I used to compete in singles pickleball. While I no longer enter these events in tournament play, I still play singles from time to time and I think you should too.
Singles Pickleball
If you really like to play singles it can be tough. Not every tournament has a large enough draw in every age or skill division. If singles are played on the first day of a tournament, it may ruin your legs for doubles play. Likewise, if it is on the last day you may not be able to give it you’re all. Trust me, I fully appreciate how playing singles can affect your tournament play. However, even if you don’t plan to compete in pickleball singles there are many good reasons to play from time to time.
Singles Pickleball: Why Play?
In addition to being a pretty good cardio workout, playing singles allows me to work on my groundstrokes. Primarily I am concentrating on depth and control. In singles, you often times don’t hit to the middle of the court, instead, you aim closer to the sidelines so you can keep your opponent on the move. To hit effective, deep, groundstrokes you really need to work on your weight transfer.
If you didn’t grow up playing tennis, as I did, this may bring you out of your comfort zone. One way to start getting comfortable with singles is something called Skinny Singles…no that is not a pickleball dating site. It is pickleball played on only one-half of the court.
This is also a great way to practice if you have only one other person. Having a narrower court will really help you work on control! Just like in doubles you want to hit with a purpose, only instead of dinking short, your goal is to hit it deep and keep your opponent away from the net. Your goal is the capture the net, to take time away from your opponent and make it difficult for him to pass you.
If you haven’t played singles pickleball why not just go out today and start hitting groundstrokes with a partner. Practice from the baseline, as well as, a few feet in. It is great to practice hitting from different positions. I always like to encourage players to play in tournaments for the experience and to support the sport in general.
It can be a lot of fun to play a good friend one on one.
