Our focus in this week’s lesson/drill how to identify an attackable ball and what to do with it (think, what are my forehand directional options?), as well as how we can disguise our shot to keep the competition off balance or out of position.
Today, we’re going to focus on improving our game by working on attackable balls and disguising our shots in pickleball. We’ll be concentrating on the left-hand side of the court and utilizing the forehand in the middle.
To start off, I’ve set up two cones to represent the middle space. This is where we’ll be aiming to make more options with our forehand shots. When we’re positioned in this area during a cross-court rally, we have a lot of opportunities. We can direct the ball towards our opponent, either by attacking it up the middle, going wide, or even attempting a lob. The key is to have multiple options from this position.
One common mistake I notice is players sliding and taking backhands instead of using their forehand. It’s important to turn and look for opportunities to use the forehand in the middle. So, during our practice points, let’s focus on utilizing the forehand side and rotating positions so that everyone gets a chance to play on that side.
It’s also crucial for the players in front of us to expect to be attacked when we have a forehand shot in the middle. If we see an opponent slightly out of position, we should be ready to push the ball towards their body and attack. They need to be prepared to counter-attack and get their paddle up and ready.
Let’s give it a try and play out some points. Remember, when we receive a dink in the middle, we have attackable options. It’s just a matter of realizing what we can do with the ball. Thank you, everyone!
(Play out some points)
Great job, everyone! Sometimes our opponents try to prevent us from attacking the middle by keeping their dinks to the outside. But if they get pulled out wide and their partner tries to cover the middle, we have two options. We can either go behind them or attack their body. It’s often better to hold our ground and make them play the space in front of us, creating an angle for a better shot.
Remember, maintaining stillness in our feet is crucial for being able to attack these shots effectively. And if you find yourself pulled out wide, use a down-the-line reset to bring the ball back towards your partner in the center shot.
Keep practicing and thinking strategically on the court. These techniques will help you improve your game and make the most out of those attackable balls. Good luck!
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