In other words, be a tennis player. We have no choice but to be prepared or we will never cover the much larger court. Yet, I constantly hear online how this is not mini-tennis. It is certainly more like Tennis than not, and I believe tennis players have a huge advantage, and can make incredible progress very quickly.
There are a lot of similarities to tennis and a lot of difference. I coached tennis for many years and many, many players make these mistakes as well. So I’d say strive to be a better player at whatever sport you choose whether it’s tennis or pickleball.
Great tips here. I've been "trying" to read my opponents body language and paddle face angle to help me make the move to the ball. Not making much progress with it. Practice is the only solution as it most improvement.
I do struggle with being late and although I prepare for just in case, predicting where the ball will go (based on the type of shot the opponent will make) is such a challenge! You mentioned moving after the bounce as too late. So we basically prepare soon after the ball leaves our paddle and we track the ball. Any tips on that? Ball tracking and the timing of getting where you need to be? I do find my myself hitting the ball, trying to get ready and still not being in the right spot at the right time for the return. Gr
You split step just as your ball is leaving your OPPONENTS paddle, not your paddle. As your feet hit the ground you push off to where you need to go to hit that ball, after you've hit, you recover to the spot that makes the most sense for you and your partner to have the court well covered from the next shot that is most likely to come from your opponent.
Nicole.. Thanks for your tips and insights in this video. Very timely for me and my partner. You have put into words and visuals what I felt but could not clearly say. Very helpful! THANK YOU!
Hi! Thanks for the comment. It’s really just a matter of choosing any drill…even rallying from baseline to baseline like we do in the video and putting 100% of your focus on one of the 3 things until it becomes automatic. This is relevant on pretty much every shot.
Consistency on all the key shots is everything. Solid and deep serves and returns, stable drop and reset shot. Strong aggressive dinking. Give yourself margin (big target) and make the shot, make the shot, make the shot. It all comes down to the fundamentals and doing the fundamentals better than everyone else. It always comes back to that. Spend most of your time on drilling your blocks from NVZ and reset from transition area. Hope that helps.
Hi Nicole. I have a small hand grip approximately 3 and 3/4 grip. Can I use a larger grip 4 inch or more? Can you recommend a paddle for my smaller hand size? I always see larger grips. Thanks
A lot of paddles will have grip size options so you can ask before you buy to get a small size. Also, you can take of the base grip and put an overgrip right on the frame. I used to do that and it really makes it smaller.
Very timely video - I was assessing why I was missing shots today in class and felt like it was mostly due to my footwork - not being in the right place at the right time….one step too short happens to me a lot…this is definitely something I’m going to work on…thanks Nicole…good stuff.
So often in (some folks) videos, they so exaggerate the flaw it’s almost hard to see. You looked exactly like every lazy newbie rec Pickleball player. Like they are a bit surprised they might have to move. That said, I know I’m sometimes guilty of this. I get distracted or think I can beat someone wo/working too hard. Or even don’t want to be that intense person. Maybe why I often feel like I play “better” when a little nervous about keeping up. I’m going to keep track of this going forward. Thanks!
Nicole, when are you gonna have an in-person clinic. You are a natural coach in the way you deliver tips and tricks and strategy and know-how. You are local and close to me! :) Pleeeeaaaassseee? :) xo LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. It is my favorite.
Awww…thank you!! Happy to be the fave and thanks for your kind words. I’m still dealing with an injury and hope to do some clinics after that. Fingers crossed 🤞
What do you do if you're a beginner and you're hitting the ball to your opponent literally took their paddle or up in the air for them to slim back. It's a beginner mistake. What do you do?
You have to develop ball control so that you can put the ball where you want and out of their comfort zone for slamming and that comes with training and repetitions. Here are two videos that can help you get better with that. th-cam.com/video/LE5viTUHHTA/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/nfTcDYLPi1o/w-d-xo.html
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
I've noticed a consistent theme from the best coaches (in my opinion of course) is the concept of first things first. Preparation (footwork, etc.) is a foundational principle which leads to better shot execution. So, thank you for this important reminder!
@@primetimepickleball I worked on this a lot yesterday in rec play and really helped with executing the shots I wanted to hit. I could also tell when I missed that my feet got stuck in the mud. Thanks again for the solid tips!
Preparation for the shot is everything. I sometimes wait too long before I react and that messes up my shots. Thanks for the tips!
The first step is awareness. Good work! Yes, move earlier and faster than you think you need to.
In other words, be a tennis player. We have no choice but to be prepared or we will never cover the much larger court. Yet, I constantly hear online how this is not mini-tennis. It is certainly more like Tennis than not, and I believe tennis players have a huge advantage, and can make incredible progress very quickly.
There are a lot of similarities to tennis and a lot of difference. I coached tennis for many years and many, many players make these mistakes as well. So I’d say strive to be a better player at whatever sport you choose whether it’s tennis or pickleball.
❤
I am guilty of waiting too long. very good information and presentation. starts with footwork.
Thanks Dave! Glad you liked it!
Spot on common sense reminder/refresher that I definitely need/will use. The split screen illustrations are very helpful. Thank you as always!
Glad you enjoyed the video and that you found the content helpful. Thanks for the feedback it's always greatly appreciated.
☺getting the paddle back sooner and moving fast then slow was a HUGE help, the split steps need practice. Thank you
Great stuff Joan! 💯
Love your videos breaking down stroke techniques. Thank you.
Thank you! I'm glad you like the videos and I appreciate the feedback.
Thanks Nicole for the help. I will be mindful of these three mistakes.
Great stuff Michele! Glad you enjoyed the info.
Oh my gosh, this info is SO IMPORTANT. THANKS FOR SHARING,
You are so welcome!
This what needed to hear, thanks. I will incorporate right away.
Great stuff Simeon! Glad you found it useful.
Thanks for the lesson Nicole.
My pleasure Mike!
Love your videos Nicole. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Helen! Will do.
I actually took a “foot”
Class today - move your feet and step
Into the shot - very helpful!
Great, footwork is SO important.
Great points and very useful. Thanks!
Thanks!
Great tips here. I've been "trying" to read my opponents body language and paddle face angle to help me make the move to the ball. Not making much progress with it. Practice is the only solution as it most improvement.
Yes! Keep working on reading them. That is a valuable skill.
I do struggle with being late and although I prepare for just in case, predicting where the ball will go (based on the type of shot the opponent will make) is such a challenge! You mentioned moving after the bounce as too late. So we basically prepare soon after the ball leaves our paddle and we track the ball. Any tips on that? Ball tracking and the timing of getting where you need to be? I do find my myself hitting the ball, trying to get ready and still not being in the right spot at the right time for the return. Gr
You split step just as your ball is leaving your OPPONENTS paddle, not your paddle. As your feet hit the ground you push off to where you need to go to hit that ball, after you've hit, you recover to the spot that makes the most sense for you and your partner to have the court well covered from the next shot that is most likely to come from your opponent.
This is really good stuff for a modestly athletic newbie. The troubles you described are my exact struggles. Thank you X2!
You're so welcome Gary!
Nicole..
Thanks for your tips and insights in this video. Very timely for me and my partner. You have put into words and visuals what I felt but could not clearly say. Very helpful!
THANK YOU!
Thanks Linus! So glad it was helpful to you.
Hi Nicole, Love your content, insightful explanations and parallel graphics. Another great video.
Thanks Daisy! I’m happy to hear that since that’s what I strive to do. Glad it comes across.
Really hit home with me, thank you!
Happy to hear that Vernon! Thanks for the comment.
Any drills or exercise to get in the habit of being on toes ?
Hi! Thanks for the comment. It’s really just a matter of choosing any drill…even rallying from baseline to baseline like we do in the video and putting 100% of your focus on one of the 3 things until it becomes automatic. This is relevant on pretty much every shot.
Excellent video! Great teacher!
Thank you kindly!
Excellent suggestions, thanks!
My pleasure!
Excellent tips!
Thank you! Glad you think so :)
Nicole what do you think are the top things to work on to get to 4.0 level thanks.
Consistency on all the key shots is everything. Solid and deep serves and returns, stable drop and reset shot. Strong aggressive dinking. Give yourself margin (big target) and make the shot, make the shot, make the shot. It all comes down to the fundamentals and doing the fundamentals better than everyone else. It always comes back to that. Spend most of your time on drilling your blocks from NVZ and reset from transition area. Hope that helps.
Hi Nicole. I have a small hand grip approximately 3 and 3/4 grip. Can I use a larger grip 4 inch or more? Can you recommend a paddle for my smaller hand size? I always see larger grips. Thanks
A lot of paddles will have grip size options so you can ask before you buy to get a small size. Also, you can take of the base grip and put an overgrip right on the frame. I used to do that and it really makes it smaller.
Great Video.. good tips.. I am often lazy so late lot of times.
Thanks for the comment Desi! Get some spring in those steps 😉
Yup, great advice. Tennis players know this well. Hit the ball on the rise and in front of you.
Thank you. Yes it's something many players, especially beginners, don't always know or remember to do.
Excellent video, i can relate.
Thanks!
Great video, you make a good point.
Thanks Marc!
FYI - I’ve gotten lots of questions about my PrimeTime paddle😊. Thanks again - I love it!
Awesome! So happy to hear that. Thanks for letting me know.
Reinforces what I’m currently doing now, thanks Nicole…
Great! Keep at it 😊
Very timely video - I was assessing why I was missing shots today in class and felt like it was mostly due to my footwork - not being in the right place at the right time….one step too short happens to me a lot…this is definitely something I’m going to work on…thanks Nicole…good stuff.
Awesome! Thanks Jill! Glad you’re able to use this info to help you.
again great instruction
Thank you!
So often in (some folks) videos, they so exaggerate the flaw it’s almost hard to see. You looked exactly like every lazy newbie rec Pickleball player. Like they are a bit surprised they might have to move.
That said, I know I’m sometimes guilty of this. I get distracted or think I can beat someone wo/working too hard. Or even don’t want to be that intense person. Maybe why I often feel like I play “better” when a little nervous about keeping up. I’m going to keep track of this going forward. Thanks!
“Surprised they have to move”. Yes! Very well put. The surprise is costing them. Being just a little amped is good thing.
Wow this is a great video which applies to tennis, too. SUBSCRIBED just so my 'tennis' could be better! lol...
Glad you liked the video 😊
Are those platforms between the baselines?
Platforms? There’s a tennis net between the two sets of court.
Here's a great slogan that started in tennis and applies to pickleball: be "Ready on the bounce!"
Good one!
Nicole, when are you gonna have an in-person clinic. You are a natural coach in the way you deliver tips and tricks and strategy and know-how. You are local and close to me! :) Pleeeeaaaassseee? :) xo LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. It is my favorite.
Awww…thank you!! Happy to be the fave and thanks for your kind words. I’m still dealing with an injury and hope to do some clinics after that. Fingers crossed 🤞
@@primetimepickleball Not only are my fingers crossed but so are my toes. Getting hard to walk.
What do you do if you're a beginner and you're hitting the ball to your opponent literally took their paddle or up in the air for them to slim back. It's a beginner mistake. What do you do?
You have to develop ball control so that you can put the ball where you want and out of their comfort zone for slamming and that comes with training and repetitions. Here are two videos that can help you get better with that. th-cam.com/video/LE5viTUHHTA/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/nfTcDYLPi1o/w-d-xo.html
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Thanks and gratitude I really really appreciate the response in the TH-cam. I'm really awesome enjoy your channel thank you. I just found Pickleball and I love it.
Nice video Nicole
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
I've noticed a consistent theme from the best coaches (in my opinion of course) is the concept of first things first. Preparation (footwork, etc.) is a foundational principle which leads to better shot execution. So, thank you for this important reminder!
Absolutely! You're so welcome. Thanks for the comment.
Much of this can be alleviated by GETTING UP TO THE NVZ LINE immediately after the return of serve!
True, but you will have to be at the baseline at times and you have to know how to move when you're there.
Well said. Anticipation and watching opponent is becoming VITAL to me
Absolutely!
Wow
👍
Merci !
Thanks so much!
Great video to help me get unstuck from my current level. I’m afraid the extra steps may mean I will play for 2 hours instead of 3+ 🫣🏋🏻
You'll just get more fit and then be back up to 3 hrs. in no time. ;)
@@primetimepickleball I worked on this a lot yesterday in rec play and really helped with executing the shots I wanted to hit. I could also tell when I missed that my feet got stuck in the mud. Thanks again for the solid tips!