TENNIS MECHANICS COACHING PICKLEBALL

TENNIS STROKE DEVELOPMENT VERSUS PICKLEBALL STROKE DEVELOPMENT, AND LET’ US NOT FORGET BADMINTON 

As a “devout student” of the game of pickle ball Several years of Instructing adult Beginners How play the sport and Coaching experienced adult pickleball players how to improve their game, I have concluded that former tennis players, who begin playing pickleball, have inherent skill sets to better perform most of the pickleball strokes with an accomplished capability. Many of the current Pickleball Pros have extensive tennis playing backgrounds.

I have also had the pleasure of coaching some highly skilled Badminton players on how to play pickleball.  These individuals also have an inherent racquet skill set of stroke development that is easily adapted to the paddle skills of pickleball.  Skilled Badminton Players are also prime candidates for good pickleball players.
However, I cannot evaluate the influence of Badminton stroke development on pickleball, simply because I have not consulted with Coaches who teach Badminton, nor have I researched the protocols for Badminton Stroke Development. But I will do so in the near future !

However from personal oncourt experience playing pickleball with and against skilled Badminton Players, I have made some relevant observations.  Experienced Badminton players, without a doubt  have a well developed backcourt hard hitting game, their ability to smash most any ball waist higher or higher, baseline to NVZ line makes for a fast paced smash game at the net, that will challenge the skills of many advanced level pickleball players. Skilled Badminton players play the same style of hard hitting pickle ball game, as other skilled Badminton players. Their finesse net game is virtually non-existent.  But their ability to engage and sustain a fast paced volley at the NVZ line, is remarkable. 

Similar to Tennis, the sport of Badminton long preceded pickleball.  Badminton was a favorite gentile lawn sport 18th Century of Lady Aristocrats.. Lawn Tennis was also enjoyed by Aristocrats and Royalty.  Since then  Badminton  has evolved into a fast and furious highly competitive racquet sport featured in the Olympics.  

For now I will focus on Tennis Stroke Development.  Bear in mind that I lack familiarity with Tennis Stroke Development, and I will not attempt to claim otherwise.  
Most of what you read here is my subjective observation and needs factual research reinforcement. However I have downloaded and studied the protocols for the basic mechanics for performing the six (6) basic tennis strokes; the serve, the forehand and backhand ground strokes, forehand and backhand volleys and the overhead smash. After reviewing this information, I believe there are distinct similarities of stroke development mechanics in teaching tennis and pickle ball. 

Another informative source was the informal and friendly exchange of pickle ball and tennis information between pro tennis and pickle ball coaches in attendance at the Professional Tennis Registry, Professional Pickleball Registry Coaching Certification Workshop. 
These courtside chats, disclosed that teaching tennis stroke development components involves similar mechanics and methodology as teaching pickle ball stroke development.  This lends creditability to my observations that former tennis players often learn and advance in pickle ball at a faster pace than those that lack this racquet sport background.

Assuredly, former ping pong and racquet ball players also have inherent paddle skills that they bring to pickle ball.  However, I believe that tennis and badminton have had the greatest influence on pickle ball stroke development. And if I had to pick the most influential racquet sport that impacted pickle ball, I would choose Tennis.
Based on USAPA website information, the inception and introduction of Pickleball began In 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. Pritchard's neighbor's dog was named "Pickles."  The dog would run off with  the ball during the backyard games.  The rest is "history."

Along this 53 year historical gap (1965 to now), the technical and tactical evolution of the pickleball occurred.   I believe that the technical and tactical evolution of pickle ball evolved primarily from the sport of Tennis. During those early years of pickle ball, many former tennis players began playing pickle ball.  They brought with them their tennis mechanics of stroke development. These mechanics proved successful on the pickle ball court. And they were adapted as  pickle ball stroke development mechanics. And who better to teach these tennis- like mechanics than former successful tennis players.  This is supported by the number of highly respected pickle ball coaches who have extensive tennis backgrounds.

I have recently adapted some of the tennis mechanic methodology into my stroke development.  My ball placement skill has improved, and my forehand and backhand ground strokes and volleys have been elevated. All things considered, it may be time for pickle ball coach and experienced players to incorporate more tennis mechanics into their curriculums, and game playing skill improvement.
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