I recently received a question from a reader. “How do I slow it down when a ball is slammed at me?” Great question. Let me try to answer it here.
Fundamental Things We Need To Do When We Are Softening The Ball
Position is very important, to soften the ball you need to soften the body, distribute your weight and absorb the energy of the ball. Oh and keep a cantaloup under your chin. What? Watch the video…
Slow it Down…My 3 Steps
Slamming Match
Too often I find that intermediate level players find themselves in a slam fest. They didn’t intend to get into a slamming match. It happens to many players who know that a slow, controlled game is their best strategy. But there they are at the net…reacting to one hard-hit ball with another. We know there is pickleball karma…i.e. we give what we get. So we have to slow it down. But how? I suggest you focus on these three things.
#1 — Posture
Have you ever noticed that at the end of a long slamming rally you are often lower to the ground? You may find that your feet are much wider apart. Your bulls-eye on the center of your sternum may be facing the ground. Instead, you always want your bulls-eye or headlight pointing at the ball. If it is pointing down you are bending at your back rather than from your knees.
#2 — Grip Pressure
As the ball comes at our quicker, it is common for players to squeeze the grip more tightly. But this is the exact opposite of what you want to do. Instead, we want a nice, loose grip. We want the handle in our fingers…not our palm. The ball is very light! You want to visualize the ball feeling what you feel. Tightening your grip will increase the speed of the ball. A nice, soft grip will soften the ball’s bounce off of your paddle face. Remember to breathe. Ideally, exhale as you make contact with the ball and you will encourage relaxation.
#3 — Intention
Last, but most importantly, remember that when you want to slow down the ball you need to make that choice. Rather than simply reacting to our opponent, we need to think “I need to slow it down.” Our thoughts are the first, essential, step in the process. Too often we don’t realize, or acknowledge, the need to slow it down until after the point is over. I realize you may believe that you don’t have time to make that choice…but the fact is returning the ball faster was also your choice. You just needed a bit more time to make a better choice. By improving your posture and focusing on your grip, you will gain the split second of time required.
Slow It Down Practice
I always encourage my students to practice changing the pace of the ball. But while focusing on posture, grip and intention while drilling is important; nothing is like the dynamic experience of playing in a game. During practice, have your drill partner try to surprise you by slamming a ball at you from time to time. It will take quite a bit of time to engrain these skills…but it is worth it. When you can slow it down, you’ll find you can win against the bangers that intimidated you in the past.
