When you watch Open level pickleball matches, you are certain to see long crosscourt rallies. Why do the pros hit so many crosscourt shots?
Why?
I am often asked that very question. Why do higher level players hit so many crosscourt shots? The answer is two-fold:
- First, it is the highest percentage shot because you aren’t trying to change the direction of the ball and because the ball can travel further.
- Since the ball will travel further, it will give me more time.
You may not think there is a big difference between a down the line shot and a crosscourt shot, but you need to do the math. As I discussed in a previous post, if I hit a dink straight ahead, the ball will travel at most 14 feet. A crosscourt dink can travel up to 24 feet. I am increasing my margin of error…thus improving the percentage of success. The ball is also traveling nearly twice as far. You may not think the additional time the ball is in the air matters…but in pickleball every second count.
Forever Shifting
Many players with a tennis background believe they need to shift with the ball. But there is a big difference between tennis and pickleball and that is the non-volley zone. In tennis, we shift with the ball so we can move forward into a volley. However, the NVZ in pickleball prevents us from cutting a ball off by moving forward. Such a move would cause a foot fault and loss of point.
The reality is in pickleball each player is responsible for covering ten feet. Ideally, your position should be one step away from the center line and one step to the sideline. But in a crosscourt rally, you don’t see high-level players shuffling back to the ideal position on every shot. Instead, they hold their position and prepare for the ball coming from the opponents’ side of the court.
just try it
I realize my instruction to not shuffle about goes contrary to how pickleball was taught in the past, and is still taught by some. But pickleball has evolved and its instruction has as well. Take time to watch the pros play. During long, crosscourt rallies they remain in position. If their opponent tries to redirect the ball down the line, that’s okay because redirecting the ball is a more difficult shot. One that may result in a higher ball flight that can be attacked.
Next time you are playing, just try what I am recommending. During a long crosscourt rally, hold your postion and keep the odds on your side.
