INTRODUCTION
Donna and I recently embarked on a week-long journey to the Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo Resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, for a pickleball camp. In this post, I’ll delve into our experience at the camp, called “Pickleball in Paradise” and organized by Straightaway Travel, with a special focus on our instructors and the invaluable lessons we gleaned.
Organizing our trip seamlessly was Elizabeth Higginbottom from Straightaway Travel, who deserves commendation for her excellent communication and adept management of any last-minute adjustments, which, thankfully, were minimal. Our instructors, Chris Powers and Berta Russo, brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the camp.
Chris Powers boasts an impressive pickleball record, having clinched four Nationals Gold medals and three silver medals. Competing at the Super Senior Pro level in Mixed Doubles and Women’s Doubles categories across the country, Chris has participated in over 80 tournaments, including prestigious events like Nationals in Indian Wells, CA, and the U.S. Open in Naples, FL. With a remarkable tally of over 200 medals in just four years, her expertise on the court is undeniable. Unfortunately, Chris was recovering from an injury to her collarbone and was unable to participate in drills or games; however, she did observe all of us and provide insightful tips as well as encouragement. Her keen eye and wealth of experience allowed her to offer insightful tips and guidance to help enhance the skills of those in attendance.
Roberta Russo (Berta), a former professional tennis player, also brought her rich athletic background to the table. The highlights of her years on the professional tour include reaching the semi-finals at the Greater Pittsburgh Open in 1979, and the 1980 Avon Championships of Los Angeles, where she secured victories over renowned players like Pam Shriver and Kathy Jordan. Roberta’s appearances in the main draws of Grand Slam tournaments such as the French Open, Wimbledon Championships, and US Open, underscore her talent as an athlete. Together, Chris and Berta clinched the 65+ 2023 US Open Gold Medal in Women’s Doubles, a testament to their skill and synergy as a team. Throughout the camp, they proved to be exceptional instructors, offering invaluable guidance and unwavering support. Their combined expertise not only enhanced our skills but also deepened our love for the sport.
DAILY CLINICS
I scribbled notes on a pad, so my recollection might not be that great.
Day One
On the first day of the clinic, the focus was on drilling and honing serve/return skills. Despite considering myself proficient in dinking, I was surprised to receive some constructive feedback. Two key areas for improvement were highlighted. First, I was told that I occasionally shift my weight to my heels during dinking, resulting in the ball popping up inadvertently. Second, I was told that I sometimes added a subtle “wrist flick” to my dink, possibly to incorporate topspin. However, this technique also led to the ball popping up inconsistently. These nuances in my short game are now areas of priority for refinement and practice.
When it came to serving and returning, the emphasis was consistent—aim for depth. While strong serves are advantageous, the same approach doesn’t necessarily apply to returns. Opting for a softer, deeper return allows for quicker positioning at the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ). This strategic adjustment ensures a more favorable position on the court, maximizing opportunities for offensive play while minimizing defensive vulnerability. Moving forward, I will focus on implementing these insights into my game to elevate my overall performance.
Day Two
During our session on the second day of the clinic, cross-court dinking took center stage, accompanied by a detailed exploration of the strategy behind resetting. We engaged in extensive drills to reinforce these concepts, focusing particularly on the “crazy eight” exercise. The “crazy eight” concept introduced a structured pattern of play, wherein one player initiated the sequence by directing a cross-court shot to their opponent. The recipient then responded with a shot straight ahead, followed by another cross-court shot, and finally, the last player executed a shot straight ahead. This drill served to enhance our ability to anticipate and adapt to varying shot trajectories, while maintaining consistency in our own stroke execution. This diagram shows how crazy eights is played.
You can mix up the order after a while so, if someone was hitting straight ahead, they can now hit crosscourt and vice versa.
We also dedicated time to playing dinking games, applying the skills and strategies honed throughout the session in a dynamic, competitive setting. These games provided valuable opportunities to put theory into practice, fostering a deeper understanding of court positioning, shot selection, and strategic decision-making in real-time pickleball scenarios.
One of those games is what my wife and I call “dink 4 times and play it out.” The game is played exactly like that, with a couple of rules:
1. It is a half-court game, so you can only hit a winner if it lands in the court on the side you started dinking.
2. Whoever is hitting the fourth dink cannot hit if for a winner. That player can, however, make the person on the other side move about.
3. If one of the first four dinks does not land in the NVZ, you will restart.
This game helps reinforce the concept of strategic dinking, as well as helping players understand when they can go for a drive, as well as when it is unwise to go for a drive. It is also a drill that can be played competitively.
Day Three
On the third day of the clinic, our attention shifted towards mastering the transition zone, with a particular emphasis on the importance of executing a split-step after returning serve and getting to the net. Additionally, we delved into the strategic concept of “staying away from the middle.” This principle challenges habits such as instinctively crossing to the middle to execute a backhand shot, a habit I am actively striving to overcome. A key takeaway from this discussion was the recognition that in doubles play, it’s crucial to optimize court coverage and support one’s partner effectively. Therefore, if my partner is well-positioned to handle a ball down the middle with their forehand, it’s imperative not to encroach on that space unnecessarily. By avoiding the temptation to intercept such shots, we maintain better court positioning and enable our partner to capitalize on their strengths. This shift in mindset underscores the importance of teamwork and strategic cooperation on the pickleball court.
Following the intensive drills and gameplay sessions, we dedicated time to explore the nuances of lobbing and blocking techniques. Our discussion primarily centered on the strategic application of offensive lobs, particularly those executed off the dink. In a dinking battle scenario, deploying offensive lobs can catch opponents off guard, especially when they anticipate a different shot selection. By incorporating well-timed offensive lobs into our gameplay, we can disrupt our opponents’ rhythm and gain a tactical advantage on the court.
Additionally, we delved into the concept of blocking, a defensive maneuver aimed at leveraging the opponent’s pace to keep them pushed back towards the baseline. Blocking involves skillfully redirecting the opponent’s shots with minimal force, relying on precision and timing rather than power. By effectively employing blocking techniques, players can neutralize aggressive opponents and maintain control of the rally. Also, Berta pointed out that, although you normally don’t want a strong grip on your paddle, you can tighten up a bit when hitting a volley. These discussions underscored the importance of versatility and strategic acumen in pickleball, as well as the significance of mastering a diverse range of shots and tactics.
Day Four
On the fourth day of the clinic, our focus shifted towards refining ground strokes and roll volleys. One key takeaway emphasized during the session was the significance of maintaining proper footwork and weight distribution. Participants were reminded not to back up when executing a stroke and to avoid hitting off their heels. Hitting off the heels compromises shot power and stability, highlighting the importance of keeping weight moving forward to generate maximum force and control.
As with dinking, we played Crazy Eights, only with ground strokes. This practice drill focuses on the placement of shots, not on hitting winning shots.
The discussion on roll volleys garnered particular attention, as it provided a valuable alternative to techniques like wrist flicks. Roll volleys offer a means to add top spin to dinks or soft volleys, achieving a similar effect while ensuring consistency and control in shot execution. Following the instructional segment, participants engaged in open play, fostering a dynamic and competitive environment. This session not only provided an opportunity to put newly acquired skills into practice, but also offered a platform for enjoyable competition among peers.
Day Five
On the fifth day of the clinic, participants were offered the invaluable opportunity to receive personalized instruction from Berta during individual sessions lasting around ten minutes. Donna and I seized this chance to refine our drop shot technique, a shot that holds a special place in my arsenal at the net. The drop shot is a formidable weapon, capable of turning defense into offense with finesse and precision. When executed effectively, it not only places pressure on opponents, but can also serve as a psychological advantage, demoralizing them with its unexpectedness and subtlety. I consider the lob off the dink as another demoralizing shot. Personally, I get great pleasure from seeing my opponents’ shoulders sag when they realize they can’t get to a log, or when they realize they can’t get to a drop shot.
Despite my familiarity with the shot, I occasionally encountered issues with popping up my drop shots, which hindered their effectiveness. Under Berta’s astute guidance, the root cause of this problem became apparent—I was inadvertently leaning back on my heels during execution. To rectify this, Berta advised adjusting my paddle position further away from my body, encouraging a more forward weight distribution and enhancing stability and control. Moreover, Berta provided invaluable insights into the optimal contact point and direction for executing drop shots with precision and accuracy. Armed with these corrections and refinements, Donna and I left the session with a renewed focus on honing our drop shot proficiency. Looking ahead, we are eager to incorporate Berta’s guidance into our practice sessions, dedicating time and effort to perfecting this vital aspect of our game.
Day Six
The last day of the camp consisted of a round robin tournament. Donna, having tweaked her hamstring, was unable to play. I won four games with four different partners and was ready to move on to the semis and, hopefully, the finals. However, on a very early point in our semi-final game, I was chasing down a lob, caught my foot and hurt my knee. I thought I deserved a medal for gracefully tossing my paddle away before I rolled into a fetal position, but that was not to be. So, that was that. However, the games we watched were exciting and well-played.
ONE LAST NOTE
Throughout the camp, both Chris and Berta reminded us of the importance of being positive with your partner. You should not groan, roll your eyes, or turn your back on your partner if they miss a shot. Instead, tap paddles and provide encouragement. Having a discussion about strategy is fine, but placing blame is not.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, our experience at the Pickleball Camp in Paradise was nothing short of exceptional, thanks to the meticulous planning of Straightaway Travel and the stellar instruction provided by Chris Powers and Berta Russo. We left with newfound skills, cherished memories, and a renewed enthusiasm for the game. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I will delve into our stay at the Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo resort. Here is a photo of all the great people who attended the camp.
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