Teaching Pickleball – The Adventurous Boomer

While going through my pickleball notes, I came across a link to the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA) website’s training overview. As I revisited the material, I realized there were some opportunities to incorporate insights from my own experiences. Although much of the original content remains unchanged, I’ve made some modifications to enhance clarity and readability. The following is my personalized take on the IPTPA training overview, with my additions and adjustments. Please note that these are purely my observations and not official IPTPA guidelines. My comments are highlighted in italics.

TEACHING PICKLEBALL

A simple and fluid pendulum swing initiated from the shoulder, and introduced with the dink, can be consistently used for all strokes. Comment: Except for, of course, overheads, put-aways at the net, and drop shots. Also, this instruction suggests that the dink is the first shot to be taught, and I concur.
The basic stroke requires a shorter backswing than tennis or racquetball and a good follow through, swinging from low to high. Comment: Not following through is what I call “stabbing” at the ball. A follow through is very important.
The continental grip is the preferred grip as it eliminates switching between forehand and backhand grips. Comment: I use the “ping pong” grip, which has a finger on the back of the paddle. I don’t have to switch grips between forehand and backhand.
Avoid a vice grip on the paddle, having a relaxed yet firm grip will help you “feel the ball on the paddle.” Comment: This is another way of saying this – one a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is a “death grip,” your grip should be between a 3 and 4. If you think of your arm as a lever, a tight grip will extend the length of your arm, and you will have a longer lever. Remember, the longer the lever, the greater the power. A long lever could result in the ball being popped up, especially at the net. When you grip is relaxed, the only lever you have is the paddle itself. Also, a tight grip increases vibration and, therefore, the odds of getting “pickleball elbow.”
Avoid teaching underspin or topspin strokes until the student has mastered all the basics. The lone exception is when an advanced player from tennis, racquetball, or another sport already has mastered spin, and is obviously comfortable and error free in its execution.
Footwork during the stroke is critical. Movement should primarily be side to side especially at the NVZ and baseline. Comment: Use the term “shuffle.” Crossing over from leg to leg decreases balance, while shuffling maintains balance.
Use the cross step only when a ball is out of reach. Comment: When you have to cross step, hit a reset shot so you can get back into position.
Proper body position in relation to the ball is the first step toward well executed strokes.
Make contact with the ball out in front of you and accelerate through contact. Comment: Taking the ball in front of you is important on all your shots, but accelerating through contact is not associated with dinks, resets, or third shot drops.
The ready position is your recovery position after every shot, and it puts you in the best position to anticipate and react quickly to your opponent’s next shot. Comment: the “ready position” is defined below.
Have your paddle chest high and way out in front of you. Feet should be shoulder width apart with your weight on the balls of your feet. Comment: I always have two hands on the paddle when I am in my ready position. It helps (in my opinion) getting the paddle either to my forehand or backhand more quickly, and minimizes the amount of effort required to have the paddle in front of you.
When moving from the baseline toward the NVZ line the paddle should be up and in front of you as in the ready position. When your opponent is about to make contact with the ball take a split step and land in the ready position. Comment – in other words, don’t keep running when trying to hit a shot.
Pickleball Strategies and Shot Selections – Teach pickleball from the kitchen line out.
Respect the net (hitting every ball over the net will minimize your net errors and lead to more success). Comment – I always say that a ball over the net is a lot better than a ball into the net!
Serve Deep and, once mastered, direct to different target areas.
Return Deep and, once mastered, direct to different target areas. Comment: Remember this – “down the middle solves the riddle.” Never a bad idea to return down the middle.
The return team should approach the NVZ line right after the return of serve. Comment: That does not mean charge headlong toward the net.
The team that controls the net controls the point.
If your team is at the net and the opposing team is at the baseline, KEEP THEM BACK by volleying each shot back deep.
The 3rd shot drop in the kitchen is the preferred 3rd shot. Comment: If you watch the pros, a third shot drive followed by a fifth shot drop now seems the preferred method of play. Of course, their third shot drives will be a lot more powerful than mine.
The 3rd shot is the serving team’s first opportunity to approach the net. You should not automatically rush the net.
Earn your way to the net. This is determined by how good your 3rd shot drop is. If you´ve hit the ball too far be prepared to hit a 5th or even a 7th drop shot before moving to the NVZ line. Comment: is you hit a third drop drive, still approach the net and prepare for the next shot.
Do not aim for the sidelines, give yourself a cushion of several feet. Comment: I’m not sure what type of shot this applies to but, in general, don’t go for the low percentage, flashy, killer shot.
Dinking the ball to your opponent should make up the majority of shot attempts.
Develop consistency and patience at the NVZ line. Comment: Patience? What’s that?
Do not attempt a put away unless the ball is a minimum of 1 foot above the net. Comment: This is what McGuffin calls “the green zone.”
Winning pickleball results from hitting the ball over the net and NOT allowing your opponents to go for winners.
Play safe consistent and defensive pickleball. Comment: Play defense until an opportunity arises to play offense.
Utilize the middle of the court between your two opponents for safety as the net is 2 inches lower in the middle.
Hit to the open space between your opponents.
If the ball is below the net, drop the ball in the kitchen. If the ball is above the net, hit to your opponent’s feet.
Move as a team while following the path of the ball will keep you in the proper court position. Comment: The common notion that the person who has a forehand to the middle should take all the shots down the middle is wrong. What if that person is pulled toward the sideline? Court position is situationally dependent.
Once your team is at the NVZ line maintain your position and minimize moving backward unless lobbed. Comment: Moving backward reduces your balance.
If lobbed, immediately turn sideways with your paddle arm up and “scratching your back” while side stepping back. Your other arm should be pointing up toward the ball. Do not back pedal backwards. Comment: I have (I think) a better way of saying this, and that is, “Use a scissor kick.” Here is a description: Once a lob is up, turn sideways so that your dominant leg (the right leg for right-handed players) is behind you, raise your paddle, and point your off hand at the incoming ball. As you swing, your right leg springs up and your left leg kicks forward. This will counterbalance your backward momentum and allow you to make solid contact before you land on your left leg, ready to move in for the next shot.
Open communication with your partner is important, i.e.; mine, yours, switch, out. Comment: At our courts we jokingly say that “I’ve got it” is the “kiss of death.”
Staying positive and encouraging your partner will lead to greater success. Comment: Making negative comments will not lead to success. Save “instructional” comments until after a game. Practice paddle tapping after each shot, whether it was a good shot or not. Watch the pros.
When at the NVZ line, the player who has his forehand to the middle of the court should take all balls on his side of the court plus 12-18 inches across the center line. Comment: See number 32 above.

SOME TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE NOT COVERED ON THE WEBSITE

Line Call Etiquette (Applicable to Recreational Play and Non-Sanctioned Tournaments):
1. When in Doubt, Call it In: If you’re unsure whether your opponent’s ball is out, it should be considered in. The benefit of the doubt on line calls goes to the opponent. Any ball that cannot be definitively called “out” is treated as “in.” A replay cannot be requested due to uncertainty or unclear visibility.
1. No Spectator Involvement: Spectators should not be consulted for line calls. If a spectator attempts to make a call, politely ask them to refrain in the future, and disregard the call.
1. Respect Your Partner’s Call: If your partner calls the ball “out,” only overrule them if the call is clearly erroneous. In doubles play, if one partner calls the ball “out” and the other calls it “in,” the call should default to “in” due to the doubt.
1. Consulting the Opponent’s Partner: You may ask your opponent’s partner if they agree with a call. If they respond with uncertainty or state they didn’t have a clear view, the discussion ends there.
1. Post-Bounce “Out” Calls: An “out” call made after the ball bounces is a valid line call. The ball is considered dead, and play should stop immediately.
1. Overruling Line Calls: After a rally, players may overrule their own or their partner’s line call, the officiating team’s line call, or even an opponent’s “in” call, if doing so is to their own disadvantage.
NVZ Etiquette: If you step into the kitchen on a volley, or if your partner does, call it on yourself.
Play to Your Strengths Against Stronger Players, and Practice New Skills with Weaker Players: When facing tougher opponents, focus on playing your best game. However, when matched with less experienced players, take the opportunity to work on specific aspects of your game that need improvement. For instance, I often tell my partner, “I’m working on (for example) third shot drops today,” so they understand that we might not be aggressively finishing every point. After all, what’s the point in overpowering a less experienced player? Save the aggressive plays for tournaments—there, it’s all about going for the kill!
Giving Advice: The most valuable advice you can offer to a partner or opponent is the advice they’ve actually asked for. Unsolicited advice is often unwelcome and more likely to be dismissed. Wait for them to seek your input before offering suggestions.
Keep the Trash-Talking Light, Avoid Snarkiness: Playful banter and teasing are part of the fun in pickleball, and a little lighthearted trash-talking can add to the enjoyment of the game. However, it’s important to draw the line at snarkiness or anything that could come off as mean-spirited. Keep the tone friendly and respectful.

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