David Zapatka Two months ago, we wrote an article on being the best partner. This month is about being the best you on the court by focusing on your skills to strengthen your side of the partnership. Open space—The best players I’ve played against in my pickleball-playing career have been the ones who could create…
Tag: Relishing Pickleball
September 2024, Clubs & Classes
Relishing Pickleball: Be the Best Partner
David Zapatka The No. 1 priority is to always remember you are on the same team. Do everything possible to help your partner, support your partner, and encourage your partner. Words and body language are powerful. They both have meaning and influence on you and your partner. Your energy is real. Partner cannot only hear…
July 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: The 4th Shot
David Zapatka We have learned the importance of the 3rd shot drop and that the receiving team has the initial advantage in the rally. The question now becomes, what does the receiving team need to do to maintain their advantage? Court positioning is vital as you prepare for the 4th shot. Only the player receiving…
May 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: New Player Tips
David Zapatka New to pickleball and want to improve quickly? Try these tips: * Seek out a mentor to help you learn the game. Talk with experienced players to glean information and helpful tips. Try what they suggest. Practice using their advice. * Serve deep and into the middle of the opponents’ court. Do not…
March 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Countering the Slice Shot
David Zapatka Last month we discussed hitting slice returns of serve and dinks. This month we are discussing how to counter the opponent’s slice returns and dinks. Consider using these strategies to counter the opponent’s slice shots. * Hit through the spin using a flat drive shot. By driving the ball, you are countering the…
Sports, February 2024
Relishing Pickleball: Slicing the Ball
David Zapatka Slicing serve returns and dinks are favorite shots of mine. A slice puts backspin on the ball. The slice makes the ball travel from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock back toward the player who contacted the ball. These shots can be hit with a forehand or a backhand. A slice is effective for these reasons.…
November 2023, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Doubles Strategies (Continued!)
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, Ms. Littlewood offers these basic doubles strategies for players of any level. To read all her advice, buy her book. Strive for 100% accuracy on serves. The serve is the only shot in the game that is uncontested. There…
Sports, October 2023
Relishing Pickleball: More Doubles Strategies
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, we will continue to learn from two professional Hall-of-Fame players, Alex Hamner and Jennifer Lucore. (Quotes are paraphrased for brevity. Buy Ms. Littlewood’s book to get the whole story!) Unforced errors happen! Nobody means to hit an unforced…
Sports, September 2023
Relishing Pickleball: Doubles Strategies
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, we will now learn from two professional Hall of Fame players Ms. Littlewood quotes in her book regarding doubles strategies. Alex Hamner and Jennifer Lucore were the national women’s doubles champions in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and continue to…
Sports, July 2023
Relishing Pickleball: Shot Selection
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, it is time now to learn about shot selection. Mary Littlewood says the ideal sequence of shots provides a means for all four players to get to the net where pickleball is won and lost as opposed to…