your toes and holding your paddle up chest high. He’s says you can hold the paddle perpendicular to your body or with the back of the paddle facing forward. It is considered a good idea to lightly touch the paddle with the fingers of your opposite hand. The helps ensure that your paddle is properly aligned, perpendicular to the ground. This position helps you to be ready for the majority of shots. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgwUX5kymcFIx39YVk8wuC6HaS3sAa2OnWqIE_OYMkfzVi_Ufdj1sTp3mxXWNt3o9w88gwLc8LMdgt0j_s43bCmZanOVntcONk7OhYQYu0MykUUyoBevAqA4pGbSkIU7le3m1KuhwFbA/s1600/Ready+position.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgwUX5kymcFIx39YVk8wuC6HaS3sAa2OnWqIE_OYMkfzVi_Ufdj1sTp3mxXWNt3o9w88gwLc8LMdgt0j_s43bCmZanOVntcONk7OhYQYu0MykUUyoBevAqA4pGbSkIU7le3m1KuhwFbA/s640/Ready+position.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bud in the "Ready Position" - Photo by Sam Scherf</span></div>
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Some players, especially former tennis players, prefer to put both hands on the handle. However, one argument against this starting position is you aren't truly ready for either a forehand or backhand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVBjxJjqG3YZzwdSdam3f5b7Fo7tsoYb0lKLs6ha_H0mDQpZdh9Hzoqx8szAAeLSdSeiDCTVqi0aGfQ-ZD_h3ZFy-ONIVsF2WSZF_yyj28wYtsc_3Cag2NHWy3s7AMCVw2geQcCzIRiY/s1600/Nancy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVBjxJjqG3YZzwdSdam3f5b7Fo7tsoYb0lKLs6ha_H0mDQpZdh9Hzoqx8szAAeLSdSeiDCTVqi0aGfQ-ZD_h3ZFy-ONIVsF2WSZF_yyj28wYtsc_3Cag2NHWy3s7AMCVw2geQcCzIRiY/s640/Nancy1.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nancy in "Ready Position" - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="orderofserving"></a><br />
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It is also necessary to know about the order of serving. In doubles Pickleball both team members get an opportunity to serve before it is their opponent’s turn to serve. The <i>only</i> exception is at the very beginning of the game when only <i>one</i> of the players on the serving team gets to serve. This is to counteract the advantage that the team serving first has over the other team.<br />
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The first serve of a game is always done from the right hand court. If the serving team wins the rally and scores a point they keep the ball and the server switches sides with their team mate. This will be repeated if the serving team scores another point. If the serving team loses the rally (they hit the ball out of bounds or into the net) their opponents get the ball and the player in the right hand court on their side is the first to serve. From this point forward both players on both teams will have the opportunity to serve.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="keepingscore"></a><br />
Now about keeping score. Games are played to 11 points but games must be won by two points. Only the serving team can score points. Players must announce the score just prior to serving the ball. This is done by announcing three numbers; their team's score, their opponent's score and which server they are (first or second). So if your team has two points, your opponents have three points and you are the first server then you would say "two, three, one". Something that can be confusing occurs at the beginning of the game when only one person on the serving side gets to serve the ball. As neither team has any points the score is "zero, zero". The way this first server indicates that their partner will not be serving after them is to indicate they are the second server. So they should announce the score at the beginning of the game as "zero, zero, two". <br />
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Okay, now that you have some basic understanding of the game you can move on to "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html" target="_blank">Starting a Game</a>".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoIZY9hPbvVv1T9bcsv8Vmzu-17v0-gyC7RaonMLxl88F9wIROSjSQoanhtRpyj2Df8m-VAsIoSaBUugfvulUcCjmmj9rI8U5yX-ZhDg3Y4p4liUqa-X2zh9Wfr6_hi60IMclkQjoqi0/s1600/Jim1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoIZY9hPbvVv1T9bcsv8Vmzu-17v0-gyC7RaonMLxl88F9wIROSjSQoanhtRpyj2Df8m-VAsIoSaBUugfvulUcCjmmj9rI8U5yX-ZhDg3Y4p4liUqa-X2zh9Wfr6_hi60IMclkQjoqi0/s640/Jim1.jpg" width="502" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jim returning the ball - Photo by Don Schultz</span> </div>
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Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-77858814406604247992016-01-18T14:57:00.001-08:002019-12-13T11:45:39.142-08:00Starting a Game<br />
In this post you will learn about the first two shots of the game and how you can practice them on your own (which we highly recommend). When you come to the courts during drop in play from 8:00 to 10:00 please be aware that Courts 1, 2 and 3 are for "recreational" play and Court 4 is for more "competitive" play. We may not always be able to accommodate brand new beginners but whenever possible at least one of us will work with you. If you are able to hang around until after 10:00 then some of the more experienced players may be willing to stay and help you get started in this fun game. Check the bulletin board at the Pickleball courts to learn who our
current instructors are and call one of them to set up some beginning
Pickleball lessons. <br />
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In this post: <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html#servingtheball">Serving the Ball</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html#howtopracticeserving">How to Practice Serving </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html#returningtheserve">Returning the Serve</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/starting-game.html#howtopracticereturningtheserve">How to Practice Returning the Serve</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="servingtheball"></a><br />
<b>Serving the Ball</b><br />
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The player who is serving the ball at the beginning of a game should stand on the right hand side of the court between the sideline and the center line. The server stands behind the baseline and may not step into the court until after the ball is struck. The ball is hit into the the opponent's court that is diagonally across from them but it cannot land in the Kitchen or touch the Kitchen line. It may hit the sideline or the baseline as long as it actually <i>touches</i> the line. If the ball tips the net before going into the diagonal court it is a "let ball" and served over. Otherwise, if it hits the net it is "out". This video by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/moshunpics?feature=hovercard" target="_blank">Joe Baker</a>, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Doubles Pickleball Strategy 101-How to Play Smart Pickleball, Ten Tips</a>”, is a good introduction to playing the game. His teaching method is slow paced and his graphics are low budget but his information is excellent. The entire video is nearly 30 minutes long but for this post covering the first two shots of the game only the first four minutes are applicable. Something you may notice in his clips of tournament play is the players serving the ball appear to be serving from their partner's side of the court at times and then moving over to their own. It is a tactic called "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-stacking/" target="_blank">stacking</a>". But you can ignore it as we don't do it at Jojoba even in our tournaments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNeQZ_O8EoAfmpyVYNj_cw0HUFTg5vakmvcvwoJlJnjCMwmhKRDEeXUARURRIpVnlJ2L4H2eovZqECr34Fh5v-BQ4jxiCS2f9vS6FR63ytrw_2MINzxAvBt_xsgcKT9tQznfCR-PQkGQ/s1600/Serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNeQZ_O8EoAfmpyVYNj_cw0HUFTg5vakmvcvwoJlJnjCMwmhKRDEeXUARURRIpVnlJ2L4H2eovZqECr34Fh5v-BQ4jxiCS2f9vS6FR63ytrw_2MINzxAvBt_xsgcKT9tQznfCR-PQkGQ/s640/Serve.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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Serves are done underhand. The blade of the paddle must be below the wrist as well as below the person’s waist (naval height) when it contacts the ball. Serving the ball is similar to the motion of pitching a softball or bowling. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKhFjT-NdzM" target="_blank">This video</a> by <a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Deb Harrison</a>, better known as “Picklepong Deb”,
is a good one to get you started with a basic serve. Deb is a
character and she has a quirky teaching style but she has great
information. When preparing to serve first look at where you want your serve to land (near the middle about 2 to 3 feet from the baseline) and then as you prepare to hit the ball keep your eyes on it ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl_GCY3lCRghC8cDND9iHwxbVVbMfy81Ot0GeaZxUcewm9slS9bcyQV0aH6Yv0hq-aPxgnskyejv69B9qKg1go-L7-wTdYVFwdq_5JGkjl6jjhcq6bZR2kGIIweLUn-R-y6WdjXQg8wU/s1600/Dorothy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl_GCY3lCRghC8cDND9iHwxbVVbMfy81Ot0GeaZxUcewm9slS9bcyQV0aH6Yv0hq-aPxgnskyejv69B9qKg1go-L7-wTdYVFwdq_5JGkjl6jjhcq6bZR2kGIIweLUn-R-y6WdjXQg8wU/s640/Dorothy.jpg" width="438" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dorothy serving the ball - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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... and then follow through with your paddle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkhw0TwfqctC0Ew9eshIlqNQPZzjv5cCCOoYzpnudfTSAtGkUZ_iA1AT_XRxFqmaMf9surQmbOE1bA5zuN1oQRdAErWSwE2WcTizaLrNuUVC8edtddFAKDlF20bavkTsCmt4aUjSI4vw/s1600/Nancy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkhw0TwfqctC0Ew9eshIlqNQPZzjv5cCCOoYzpnudfTSAtGkUZ_iA1AT_XRxFqmaMf9surQmbOE1bA5zuN1oQRdAErWSwE2WcTizaLrNuUVC8edtddFAKDlF20bavkTsCmt4aUjSI4vw/s640/Nancy2.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Nancy serving the ball - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a> (the "Pickleball Guru"), in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pickleball-The-Gurus-Guide/dp/1502596024" target="_blank">Smart Pickleball</a>, states that when serving one should aim so that the ball is about 10 to 12 feet in the air when it crosses their opponent's Kitchen line as that will ensure that the ball will land deep, about 2 to 3 feet from the baseline. Some more competitive players do really low, hard and fast serves. It looks impressive but for beginning players a higher slower serve is perfectly fine. As a recreational player your objective is to simply get the ball in play. And don't forget to say the score before each serve; your team's score, your opponent's score and which server you are, first or second. If you need to you can review the "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#orderofserving" target="_blank">Order of Serving</a>".<br />
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One other thing. Anytime you hit a ball and it goes out of bounds into a neighboring court where people are playing call out "ball in court" or simply "ball". This is a safety measure to prevent anyone from tripping on an errant ball. You should say the same thing if a ball from another court enters the one you are playing on. Play is stopped and the ball is served over again. It is embarrassing to be the cause of stopping the play in another court but everyone does it at some point. All you can do is say you are sorry and vow to yourself you will improve your game. Other players may voice disappointment that their game was interrupted especially if they were in the middle of a good rally but I have never heard anyone express anger here at Jojoba. You will have plenty of opportunities for your own game to be interrupted by a ball from an adjacent court and you will be expected to also be a good sport about it.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="howtopracticeserving"></a><br />
<b>How to Practice Serving</b><br />
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Serving the ball is something you can practice on your own and it is highly recommended that you do so. The way to do it is to go to the court and use one of the metal baskets to hold at least a dozen balls (you can remove them from the ball holders attached to the fence near every court). The metal basket handles fold down to form legs. The best court to use is Court 4, the court farthest from Friendship Hall, and can be done whenever this court is not in use by Pickleball or Tennis players. We share the courts with tennis players and they are scheduled from
12:00 to 2:00 each day. However, there are few tennis players here so
the courts will most likely be available at that time. Start on the end closest to the gate and serve from the baseline in the left hand box. This way the balls will all tend to go into the far right corner and make it easier to pick them up. Serve all of the balls. Then go to the opposite side of the court and gather them up. Then serve from the baseline of the right hand box so the balls go into the far left corner. I know from personal experience that by doing this you will develop the "muscle memory" needed to be able to serve in bounds consistently. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="returningtheserve"></a><br />
<b>Returning the Serve</b><br />
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If you are the player receiving the serve then you should stand well back, even behind the baseline, as the server will most likely be hitting the ball deep into your court. An important rule to remember is that the player receiving the serve <i>must</i> allow the ball to bounce once before hitting it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnd66kSsmrk" target="_blank">This video</a> by <a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Picklepong Deb</a> helps to illustrate the return of serve. If you haven't already watched this part of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/moshunpics?feature=hovercard" target="_blank">Joe Baker's</a> video, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Doubles Pickleball Strategy 101-How to Play Smart Pickleball, Ten Tips</a>”, where he covers the return of serve then you should do so now. It starts about two and a half minutes in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHjeG3tp0MuHYMk8N4kRD6IrYkLbIe6UDGLkE6Scwj1WiWGMxjx3-Nd_lbmDAOPrQKNqWN3JGgdft0couo1be4m8bXN3UBJfb6ooWIOKUT9FMqW9gdCb2U0QbqtR2QM5pKGnkN8z2LMU/s1600/101+-+Tip+return+of+serve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHjeG3tp0MuHYMk8N4kRD6IrYkLbIe6UDGLkE6Scwj1WiWGMxjx3-Nd_lbmDAOPrQKNqWN3JGgdft0couo1be4m8bXN3UBJfb6ooWIOKUT9FMqW9gdCb2U0QbqtR2QM5pKGnkN8z2LMU/s640/101+-+Tip+return+of+serve.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Source of Image</a> </span></div>
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There are four basic ways to hit the ball which are pretty self explanatory; forehand, backhand, underhand and over head. While the serve must be hit underhand any of these may be used on subsequent shots. If you return the ball with a forehand then step forward with your left foot (presuming
you are right handed) turning slightly sideways before hitting the
ball. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Phil ready to receive a forehand - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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If you return the serve with a backhand then step forward with your right foot (again presuming you are right handed) and again turning slightly sideways before hitting the ball. The idea is to "stroke" the ball rather than slapping at it with your paddle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOLeqJuvAeytWCT_b9vv3KPUI0ub7VoXNgtZCI6U4DnxU_-hyswMa68IN_IRygNbAwZC4yRyE-P2d8PXdHsKDe5i5CB6vBd0dpnAE1cVyrpdRbfQuCSdKUkN1oOspYz8NHt8Ebzxbg0M/s1600/Roger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOLeqJuvAeytWCT_b9vv3KPUI0ub7VoXNgtZCI6U4DnxU_-hyswMa68IN_IRygNbAwZC4yRyE-P2d8PXdHsKDe5i5CB6vBd0dpnAE1cVyrpdRbfQuCSdKUkN1oOspYz8NHt8Ebzxbg0M/s640/Roger.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Roger hitting a backhand return - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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It is the ultimate goal of all players to position themselves at the
Kitchen line because this puts them not only in the strongest offensive
position but the strongest defensive position as well. The person receiving the serve can start to move up once they have returned the serve. It is a good idea for this return of serve to be hit deep into their opponent's court. This will give the person returning the serve more time to get to the Kitchen line before their opponent can hit it back.<br />
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Like it said in the post, "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html" target="_blank">Getting Ready to Play</a>" and "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/getting-ready-to-play.html#wheretostand" target="_blank">where to stand</a>" the teammate of the person who is receiving the serve starts the game standing up at the Kitchen line. It is a good idea for this player, who is opposite the server, to step closer to the sideline and keep their eyes on the ball. One reason is so they can better
dodge the ball if the serve is hit down the middle to their partner's backhand or it is hit wide. It is important to know that if the ball touches that person <i>or</i> their paddle then the serving team gets the point. This person should also turn just enough so they can watch the ball until it bounces so they can help their partner to judge whether a ball that hits the line is “in”
or “out”. Once their partner has returned the serve they should get back into
position in the middle of their side of the court and into the ready position. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXziydb7zdR73JwQv2RC63-fp1AleepLmjXBKe_-VTVo4TnelCZ3ec76pPbRUoZue8e8IYYpdOxhZNI_iOB6MATacxgKbpiasc_9rI28eot-tTv7NmjzTS2u1nR6O9ijg1wf9VqBYJz0/s1600/Jean+and+Cindy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXziydb7zdR73JwQv2RC63-fp1AleepLmjXBKe_-VTVo4TnelCZ3ec76pPbRUoZue8e8IYYpdOxhZNI_iOB6MATacxgKbpiasc_9rI28eot-tTv7NmjzTS2u1nR6O9ijg1wf9VqBYJz0/s640/Jean+and+Cindy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jean receiving a serve, Cindy watching the ball - Photo by LuAnn Oburn</span></div>
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So, immediately after the person who received the serve hits the ball they should move forward as quickly as they can ... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytUPOKjO-mWTzAB7zfSkOKLfOJCecOumwRQ4lcaT6pWotEuBIuHYiHiNoJ0M6tYNdYnp5OQXwjzK7MEl3bLd7jwmnF4vIs0t6q-jKCoKyYe6lKEXMSOJwkOP9xnYcgzeQ-2ndWZ8CwKA/s1600/Position+after+return+serve.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytUPOKjO-mWTzAB7zfSkOKLfOJCecOumwRQ4lcaT6pWotEuBIuHYiHiNoJ0M6tYNdYnp5OQXwjzK7MEl3bLd7jwmnF4vIs0t6q-jKCoKyYe6lKEXMSOJwkOP9xnYcgzeQ-2ndWZ8CwKA/s640/Position+after+return+serve.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Jean Strother </span></div>
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... and join their teammate at the Kitchen line. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKvd4uSINH7j-S85RlAs7GmWXJ47U0TlA5oA4nqyqBeF0yUjQIERQbemuYGFgas-8qXimeaPe8usryI5IvlghhuijumZX7epVXYV3kMiAHl_0K_bul3YUCCShzhxqyP8LS5Q8yUCGop4/s1600/Dennis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKvd4uSINH7j-S85RlAs7GmWXJ47U0TlA5oA4nqyqBeF0yUjQIERQbemuYGFgas-8qXimeaPe8usryI5IvlghhuijumZX7epVXYV3kMiAHl_0K_bul3YUCCShzhxqyP8LS5Q8yUCGop4/s640/Dennis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Phil and Dennis at the Kitchen line - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="howtopracticereturningtheserve"></a><br />
<b>How to Practice Returning the Serve</b><br />
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A good way to practice returning the serve is to line up a practice buddy. Then the two of you can practice these first two shots together, one serves and the other returns it. You can take turns being the one who serves. Avoid the temptation to try to keep hitting the ball back and forth to see how long you can "keep it going" as this won't improve your skills with these first two shots.<br />
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You can also practice this shot if you are by yourself. Simply stand
at the baseline, bounce the ball and then hit it. You can use one the
of the wire baskets and load it up with balls like you may have done
when practicing your serve. Remember the goal is to hit it deep into
your opponent's court.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOyj1OIgTMs4DBRL_eG3Z6HnLvpvDSSmMLswvxCk4zRYUqaSsTsTMJzhEMdwnUTNGhxmqsvj3P1tDNZcXEDpULJeb4T4NGkKXMCwpyx2hfyRdi2iBAuag966FlGb0YLiCVJ8x3pcnYR8/s1600/Art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOyj1OIgTMs4DBRL_eG3Z6HnLvpvDSSmMLswvxCk4zRYUqaSsTsTMJzhEMdwnUTNGhxmqsvj3P1tDNZcXEDpULJeb4T4NGkKXMCwpyx2hfyRdi2iBAuag966FlGb0YLiCVJ8x3pcnYR8/s640/Art2.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Art practicing return of serve - Photo by Jean Strother</span></div>
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Perhaps the most effective way to practice returning the serve is to use our "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Pickleball Tutor</a>"
ball machine. This machine enables players to practice a variety of
shots including the return of serve. If you are a visitor to the park
we ask that you please have one of our experienced Pickleball players to
be with you when you use it. If you are a brand new player we suggest
you have an experienced player work with you. If there is no one at the
courts you can call John Strother at 4511 from any park phone and we
will do our best to accommodate you. If you are one of our members and
you have played some Pickleball at Jojoba then you are encouraged to
give it a try. Before you use it please read the <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=3A7D2AB3C32BCF0D%21618&authkey=%21AEydLvR7cgtCOl0&ithint=file%2cpdf" target="_blank">Owner's Manual</a> as well as the information on our <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Pickleball Tutor page</a>.
This is a serious and expensive piece of equipment and we don't want it
damaged. Most importantly we don't want YOU to get damaged!!! <br />
<br />
I've heard the first two shots of the game referred to as the "formalities". They don't have to be "killer" shots, they just have to be good enough to get the ball in play. At the outset Pickleball may seem like a pretty simple game but after playing it for a while you will begin to learn that Pickleball is actually a very strategic. game. The goal of skilled players is to make shots that move their opponents out of position hoping their opponent will then make an “unforced error” (they hit the ball into the net or out of bounds). Or that their opponent returns the ball in such a way as to provide them with an opportunity to “put it away”.<br />
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I know from personal experience that it is overwhelming for a beginner to hear about all the different shots one could make and the different circumstances that call for different strategies. Beginners with a tennis background handle this better than those of us who don’t. Oftentimes all the strategy a new beginning player can handle is to get the ball over the net and keep it in bounds. But hang in there! Now, if you are are ready to learn what to do after the second shot follow this link to “<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html" target="_blank">Continuing to Play</a>”. <br />
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<br />Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-56682634875850027172016-01-18T14:56:00.003-08:002018-11-01T16:14:02.593-07:00Continuing to PlayIn This Post:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#gettingtothekitchen">Getting to the Kitchen line</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#thirdshotoptions">Third Shot Options </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#dropshots">Drop Shots</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#practicingdropshots" target="_blank">Practicing Drop Shots </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#dinking">Dinking</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#practicingdinking" target="_blank">Practicing Dinking </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#shotsotherthandinks">Shots other than Dinks </a></li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#whotakesthemiddle">Who takes the middle?</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/continuing-to-play.html#poaching">Poaching</a> </li>
</ul>
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To reiterate, both players on the serving team start the game standing just behind the baseline. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1gh5ZqSb6YzitWaAsZ5x1FKOE_w4s99ILCpEVWJzdalEMSHHi1krPCN98u_xYkfthtwuiJyzfKkVf3Ks9J8dKn4W5TkQhNJwVPJ-AmMcSzOmVRSwxikfM_b00WOIZpvp9JpVBRyMJUk/s1600/CJ+and+Shary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1gh5ZqSb6YzitWaAsZ5x1FKOE_w4s99ILCpEVWJzdalEMSHHi1krPCN98u_xYkfthtwuiJyzfKkVf3Ks9J8dKn4W5TkQhNJwVPJ-AmMcSzOmVRSwxikfM_b00WOIZpvp9JpVBRyMJUk/s640/CJ+and+Shary.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">CJ serving the ball, Shary in ready position - Photo by LuAnn Oburn </span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="gettingtothekitchen"></a><br />
After the ball is served both players should remain back at the baseline while the ball is returned by one of their opponents. The reason is that the serving team <u>must</u> let the ball first bounce in their court before either of them can hit it back. Once one of them returns the ball (for the third shot of the game) they should move up to the Kitchen line. The reason for this is it puts them not only in the strongest offensive
position but the strongest defensive position as well. A common mistake made by those who are new to the game is to start to move forward right after the serve. If either member of the serving team does they will find themselves in what is called "No Man's Land", the area of the court between the baseline and the Kitchen. When this happens the ball will likely land at their feet or even behind them and will be much more difficult to return. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhlJgI6grhvEdK9LMT9ety0NEXWUZ08RytJ1Ifan3jFJBCjhvAfpf0rxthX45ahgahIqfM3Z8-EtX0TSvI8vXDwqxTkqV5zDXQCaOljhqc2R13VXRXfwcdbLpzfUnSJPxkv677C_G0qI/s1600/No+Man%2527s+Land1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhlJgI6grhvEdK9LMT9ety0NEXWUZ08RytJ1Ifan3jFJBCjhvAfpf0rxthX45ahgahIqfM3Z8-EtX0TSvI8vXDwqxTkqV5zDXQCaOljhqc2R13VXRXfwcdbLpzfUnSJPxkv677C_G0qI/s640/No+Man%2527s+Land1.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Jean Strother</span></div>
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If you are on the serving team then something to remember is that your opponents will try to keep you back and they will be very motivated to serve deep into your court. So don't forget to stay back and let the ball bounce before hitting it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7kkTaLuCdnw-n9qLbgZs0y_yGpjkS-XOBUAzx2eMWBy9LqNknFQVxKyCy3WFv2ezVXeIyFufDH5Q_DsM567wOb_bx5TXJijLokBo9QyuqTOD6vEf_PWk3SCtCQ8HUscNCp21vzVqXSg/s1600/Dorothy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7kkTaLuCdnw-n9qLbgZs0y_yGpjkS-XOBUAzx2eMWBy9LqNknFQVxKyCy3WFv2ezVXeIyFufDH5Q_DsM567wOb_bx5TXJijLokBo9QyuqTOD6vEf_PWk3SCtCQ8HUscNCp21vzVqXSg/s640/Dorothy1.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dorothy returning the ball - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="thirdshotoptions"></a><br />
Where should you try to hit the ball? For this third shot of the game the ideal shot is one that will give you and your partner enough time to run up to the Kitchen line. The first thing to remember is that one of your opponents is already up in the best defensive
position as they started the game at the Kitchen line. The other should have moved up right after they returned the
serve. So if you hit a hard fast shot back to your opponent's court one of them can simply hit it hard and fast right back at you. Unless you are very quick this would most likely catch you in "No Man's Land" where you will be too far back to take the shot on a volley (hit it before it bounces) and too far up to let it bounce first. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmD2xdVVRASVxb9eSwW_rH3yjX0o_DNLefTr4TK55X9TkaR77f7hHOnb2o9AMwBTfJjqn_XsyvnCM7oWlHZb_mhHms-RskLn0DApeOyy1gvbOTTI3hVu8PqdpSoCKO3WqaoLWx5D-M1M/s1600/No+Man%2527s+Land.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmD2xdVVRASVxb9eSwW_rH3yjX0o_DNLefTr4TK55X9TkaR77f7hHOnb2o9AMwBTfJjqn_XsyvnCM7oWlHZb_mhHms-RskLn0DApeOyy1gvbOTTI3hVu8PqdpSoCKO3WqaoLWx5D-M1M/s640/No+Man%2527s+Land.jpg" width="556" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Jean Strother</span></div>
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Another shot you could try at this point in the game is a lob up over the heads of your opponents. However, this can be difficult because, unless both of your opponents are very short, a shot hit high enough that they can't reach it with their paddles may very well go out of bounds. And if they can reach it will be their intent will be to smash it back down.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="dropshots"></a><br />
So what do you do? The classic shot to make for the third shot of a game is called a “drop shot”. In fact you will often hear it referred to as the "Third Shot Drop”. This is where one of the members of the serving team hits the ball up just enough so it slowly clears the net and drops into their opponent’s Kitchen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs45hRYH746irn9DPdPWwzC7nC63sd6PwwwO96-cjabSKNhOjWSrLduTSOhXYxQ8MnfbnhJHRSaEuxbXIz4J2Bw0QhTUvgEJjGCqH1tOTJKXpsjsx8y2cLNMThj_yrcz_1jWbzVDY7vsU/s1600/Drop+shot1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs45hRYH746irn9DPdPWwzC7nC63sd6PwwwO96-cjabSKNhOjWSrLduTSOhXYxQ8MnfbnhJHRSaEuxbXIz4J2Bw0QhTUvgEJjGCqH1tOTJKXpsjsx8y2cLNMThj_yrcz_1jWbzVDY7vsU/s640/Drop+shot1.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/4-secrets-for-how-to-hit-the-dropshot/" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span></div>
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This should allow enough time for both members of the serving team to get to the Kitchen line before their opponents can hit the ball back. If you want to learn more about why it is so important to get to the Kitchen line then check out this blog post by <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a>, "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/get-to-the-no-volley-line-and-stay-there/" target="_blank">Top 3 Reasons You Must Play at the No - Volley Line</a>". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMJ937mEpHB37sAO0h2lML84JBbisTFbsp0Vqr1bFu78D2HFXiSqXtNldx5qsc5huAwYNdEFGYaLLgL-S83Q8hFayigrE26z_bqbaULRq0zprkI11SmotmvMICl88zS7mftjgL4TTB4I/s1600/Position+after+third+shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMJ937mEpHB37sAO0h2lML84JBbisTFbsp0Vqr1bFu78D2HFXiSqXtNldx5qsc5huAwYNdEFGYaLLgL-S83Q8hFayigrE26z_bqbaULRq0zprkI11SmotmvMICl88zS7mftjgL4TTB4I/s640/Position+after+third+shot.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Jean Strother</span></div>
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The basic points to hitting an effective drop shot are to hit the ball <i>below</i> the apex of its arc, to scoop the ball up and to lift with your legs. I suggest you watch these two short videos; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UnL9xg9uHk" target="_blank">The Third Shot</a> by "<a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Picklepong Deb</a>” and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QNj6qjZCY" target="_blank">Improve your Drop Shot"</a> from the <a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/category/pickleball-411/" target="_blank">Pickleball Channel</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfRqzvngy0yW-nQhwk3i6lmKlW7JPQj1MHXCXDCx3SbzdjMia79XENT8KHp15b0CXf-QQf3gQ2cubAErg05dA31MkTihouTmqAeMp3lKjcxTaziRCGJdBOj6tGqCCMkbSh9vvJhn8mQc/s1600/Drop+shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfRqzvngy0yW-nQhwk3i6lmKlW7JPQj1MHXCXDCx3SbzdjMia79XENT8KHp15b0CXf-QQf3gQ2cubAErg05dA31MkTihouTmqAeMp3lKjcxTaziRCGJdBOj6tGqCCMkbSh9vvJhn8mQc/s640/Drop+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/4-secrets-for-how-to-hit-the-dropshot/" target="_blank">Source of Image</a> </span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="practicingdropshots"></a><br />
<b>Practicing Drop Shots</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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You can practice Drop Shots by yourself. First simply stand at the baseline and pitch the ball underhanded so it goes over the net and drops into the Kitchen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxyqxx6sDWq8n5BTY2DEMheRI_UJC2YIALVTcyMAEZ4d_JUMLQcKzMWJr1GQWIltTZ_cfjM9SyK7T00JLbZ-MqOIyd49u50n2ewpZ8Rgi_at7N0TBQK5DdB7obdFJdnFW7Xpz_OM0DRg/s1600/Pitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxyqxx6sDWq8n5BTY2DEMheRI_UJC2YIALVTcyMAEZ4d_JUMLQcKzMWJr1GQWIltTZ_cfjM9SyK7T00JLbZ-MqOIyd49u50n2ewpZ8Rgi_at7N0TBQK5DdB7obdFJdnFW7Xpz_OM0DRg/s640/Pitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bud showing how to first practice drop shots by pitching the ball - Photo by Sam Scherf</span></div>
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Once you are comfortable with that you can move on to hitting the ball with your paddle. First drop the ball from above waist height and then swing. The swing is identical to pitching the ball. Another way to practice is to have another player feed balls to you. Have them hit the ball deep into your court.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCHjhVZWnEh0aK7B5AjQs0G6b7pg4BmmzB3OF8wIuJYomluq1dUPhbMV0Lemi1GmxZ1CP6QLVjrTlT-cjHOS-FecSPi_GAyBTFPPnLcq4vdmTY8Y4x_7H108eRKYl6yyFl_S8LTlT9lg/s1600/third+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCHjhVZWnEh0aK7B5AjQs0G6b7pg4BmmzB3OF8wIuJYomluq1dUPhbMV0Lemi1GmxZ1CP6QLVjrTlT-cjHOS-FecSPi_GAyBTFPPnLcq4vdmTY8Y4x_7H108eRKYl6yyFl_S8LTlT9lg/s640/third+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bud showing how to return a third shot - Photo by Sam Scherf</span></div>
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Perhaps the most effective way to practice drop shots is to use our "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Pickleball Tutor</a>"
ball machine. This machine enables players to practice a variety of
shots ...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdcHZe3tDxE" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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... including drop shots. If you are a visitor to the park
we ask that you please have one of our experienced Pickleball players to
be with you when you use it. If you are a brand new player we suggest
you have an experienced player work with you. If there is no one at the
courts you can call John Strother at 4511 from any park phone and we
will do our best to accommodate you. If you are one of our members and
you have played some Pickleball at Jojoba then you are encouraged to
give it a try. Before you use it please read the <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=3A7D2AB3C32BCF0D%21618&authkey=%21AEydLvR7cgtCOl0&ithint=file%2cpdf" target="_blank">Owner's Manual</a> as well as the information on our <a href="http://www.jojobapickleball.com/p/blog-page.html" target="_blank">Pickleball Tutor page</a>.
This is a serious and expensive piece of equipment and we don't want it
damaged. Most importantly we don't want YOU to get damaged!!!<br />
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While the goal of the Third Shot Drop is to allow you and your partner enough time to get to the net it is a fact of life that people in our age group are not as quick as we once were. So even if you or your partner have hit a fine drop shot you may still find yourself in "No Man's Land" when the ball is coming back to you. In that case you should stop (referred to as doing a "split step") and do your best to hit another drop shot. Keep doing this until you make it all the way up to the Kitchen line.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="dinking"></a><br />
Once all four of them are up at the Kitchen line what is conventionally done by skilled players is to now steer the game to become "softer" and "slower", relying more on finesse rather than power. This is accomplished by the players now hitting what are known as "dinks". A "dink" is a low underhand shot that goes just over the net and drops down into the Kitchen on the opposite side.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-dink-shot-part-1-definition-examples/#more-1273" target="_blank">Source of Image </a></span></div>
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What you want to avoid are shots that are too high or too deep or both. This video, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5gTSrUHqzU" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategy 201 - Dinking Strategy</a>" by Joe Baker is a good resource. More information can be found in <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot's</a> blog posts; "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-dink-shot-part-1-definition-examples/#more-1273" target="_blank">The Dink Shot - Part 1</a>" and "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-dink-shot-part-2-need-dink/" target="_blank">The Dink Shot - Part 2</a>". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGOXYP8FztOZn-TGtUYYTUQR8vvV7Sv9f5S9Sgf_FlolSS-V2aTqxow8zsYq9AIBU5IPVxAgsWuOjQdvsTLVX5U0VcA0dge6s1jaMotYkssyh3jSZTb6nQziJI8P3kjp1KclSyssN7Pw/s1600/Jim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-dink-shot-part-1-definition-examples/#more-1273" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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One important rule to remember, especially when dinking, is the one that prohibits players from stepping into the Kitchen and taking the ball on a volley (hitting the ball before it bounces) hence the name "Non - Volley Zone". There are no exceptions. It doesn't matter if your momentum carries you in (as in the photo below), if you only touch down briefly with your paddle or even if your hat falls in. It will still be a "fault" and your opponents get the ball (and maybe the point). This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9SiCj4FJHo" target="_blank">short video</a> illustrates this rule. As we don't have line judges helping us to watch for Kitchen violations it is up to individual players to pay close attention to where their own feet (and articles of clothing) are when up at the Kitchen. If you notice that you stepped into the Kitchen the right thing to do is to admit it. Also remember that the Kitchen line belongs to the Kitchen so if your shoe touches it you are considered to be in the Kitchen. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9SiCj4FJHo" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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The only time a player can legally hit the ball when stepping into the Kitchen is after it bounces. Once a player has hit the ball back they should then quickly return to their position just a few inches behind the Kitchen line. This video by the <a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/" target="_blank">Pickleball Channel</a>, <a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/PB411-Dinking-101?utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=this+episode+of+Pickleball+411&utm_content=Dinking+101+%E2%80%93+Five+Steps+to+a+Winning+Dink%21&utm_campaign=Dinking+101+%E2%80%93+Five+Steps+to+a+Winning+Dink%21" target="_blank">Dinking 101 – Five Steps to a Winning Dink!</a>, provides good basic instruction on dinking. This video, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DQqEyM7T9o" target="_blank">Rethinking the Dink</a>, by "<a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Picklepong Deb</a>” is another good one to watch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PQZiQ1ZB2GOdjNxohXp1Ej2bSbygHdjuBoaYWW_sl_EF8Xm9ZPfPe_f6MtLkRprtU5mQijxmnSrQkL1fPt27AhhxlIiO-WaX6nExTtqnc4GBnNj2CsNPoHaYqYP09g0OyKnURRWklec/s1600/Deb+dink.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PQZiQ1ZB2GOdjNxohXp1Ej2bSbygHdjuBoaYWW_sl_EF8Xm9ZPfPe_f6MtLkRprtU5mQijxmnSrQkL1fPt27AhhxlIiO-WaX6nExTtqnc4GBnNj2CsNPoHaYqYP09g0OyKnURRWklec/s640/Deb+dink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DQqEyM7T9o" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span><br />
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I have to admit I have not always respected dinking. It initially seemed to be "Patty Cake" for grownups. I wasn't any good at it and I had discovered I really enjoyed hitting the ball hard. I wanted to be what is referred to as a "banger" (I have observed that I am not alone in this here at Jojoba Hills).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGOXYP8FztOZn-TGtUYYTUQR8vvV7Sv9f5S9Sgf_FlolSS-V2aTqxow8zsYq9AIBU5IPVxAgsWuOjQdvsTLVX5U0VcA0dge6s1jaMotYkssyh3jSZTb6nQziJI8P3kjp1KclSyssN7Pw/s1600/Jim.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGOXYP8FztOZn-TGtUYYTUQR8vvV7Sv9f5S9Sgf_FlolSS-V2aTqxow8zsYq9AIBU5IPVxAgsWuOjQdvsTLVX5U0VcA0dge6s1jaMotYkssyh3jSZTb6nQziJI8P3kjp1KclSyssN7Pw/s640/Jim.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jim dinking the ball - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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However, my view of dinking is changing and I am beginning to understand its purpose and the value of it. And I have observed that when done well it is nothing like "Patty Cake".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFKCBQXJ3uRWpynqu-yFbih7UScejitlOcF1YA6QPntHFg9bRPvLGFsujcYi3SQGVyZQ9Zt5v0xHhLEk2Evp9NgDznyMoANoUZz3pa8QRfHmSMiMeh6tBaHsPxIyR9zXyH9vtp6B8TGM/s1600/Dorothy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFKCBQXJ3uRWpynqu-yFbih7UScejitlOcF1YA6QPntHFg9bRPvLGFsujcYi3SQGVyZQ9Zt5v0xHhLEk2Evp9NgDznyMoANoUZz3pa8QRfHmSMiMeh6tBaHsPxIyR9zXyH9vtp6B8TGM/s640/Dorothy2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dorothy returning a cross court dink - Photo by Bud McRee</span></div>
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The thing that has caused me to change my mind the most is something that <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a> wrote in his book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pickleball-The-Gurus-Guide/dp/1502596024" target="_blank">Smart Pickleball: The Pickleball Guru's Guide</a>. He describes a situation when he was teaching a clinic and one student said he thought dinking was "boring". Prem proceeded to tell his students to think of a tiger when it is hunting. It doesn't take off running after every animal it sees. Instead, it patiently waits and intensely watches until it sights its target... and then it pounces! So when you are dinking visualize yourself as that tiger patiently waiting and intensely watching for that opportunity to pounce. What you are looking for is a situation where one of your opponents hits their dink up just a little too high which gives you an opportunity to smash it down at them. You do need to be patient because if you try to smash a ball that is too low you will either hit it into the net or it will angle up giving your opponent an opportunity to smash it back at you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/get-to-the-no-volley-line-and-stay-there/" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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If the ball is just a little too high you can try to smash it back straight across the
net. But this is less than ideal because if your opponents have good hand/eye coordination they will simply whack it back over at you (especially if they are a "banger"). This "whack, whack, whack" type of rally can go on for a bit and can be exciting and fun. However, it doesn't help either team to be in a better offensive position. To learn more about this type of play watch Joe Baker's video "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlcfSiCGshg" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategy 301 - Six Rules of the Fast Game</a>". Another strategy to deal with a hard fast shot hit at you is to <i>not</i> hit it hard right back at them but to gently "push" the ball just over the net which slows the game down and leads to more dinking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQxahqW4DUR7txgIKjDMlu_kbb8FSYmNoxQ94kPPiopF0zmhwCXrGSh5yVOWbuVZ_FKIB4Cshj3FHxZejvhmXhMi2i0T3n9zO6_2RkWP_zbLQYjX3Ylr4aPBfNfK3OAei6V_IS8PP4dc/s1600/Terry+and+Dana.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQxahqW4DUR7txgIKjDMlu_kbb8FSYmNoxQ94kPPiopF0zmhwCXrGSh5yVOWbuVZ_FKIB4Cshj3FHxZejvhmXhMi2i0T3n9zO6_2RkWP_zbLQYjX3Ylr4aPBfNfK3OAei6V_IS8PP4dc/s640/Terry+and+Dana.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Terry and Dana at the Kitchen line - Photo by LuAnn Oburn</span></div>
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But there is much more to dinking than just keeping the ball going and waiting for one of your opponents to make a mistake that you can capitalize on. You can position your dinks in parts of your opponent's side of the court that will draw them out of position. One way is to do a cross-court shot into the Kitchen diagonally opposite you. This video by the <a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/" target="_blank">Pickleball Channel</a>, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl5I8aY3Ho" target="_blank">Improve your dink shot</a>", illustrates the value of a cross-court dink. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl5I8aY3Ho" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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Sometimes these cross-court shots bounce in the outside corner of the Kitchen and sail out of bounds. These shots may seem to be impossible to return but it is worth knowing that it is perfectly legal to hit the ball <i>around</i> the net. It doesn't happen often but it really looks cool when it happens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7QJdyJ9BiUsRdpUBJqVQghnJYgsslXTr-xNmLcrUDF1a4AXf69XxBTTzerD5zb4FkK-TBbmJ5zb70wi7c1FYeXUGrA5A-rnUUHBIVJim6YWTIy-grVyWXT-vOFc2VUlzDqf11prL0oQ/s1600/around+the+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7QJdyJ9BiUsRdpUBJqVQghnJYgsslXTr-xNmLcrUDF1a4AXf69XxBTTzerD5zb4FkK-TBbmJ5zb70wi7c1FYeXUGrA5A-rnUUHBIVJim6YWTIy-grVyWXT-vOFc2VUlzDqf11prL0oQ/s640/around+the+post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="practicingdinking"></a>
A good way to practice dinking is to line up one, two or three other people who are also interested in practicing dinking. If you are by yourself you can also practice by using the "Rebounder". <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI2DC9COAew" target="_blank">This video</a> shows how to use the Rebounder to practice dinking as well as other shots. <br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="shotsotherthandinks"></a>
But let's say while dinking one of your opponents hits the ball up high
enough so you have an opportunity to smash it down. It may be tempting
to try to "put it away" by hitting this ball "down the line" (the
sideline). However, this is a "low probability shot". It looks
impressive when it works but it often goes into the net or it sails out
of bounds. A shot that has a higher probability is one hit toward the
middle between your opponents. This can create confusion if they aren't
clear on who has the middle at that point in the game. Given that the best defensive position is up at the Kitchen line then it is also worthy goal to hit shots that push your opponents back away from it. You can do this by hitting the ball low to their feet. If they try to hit it on a volley they will hit it when it is close to the ground and their only option is to hit it up. If they hit it up too high then you will have an opportunity to smash it. Their other option is to try to take it after it bounces but that would require them to step back helping you to achieve your goal. You can also work at moving them back by hitting a lob, a high shot that goes well over your opponent's head. Unless they are very tall they will have to step back in order to return it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYXUMLhnlXkoMKZ4OqZDWgISZGOaLXXVxIiZuoG91tk0z0NbhK7BRFsaty0dFHZrc4gRMlwRjYgT4fR7YWGimjhqB0wzkAb8aBh08Q_ehV62ox8u86Jyr_-av3TtHs0fmxIPO4Qe0kWc/s1600/Margee+and+LuAnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYXUMLhnlXkoMKZ4OqZDWgISZGOaLXXVxIiZuoG91tk0z0NbhK7BRFsaty0dFHZrc4gRMlwRjYgT4fR7YWGimjhqB0wzkAb8aBh08Q_ehV62ox8u86Jyr_-av3TtHs0fmxIPO4Qe0kWc/s640/Margee+and+LuAnn.jpg" width="618" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Margee and LuAnn - Photo by Don Schultz</span></div>
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If you are on the receiving end of a lob and are tempted to step backwards then be exceedingly careful. And definitely don't be tempted to run <i>backwards</i>. It is simply not worth the risk of injury. Something to keep in mind is that, unless you are short, if you have to reach up very far to hit the ball then there is a good chance the ball is going out. Another thing to realize is that if the lob is coming toward your partner then you may have a better chance of getting it because you can follow it more easily and safely as you can begin to turn sooner and run <i>forwards</i> toward the back of the court. However, if you do this you are leaving your half of the court undefended. So, what you should do in this situation is yell "switch" to your partner. This lets them know they need to temporarily move to the other side of the court. Once the rally ends you and your partner should return to the proper side of the court.<br />
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Another way you and your partner can help each other out is when it appears a lob may go out of bounds. You can call out "let it bounce" or "watch it" and that lets them know to wait and let the ball bounce before hitting it back. Sometimes you or your partner believes the ball is definitely going out and says "out" before it hits the ground. But you should both remain prepared to hit the ball in case you misjudged it. I know from personal experience how foolish it feels to be near the baseline watching a ball that I was <i>sure</i> was going to land out of bounds and it drops down right in the corner or on the line. You can go ahead and try to hit a ball like that after it bounces because if it does in fact land out of bounds and you didn't have enough time to stop yourself from hitting it you can still call it out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="whotakesthemiddle"></a>
If you haven't already done so this would be a good time to watch all of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/moshunpics" target="_blank">Joe Baker's</a> video, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategy 101 - How to Play Smart Pickleball, Ten Tips</a>". He does a great job explaining and illustrating good basic play and it is well worth watching. I especially like his clear explanation and illustration of players positions in the court during play. A bad habit that is easy to fall into when learning to play Pickleball is to think of the center line as a firm dividing line
between your side and your partner's side of the court. It is important to understand that there is no "This is my side, that is your side" in this game. Instead players should work together to insure that most of the court is covered at all times by moving in tandem with each other as if there was an invisible tether connecting them.<br />
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A common area of confusion is when a ball is hit down the middle between you and your partner because it is not clear whose shot it is to take. Both you and your partner may go after it and may end up hitting each others paddle. Or you both may back off assuming your partner is going to get it. Few situations are as embarrassing as when both teammates assume the other will take it and they end up just standing there and watching in disbelief as the ball sails by between them. So how do you know if the ball coming down the middle is yours or your partner's? There is no simple answer. Oftentimes the thinking is that the person on the left hand side of the court, presuming they are right handed, takes the middle because their forehand is probably stronger than their partner's backhand. However, in this blog post, "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-cover-the-line-or-the-middle/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=246870-now-lets-talk-positioning&utm_source=lists%2F30483-Ratings-Goals-Guide&simplero_object_id=su_e77gpgyto3zKMbp1p9kihTQW" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategy - Cover the Line or the Middle</a>",
<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot </a>says that when the ball is being hit by the player <i>opposite you</i> then you should cover your sideline and that <i>your partner</i> should cover the middle. And when the ball is being hit by the player <i>opposite your partner</i> that <i>you</i> should cover the middle and your partner should cover their sideline. Regardless, the key to effective management of the middle of the court is good communication between you and your partner. If you intend to take the ball then you should call out "mine". If you intend to let your partner take the ball you should call out "yours". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJUMutyoV3aoLIwV-nqoCzOXEqpu7sHBpJ50r72jJOGXp6CinB9b95iO6HzFOHIqGi6rQJqCaAOMqUadpfVudmrePalgFUzrarJlHUW_LPi4QoovDEjomK59AqktmHP_7uojGNPh05dE/s1600/Tip+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJUMutyoV3aoLIwV-nqoCzOXEqpu7sHBpJ50r72jJOGXp6CinB9b95iO6HzFOHIqGi6rQJqCaAOMqUadpfVudmrePalgFUzrarJlHUW_LPi4QoovDEjomK59AqktmHP_7uojGNPh05dE/s640/Tip+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span> </div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="poaching"></a><br />
There is one last thing I want to cover in this post - "poaching". This is where your partner leans far into your half of the court and takes a shot that you thought was clearly yours. You may have even called it as "mine" but your partner thought they had a better shot at it. More experienced players tend to do this when playing with a less skilled partner especially if their team is well behind in the score. In more competitive games opponents will tend to hit more often to the weaker player on a team and it can be frustrating for their partner to see their side lose point after point. So they may poach more often or more aggressively or both. People react differently when their partner poaches a shot. Some are accepting especially if their partner scores a point on the poach but some are annoyed. You and your partner just need to work this out.<br />
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My attitude toward poaching changed a bit after watching some videos of high level mixed doubles teams competing in tournaments. I was surprised by the frequency and the intensity of the poaching that goes on. The male player is often all over his female partner's side of the court taking shots that one would think are obviously hers. One thing to notice in the photo below is the player who is doing the aggressive poaching has left a large portion of the court undefended. However, he is young and was fast enough to get back in position quickly so he could effectively cover his side of the court. But players in our age group are generally not as quick so we don't see such aggressive poaching at Jojoba even in our tournaments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkntvjY6AHiisRe3o__AQj6K3AzEXAm5VKIhI2CJIFPjsChBJ1HPAoMj5Vn8Omf6iH4jwziDhOYDWtXsTdhmMzfcZiO4fgWk04XA7v6WaO-UpCdmaWDpmd25wqMzAHFpe_K4n0KEXSARA/s1600/poaching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkntvjY6AHiisRe3o__AQj6K3AzEXAm5VKIhI2CJIFPjsChBJ1HPAoMj5Vn8Omf6iH4jwziDhOYDWtXsTdhmMzfcZiO4fgWk04XA7v6WaO-UpCdmaWDpmd25wqMzAHFpe_K4n0KEXSARA/s640/poaching.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLB7WjxzHkk" target="_blank">Source of image</a></span></div>
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Now that you know the basics of the game you may want to check out "<a href="http://jojobapickleball.blogspot.com/2016/01/tips-and-strategy.html" target="_blank">Where to Learn More</a>". </div>
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Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1986494184472141092.post-35296591386971747842016-01-18T14:55:00.000-08:002016-11-23T19:40:23.329-08:00Where to Learn MoreI’ve been looking for more sources of information that players can use to improve their game. There is an incredible amount of information to sift through from books, newsletters, blog posts and videos but I have tried to narrow it down and am including links to the sources that I have found to be most helpful.<br />
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Joe Baker, in his second video, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib5AJCtyodQ" target="_blank">Doubles Pickleball Strategy 102 - Smart Pickleball Vol. 2, Power</a>”, builds on the foundation of his fist one, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ceh-7DI1Y" target="_blank">Doubles Pickleball Strategy 101 - How to Play Smart Pickleball, Ten Tips</a>”. This one focuses on when to use power and when to hit the ball softly. He reminds viewers that most rallies end not with spectacular winner shots but rather with unforced errors. He also makes the point that hitting the ball harder reduces control and increases errors while hitting the ball softer increases control and reduces errors. <br />
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Deb Harrison, better known as “<a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Picklepong Deb</a>”, has quite a few <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deb+harrison+pickleball" target="_blank">short videos</a> on a wide variety of Pickleball playing tips and strategies. Deb has a quirky but effective teaching style. This video, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBgpOewrDU" target="_blank">Earning the Net</a>", helps viewers to learn how to handle the situation when you struggle to get all the way up to the net.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kci2W40NzYYaM5DsCcEIq4zgk5-ARxwJFkV_n-pC8w5k8i7WDo5RNJ3tRiV2zSdITYtK4tSZs7tdJDy7OW4OhzoOnR4bYe6UEG9GldMkw8_F3bea2Hq8UiZqT-0XiUW9JPdqTWU8foI/s1600/Deb+-+Earning+the+Net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Kci2W40NzYYaM5DsCcEIq4zgk5-ARxwJFkV_n-pC8w5k8i7WDo5RNJ3tRiV2zSdITYtK4tSZs7tdJDy7OW4OhzoOnR4bYe6UEG9GldMkw8_F3bea2Hq8UiZqT-0XiUW9JPdqTWU8foI/s640/Deb+-+Earning+the+Net.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBgpOewrDU" target="_blank">"Picklepong Deb - Source of Image</a> </span></div>
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She also has a good video, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FtzpwbjFNg" target="_blank">Drop the Ball Against Bangers</a>", with tips of what to do against "Bangers", players who like to hit the ball hard back at you. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q7gxsVKzyMSKMZ31RGP333JK3_tF3H3G_8ds_zRnY0iquw_XQXvSWJkol6RbAw9ptM2wpfZcYJokCU-04GUUZ16JiBoin1mS50eczQOYLHGbSnVcxPx3Hft44sGI4fHaG8969D2gGZU/s1600/Deb+-+Drop+against+Bangers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q7gxsVKzyMSKMZ31RGP333JK3_tF3H3G_8ds_zRnY0iquw_XQXvSWJkol6RbAw9ptM2wpfZcYJokCU-04GUUZ16JiBoin1mS50eczQOYLHGbSnVcxPx3Hft44sGI4fHaG8969D2gGZU/s640/Deb+-+Drop+against+Bangers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FtzpwbjFNg" target="_blank">"Picklepong Deb" - Source of Image</a></span></div>
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Another of her videos that I found helpful is "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3Xocq7oNy8" target="_blank">Returning the Third Shot Drop</a>". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMEWr7H2S2HvuYqbrdBzVDQt_6unDv4BkRGm-UfwejDxmZGQFmFUK88ZNskacIFZn1QISZwQChA9oifq2Ya01cBFfA0sgWC6421AnY9ApCcnqcTeC8uILvrXWvyWUDVukq_akqEs0Jhg/s1600/Deb+-+Return+a+third+shot+drop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMEWr7H2S2HvuYqbrdBzVDQt_6unDv4BkRGm-UfwejDxmZGQFmFUK88ZNskacIFZn1QISZwQChA9oifq2Ya01cBFfA0sgWC6421AnY9ApCcnqcTeC8uILvrXWvyWUDVukq_akqEs0Jhg/s640/Deb+-+Return+a+third+shot+drop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3Xocq7oNy8" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pickleballchannel.com/" target="_blank">The Pickleball Channel</a> has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu" target="_blank">a list of "Pickleball 411" instructional videos</a> worth checking out<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu" target="_blank"></a>. The list includes videos on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2aH9boA-MY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=10" target="_blank">Hitting Down the Middle</a>", ... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5paj9EHCG-iASKRfyzf6Ih7wv0j1ljjlLxMcGRTp6ocDU8s4rdwNItsxvEnqqPRO8ZA3fWsn3WV1bqZ3_d9T9KeRHAhPv5GfPt6ZUtWK8MzzBldOEftIIdJevgTwp-gCtuzjXeG3I_B8/s1600/Hitting+down+the+middle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5paj9EHCG-iASKRfyzf6Ih7wv0j1ljjlLxMcGRTp6ocDU8s4rdwNItsxvEnqqPRO8ZA3fWsn3WV1bqZ3_d9T9KeRHAhPv5GfPt6ZUtWK8MzzBldOEftIIdJevgTwp-gCtuzjXeG3I_B8/s640/Hitting+down+the+middle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2aH9boA-MY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=10" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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..."<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAwIXA4cWgY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=17" target="_blank">Improve Your Game with the Soft Return </a>", ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSocfyDS-wgyAKVOLwaiw5G-JNyNbr1ux9tFK-MCogvr0T1LTa065-lSDuupertvjiZct2BkA_p61623WEKg4By1ceMBeFU5hsrB5KX5aVt5vG89W8Ofmh4lTTwfDYZsWL4u8On1eptGQ/s1600/Soft+Return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSocfyDS-wgyAKVOLwaiw5G-JNyNbr1ux9tFK-MCogvr0T1LTa065-lSDuupertvjiZct2BkA_p61623WEKg4By1ceMBeFU5hsrB5KX5aVt5vG89W8Ofmh4lTTwfDYZsWL4u8On1eptGQ/s640/Soft+Return.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAwIXA4cWgY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=17" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
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... and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QNj6qjZCY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=13" target="_blank">Improve Your Third Shot Drop</a>".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ffAa0hpcYJI_9jalmHq59O4cEWpyGizuxSsmL83nKfiQWyqVQ612Ywf85I22Y_1pWrFGmGTUGMDcfYtdYO3FwGiLCwKzEIowGQySEv6U9fI1R49Ce0Iz40EZ_12nrkv1SA7eSS0vlLU/s1600/Third+shot+tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ffAa0hpcYJI_9jalmHq59O4cEWpyGizuxSsmL83nKfiQWyqVQ612Ywf85I22Y_1pWrFGmGTUGMDcfYtdYO3FwGiLCwKzEIowGQySEv6U9fI1R49Ce0Iz40EZ_12nrkv1SA7eSS0vlLU/s640/Third+shot+tips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QNj6qjZCY&list=PLJUf3asPVB_AjmQD1gA-gyYNQzNDQ7bwu&index=13" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.thirdshotsports.com/" target="_blank">Third Shot Sports</a> also has an extensive <a href="http://www.thirdshotsports.com/videos/" target="_blank">list of videos</a> including "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s53f-iJXc-s" target="_blank">How to Hit Quality Overheads in Pickleball</a>" ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNOkQbl1-uY7SlSyd9tvLWkWNRUsKOSz8qkRWd93dTZrs_gS0d49HM_h3cmpAghKGgrqLbL1x-9KOM-mqwbRaqK-M9BhhXSgimQ4Vug0lVR8pYoY_v_LJTRREOQC_DBh9rHQuxgzrtrA/s1600/Overhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNOkQbl1-uY7SlSyd9tvLWkWNRUsKOSz8qkRWd93dTZrs_gS0d49HM_h3cmpAghKGgrqLbL1x-9KOM-mqwbRaqK-M9BhhXSgimQ4Vug0lVR8pYoY_v_LJTRREOQC_DBh9rHQuxgzrtrA/s640/Overhead.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s53f-iJXc-s" target="_blank">Source of Image</a> </span></div>
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... "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUCEgpoD7sE" target="_blank">Pickleball Decision-Making Training: 3rd Shot Drop vs. Drive"</a> and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuvYdhpaRzQ" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategies - When to Move Forward in Doubles and When to Move Back</a>". <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxB52KeP5QrRMtZTN7JUmLn4E0VEl96_B9jG0IRHVqTj3DTeEhX5OG4JiTOiUAA7srXBWkbR1mUQTO0iLVnrhU-m7_w2rbvPs4ABq0uBf9QhxKybDkRJUbAUVHUNJSxQwExli23r867E/s1600/When+to+move+forward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxB52KeP5QrRMtZTN7JUmLn4E0VEl96_B9jG0IRHVqTj3DTeEhX5OG4JiTOiUAA7srXBWkbR1mUQTO0iLVnrhU-m7_w2rbvPs4ABq0uBf9QhxKybDkRJUbAUVHUNJSxQwExli23r867E/s640/When+to+move+forward.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuvYdhpaRzQ" target="_blank">Source of Image</a> </span></div>
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These "Top 10 Tips from Pickleball’s Three Greatest Coaches" are from “<a href="http://pickleballx.com/" target="_blank">PBX Club – Pickleball Excellence</a>”.<br />
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Richard Movsessian (“<a href="http://pickleballcoach.com/coach/" target="_blank">Coach Mo</a>”) <br />
<ul>
<li>Never go in the kitchen with two feet. Step in with one foot, tap the ball softly, then get out and into your ready position.</li>
<li>Aim for the left person’s left foot - low to the backhand. For 95% of people, it’s their weakest shot.</li>
<li>The most important thing in pickleball is to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pickleballchannel/videos/532286120262326/" target="_blank">split-step</a> (both feet parallel to each other and in the ready position) every single time your opponent touches the ball - every, single time. That could be 200 times a game. If you do that, you’ll be in a good, balanced, ready position and you’ll be a much better player.</li>
<li>Don’t try to win the point from anywhere but the line.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4oN3eNVEu3Fzilan9bxHVlxuwtNWnjVBVJZdOzbky25EsBOmQdQtsuVNSUu7_NfTqRTkV4nRnb9nhFPm51R8jAG3d3C1Hd1DtqMh1iilsnuk0kLrCbOjmXpUFB-SZ32qvfNstyJrkPg/s1600/Coach-Mo-makes-a-point..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4oN3eNVEu3Fzilan9bxHVlxuwtNWnjVBVJZdOzbky25EsBOmQdQtsuVNSUu7_NfTqRTkV4nRnb9nhFPm51R8jAG3d3C1Hd1DtqMh1iilsnuk0kLrCbOjmXpUFB-SZ32qvfNstyJrkPg/s640/Coach-Mo-makes-a-point..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Coach Mo - <a href="http://www.villages-news.com/coach-mo-ready-to-take-his-pickleball-show-on-the-road/" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span> </div>
<br />
Deb Harrison (“<a href="http://picklepongdeb.com/" target="_blank">Picklepong Deb</a>”) <br />
<ul>
<li>You always want to be facing your opponent and square to the ball - the best way to guarantee both is to side-step.”</li>
<li>Third shot drop is what you should be using 80% of the time, against a good team.“</li>
<li>The key to split-stepping is to stop just BEFORE your opponent makes contact with the ball - and err on the side of stopping WELL before.”</li>
<li>If you feel you’ve been beaten in a diagonal dink contest, try to go
to the nearest point of relief. Don’t try to go cross-court - just get
the ball over, low, and back in play.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSurEZGR0SN4o4eNKucAok_188N5cWpdaC5xaBfFa2bXvJxHOqktKIHj5Lrj1K6nJzUxhedkf9AUg4WTRdcusclEUW2WGDFQN6CUZEEOJVw0rwT07lHuKPopSzel8RjwLFV84u96X7Y1k/s1600/Deb+Harrison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSurEZGR0SN4o4eNKucAok_188N5cWpdaC5xaBfFa2bXvJxHOqktKIHj5Lrj1K6nJzUxhedkf9AUg4WTRdcusclEUW2WGDFQN6CUZEEOJVw0rwT07lHuKPopSzel8RjwLFV84u96X7Y1k/s640/Deb+Harrison.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Picklepong Deb" - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD9CSUGv32o" target="_blank">Source of Image </a></span></div>
<br />
Prem Carnot (“<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">The Pickleball Guru</a>”) <br />
<ul>
<li>When you’re at the kitchen line, your paddle should ALWAYS be up.</li>
<li>Cover the line when the ball is being hit by the opponent opposite
you; cover the middle when the ball is being hit by the opponent
opposite your partner.</li>
<li>Serve a deep, high, floating ball to your opponent - it keeps them
back behind the baseline and requires them to supply the pace to return
it over the net.</li>
<li>The team that dominates the non-volley line WINS. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqajnKkFw2EdAyKXxBUNpo8f20-olFkyZ7inL47FsF_QFqlovbz0Vq_Egbt5HAcAzFLo524C1NvRJHJbEiRL3VkNQvEfRq4hOTGFuoMxLg3B9SgZ7E3ZyP5htuiqbtJJofxQtfCQmihxk/s1600/Prem+Carnot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqajnKkFw2EdAyKXxBUNpo8f20-olFkyZ7inL47FsF_QFqlovbz0Vq_Egbt5HAcAzFLo524C1NvRJHJbEiRL3VkNQvEfRq4hOTGFuoMxLg3B9SgZ7E3ZyP5htuiqbtJJofxQtfCQmihxk/s640/Prem+Carnot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Prem Carnot - <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/press/" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span> </div>
<br />
<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/gu-who/" target="_blank">Prem Carnot</a> also wrote a book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pickleball-The-Gurus-Guide/dp/1502596024" target="_blank">Smart Pickleball: The Pickleball Guru's Guide</a>, ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7CksQu4s4v-9qzTEddDKLlNG5ZjKGpxzGHpTcLb29eP9Hu5oE1naJCpTx8uBbPNGjlYFsMSf5Z0Qt43IgtepBLmXaj4aRjkS75TBWZdZYWDIOl-A7UxeUQkePRbuSDC6jlmQrm8oZHU/s1600/Smart+Pickleball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7CksQu4s4v-9qzTEddDKLlNG5ZjKGpxzGHpTcLb29eP9Hu5oE1naJCpTx8uBbPNGjlYFsMSf5Z0Qt43IgtepBLmXaj4aRjkS75TBWZdZYWDIOl-A7UxeUQkePRbuSDC6jlmQrm8oZHU/s640/Smart+Pickleball.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pickleball-Gurus-Guide/dp/1502596024/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1417474074&sr=8-6&keywords=pickleball+books#reader_1502596024" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source of Image</span> </a></div>
<br />
... where he states that “Smart Pickleball is about taking control of the game and constructing each point so that you’re not mindlessly reacting to every shot”. His book includes the following "Rules of Smart Pickleball":<br />
<ul>
<li>Always choose the shot that buys you more time so you can get into position and be ready for the next shot</li>
<li>Always choose the shot that keeps your opponents toward the back of the court.</li>
<li>Always choose the shot or strategy that requires the least energy or effort to play out the point.</li>
<li>Always anticipate your next shot as you play your current shot</li>
</ul>
In addition, he has written what he calls "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/the-teachings-of-the-pickleball-guru/" target="_blank">The 7 Principles & Teachings of The Pickleball Guru</a>". He states that all of his pickleball tips, drills and suggestions are based on 7 strategy principles:<br />
<br />
1. Serve deep.<br />
<br />
2. Hit the service return slow & deep.<br />
<br />
3. Move up to the net as soon as possible. <br />
<br />
4. Make the third shot of the game a drop shot.<br />
<br />
5. Keep your opponents deep. <br />
<br />
6. Never hit up. Hit the ball down or a soft dink into the Kitchen<br />
<br />
7. Keep your paddle up. <br />
<br />
Prem Carnot also writes <a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/whats-new/" target="_blank">a blog</a> with quite a few posts and I found this post, "<a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-cover-the-line-or-the-middle/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=246870-now-lets-talk-positioning&utm_source=lists%2F30483-Ratings-Goals-Guide&simplero_object_id=su_e77gpgyto3zKMbp1p9kihTQW" target="_blank">Pickleball Strategy – Cover the Line or the Middle?</a>", especially helpful.
He asks the question "How many times have you had
your opponents hit a great shot down the middle, where you and your
partner just watch it go by?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpBpUQIpe3Duw3HiDnPtj51-ac7Tje_rRIdN-IN3zVQ5qDgOZX1N8fGJq3eJjaTgKvLELHIKv7InTvxAKsDJ2aaMo4mtRfpu55OjhwCqJ5c9wb-xwZsqY3Lf0DqJJac8YfVm4rOtzsCA/s1600/when-to-cover-the-middle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpBpUQIpe3Duw3HiDnPtj51-ac7Tje_rRIdN-IN3zVQ5qDgOZX1N8fGJq3eJjaTgKvLELHIKv7InTvxAKsDJ2aaMo4mtRfpu55OjhwCqJ5c9wb-xwZsqY3Lf0DqJJac8YfVm4rOtzsCA/s640/when-to-cover-the-middle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pickleballhelp.com/pickleball-strategy-cover-the-line-or-the-middle/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=246870-now-lets-talk-positioning&utm_source=lists%2F30483-Ratings-Goals-Guide&simplero_object_id=su_e77gpgyto3zKMbp1p9kihTQW" target="_blank">Source of Image</a></span></div>
<br />
I also found the Pickleball Guru’s List of <a href="http://smpl.ro/d/4dkM90R0WHwto13V/c/921978/0" target="_blank">The 5 Biggest Pickleball Mistakes You Could Be Making Every Time You Play</a> !<br />
<br />
Mistake #1:
Not Getting Up To & Staying At The No-Volley Line<br />
<br />
Mistake #2:
Not Keeping Your Paddle Up<br />
<br />
Mistake #3:
Depending on Mental Telepathy (not talking to your partner)<br />
<br />
Mistake #4: Not Orienting Yourself to The Ball & Your Opponents <br />
<br />
Mistake # 5. Afflicted By Bad Karma From Being a Pickleball Snob (not wanting to play with less skilled players sometimes)<br />
<br />
Another resource is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pickleballjoe/" target="_blank">Pickleball Joe's Facebook page.</a> <br />
<br />
These are the best resources I have come across so far. I will keep looking and keep adding as I find more. But I think what I have collected so far is plenty for a beginning to intermediate player to work on. I know it is for me! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jojoba Hills Pickleball Clubhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112283809162915715noreply@blogger.com1