I often see players getting ready for the next ball too early. In fact, they do not finish the shot before they rush to pull up and get ready for the next shot.
pickleball intention
When I see players pulling up and getting ready for the next ball too early, I see this as the first sign that there wasn’t a clear intention behind the prior shot. They didn’t have a specific target…they weren’t sure where the shot was going…and had no idea how the next ball will come back. Having a clear pickleball intention means that you have a clear target, are committed to how the ball will fly to that spot, and where you will move after the shot is completed.
While it may not feel that way, you actually have more time to focus on the current shot than you think you do. As I wrote before, I want you to extend your paddle to the target. Imagine that you are hitting 3 balls rather than just one. Force yourself to take the time to focus on a target and the ball flight you desire. Commit yourself to that shot, to finish that shot before you move on to the next.
do I finish my shot?
You might be wondering how you will know if you finished your shot too early. One clear way of knowing is if you are popping up the ball. Another is returning the ball with more speed than you intended and finding yourself in a rally you are not able to control.
One trick I tell my students is to freeze at the end of every shot you hit. If you have a drill group, have each player commit to freezing at the end of every point and discussing their observations. Are you balanced? Breathing? Is your paddle in the correct position?
Past, present, future
When we play, our goal is to focus exclusively on the current shot. The last shot, good or bad, is over and has no effect on this moment. The future has not yet occurred, and we cannot rush to make it happen. Instead, our sole focus must be on this shot. It is the most important shot you are hitting. Stay in the moment. Have a clear intention and finish the shot.
