Your Tennis For Might Be Hurting Your Pickleball Game
Step onto any Pickleball court and you’re bound to run into at least one former tennis player. How can you tell? Look at where they like to stand. Usually tennis players like to stay back a bit, deliver big swings, and are always bouncing. Tennis is a natural place to come from when you transition to Pickleball, but there’s some skills that will give you the leg up and other habits you will need to shed.
Get Low And Keep It In front Of You
Coming from tennis, it’s easy to continue with what feels right, but in Pickleball, what feels right might actually be wrong. Try to get rid of the habit of stepping to the side of the incoming ball and start taking the shot in front of you. Keep it short and shallow until and opening shows itself. I’ve found that a lot of Pickleball isn’t the kill shots, but just keeping it in the court.
Not Everything Is A Kill
SLOW DOWN. Pickleball isn’t about the constant kill. The game is build on patience, strategy, and sometimes…allowing enough time for your opponent to make a mistake. The ball is slower moving, so your strong swing speed is limited. You have a better chance of a good passing shot when it’s the right time after moving your opponent slowly and finding the opening.
Use Your Tennis Skill, Don’t Rely On It
Your swing speed, court comfort, and understanding of moving your opponent are a massive advantage. Use what translates and drop whats keeping you from getting better.
