THE "ART OF PICKLEBALL"

3/15/18 YOUTUBE VIDEO OF RODDICK Vs AGASSI PADDLE BATTLE FOR CHARITY QUIZ QUESTION.........."Oh No Mr. Bill, It's A Test!

"LIST 5 or MORE GAME WINNING TACTICS THAT THESE PRO PLAYERS USE THAT MOST CCPB OPEN PLAY PARTICIPANTS SELDOM USE ?

Before I list my answers to this quiz, I would draw your attention to the game preceding the Agassi Vs Roddick Paddle Battle For Charity Game.  The game I am referring to is a singles rematch between Ben Johns (our HOMETOWN PICKLEBALL HERO and Tyson McGuffin.  McGuffin won the gold in the 2017 Nationals against Johns.  I am not going to tell you the outcome.  Winning or losing has no significance in this level of pickleball play by two up and coming pro players.  It's all about how they play the game, and the art of the game.

Back to the quiz. Here's my observations of 10 differences in game play used by  these pro players, that many of us don't do.

1) Serves are not hard driving, low to net, and no "hot sauce" spinsters.  They all serve with a causal, relaxed, smooth, low to high swing with follow-thru, and full body extension.  Their serves are arcing in flight, and land in the center of the service court near the baseline.   Nothing fancy, no spin, no "short sheeting sideline slinkers," and no "low ball high speed rippers." 

2) Receiver begins his "run to the net,"  as soon as he strikes the Return of Serve. The ROS is still air bound, while the receiver is rushing the net., to join his partner.

3) Far more straight ahead volleying at the net, as opposed to dinking.

4)  Players at the net are constantly hopping and split stepping laterally in sync with their partner along the NVZ line.

5) Third Shot selection varies in choice, but whatever it is, both players on service run to the net.

6) Whenever dinking shots are executed, they are sharp angle cross court, no straight ahead dinks. Dinks are executed from a split step low crouch body position with paddle in a lifting motion.

7) Sideline put-a-ways are the shot of choice that ends the rally.

8) Most all of their forehand and backhand strokes are low to high. Side arm forehand,  swings

9) Punch Back Volleying at the net is the rule rather than the exception. 

10) The overall pace of the game is played at warp speed. Points are won or lost in rapid progression of play.

These differences in play do not necessarily make or brake a great player.  If I had to choose one and only game winning skill in this crazy game called pickleball, without any doubt or hesitation, it would be a player's ability to consistently make pin point shots to most any spot on the opponents court, when you are hitting the ball from most any spot on your court.

I am firmly convinced from my own  playing and coaching experiences, that obtaining this precision ball placement skill, will not come from just playing in open play pickleball games. All the many "Pickleball Books" I have read and study, support my conclusions. 

These same books on different levels and degrees of "Playing Pickleball, also confirm my conclusions, that if a player is serious about learning and /or improving their shot placement skills, their is but one path to follow, and that is the path of dedicated, repetitious, 2 to 3 days per week practice with reliable practice partner, or better yet, a pickleball throwing machine. 

Hitting 150 successive balls, speeding directly at you, in short intervals. will give you the opportunity to evaluate what you are doing wrong, and determine what you need to do right to send the ball where you want it to land.  Repeating this method and frequency of practice twice a week, is the best way to improve your shot placing skills.