Lesson of the Month
November 2024
5 Step Warm-Up
What do you do when you first get to the courts to begin your play, beside greeting your friends and catching up on all the ‘goings on’ in the pickleball world since you were last together? Today we’ll talk about a pretty quick 5 Step Warm-Up that will get you prepared for game play, but also help improve your game over time.
Prepare Your Body - If you come right out and start playing, your chance for injury increases significantly. Prepare your body for the exercise of pickleball with some stretching (think toe touches, torso twists, and shoulder stretches, etc.) and some dynamic warm up (think light running, side steps, knee lifts, etc.). It is important to get your blood flowing and tell your body you are going to be moving and exercising.
Dinks - Most people start (and many end) their warm-up at the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen). Just starting with some straight on dinks back and forth with your partner is good start. After a minute or two, you may start moving each other around a little bit, alternating between their forehand and backhand and working on your angled dinks. Then you can move to cross-court dinks with your partner, working on forehands and then backhands (assuming you have the same dominant hand). I also like to ‘gamify’ these dinks by trying to see how many my partner and I can get consecutively without hitting it in the net or outside the sidelines. You can also play a short game against your partner to get your competitive juices flowing.
Drops - From Dinks we go to drops. I prefer to start behind the baseline and work on my drops to try and get some kind of ‘feel’ for the day. Of course, my partner is moving me around with the feeds, some to me forehand, some to my backhand, some longer, and some shorter, but I am trying to drop everything just over the net in front of my partner. We also like to work most of these drops cross-court, if we have a whole court to ourselves. Before leaving Drops, I will start behind the baseline and work my way in to the Non-Volley Zone trying to drop every shot along the way, taking some off the bounce and some out of the air. This is good practice for working through the transition zone.
Drives - Next up are Drives. This is usually just hitting some ground strokes from the baseline. It is important to work both your forehand and backhand and to have a target in mind for each shot. Vary your targets so that your partner gets to naturally hit both their forehand and backhand as well. One other thing, you may want to be aware of short shots and follow them in to the Non-Volley Zone allowing you to hit some deep volleys back to your partner.
Serves & Returns - Finally we come to Serves & Returns. We are, of course, warming these up cross-court as we do during a game. The way we like best is to do Serve, Return, Drop. The server hits their serve, the partner hits a return, and the server hits a drop. We find this the most game-like way to warm-up or practice the drop. This also naturally alternates the server. Spend a few minutes on each side of the court. Remember when serving and returning to vary your targets, but the primary goal for both shots is ‘in’ and in the last 3 feet of the court.
Happy warming up!
David Eversole, PPR
October 2024
The Lob
Ok, let’s deal with a controversial topic - The Lob. We have all played against players we feel like lob too much against us. Or, when playing on a very bright, sunny day (our favorite kind of day!), they hit lob after lob, forcing us to look directly into the sun to try to find the ball. It gets to the point when they hit another lob, you and your partner (discreetly) look at each and just groan or roll your eyes!
But let’s try to look at the lob objectively. In fact, I recently heard a well-known Pickleball teacher say there should actually be more lobbing in pickleball! So, let’s try to consider the good and the bad of lobs.
The Good: an effective lob can first of all buy you extra time to get back into the rally and get back into proper position, a lob can catch your opponent by surprise and put them on the defensive, a well-executed and timed lob can be an offensive shot forcing your opponent out of position or even hit for a rally winner.
The Bad: a poorly executed lob often ends up as an easy shot for your opponent - often even a put away, ending the rally, a poorly timed or poorly placed lob also often ends up as an easy shot for your opponent, also a lob not very well played or played in misjudged wind conditions will go out of play.
Considerations for better lobs: Here are a just a few thoughts for finding more success with your lobs.
First, if you are going to incorporate a shot into your game you must practice it!
Use the lob to buy yourself time - when you need to get back into position or get to the Non-Volley Zone line.
Use the lob as a surprise - especially when all 4 players are in a ‘dink battle’ at the Non-Volley Zone line, take a medium to low ball and try a lob.
Give yourself space - lob to the longest parts of the court from where you are, typically the corners.
Make it harder on your opponents - try to always lob where it is most difficult for your opponent, typically over their backhand shoulder.
David Eversole, PPR
September 2024
Are All Balls Attackable?
This month we have recorded another Lesson of the month brought to you on video. Follow this link https://youtu.be/5irbKTfI2EU to get to September's lesson of the month. The lesson focuses on making the split-second decision about a ball is attackable or not. The lesson is brought to us by David Eversole, PPR Certified Coach with help from his playing partner Lesa Haynes.
August 2024
What's Next
Forty-five years of tennis; 3.5 player, playing competitively, locally and at state, organizing leagues, serving as an officer in a couple of associations, playing 3 times a week at least, but couldn’t get my tennis foursome together most of the time. It’s 2020 and we are playing outside to reduce the risk of Covid. What’s next?
A friend suggested learning to play pickleball. OK. Let’s do it! She said Anna Walters, Kingsport, USA Pickleball Ambassador, was offering free “Introduction to Pickleball.” An e-mail to her asked about details and when could we meet? She responded right away and meeting with her twice was all it took. She said, “Go play!” It was obvious that transitioning from the tennis background and experience to this growing sport was fun meeting new friends and provided physical and competitive workouts. A couple weeks later there was an opportunity to meet with a group for professional lessons at Kingsport. I loved it and began encouraging friends and anybody who would listen to try pickleball.
I was learning fast and playing a lot. Would you be interested in becoming a USA Pickleball Ambassador? What do they do? As a volunteer, you will represent USA Pickleball, the USA governing body, pass a security clearance, and promote and encourage this fastest growing sport. OK. So that happened the following year. What next? I wanted to learn to play better to teach and coach others and found out that I could participate in a 5-hour workshop as a member of Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) in Hilton Head with Sarah Ansbury, Teaching Professional…and possibly be certified as a coach. It didn’t really matter about coaching, I wanted to learn and get better fast. There were required videos and guidelines ahead of the workshop…many techniques and drills and an online test after the workshop. Whew! Done deal!
Pickleball is therapeutic and addictive! What’s next for you? There is more demand for this fastest growing sport than there are courts. You can play on permanent courts in Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. Play socially or competitively for fun, meet new friends, and become better fit. In 2021, the drop serve became legal and it has become my “go to” that works…recently I purchased a new paddle that has an endcap for adding weight in the handle. It’s great! Things are changing in the pickleball world and I invite you to keep learning and take the time for more fun! Ask me about “Introduction to Pickleball!” The best is yet to come!
Jan Goodsell, PPR
USA Pickleball Ambassador
July 2024
Drills to Dink with Purpose
This month we try our first Lesson of the month brought to you on video. Follow this link https://youtu.be/pT_sEGxawdE to get to July's lesson of the month. The lesson focuses on two drills to help players dink with purpose. The lesson is brought to us by David Eversole, PPR Certified Coach with help from his playing partner Lesa Haynes.
June 2024
Third Shot Drop Drill
As a former College baseball Coach and MLB envoy I was looking for something to be competitive at again. While working for the City I was introduced to Pickleball at Lynn View Community Center. Transitioning from baseball to pickleball has been smooth and easy due to the transferable skills and athletic qualities both sports share. As a baseball player, I developed strong hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking, all of which are crucial in pickleball. The familiarity with striking a ball with precision and power, akin to batting, made learning pickleball's paddle techniques intuitive. Additionally, the agility and footwork honed from fielding grounders and chasing fly balls translated well to the fast-paced, lateral movements on the pickleball court. This foundation in baseball not only facilitated a swift adaptation to pickleball but also gave me a competitive edge in mastering the game's intricacies.
One pickleball drill that significantly helped me improve from a 4.0 to a 4.5 rated player is the "Third Shot Drop" drill. This drill focuses on mastering the critical third shot, which sets the tone for the rest of the rally. By repeatedly practicing the third shot drop, I learned to consistently place the ball softly into the kitchen, neutralizing aggressive opponents and gaining control of the point. The drill involved a partner feeding me deep shots, simulating a game scenario, and requiring me to execute precise drops. Over time, this repetitive practice enhanced my touch, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure, elevating my overall gameplay and helping me reach the 4.5 rating.
Kenny Lawson, Kingsport Parks & Rec
May 2024
The Question, Part II
Again, with all due respect to Shakespeare, for our purposes, “the” question is not “to be, or not to be”, but instead, “to drop or to drive” the third shot.
This month’s lesson is the second of two dealing with this burning question and I hope you find it helpful, meaningful, and enlightening to your pickleball life.
For years, there was not much debate to this question. We were all taught and expected to play a drop on our third shot. It seems as pickleball attracts more young people and many former high-level tennis players, we are seeing more variety in the type and style of shots and when they can be chosen. It is now acceptable and even advantageous to sometimes choose a drive for your third shot. Let’s discuss when and why to play a drive on your third shot.
One of the main reasons to play a drive is if you believe you and your partner benefit from a ‘harder’ or ‘faster’ game. Often the third shot sets the tone for the rest of the rally. When you are making the third shot, you have probably the best opportunity to set the tone.
Another reason to play a drive is when one (or both) of your opponents remain at the baseline or in the transition zone. If they are not fully at the Non-Volley Zone line, you and your partner may have an opportunity to take advantage of a vulnerability and you should try to capitalize on it. Any shot from further back in the court is more difficult, plus if you and your partner can seize the Non-Volley Zone (be the first ones to the line), your chances of winning the rally go up significantly.
The final reason we’ll discuss to play a drive is when the return of serve is short. If you or your partner have to run forward to hit the third shot it may be a good opportunity to speed up the rally and go for an aggressive shot. Again, this is putting your opponents on the defensive and taking advantage of a weak return of serve. This is not always the best shot, but it can be very effective.
I hope these points on drop and drive have been helpful to you. It takes practice and developing a feel for what works best. Give both shots a try!
David Eversole, PPR
April 2024
The Question
With all due respect to Shakespeare (though I doubt he was much of a pickleball player), for our purposes, “the” question is not “to be, or not to be”, but instead, “to drop or to drive” the third shot.
This month’s lesson is the first of two dealing with this burning question and I hope you find it helpful, meaningful, and enlightening to your pickleball life. For years, there was not much debate to this question. We were all taught and expected to play a drop on our third shot. It was just how pickleball was played. After all you didn’t want to be labeled a ‘banger’! Now the game is evolving and there are some times when a drive on the third shot is a better play. We will deal with those next month. So, let’s start with when and why to play a drop on your third shot.
One of the main reasons to play a drop is if you believe you and your partner benefit from a ‘softer’ game. Often the third shot sets the tone for the rest of the rally. When you are making the third shot, you have probably the best opportunity to set the tone. It is often more difficult later in the rally to play an effective soft reset that is not attackable for your opponent.
Another reason to play a drop on your third (or any subsequent shot) is to ‘buy time’ and get to the Non-Volley Zone line. If you are hitting the third shot, that means your team served, your opponents have the advantage and have likely already taken their places at the Non-Volley Zone line. To have the best chance to win the rally, you and your partner need to be at the Non-Volley Zone line as well. The best way to get there is with a drop in front of your opponents. In fact, it may take more than one drop shot for you and your partner to make it all the way in to the Non-Volley Zone Line, and that is fine. Be patient!
The final reason we’ll discuss to play a drop is that it is a higher percentage shot to prolong the rally (assuming you have practiced). If your opponents are in their place of advantage at the Non-Volley Zone line, their arms almost cover the whole width of the court. Even if you hit your very best drive, the chances of you hitting a successful passing shot by or between them is pretty small. Make the percentage play, prolong the rally, be patient, and play the drop.
Come back next month and we’ll talk about the times when it is good to go for a drive on your third shot.
David Eversole, PPR
March 2024
The Drop Serve
To drop or not to drop that is the question? If you decide to use the drop serve, here are some keys to success:
The Drop Serve is just what the name says. It is a serve where you DROP (not toss or throw the ball down) the ball and let it bounce on the court before hitting it.
Very, very, important: On the Drop Serve, make sure you release the ball from your hand and do NOT toss it.
Key points to know:
You can hit your Drop Serve with a forehand or backhand and don't have to worry about any of the Volley Serve rules. In other words, anything goes with how you hit the ball after it bounces. .
Once you drop the ball, you can let it bounce as many times as you want before you hit it.
You can pick up the ball and re-drop it if you choose. Just make sure you get your serve going within the 10 seconds after the score has been called. The clock does not restart if you pick up the ball.
You can drop the ball inside or outside the baseline. If inside, be sure you do not step on or over the baseline before you make contact with the ball.
You may drop the ball from any height.
And keep in mind that all the rules for your feet apply the same to the Drop Serve as they do to the Volley Serve.
4.A.4.a. At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline.
4.A.4.b. Neither of the server’s feet may touch the court on or inside the baseline.
4.A.4.c. Neither of the server’s feet may touch the playing surface outside the imaginary extension of the sideline or the imaginary extension of the centerline.
Anna Walters, PPR
February 2024
Keep It Deep
In my experience, playing any doubles matches, if you keep the serve, as well as the return, deep in the court, it can be a great first offensive move.
Returning deep allows your partner to move freely to poach and will limit your opponent's ability to fire a ball back. It can also allow you to move forward faster in most cases.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, short returns allow the serving team to beat you in, and or attack your partner, since they are standing at the net, helpless!
Remember the serving team has to let it bounce first.
Serving the ball deep in the court does not allow your opponent time to attack, and many times presents you with a short return. Thus, putting you in the offensive position.
Remember practice won't make you perfect, but it will make you more consistent!
Melinda Tate, RDH, CPI, PPR, USPTA
And I Approve This Message
January 2024
Hold on Loosely
Yes, you are in the right place for a quick lesson on pickleball. You are not in the 1980’s hit songs discussion forum, if there even is such a thing. But who knew all those years ago when 38 Special gave us this sage advice, that they were actually referring to how to hold your pickleball paddle?
This is one of the most common tips I give to beginners and even those who have played longer: don’t hold your paddle with a ‘death grip’! Not only is this uncomfortable, but it builds tension throughout your arm and body. You don’t benefit from this extra tension in any way.
If you think of your grip pressure on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being barely holding on and 5 being the dreaded ‘death grip’, the recommended grip pressure is about 2! Surprised? Yes, holding loosely really gives you the best control of your paddle and allows you to have the best ‘touch’ on your shots. What I mean by ‘touch’ is going immediately from a hard to soft to firm shot without a change in grip or pressure. This loose grip also relaxes your hand and arm, allowing you to play longer without fatigue.
Next time you are on the court, remember your 38 Special from 1981 and ‘Hold on Loosely’!
David Eversole, PPR