UNFORCED ERRORS ! A PICKLEBALL PLAYERS WORST NIGHTMARES REVISED CONDENSED VERSION DEC 24, 2018 by Joe Palmere Jr.

UNFORCED ERRORS ~ A COMMON PICKLEBALL DISORDER

by Joe Palmere Jr

December 16, 2019

(Word Count 1,164)     

Are you traumatized at game time by any of the following symptoms: feelings of fatigue and a lack of energy; low self-esteem, embarrassed by the thought of another poor performance; intimidated by better players;  and think about quitting  the fun filled game” that you once loved. If so, your pickle ball game play has been corrupted by unforced errors (UFE‘s). You are not alone, many players below the 4.0 skill level suffer from the same affliction.  



Early-on, in my pickle ball career, my game performance was debilitated by this kinetic malady.  Now, as an IPTPA pickle ball teaching processional coach, I help other players “detect and correct” their flawed “stroke mechanics” that often result in unforced errors. One of the most difficult coaching tasks for me, is convincing players that “they alone” are the cause of hitting balls out of bounds or into the net.



There are three actions in a pickle ball game that directly or indirectly influence a win or a loss, namely “unforced errors (UFE‘s), forced errors (FE’s)  and safe play shots (SPS’s). Mary Littlewood’s Book, “Pickleball Fundamentals ©2015,” defines an “unforced error,“ as, “when one player, without the direct intervention of an opponent, makes a bad shot, hence un forced.”  



I would add the following to “Ms. Littlewood‘s” definition, a player who returns a ball that is headed out of bounds, a player who returns an easy put-away shot to his or her opponent at the net, and a player who commits a “foot fault.”



The worst of the worst pickle ball unforced errors are hitting the serve or return serve into the net or out of bounds. Committing either of these mistakes is paramount to a  “mortal sin” among serious pickle ball players.



Forced errors are well executed, strategic shots that opposing players are unable to return, or spinouts that cause a player to completely miss hitting the ball.   



Safe play shots are soft defensive returns to keep the ball in play, inbounds, and out of the net. They are intended to sustain the rally or reset the point. Normally, “SPS’s” do not capture the point or service.  



An earlier study of unforced errors by Noel White circa 2012, disclosed that approximately “85% of players below the 4.0 level, were unaware of the impact unforced errors had on wins and losses,”  





After interviewing nearly one-hundred recreational, open play, 2.0 to 3.5 players, I found that approximately 79% were unaware of “UFE’s” and what caused them. This astronomically high percentage is one reason I undertook this study. Another reason was to update unforced error statistics to reflect the present day, faster paced game of strategic dinking, interspersed with fast-paced volleys at the net to capture or reset the point.



The statistical gathering protocols monitored 12 recreational, open play, mixed doubles, 11 points win by 2 points. Player demographics were 35 to 65 years of age, 2.5 through 3.5 skill level.   

The findings of my 2018 statistical research are as follows:  

(Averages)

12 games 11 points, win by 2

162 shots per game (100.0%)

15 Points per game (Winners & Losers Points combined)

10.8 Shots per point

52 “UFE’s per game (32.1%)

3.5 “UFE‘s” per point

13  “UFE’s” per player

21.6 “FE’s” per game (13.4%)

1.4 “FE’s” per point

88.4 “SPS” per game (54.5%)

4.3 “SPS’s” per point

My research disclosed: 32.1% of the total shots per game resulted in unforced errors;  13.4% of the total shots per game were forced errors; and 54.5% of the total shots per game were safe play shots.  



Although these findings represent only a small sampling of recreational play, they illustrate the negative impact of “unforced errors” on modern day players below the 4.0 skill level.



Now that the problem has been identified, solutions to reducing unforced errors are the next order of business. Players must recognize that their game play is being diminished by these kinetic mistakes. Players must understand that “they” alone are the cause these mistakes. Players must be willing to put forth the time and effort to correct these mistakes.  



Players will need to find a reliable practice partner, If possible, select someone who understands the logical sequence of IPTPA stroke development components, and has the time and patience to help you.





Schedule one to two hours of court space, several times a week for these self-help workshops. Players can use this twelve-point self-help guide to evaluate their strokes and make the necessary corrections. Smart phones with video recording capabilities, are excellent tools for recording and analyzing player swing motions using the freeze frame or screen shot feature.





These following components are taken from the IPTPA Curriculum on “Stroke Development,” and can provide you with a “blueprint for cure.“  

1.      Always watch the ball, especially at the point of contact with the paddle.

2.      Use a paddle up “Ready Stance,” in-between returning the ball,

3.      Use a relaxed Continental grip on your paddle ~ tight grip tilts face causing the ball to travel in the direction of the tilt.

4.      Contact the ball out in front of your body, not behind you.

5.      Use a pendulum arm swing, without bending wrist or elbow.

6.      A bent elbow or wrist (chicken wing) can cause multiple directional errors.  

7.      Minimize your backswing and maximize follow-thru in line with ball direction.  

8.      Overpowering the ball increases chances of going out of bounds or landing in net.

9.      Hitting the ball softer, increases ball control and shot placement accuracy.

10.  Do not return a ground stroke or a volley while moving forward or backwards.

11.  Practice every day if possible, or two days per week at the minimum.

12.  No ball is worth a fall. No point is worth a broken joint.

When you participate in “open play games,” you can follow this simple strategy to

to avoid those situations that contribute most to unforced errors.

·         Your best chance to minimize unforced errors is to get to the net as soon as possible, stay there until the rally ends, and do not retreat.

·         Keep a light touch on the ball, aim for the middle, between your opponents.

·         The purpose of each shot is to force your opponents to hit up on the ball, so they are unable to hit down ad smash the ball.

·         Have patience, let your opponent’s make the mistakes, and wait for the right shot to capture the point or win the serve.

·         After the game, record the unforced errors you need to correct during practice.

·         This strategy offers a large margin for shot error, slows pace, confuses opponents, minimizes smashing opportunities, and keeps the point alive.

If this sound familiar . . . .it should! It’s commonly called,” DINKING 101,” something you should have learned, when you first started playing pickle ball.



Remember "The Unforced Error Disorder" is something only YOU CAN CORRECT, with “a little help from a pickle ball friend!”     

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