The Wolf of Wall Ball
A few choice pickleball drills you can do on the wall
In this issue:
Wolf of Wall Ball Drills
Bite Size’s latest podcast
What’s In a Paddle Tap?
The most popular article I wrote for Pickleball Magazine was titled the “Wolf of Wall Ball.” I think the wall is a great place to drill against, and it really helps develop muscle memory. The equivalent would be shooting baskets in your driveway, or at the park. Repetition matters! And, if you can’t get it with a partner, the wall is always there for you! And it’s never late!
I would classify this wall drill as just gaining rhythm and fluidity, along with confident hands. Note the part where I close in on the wall. This action will really help you speed up your reaction time at the NVZ.
OK, once you’ve gained some rhythm, try these two wall drills.
Reset Drill: Position yourself seven feet from the wall. Hit your first shot hard. On your second shot, you want to take pace off the ball, simulating a reset. Repeat that over and over and over. Did I mention “over?” Once you get good at seven feet, move it on in! This drill really helps the “reset confidence” once you get out to the court. The reset is one of the most high level shots in pickleball. And, while the wall doesn’t simulate a reset exactly, the alternate hitting, between hard, and slowing it down, will really help you build the muscle memory needed to be able to reset the ball in the heat of the battle.
Here is a video of that:
Low Hop Drill: This drill will help you pick up those low balls hit at your feet when you’re making your way to the NVZ. Position yourself where you would be at the baseline. Drive your first shot and immediately rush the “net.” You want to be taking pace off the ball, and gently simulate dropping the ball back over the net line. It is important NOT to try and hit balls on the run. Stop, dig the ball out, lifting it over the net, then proceed to the NVZ.
Here is a video of that:
THIS WEEK’S FEATURED PODCAST
I got a little firsthand experience with an injury in the past couple of weeks and decided to do a podcast on the topic. You may not be injured now, but chances are you will be, in some respect, in the future. Help prepare yourself ahead of time by giving it a listen on the Apple Podcast app or search for the Bite Size Pickleball podcast on Spotify, Amazon, and all the other podcast servers. At the heart of the podcast is how to use your mind as the quarterback of the healing team.
WHAT’S IN A PADDLE TAP?
Easily the most popular post on the Bite Size Pickleball Facebook group this past week was on paddle tapping. The gist was that some of the pros don’t care for it, nor do they do it after every game. They think it looks silly. I feel like they are going against tradition, and not respecting the game they are fortunate enough to be competing in.
The vast majority of the responders on Facebook were also very strongly in favor of NOT messing with the paddle tap. Go ahead, mess with Texas, but DO NOT mess with the paddle tap. Find the paddle tap shirt below on Etsy.
Personal Book Note:
For anyone who has tried to buy a paperback copy of my book How to Play Better Pickleball on Amazon, their site has been down for a lot of authors. However, you can purchase the paperback at Barnes and Noble, click here.