Description:
Jerry Jaffee
Practice your shot making in this simple drill from Art of Pickleball Coach Jerry Jaffee. Players on the near side start at their back line while players on the far side set up at their kitchen line. As the ball is played back and forth, the near-side team works on driving the ball. Meanwhile, the far-side team responds by hitting volleys while working on good footwork, stroke technique, court coverage and communication. Tune in as Coach Jaffee describes various playing scenarios, such as the ones below, and provides suggestions for handling them.
Defending a sideline shot
To defend a shot that the opposing player in the right service area hits from the sideline, the left service area player on your side should cover the line and the right service area player should shift toward the midline to cover the angle.
Driving the ball deep
If you’ve got your opponent stuck deep in their backcourt, consider hitting a long volley that keeps them from advancing toward the net. To execute this, angle your paddle up slightly to lift the ball as you make contact. This allows the ball to drop at your opponent’s feet, making it difficult to return and advance to the kitchen.