Tournament Tips

I spent quite a bit of time a few weekends ago watching pickleball at a local tournament. A couple of things stood out - I have mentioned both of these previously, but they are really important.

One - Make The Routine Shots

I watched so many rallies end with disaster on a miserable dink or some other easy, routine shot. You need to be drilling at least once a week for at least an hour, and you need to be drilling to fix the boring stuff - the cross-court dinks that go into the net, NVZ resets that go into the net, and wide open overhead drives that never see the opponents' court. Never mind looking for drill games that help pass the time. Do the routine stuff. And then keep doing it. If you want to seriously compete in a tournament then you simply cannot keep missing the routine shots.

Two - Hit The Ball As Hard As You Safely Can

This one requires a bit of self-discipline. Before you hit a shot, remember that the goal is to get your self into the best possible position to hit the ball. You don't have to hit the ball wherever it happens to be. Have patience, get ready, and execute an effective stroke. When you can't do this, don't take the toughest possible shot. Back off a bit. If you are not in a good position to take a hard drive down the line, why take it? If you are rushed on a hard hit ball, perhaps a drop shot is the safest shot, or even take a little bit of speed off the shot so you can still have adequate control. Anything else and you are just giving your opponents free points. Play aggressively safe!

See you at the next tournament - I'll be watching!

Michael Gauthier