THE pickleball guide: Rules, basics, trick shots and more
Pickleball fundamentals
The first thing that needs to be mastered is simply how the paddle is picked up. This is the beginning of what Manasse refers to as 鈥渂rilliant basics.鈥�
The proper way to grip the paddle is by reaching out like you are shaking someone鈥檚 hand. Once that is done, the focus shifts to the swing. The swing on a serve should be an underhand motion.
鈥淲e’re not going to use too much wrist, we’re going to get through the ball and just low to high,鈥� Manasse said. 鈥淭hat’s how you’re going to get your topspin.鈥�
It is important in the serve to get a full extension.
The technique however is different if it is a return swing. This starts with positioning.
鈥淭he opponent can hit a serve that touches the baseline, right?鈥� said Manasse. 鈥淪o if I’m standing right on the baseline and they hit a serve, they’re not going to be ready for it. Right? So normally I give myself space here (a few feet behind the baseline), when the ball comes I want to turn my body and come through it. So I have momentum going towards the kitchen line and I can have a deep return.鈥�
This gives you power behind your swing to return the serve.
If a situation calls for a drop shot, it is very important to get the tip of the paddle down to give it that extra elevation.
鈥淲e’re getting the tip down, using our shoulder as the hinge and we’re going to drop that right in the kitchen,鈥� Manasse said.
The final type of shot is called a dink shot. The purpose of it is to set up an attacking approach. This is most commonly seen on balls that go from one kitchen to the other.
鈥淎gain, our tip of the paddle is going to be down and we’re going to move through with our shoulder as the main hinge,鈥� Manasse said. 鈥淚f we make our wrist go too much, that means the paddle face will change. I want to push through with the shoulders. The main hinge backends a little bit different. It can be more parallel and we push through. We just want to make sure we have complete control of the paddle face.鈥�
We鈥檝e got THE guide for any and all types of players. Part 4: Coach @Matt Manasse shows how to master the fundamentals. @海角社区
Once these shots are mastered, it is time to bring a bit of flare to your pickleball game.