In the video titled “3 Essential Pickleball Doubles Strategies for New Players,” Cliff Pickleball shares valuable tips and strategies to help new players improve their game. The video focuses on three key strategies that can make a significant difference on the court. Additionally, the video emphasizes the importance of developing fast hands to anticipate and react quickly to incoming shots. By understanding these essential strategies and honing their skills, new players can elevate their pickleball game and effectively counter opponents who hit the ball hard into the chest. Join Cliff Pickleball on their YouTube channel for more helpful content aimed at spreading the joy of pickleball and catering to various skill levels. Remember to like, subscribe, and share the video, and don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comment section!
BK, a former tennis player turned pickleball enthusiast, shares two crucial skills that can help players dominate the game and effectively counter powerful shots. The first skill is blocking, which involves softening the power of incoming shots and resetting the point. BK explains the mechanics and techniques of executing a block shot, including positioning, hand placement, and paddle technique. The block shot is particularly effective in countering the popular play known as “shake and bake.” The second skill emphasized by BK is developing fast hands, which requires anticipation and quick reactions to incoming shots. BK provides tips on how to develop fast hands, including paddle positioning, anticipation, and maintaining a loose arm movement. He suggests engaging in drills like the volleying drill and elevator drill to practice fast hands. Ultimately, by mastering these skills, players can dominate the game from the kitchen line and even launch counterattacks against their opponents at the net.
Introduction to Pickleball Doubles Strategies
If you’re new to pickleball doubles, understanding and implementing effective strategies can greatly improve your game. In this article, we will explore three crucial strategies that new players must understand to level up their skills on the court. These strategies will not only help you counter hard-hitting players but also develop fast hands and dominate from the kitchen line. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid foundation for taking your pickleball doubles game to the next level.
Importance of Strategies for New Players
As a new player in pickleball doubles, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and focus solely on hitting the ball back and forth. However, developing a strategic mindset is essential if you want to improve your gameplay. Strategies help you anticipate and counter your opponents’ moves, giving you a competitive edge on the court. They also provide a framework for making smart decisions and improving your shot selection. By understanding and implementing effective strategies, you can become a more confident and successful pickleball player.
Dealing with Hard-Hitting Players
One of the biggest challenges new players face is dealing with hard-hitting opponents who direct their shots towards your chest. These players, often referred to as “bangers,” can be intimidating and overwhelming. However, by mastering the block shot and countering the shake and bake play, you can effectively neutralize their power shots and turn the game to your advantage.
Understanding the Block Shot
The block shot is a crucial skill that every pickleball player should develop. Its primary purpose is to soften the power of incoming shots and reset the point. When facing hard-hitting players, executing a well-timed block shot can be a game-changer. To perform a successful block shot, you need to focus on positioning, hand placement, and paddle technique.
Executing the Block Shot
To execute a block shot, position yourself on the backhand side to block the ball. This positioning allows you to have better control over the shot and effectively redirect its power. As you block the ball, make sure to have softer hands by loosening your wrist. This will help absorb the power and soften the shot. Additionally, keeping a slightly open face on your paddle allows for better control and placement of the blocked ball.
Countering the Shake and Bake Play
The shake and bake play is a popular tactic used by hard-hitting players to overpower their opponents. In this play, the serving team hits a powerful drive from the baseline while their partner moves towards the net to finish the volley with a strong shot. To counter this play, your block shot becomes even more critical. By focusing on cross-court blocks, you can give yourself more time to react and effectively counter the shake and bake play. This strategy limits the space for your opponents to attack and gives you a better chance of resetting the point in your favor.
Developing Fast Hands
In addition to mastering the block shot, developing fast hands is another essential skill for pickleball doubles players. Fast hands allow you to anticipate and react quickly to incoming shots, giving you a significant advantage on the court. By improving your paddle positioning, anticipation, and arm movement, you can develop the agility and speed necessary to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the game.
Importance of Fast Hands
Fast hands are not just an innate talent; they can be trained and improved over time. Having quick and responsive hands enables you to react faster and make timely shots. It allows you to be more proactive on the court, rather than reactive. By training your hands to be fast and nimble, you can effectively counter your opponents’ shots, maintain control, and dictate the pace of the game.
Tips for Improving Fast Hands
To improve your hand speed, it’s essential to focus on anticipation and paddle positioning. By anticipating where the ball will go, you can position your paddle correctly, giving yourself the best chance to make a fast and accurate shot. Keeping your paddle face out in front, rather than dropping it down or to the side, allows for a quicker response time. This positioning enables you to block or counter the shots with minimal effort and maximum efficiency.
Another critical aspect of developing fast hands is maintaining a loose arm. Tension in your arm can slow down your reaction time and hinder your ability to make quick shots. By loosening your arm and wrist, you can achieve a faster swing and better control over your shots. Practice swinging your arm freely, focusing on fluid movements rather than rigid ones.
Drills to Practice Fast Hands
To develop your fast hands, there are several drills you can incorporate into your practice sessions. Two effective drills are the volleying drill and the elevator drill.
The Volleying Drill
The volleying drill involves standing one step in front of the kitchen line and volleying back and forth with a partner. By reducing the distance between you and your partner, you can focus on reacting quickly and maintaining a loose wrist. This drill helps improve your hand-eye coordination and helps you get comfortable with rapid exchanges near the net.
The Elevator Drill
The elevator drill focuses on hitting shots at different heights using different techniques. Pretend there are three “floors”: below the net, at net height, and above the shoulders. When the ball is below the net, practice resetting it back into the kitchen. For shots at net height, work on executing controlled rolls and positioning your opponents. Finally, when the ball is above shoulder height, aim for attacking shots and winners. This drill helps you practice fast hands in various situations and reinforces the importance of maintaining a loose wrist for quicker reactions.
Dominating from the Kitchen Line
The kitchen line, also known as the non-volley zone, is a critical area on the pickleball court. Being able to dominate from this position requires a combination of blocking, fast hands, and strategic counterplay. By utilizing these skills effectively, you can control the game, put pressure on your opponents, and create scoring opportunities for your team.
Utilizing Blocking and Fast Hands
The skills of blocking and fast hands play a significant role in dominating the kitchen line. Blocked shots at the kitchen line prevent your opponents from gaining an advantage with powerful drives. By using your fast hands to counter and reset the ball into the kitchen, you can maintain control of the point and force your opponents to react defensively.
Understanding Counters
Counters are shots that allow you to exploit your opponents’ weaknesses and create opportunities for offense. By reading your opponents’ shots and anticipating their movements, you can strategically counter their shots with precise placement and varying speeds. Counters can disrupt your opponents’ rhythm, force them out of position, and open up the court for attacking shots.
Bonus Tip: Counterattacking and Attacking at the Net
In addition to blocking and countering, another effective strategy from the kitchen line is counterattacking and attacking at the net. This involves using your fast hands and reflexes to intercept shots and make aggressive volleys near the net. By seizing these opportunities, you can take control of the point and put pressure on your opponents to defend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding and implementing effective pickleball doubles strategies is crucial for new players looking to improve their game. By mastering the block shot, developing fast hands, and dominating from the kitchen line, you can elevate your pickleball doubles skills to new heights. Remember, strategies play a vital role in your success on the court, so take the time to practice and incorporate these techniques into your gameplay. With dedication, practice, and a strategic mindset, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable pickleball doubles player.