Pickleball Tip of Week #32

Ok, this tip is how to tell the future.

I was asked a question today by a player that i had just played with for the first time. Several times during most points i will usually call  "mine" or "yours" as to who should be hitting the ball coming back at us. He wanted to know how i was able to say "mine" or "yours" BEFORE the opponent actually hit the ball.

I told him that i was processing 4 things in my mind in the split second before our opponent hit the ball:

1) which way was his body showing

2) which way was his paddle showing

3) how had he hit the ball in the past

4) where was the best place for him to hit the ball

Players that use a lot of "miss direct" shots , you cant use 1 and 2. But most players dont use miss direct shots. So try and get your conscious and subconscious mind working and you should be able to already be moving to where the ball will be coming to. This is a big factor in playing,as it is much better to already be at the ball and swing in a smooth controlled fashion to most effectively return a ball.   Rather than pock at a ball that you have to quickly be moving to.

jeff shank