More Tracking

Last week I talked about the importance of learning how to track the path of a ball as it is hit towards you. Obviously, the sooner you can figure out where it is going, then the sooner you can get into a good position to return it.

Recognizing the speed of the ball is also crucial, as adjustments need to be made according to the incoming speed. Strangely enough, if you have a decent reaction time, then balls coming at you at a high speed are often the easiest to handle. Very little adjustment is needed - you typically move as quickly as you can and you get to the ball in time.

The problems arise when the ball is slower than you anticipate. You take a fast swing at it and you are way out in front of it and guess where the ball goes - straight into the net. This happens a lot with overhead slams at the NVZ, which I am sure you have experienced and wondered about. The ball slows down as it drops, you swing hard at it, you are WAY out in front of it, and you miss another easy winner.

The simple answer, of course, is patience. You need to learn to recognize the speed of the ball and WAIT for it. I have students who think that "patience" is the only word in my dictionary, but it really is that important. Pickleball is a SLOW game - get into a good position, WAIT for the ball to be in the best possible position, and hit away.

See you on the courts.

​Michael Gauthier