I always receive questions and comments from spectators when I play in a tournament. Most often it relates to someone trying to mimic a shot they saw a professional player make. The question is… should you try to play like a pro?
Play Like a Pro
Whenever I teach a PPR workshop I remind the coaches that pros, as in all other sports, play a little differently than the rest of the world. Today’s pickleball professionals likely came from a different sport…received athletic college scholarships, played at the professional level, perhaps represented their country. As coaches, we must encourage our students to learn to perform shots according to their abilities…not ours.
“You really get low”
Spectators often tell me, “You really get low and you reach pretty far for the ball”. That’s true! I am able to maintain body control and balance while reaching … however, I have trained on the court and off for over 30 years to be able to make that athletic move. If 
you are unable to reach, while maintaining full body control, then it is best to move to the ball. I often refer to the neutral zone as my happy place. My happy place may be a bit larger than yours. Rather than mimicking me…it would be best to determine how far you can extend your paddle to make good, clean contact with the ball.
not all dinking is the same
Dinking at the pro level is much more aggressive and requires us to do more with our bodies to do something with the ball. We stay low and close to the ground because the dink likely won’t bounce more than a foot above the surface of the court. When I am playing recreationally with non-pro players, I don’t have to get as low to the ground because the ball is softer and often higher…often above the net.
foundation vs. style
When working with our coaches we emphasize the difference between foundation and style. Foundation is a consistent contact point 
and weight transfer on every shot. After we establish the foundation, the player’s style can be considered. Federer and Nadal are great examples of “style”. The way they play the game, and even their strokes, look different…however, both are built on a solid fundamental foundation.
Rather than comparing yourself to a player that is 6″ taller than you and 20 years younger…work with a coach that emphasizes the fundamentals. Someone that can teach you how you should play…not how they play. When you go out on the court it has to be all about you. Should you play like a pro? Perhaps not! Instead, play like your very best self.
