We all know that balance is key to playing well. Balance has everything to do with being on offense, able to move in any direction at will. So I have some pickleball questions for you…how are you bending? What are you bending? Are you bending too much?
Bending Back….Knees
When we are at the non-volley zone line we are told to bend. But often I see players bending too much. I don’t even think about bending my knees when I play. Instead, I think about having loose knees, that allow my weight to sink naturally. What I see many people do is focus so much on getting low, that when they bend their knees they hinge at the hips and back. This motion disengages your core…which immediately limits your balance. It also makes us feel heavier at the line and thus harder to move quickly.
Where is My Bullseye Pointed?
I always think about where my bullseye, at the center of my sternum, is pointed. If at any point that bullseye is pointing to the ground then I am bending from my back. If I notice this, I will often in the middle of the point stand straight up and take a breathe to reset my body and to get in a better position to move efficiently.
When my bullseye is towards the ball and my knees are loose and relaxed this is what allows me to sink into my hips and
allow my weight to transfer into the ball. I would say a bigger benefit is the ability to transition from a low ball to a high ball. Often players worry so much about getting low and bending their knees it looks like we are out there playing football.
Ideal Position
In an ideal world, I want my knees relaxed and my shoulders relaxed. My bullseye is pointed to the ball and my head is up. My paddle is in front protecting my bullseye.
Do I get caught in the wrong position? Absolutely! Do I find myself bending too low? Of course, but I try to fix it the moment I recognize it.
Top Priority is Comfort
Our first priority on the court should be putting our bodies in a position that is comfortable and allows us to move to the ball. You always want your body in a position that enables you to accelerate, with your paddle in front of you. To do this, we want to be light, yet sturdy.
This is a constant struggle for me. I am always working on my body position. Yoga is often a great reference point for being relaxed but sturdy and strong. Engaging your entire body to move and extend in different directions.
It is a constant focus, but in the end, it is always worth it.
