Understanding the game leads to better play and more love for the game. This week I wanted to cover the untruths or myths that I hear and see on a daily basis, get these 5 things right and I guarantee you will improve your game and have more fun playing pickleball…
Myth Number One
“The ball must bounce in the non-volley zone before you can step in.” This is absolutely not true. If I’m up at the line dinking, remember that the non-volley zone is the only area where I cannot volley. It’s a simple rule, and I can be inside the non-volley zone anytime I want. There’s no time limit, and that’s why we use the term “non-volley zone” in our rules. I’ve seen this misconception a thousand times.
Myth Number Two
“You need to get from the baseline to the Non-Volley Zone as quickly as possible.” However, this belief can often lead to players getting locked up and missing the ball altogether. Instead, the focus should be on winning the point rather than rushing to the NVZ. It’s not about the destination, but rather about creating the opportunity. So, it’s okay to take a little time to get to the net as long as you’re able to hit the ball and make a play.
It’s important to move slower and smoother, rather than hustling as fast as you can. What matters most is doing what works for you, regardless of what your partner or other players may say. So, if moving a little slower allows you to make a better play, then go for it. Winning the point is what counts in Pickleball, not how quickly you can get to the Non-Volley Line.
Myth Number Three
Here’s a really fun one, “You have to stop to hit the ball.” So here is the problem with that. I am hustling and then I am stopping. Where is my weight transfer? Where is my momentum? I always want to be moving my weight through the ball, so even if I am moving a little bit slower, I can move to the ball (I can actually move through it) and strike the ball with confidence, and actually get some options out of that shot.
Myth Number Four
Here’s another one that I really love “The lob is for old people”. That’s not true, the lob is fantastic, it is amazing and guess when I really like to use it? Third shot lob! When you’ve got that player and they are hustling to the line as fast as they can, LOB THEM. It is a massive time to do it, they are dipping their head, they are diving down, they are just not ready for that ball. Throw it in, make a move, make them work.
Myth Number Five
This might be my favorite, this is what I see every day on the courts, “You’ve got to hit the ball and get ready, and hit the ball and get ready, and hit the ball and get ready.” Do you know how stressful and chaotic that can become?
So again what is my main priority? I want to win the point. So yeah, I do want it to get over, I do want to be ready, absolutely, but if my only concern is hit and get ready look what happens to my paddle, it’s not in the right position or it slows me down.
So what’s more important than getting ready with that nice little ready position? Finish the shot you are hitting!
If I really follow through so I’m pushing and I finish, my paddle is ready to go for the next shot. I am hitting multiple shots in a row so if I am moving through my ball and I stop to get ready, guess what happens? I back up and I scramble. Then maybe I accidentally lob because I really don’t have any choices in the matter.
