Play Like a Pro: Return with Your (Slice) Backhand

By Mark Renneson

This might be another one of those articles that falls into the myth-busting category, but that's alright. Conventional wisdom is that you should avoid your backhand when possible -- and that you should aim for it when serving to your opponents.

The theory is that the backhand is a weaker or less versatile shot. But one of the things you often see from top players, is not only a willingness to hit a backhand, but often a preference for it. So why is that?

First, as servers at the top end of the sport continue to improve, we are seeing serves hit harder and with better directional control. This means that in many cases, there isn’t enough time for returners to move around the backhand even if they wanted to. If they tried, they’d likely be off balance or well out of position. So, the quality of the serve is a factor.

But the inability to avoid the backhand doesn’t tell the whole story. There are many examples of players who could avoid the backhand if the chose to, but they elect instead to hit it. Why? One answer lies in the third shot. As many of us know, the third shot is a critical moment in picklball — and this is especially true if the player hitting it is attempting a drop. If the ball sits up a little too high, it gets pounded. And if it is too low, it’s in the net. It is a a shot that requires near perfect execution or else the hitter faces disaster.

Now, a perfect drop is hard enough to hit in the best of times, but when the ball is spinning — with backspin, sidespin or both — this becomes doubly so. And it is here that we can find the value of the backhand return.

When it is well struck, the backhand lends itself to creating spin. The fact that the arm is moving across the body produces a pendulum-like action perfect for generating sidespin. This can be a real advantage when moving to the net. Additionally, many players find that when they hit a backhand, they are less likely to move unnecessary parts of their arm and wrist — biomechanical efficiency which is sometimes lost when hitting forehands.

The spin produced with a slice backhand has a way of confounding opponents. It seems like it should be easy to return, but often it isn’t. Incidentally, the usefulness of spin is one reason top players prefer playing with new paddles and used balls; a ball that is scuffed up will allow for more spin, as will a new paddle that hasn’t had the limited texture permitted on its face worn down.

Finally, some players will find that the slice backhand makes it easier to keep the ball low when hitting the return. It isn’t so much that a forehand cannot do this — it certainly can — but for many the slight high-to-low swing path feels easier on the backhand side. Travelling low over the net can be an excellent feature of a return of serve since it forces the opponents to hit upward, possibly from a weak hitting position.

So between the improved court position and the ability to hit a more challenging return, I encourage you to seriously consider improving your slice backhand. It will take some work, of course. But with a little effort, you may find your backhand is better than you think. Check the videos below to find out how to make your slice better.

Opinion: Don't Coach for Free

By Mark Renneson

There are two things I like about most pickleball players: their love of the game and their desire to help others play better. These two traits are perhaps even more prominent in people who decide to get into pickleball coaching as a business. Whether they are teaching as a side project or are giving it a go as a career path, the coaches I know typically radiate enthusiasm for pickleball and a desire to help people play it better. And this is incredibly important — but also very risky.

For those of us who are attempting to earn money through our coaching, the primary product we sell is ourselves. More specifically, in charging money for our clinics, lessons, boot camps, video analysis, etc., we are essentially saying: “Hey. I’ve got something valuable to offer. My knowledge, skill, and the other things I bring to the table are great enough that I charge people money to access them”. At its root, this is no different than other people who sell goods and services. 

The restauranteur argues that her food is worth buying. The florist claims his roses are worth $24.99. You are asked to pay money to watch a movie, go to Disneyland, or have other experiences that take time, effort, and expertise to provide. It’s how trade works: a person offers something for a price, and people can decide for themselves whether they are willing to pay it. But this is where many pickleball coaches run into trouble. 

I recently met a man in his early thirties who is known in his region as a good pickleball coach. Let’s call him Marvin. When I first met Marvin, it was as he was heading on the court to run a group lesson with three women who played at the 2.5 or 3.0 level. A nice, young guy who seemed well-liked, Marvin was a solid 4.0 player and appeared competent and professional. Marvin seemed well-positioned to be successful as a coach for beginning and intermediate players in this city that was pickleball crazy but not yet overrun with instructors. Later, we chatted and I asked him if he was doing much coaching. “Well”, he said, “not as much as I’d like. It’s been a bit tougher than I expected”. 

As someone who knows well the grind of building a coaching business, I empathized with him. But I was still a little surprised since Marvin checked off a lot of the boxes that busy coaches usually check off: he was in a good market without a lot of competition. He was personable, friendly, and a strong player. He should have people lining up for his lessons. “Hey, are you coming out tomorrow?” he asked. “What’s tomorrow?” I replied. “There’s open play, he said. “I’ll be there from 9-12. You should come”. I took Marvin up on his offer and that was when I discovered why his business was failing. 

I arrived to play around 1030am and was immediately confused — the four courts were full, but not a single person was hitting a ball. Marvin had all eyes on him and about 15 people were captivated as he was cheerfully explaining to the group (with excellent demonstrations), how they should rotate their body when hitting backhands so they could generate more power. His explanation of mechanics was very good. He projected his voice well and was clear and concise in his delivery. He was a good teacher. The problem wasn’t what he was saying — the problem was that he was saying anything at all. 

I laced up my shoes and joined in to play. While we were never on the same court, I noticed that Marvin continued to coach throughout the session — although on a much more individual basis than I first witnessed. He talked to teams about communicating on middle balls, he advised when to play a drop or a drive, he corrected grips and movement, and once he even highlighted the point that you should serve and stay behind the baseline by catching a ball after a player served and wandered forward into the court. “Marvin sure gives a lot of tips,” I said to my partner Bernice, a feisty 60-something woman I played with. “Oh yes,” she said, “he’s terrific. I love when he comes to drop in because I learn so much — it’s like getting a free lesson!”. And at this moment it became clear that the problem wasn’t the product Marvin was selling, it was that he wasn’t really selling it at all — he was giving it away for free. 

If we expect people to buy our product (i.e. our coaching services) then we have to place limits on access to it. If your favourite pizza place gave away their slices Monday to Saturday but charged for them on Sunday, I’m pretty sure I know what day you would not be eating pizza.  

“Have you ever taken a lesson with Marvin?” I asked Bernice during a break. “Once. But he pretty much talks about the same thing at drop-in so I figured I’d save my money for something else. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free, right?”. My hunch was that it was Marvin’s genuine love of coaching that got him into this situation. He saw problems that he thought he could help with and he did so enthusiastically. But what he didn’t realize that at the same moment he was helping someone else, he was hurting himself. He was devaluing his product by essentially flooding the market with it. He was the pizza restaurant giving away slices all week and not wondering why Sundays were dead. 

I considered Marvin a colleague and didn’t know him well. He was not (at the time) a member of Pickleball Coaching International where we offer coaching resources and business support, so I was reluctant to tell him how to run his business. But, like Marvin, I’m inclined to help when I think I can. After open play ended, I was helping Marvin tidy up — although I wasn’t sure why it was his responsibility. I told him how much fun I had and thanked him for inviting me. I asked how often he comes to open play:

“Five or six times a week,” he said. “I notice that people really like hearing your tips and suggestions” I commented. “I guess so. I like helping and I figure if they see I can make a difference in their game, they’ll come to me for lessons.” “Oh, so this is part of your strategy?”. “Yeah. Like when you get a free sample at a store. If it is good, you’ll buy it”. I see, I said. “That makes sense. But what would you do if the store always gave free samples, and gave away really big portions of it. Would you still buy it?” I countered. “Maybe. But I’d probably just go eat the sample as my…. luuuunnnnch”. This was the moment that Marvin realized what was happening. That he was undercutting his own business by giving it away to his potential customers.

Coaches — especially those who are trying to develop a reputation and their business — have a tough task ahead of us. We have to convince people that our services are worth spending money on. And to do so, we usually have to give something away so people can see how great our coaching  is. Personally, I think Marvin was on the right track by using this forum to make that case, he was just overdoing it. Paradoxically, Marvin’s enthusiasm for coaching hurt his coaching business.

Had Marvin been a little more stingy with both his time and advice he offered, he’d be more effective at creating demand for it. Instead of being at drop in nearly every day, he could cut it down to four days a week. He would be there often enough to be present in someone’s mind and available to talk (and book lessons), without becoming a fixture they could rely on for free advice nearly each day. And instead of offering tips every chance he got, he could say things like: “Yes. Struggling with a drop is a common problem. It’s something we often work on in our lessons”. He already had the respect of the people (they knew his ‘pizza’ was good)  the time had come for him to have more respect for the product he’s selling — himself.

The business of coaching pickleball is incredibly tough. Would-be instructors have to compete against the fact that pickleball is relatively easy to start playing, that there are always people happy to offer their thoughts on someone’s game (for free), and that there is so much free online material available to anyone who wants it. Facing all of this, it is understandable that coaches can feel nervous about charging money for their lessons. But in an environment where so much is free, requiring money in exchange for access to their product the most powerful signal a coach can send that they truly believe what they are offering is worth something.  If the coach doesn’t value it — why would anyone else?

Mark Renneson is a professional pickleball coach. He is the founder of Third Shot Sports and Pickleball Coaching International. He can be reached at mark@thirdshotsports.com

Death of the Bowling Serve

By Mark Renneson

We should abandon teaching the bowling serve. There, I said it. Suggesting people serve in pickleball as though they are bowling is an inefficient technique that unnecessarily limits the server’s ability to start the point in a variety of effective ways. It deserves to go the way of the dodo and I’m going to make the best case I can for why.

Why this technique, anyway? We should think about why people teach this way in the first place. I’d argue there are two primary reasons and the first is related to the rules of pickleball. Serving as though a person is bowling virtually guarantees their serve will use legal technique. The bowling serve (with the paddle and the arm forming a virtual straight line from the shoulder down to the ground) all but guarantees the paddle head won’t be above the wrist at contact. The bowling technique also ensures that the swing will be going from low-to-high (i.e. the arm moving in an upward arc for you purists in the crowd). And making contact with the ball above belly-button height is really hard to do with a bowling action, so the whole contact-below-the-waist rule is satisfied. If following the rules were the only priority, the bowling serve would be just fine.

The Bowling Serve

A relic from pickleball’s past.

The second reason instructors sometimes advise new players to use the bowling technique is that they think they are connecting the player’s past experience with what they are doing now: “Just serve like you’re bowling. See, it’s familiar!”. The trouble is, when was the last time you went bowling? Most of the people I know are not regular bowlers. In many cases, people haven’t done it for decades, if ever. So while the idea of connecting past experience to current circumstances is admirable, if the person doesn’t have that experience embedded in their current memory, it falls flat. But let’s assume the person is a seasoned bowler, I’d still argue that the bowling serve is still a poor choice. Let’s look at some of the reasons why.

Too many segments. The arm has a whole bunch of parts: the hand and wrist; the forearm; the elbow and the shoulder. And when servers rely only on their arm to hit the ball, they need to use these various segments in their delivery. The trouble is, if one of these segments misfires and does the wrong thing, this can cause problems for the serve as a whole. And since power isn’t coming from any other parts of the body, all of these little segments need to be engaged pretty actively if the serve will be delivered with sufficient power to travel the length of the court. And the more parts that are engaged, the more risk of a breakdown.

Legal Yes. Efficient? No.

The over-reliance on arm segments to hit the ball — rather than body rotation — make it tough to generate easy power.

Power is good. As pickleball continues to move forward and evolve as an increasingly dynamic sport, we are seeing the game speed up — and this includes with the serve. Generally speaking, players prefer it when they are give more time rather than less to prepare to hit the ball. When a person serves with the bowling action, they rely almost exclusively on their arm to get the job done — their puny little arm. 

Think about other sports where players need to send a ball and like to do so with speed. Baseball batters don’t swing with just their arms. Neither do the pitchers throwing the ball at them. Hockey players use their whole body to rotate through the shot and even soccer players know that they can get more power if they use core rotation. Tennis players turn as they hit and golfers do the same. In most ball-striking sports, rotation is key to effortless power.

Controlling Height. Can slow serves that go high into the air be effective? Absolutely. But since the high arc and high rebound take a long time to occur, many people will be quite happy to have been sent this ball that gives them ample time to get ready. More often, a lower serve that bounces sooner and rebounds lower will be tougher, since it forces the receiver to hustle more to get to it before the second bounce. 

Hit a Forehand.

For most people, hitting what amounts to a normal forehand will be more familiar, comfortable and effective.

When a person uses the bowling action to serve, they nearly guarantee a high and slow delivery. The extreme low-to-high swing path of the paddle makes this so. While it is possible to angle one’s paddle face so the ball stays a bit lower, the wrist manipulation required is uncomfortable for most people, so high serves are usually most common.

Looking at alternatives. In my opinion, it makes far more sense to serve as though you are hitting a regular forehand — something that you and even most starting players will have some experience with. This technique is useful for a few reasons worth considering. First, it is much easier to rotate through the shot as the serve is struck. This means relying less on the multiple segments of the arm which, as discussed, can go haywire. Second, body rotation also makes generating power easier, since it is the bigger, stronger parts of the body doing the work. Finally, now that the swing is on a less pronounced low-to-high path (it still must move on an upward arc, remember), keeping the ball lower to the net is much simpler. While a lob serve can be thrown in when needed, it isn’t a virtual requirement as it is with the bowling serve. Finally, since this serve models quite similarly a regular forehand groundstroke — something players hit quite often — it becomes much easier to connect this technique with past experience.

I Know This.

A forehand serve simulates a forehand groundstroke in many ways. This will make it more familiar to most people than the extreme low-to-high path of the bowling serve.

What to do? Does this mean that everyone has to stop using a bowling serve? Of course not. If you love your bowling serve, good for you. But I would recommend to anyone offering instruction to really think about why they might advocate for one technique over the other. While the forehand serve isn’t as obviously legal as the bowling serve, with a little care and attention, it can be hit while consistently following the rules. And given the significant advantages, it’s probably worth moving in this direction. Bye-bye bowling serve!

Later, Line Judges

By Mark Renneson

Note: This essay originally appeared in week 31 of The Pickleball Lab — an online pickleball magazine offered for PB fans everywhere. While the material we publish in The Lab is typically exclusive for subscribers, we occasionally give everyone a taste of the kind of high-quality material we produce. Learn more about The Pickleball Lab here.

Let me start by saying how great pickleball’s volunteers are. The growth of the sport owes much to the men and women who give up their time to do things that frequently go unnoticed. And this includes people who give their time to be line judges. This article isn’t about line judges as people, but as people who occupy a specific position.

Quite often major (even not-so-major) tournaments consider medal matches important enough to have line judges on the court. These kind souls are responsible for calling out balls at the sides and back of the court so that, presumably, the match is played fairly. Like any official, the line judge is to be an honest broker, impartial about who wins or loses and by what margin. The trouble, however, is that when it comes to officiating pro level matches, having line judges actually causes more problems than it solves.

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Insufficient Training. I can’t count the different ways I have seen line judges indicate that they thought a ball was out. I’ve seen them point fingers skyward. I’ve seen them point sideways. I’ve seen them point down into the ground. I have seen arms raised in the air like a touchdown was scored and I have seen them waved across the body as though a players just successfully slid safely into second base. I have heard line judges yell “out”, and watched them say nothing. Why so many different ways to call the same thing? Because line judges do not typically have adequate training that ensures a consistent protocol and a chance to practice it. In many cases, line judges are literally making things up as they go along. That’s not good enough.

Fans First. Let’s be honest, if people are going to be line judges it is because they love pickleball. And there is a good chance that they are not only fans of the game, but very often fans of the people playing. I’m not saying it is impossible to make a fair call against your favourite pro, but it sure makes it a lot harder to overrule the person whose autograph you just got and whose signature paddle you covet. I have seen many instances (including as a player) that the line judge catches themselves literally cheering after a point is won or lost.

Actual footage of a line judge considering overruling her favourite pro player.

Unfamiliar Territory. The skill level of pickleball players operates on a bell curve and most people, by definition, are average. Of course, like most people many line judges occupy that middle ground as players. People who play at the 3.0 and 3.5 levels are accustomed to seeing the kinds of shots that other intermediate players send. They are used to the levels of speed, spin and shot-making that exists at that threshold. The trouble is, when people who are used to one kind of environment are all of the suddenly put into a very different one, it can be a real challenge.

As we know, the best-of-the-best hit far harder, with far more spin and with far more precision. They have to if they want to be competitive. They hit with angles and speed that many of us can — and do — only dream about. I would argue that the lack of experience dealing with these kinds of shots on a personal level doesn’t make it impossible for line judges to get the calls right, but it sure makes it a lot harder. And without the right training (see point 1), the challenge is even greater.

We Got This. I spend a lot of time around pro level pickleball. Whether it is playing, observing, shooting video or commentating for a broadcast, it’s a world I’m pretty involved in. And I can count on less than two hands the number of times I’ve seen blatantly bad calls made by pros against one another. On the other hand, I have seen far more missed or incorrect calls made by line judges who I believe were doing their best but still got it wrong.

Going Forward. As much as pickleball is growing, it is still a tight community, especially at the top of the sport. The pros see each other all the time. They are friends. They travel together. They train together. They often end up being opponents in one tournament and partners in the next. The closeness of the community means that if you get a reputation for being a cheat, you’ll pay a heavy price. This closeness creates an excellent opportunity for the players to police themselves. And for the most part, they do.

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I’m not saying there are never bad calls with the pros - there no doubt are. But what I am saying is that there aren’t so many that we need to designate well-meaning but often poorly prepared people to do it for them. In addition to the points above, I would also argue that many line judges don’t like being put in the position to have to arbitrate pro matches. It is stressful. Tiring. Hard. There is money at stake and it seems to me a disservice to put people in a position where failure is not only significant, but significantly likely. Instead, if we want to have line judges, let’s limit it to the lower brackets where there is less on the line (so to speak). Let’s let the line judges off the hook and let them, like the rest of us, sit back, relax, and watch some great pickleball. 0-0-2.

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Being In the Booth

I got the email in early October. It was from a Senior Director at Desert Champions, the group responsible for running the Nationals. "Good to see you in Vegas" the email read "are you available to talk tomorrow about working together at Nationals? How about 12:30pm?".

That email and the subsequent phone call (it actually took place about 30 minutes later once my kids were in bed) transformed my planned 12 days at Indian Wells from a Third Shot Sportswork trip into something very different. I was to be responsible for the planning and delivery of the official livestream broadcast for the Nationals -- and ambitious project of over 100 hours of coverage that included commercials, sponsor obligations, interviews and guest co-hosts.

I had done a fair bit of play-by-play work before (Pickleball Channel, CBS Sports) but this new role as the Producer was bigger and more complicated. It is fair to say that it was a little outside my comfort zone. This was a new beast.

The preparation included shared Google Docs outlining the "content plan" as well as texts and phone calls to make sure we were on track. I messaged Bill Francis from The Imagination Company, the Utah-based outfit that would be running the cameras. We had never worked together before but I had seen some of his streams from the Tournament of Champions.

Filawas the official apparel supplier of the tournament and they needed sizing information for shoes and clothing -- and quick. I was to be coaching in Florida in late October, so they shipped some samples to my hotel there to try on. A speedy email response and they were able to work to get the new clothes embossed with the tournament logo in time for the event.

I started to think about who I'd love to get in the booth to help do some analysis, but as I built my list I realized it was too early for commitments or schedules to be made, since their availability to stop by would often depend on their tournament performance and schedule. So I could plan -- but not that much. I was quickly learning that this was going to be a think-on-your-feet kind of project. Like any big event, you can make all the plans you want but you better be ready to drop them at a moment's notice and adjust.

Once it was made public that I’d be hosting Live @ Nationals I started to get message from people. Most were congratulatory. Some were people asking to be in the booth. The good news was, many of these people were already on my wish list. While we couldn’t yet set the schedule, we each knew that there was a desire to make it happen. I was off to a good start.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and it’s the day before the tournament. I met the rest of the team in the booth as well as the marketing team from Desert Champions. What I loved about this situation was that I was given the freedom to do my work, but also supported when I needed it. My boss Philippe and his team were terrific to work with.

I have to admit, it didn’t take long before I felt comfortable in this role. After all, as a professional coach I’m used to spending eight hours on my feet and doing a lot of talking. And luckily for me, the topic of pickleball was something with which I was pretty familiar. Perhaps the most fun was having various guests in with us. National Champions like Simone Jardim, Matthew Blom, Alex Hamner and (as of this tournament) Leigh and Anna-Leigh Waters dropped by as did Wesley Gabrielsen. Coaching experts like Sarah Ansboury, Morgan Evans and DJ Howard stopped in to say hello. We spent some time with USAPA people like John Jermstadt as well as other people establishing themselves in the PB world like Jay ‘Gizmo’ Hall and Noe ‘The Pickleball Doctor” Sariban. Michelle Esquivel brought her insights, as did Rob Cassidy and Lauren McLaughlin. It was a real eclectic mix of people which was something I enjoyed about the job.

The hours were long but satisfying. My boss was happy. Due to a variety of time and technological constraints, I wasn’t able to implement all of the plans I had. I wanted to do more roving footage. I wanted to shoot more matches on side courts. I wanted to spend more time talking with fans and players. Next time, I guess.

One of the things I wasn’t really prepared for was the post-Nationals talk on social media. I just didn’t consider that people would be particularly opinionated about the job we did. Perhaps that was naive. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive but there are definitely critics. As one learns to expect on social media, some people are more constructive with their criticism than others. I guess the things to do is to take it in a stride, be proud of the work you did and work to make it even better next time.

Thank you to the team that made it possible: Bill, Janae, Jeff, The Flightscope Guys, Steve, Lala and the Desert Champions marketing team. Special thanks to all of you who took the time to watch and comment.

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Why Players Don't Come to the Net - and How to Help Them

By Mark Renneson

Have you ever played with a partner — usually at a pick-up or drop-in game — who returns the serve and just stays put at or near the baseline? You know the person, the one that would spend their whole time hanging out at the back of the court if they had their choice.

As it is, they may reluctantly move forward a little bit when their partner pressures them to do so, yelling “Come up! Come up!”, but this soon seems hopeless because even that modest forward movement soon dissipates and they are back to their old ways of playing 20ft from the net.

Why are they staying back?

In my experience there are four reasons a person may chose to hang back. They include:

1) They don’t understand the value of coming forward. While they may have been told a million times that they should return and move to the non-volley zone, this player doesn’t understand why it is important — and no, “because that’s where the game is lost or won” is not a sufficient reason.

This player doesn’t understand that coming to the net off the return is a good way to apply pressure by taking away their opponents’ time to react. By moving forward, the returner is reducing the distance the ball will travel when the opponent hits the third shot. This shorter distance will mean shorter flight time which, in turn, will mean less time for the opponent to prepare. Relatedly, by being at the net the returner increases the likelihood they get a high ball that they can hit hard — again, taking away time from the opposition.

If the player doesn’t understand the rationale for moving forward, they are less likely to do it.

2) They think they have poor volleys. It is possible the player understands the tactics of coming forward but doesn’t have confidence in their ability to hit good volleys. They may see their net skills as a liability and believe that staying back — where they have more time to react — seems like a better alternative.

3) They are worried about lobs. Sometimes players understand the rationale of moving forward, think their volleys are decent, but are scared that having two players at the net (themselves and their parter) will make them vulnerable to lobs. “I’ll cover the back” is the mentality they are applying.

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4) They are worried about being hit. This reasons is connected to reason #2 but is slightly different. In this case, fear of injury is the motivating factor for why the player hangs back. Whether it is because of a past incident with a particular player or team, or in anticipation of something happening in the future, this person stays back for reasons of self-preservation.

What to do about it?

You can’t address the behaviour if you don’t understand what’s motivating it. If you want to solve this problem, you must first get to the bottom of why the player is hanging back; you need to know what’s going through their head. And how do you do that? Ask them!

Say something like “Hey. I’ve noticed that you prefer to return serve and stay in the backcourt; can you tell me why?”. Then listen to them. Assuming the person doesn’t feel like you are attacking them for their poor play, they are likely to open up and give you an indication about what’s going on in their head.

If the player responds with: “I just forget” then you know that they don’t fully understand the value of coming in (reason #1). If they say “I know. I know. It’s just that I’m better from back here” you know the issue in confidence in their skills (reason #2). If they come back with “They like to lob” then you learn that reason #3 is at play. And if they say “she’s a big hitter” or they demonstrate fear when they are up at the net, you know that reason #4 is the issue.

Once you’ve established the motivation for the player, you can do something about the behaviour. If reasons #2 or #4 are the culprit, then the solution is to improve the player’s volleying skills and confidence. If reason #3 is a factor, you need to have a discussion about (or better yet, watch players play) whether the lob is actually a major risk or not. Finally, if you determine that the player doesn’t know why coming forward actually matters — probably because nobody ever took the time to explain the relationship between space and time — then having a supportive chat about “how scary we are to the other team when we are at the net as a pair” could do the trick.

So rather than constantly yelling at the player or rolling your eyes when they hang back, see if you can figure out what’s causing them to do so. From there, you can actually do something about it.

Mark Renneson is the Founder and Head Coach at Third Shot Sports and is the CEO of Pickleball Coaching International. He can be reached by email at mark@thirdshotsports.com

Taking a Clinic? Don't Be Selfish

At their best, pickleball clinics run like a well-oiled machine. Players show up early to prepare; the coach is running perfectly on time; drill demonstrations are clear, concise and getting people up and playing almost immediately; the intensity is high — but not over-the top — and players are focused, working hard and having fun. It is great. And to be honest, most of my sessions run more or less this way. But every once in a while, something derails this idyllic situation…

Not long ago, I was running a full day of group clinics in the Southern US (no, I won’t tell you exactly where). In the morning, we had Intermediate Training which was a session clearly identified as being for 3.0/3.5 players. This was indicated on all of our advertising material. We had a group of 12 enthusiastic players and everything was running pretty much as I had hoped.

Any group session is bound to have some variance in skill level — rarely are two people exactly the same when it comes to ability — and so long as that difference is minimal, it isn’t really a problem. People know they will sometimes play with players who are slightly stronger than them, and sometimes with those a little less skilled. It is no big deal; that’s life.

This particular Saturday was no different. There was a group of 4 or 5 who were clearly on the higher side of the 3.0/3.5 divide, 3 or 4 in the middle, and 3 or 4 on the lower end of the spectrum. It was fine. There was one woman in the class who I will call Petunia.

A keen pickleball player indeed, Petunia hustled for balls and seemed really into what we were doing. She wasn’t a very strong player (during prolonged competitive 1-on-1 games she played her way into the lower group) but she was the kind of person I love having in this session — works hard and is eager to learn. Every once in a while Petunia would play her way off the bottom court to the middle group, but soon would find her way back in the basement. Which was fine. Until it wasn’t.

The 3-hour session came to a close and as the Advanced Training (4.0+) group took to the courts to warm up, Petunia approached me. I figured she had a follow-up question about a demo paddle she was trying. I said, “Hi. What’s up?”. She replied, “Nothing. I’m signed up for this next session too”. I must have looked baffled because she continued: “I know I’m not a 4.0 but I just figured…”. The rest of the conversation went like this:

Me: You’re right. You aren’t a 4.0.

Petunia: I know. But I figured it would be a good experience.

Me: For whom?

Petunia: Me.

Me: It probably would be. The trouble is, there are other people here too. And they want a good experience as well. And it isn’t fair to them if there are people who aren’t the right level.

Petunia: Are you saying I’m not good enough?

Me: I’m saying that you fit in well at the last clinic. But even then, when we played competitive games you were generally on the lower court.

Petunia: Well, I’m just not really playing my best today. But I won’t hold anyone back.

This was my clinic and I’m responsible for it. I should have done a better job screening to make sure we didn’t have the same person in two clinics offered at different skill levels. That’s on me. But Petunia’s selfishness is on her. She knew that she didn’t belong in the 4.0 clinic: “I know I’m not a 4.0 but I just figured…” but still signed up anyway. She put her desire over the well-being of others. That’s not cool.

For a variety of reasons I won’t go into here, I made the judgement call that I would leave Petunia in the group rather than asking her to leave. It meant, however, that we now had someone well below the acceptable range when it came to level variance. I did my best to ‘spread the pain’ so that nobody was stuck with her for too long. And as much as possible, I played in as her partner so others wouldn’t have to. But that now meant that she got an unfair proportion of my time, which is also not okay.

So to all of you who are considering taking a pickleball clinic (with me or anyone else) — that’s great. You should do it! Go out and work hard, have fun and learn. But please be considerate of others because they want to have a great time too. Be honest about your level and if you have questions, send a message to the person running the clinic. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you find the perfect place for you.

Be Stingy with Compliments

By Mark Renneson

When I coach pickleball, I often hear people say "nice shot" to their opponents. And as far as I am concerned, that's just fine -- when it is deserved. If your opponent hits a great passing shot or an amazing volley, please give them the compliment. 

The trouble comes when people praise their opponents for making a good shot when, in fact, it wasn't really a good shot at all; it was mediocre or even poor shot that just wasn't handled well.

If your opponent puts up a short lob and you swing and miss, no, it was not a "good shot" by them. Similarly, a standard return of serve that lands in the middle of the court is not typically worth of praise after you bury the drop in the net.

Instead of letting yourself off the hook by saying “good shot” to your opponent, take responsibility for your errors.

Why does this matter? Because by suggesting that your error was actually the result of your opponent's well hit ball, you are removing your own culpability from the situation. Mistakes are part of pickleball. But by praising the opponent when they don't deserve it, you aren't taking responsibility for your error and giving yourself the slap on the wrist that might motivate you to be better next time.  

So please... When your opponents hit a terrific slice or beautiful lob, heap the praise on them all you want. But if their shot was just so-so and you blew it, take responsibility. Something like, "Wow. I've got to make that" will do more to help you than insincere compliments aimed across the net.

What's Your Pickleball Reputation?

By Mark Renneson
 

Back in 2014, I had zero relationship with pickleball. I had never heard of it before, much less played or worked with other people to play it better. There was nothing at all that connected me with the sport. Skip ahead 5 years and barely a social event goes by that someone doesn't say to me "Oh, you're the pickleball guy!". 

And while those of us who are involved with the business of pickleball must consider the professional image we are creating, it can be helpful for all players to consider what their 'pickleball reputation' is. We would all do well to think about the kind of persona we are constructing when we step on the court with others. How do others see us?

I recently had dinner with some friends who told me about a person at their club that I'll call Frank. They shared a story about how Frank was a head-hunter; someone who deliberately tried to hit people with the ball. Frank, they assured me, behaved this way on purpose. When I asked them how they knew Frank was being deliberate they used as evidence the fact that he never apologized when he did hit someone. He seemed to enjoy frightening and possibly hurting his opponents. 

I have no way to be certain what is inside Frank's head when this happens. For all I know, Frank may have a ton of power but very little control and would vehemently deny he was trying to hurt anyone. It is at least conceivable that he is guilty of bad judgement (and manners) more so than malice. But the fact that my friends sincerely -- and for justifiable reasons -- believe Frank's actions are deliberate, made me think about the importance of a person's reputation on the pickleball court.   

Who are you as a pickleball player -- what's your reputation? Are you the person who shows up early to set up nets or clean off the courts, or do you linger just long enough so you can avoid those tasks? Are you the one who is eager to play with the less skilled players or the one who makes them feel unwelcome? Do you laugh when you make a silly mistake, or do you chastise yourself and make others uncomfortable? 

Players of all abilities would do well to consider the image that they present on the pickleball courts. At the elite level, your reputation can influence your ability to attract sponsors or playing partners that can help you win prize money. If you are the person who throws temper tantrums, treats volunteers poorly or is 'too big for your britches' that can have a real impact on your pocketbook. At the recreational level, your reputation impacts who you get invited to play with and from which games you get excluded. It can mean being invited to fun pickleball and social events or people 'accidentally' forgetting to send you the invitation.  

I am not suggesting that people be inauthentic or acquiesce to the expectations of others. But I do think that it is good for recreational and competitive players alike to take a moment to consider how the people around them might interpret your words and deeds.  Are you someone who people like to play with? Do you make your pickleball community better? And while your actions may not influence your ability to win a match, if you are like Frank, it will have a very real impact on your social calendar.  

Serve to Win

Like many people, my first exposure to pickleball was by seeing it and having someone hand me a paddle. I hadn't read any books on the game or watched any videos about 'how you are 'supposed' to play. I just showed up at the gym one day, someone handed me an old wooden paddle and i played. 

While there are limitations to being so un-schooled in a particular sport, there is also a distinct advantage: you aren't beholden to the customs and conventions that develop over time. You aren't (yet) shaped to play a certain way and that freedom provides an opportunity for experimentation.

After a few minutes I got the feel for things. Having had 25 years in high-calibre tennis meant the learning curve was pretty steep. And it didn't take me more than about 10 minutes before I abandoned the slow, high serve people were showing me, and replaced it with one that was faster and lower.

To me, it seemed silly to hit lethargic, towering serves intended just to start the point. Why would I deliberately give my opponents so much time to get ready for the ball? In tennis, I would make my serve challenging (with speed, spin and placement). As a baseball pitcher, I wouldn't through gently down the middle of the plate, I'd make the batter work to hit the ball well. It seemed obvious that the same kind of tactics could be applied to serving in pickleball. 

To their credit, the more experienced players in the group (shoutout to the Collingwood YMCA PBallers) weren't particularly dogmatic in their response. While I did have some comments that you 'should never miss your serve' or the occasional "seeeeeeee?" when I would hit a serve long, more than anything they were open to the rationale that, yes, a serve could be used as an offensive shot. Perhaps even that it shouldbe. When asked why they didn't hit their serves with a clearer intention, they would generally say something along the lines of "I don't know. I was just always told you should hit it slow". 

The video below is a reflection of the more offensive-minded attitude that the serve can be used to cause trouble. I am not suggesting that you try to hit un-returnable serves or 'aces'. And if your consistency drops significantly, you might need to hold back a little. What I am advocating (with evidence!) is that people look to use their serve to tip the scales in their direction. You have an advantage, why not use it?

Why I'm Not Certified

WHY I’M NOT A CERTIFIED PICKLEBALL COACH

A Personal Essay by Mark Renneson

“My approach would definitely differ from Mark's 100%” wrote one evaluator. “This type of crap really is upsetting” wrote another. These comments were in response to a video of a private lesson I taught in 2016, as part of my application to join a pickleball coaching certification program. If you care to, you can see that video here.

The head of the organization acknowledged my ability to communicate well and to be a leader on the court, but he did not appreciate the content I presented. Specifically, he didn’t like that with a new player my focus was on having them learn to start the point effectively: hitting deep serves and returns, solid volleys from the net and low third shots from the backcourt. In his mind, the emphasis of this lesson should clearly have been on dinking and third shot drops.

I was told that I would not pass their test until I had “a better understanding of the strategies, shot selections and stroke developments we expect all [of our] professionals to follow”. He concluded: “I hope you view this as a learning opportunity to adjust your coaching philosophy and skill set to meet [our] coaching standards”. He wasn’t interested in my argument for why the serve, return and third shot are more important for new players than dinks or drops. He had his view and that was that.

If there is one thing that is true about teaching and learning, it is that it is complicated. Theories of education evolve over time and what may have been fashionable in years past can become out of step with what we understand today. I have some experience in this. I’ve been coaching professionally for more than 20 years, have worked for a national sporting organization in their instructor training program and I have advanced degrees in both Education and Philosophy of Education.

Some readers will be familiar with my work at Third Shot Sports. In 2014 founded the company and started teaching pickleball across North America. I set aside my career as an elementary school teacher to do so which was necessary to run the business. This full-time switch to pickleball also enabled me to compete regularly at the 5.0/PRO level. Between our clinics and couple hundred YouTube videos, people seemed receptive to my approach to coaching and that, of course, made me happy.

Viewers and clinic participants have been generous with their feedback and often tell us that they appreciate our willingness to challenge some of the conventional wisdom in pickleball (e.g. that you don’t always have to play a third shot drop; that your serve and return can be offensive shots; that the soft game isn’t inherently better than the power game, etc.). In short, we disrupted some of the traditional notions about pickleball and our audience — both online and on the court — mostly liked it.

As much as possible, I have tried to use a student-centred approach that is fun, safe and effective. In the example lesson above, I was teaching a 38 year old woman who was fairly athletic and who wanted to be able to play at her local gym without embarrassing herself. She was brand new to pickleball and she didn’t have ambitions about being great, she just didn’t want to appear foolish in front of the others.

I reasoned that if she was going to have fun on the court and not stand out as a newbie, she wasn’t going to need dinks or drops as much as she was going to have to be able to start the point effectively, be able to handle volleys, and be able to hit low balls to her opponents so that she didn’t immediately lose the point with a ball in the net, or set up her opponents for winners (both are common outcomes when you demand that beginners to play drops, something I have written about here).

My lesson reflected what I believed would be most valuable to her the next time she stepped on the court, not what she would need to do if she wanted to play at an advanced level —  I figured we would save that for later. She did well in the lesson and had a great time the next day. She became a regular student after that.

There continues to be a segment of the pickleball world that rejects the perspective that there are different ways to play the game well. Traditionalists have pushed back to the point that some even argue that it doesn’t matter if you win the game, if you are hitting hard and using power, you are doing it wrong. By extension, these traditionalists believe that if you are coaching and teach your students that they don’t have to play according to ‘old school’ ideas, you must be coaching poorly. In fact, in the subsequent emails related to my coaching video, I was accused of doing a disservice to my student because I dared to introduce strategy to a new player.

And herein is the reason I haven’t pursued instructor certification. I have not yet found a certifying organization that has demonstrated that it is open to divergent ideas about pickleball. I have not seen clear examples of coach training programs that prioritize a player’s well-being over adherence to some Platonic notion of what pickleball ought to be. I have watched as certified instructors who are held up as expert coaches put 15 people in a single-file line and feed balls to the first person while commenting on their grip or their followthrough. Meanwhile, the other 14 people stand around doing nothing besides wondering why they paid good money to wait in a line. If this is what it takes to become certified, count me out.

Don’t get me wrong — I want to learn more. I want to become a better coach. But I want to do it in a way that doesn’t force me to compromise my commitment to putting the needs of my students first. While there are individual coaches that I admire and with whom I have rich and lively conversations, I have not yet found an organization in which I have found a coaching ‘home’ that feels authentic, innovative and based on the principles that I value. I’ll keep looking for such a place but in the meantime, I’ll keep doing my thing and let the chips fall where they may.

When Injury Wakes You Up

An accurate portrayal of the author’s reaction to his injury.

I have been rather lucky over the course of my sporting life. Besides a few bumps, bruises and the occasional rolled ankle, I have mostly avoided serious injury -- until now. 

A couple weeks ago I was playing in a local tournament. It wasn't too far from where I live and with a baby on the way, the prospect of earning a little prize money was rather appealing. I knew a person who had a similar mindset so we signed up as doubles partners. 

For the last couple months, my right knee had been making its presence known. Regularly achy, I assumed that it was due to old age and inconsistent physical activity (I had, after all, spent the last few months on this new projectwhich kept me mostly at a desk in front of a computer). The sore knee is nothing, I told myself.   

I arrived at the venue early, got in a decent physical warm-up (the pain was less when the knee was warm) and we were off to a good start in the tournament. The knee pain was present but manageable. That is, until the lob over my backhand.

It was a decent lob but I knew getting it out of the air is preferable to letting it get past you. So in one single motion I turned slightly to my left and jumped up to hit a routine backhand smash. I had done it a million times before. And that’s when the lights went out.

The pain was so excruciating that for a few seconds after it happened, I couldn’t see. I was down on the ground, holding my knee. For years I have people talk about feelings they have when they injure themselves: a tear, pop, or rip. In my case, the feeling was a distinctive snap and took place at the back of my right knee. I have never felt anything quite like it before.

The diagnosis from the hospital was a partial tear of the MCL. Good news, aparently, because unlike its cousin the ACL, the MCL tear doesn’t usually require surgery to heal. More than anything, it needs meds and rest to bring down the inflammation and then some deliberate rehab to get it back in shape. So for the next few days, my 9-months pregnant wife was somehow the one who did most the caregiving around our house. My 4 year old daughter didn’t like that I couldn’t chase her around the yard, but she did enjoy learning and using the word “slow-poke”.

I tell this story because it has taught me a valuable lesson as a coach. For a long time I have taken for granted what it was like to have no physical limitations and to play pain free. And when I had students who weren’t so lucky, I don’t think I have appreciated their situation as fully as I ought to have. Going through this injury — it is now at about 70% I’d say — has given me a vivid reminder of the challenges that some people I work with may face. I plan on using this experience to be more empathetic and understanding of those who aren’t as lucky as I have been.

Don't Make the Warm-Up All About You

By Mark Renneson

No, this isn't a lecture about being a considerate opponent who gives their partner lots of balls to hit. This is about an under-used opportunity to tilt the odds in your favour. 

While hitting balls prior to your match starting is a good way for you to get loose, it is also an amazing chance to acquire some intelligence on your opponents. Here are 5 things you should look for before the game even starts:

Glaring Weaknesses. Are there any shots that your opponent clearly hits poorly? Did they miss every practice drop they hit? Did their volleys always pop up when they received a fast ball? If they hit a certain shot badly before there is any pressure, plan on testing them early in the match to see if they can rise to the occasion.

Movement. How agile does your opponent look? Are they moving easily around the court of do they look stiff and a little cold? If they aren't getting to balls before the second bounce, that can be a sign that they aren't feeling very fast and that you should plan on running them.

Avoidance. Did that person hit any overhead smashes? Did they only play forehand returns of serve? If your opponents avoided some shots in the warm up, it is probably a good idea  for you to know. That way, you'll have an idea about what shots are 'cold' when game time begins. 

Tells. Much of pickleball is about disguise and deception. See if your opponents give away when they will dink the ball or flick it. See if you can guess when they will hit a drop or a drive. Perhaps they set up their body or paddle differently depending on the shot they will hit. If you can identify these 'tells', you'll have a leg up once the scoring starts. 

Strengths. Are there certain shots that your opponents seem to hit really well? Perhaps they are amazing at blocking fast balls? Maybe they are great at using spin on the return of serve. It is helpful to see what they look most comfortable with so that you know what to stay away from.

Want to Beat Bangers? Here's What You SHOULD Be Practicing

By Mark Renneson

Are you tired of losing to Bangers? Those players who seem to have one speed and one speed only -- FAST? There are a number of things that you might want to do to take down this most annoying of opponent: hit your returns deep in the court so when they play their third shot drive, they are doing it from behind the baseline; Use excessive spin so that they are less likely to be well set up when they hit; When that ball does come to you at the net, drop it gently in the kitchen, or really, anywhere that is low to the ground. 

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But of all of the useful ways to tame the power player, there is one that is especially effective -- and especially under-practiced -- learning when to NOT hit the ball. 

One of the challenges of pickleball is that they court is as small as it is. At just 44 ft in length, there isn't a lot of real estate to work with. And you can (and should) use this to your advantage against bangers. If someone chooses to hit a ball hard, it better be low to the net or it will sail long. And the harder they hit, the smaller their margin for error. 

Have a friend hit balls with different speeds, heights and spins. Try to predict (before the ball crosses the net) if it will land in or out.

So what can you do? You can put down the paddle and practice developing an eye for out balls. You can learn to identify which balls are travelling too fast and high to stay in play. You can develop your reception skills (e.g. the ability to receive balls well) by quickly and correctly identifying what balls will land in and what balls have too much juice. 

And the next time those bangers try to take your head off, just duck and watch the ball sail a mile long!

Mark Renneson is the Executive Director of Pickleball Coaching International. For more information on exceptional coaching ideas and resources, visit pickleballcoachinginternational.com. 

3 Common Coaching Errors

As pickleball explodes in popularity, there are more and more people coaching. And while some (like yours truly) do so professionally, the majority of instructors teach on a part-time or voluntary basis.

Whether you're coaching to earn a living or helping grow the sport in your town, there are a few traps that you might want to avoid:

1) Being a Fault-Finder Instead of Success Seeker.While part of a coach's job is identifying problems, that isn't where it ends. Very little skill or expertise is needed to merely point out all the things someone is doing poorly. 

I think that a coach ought to work hard to understand the strengths players possess and to make sure the players see these strengths in themselves. These positives can be them coupled with areas that need improving (e.g. "I've noticed that you do a good job volleying, but you are often late when coming to the net so yo can't use your volleys to full effect"; "you can play good, low dinks, but when you are poorly set up to hit them, that's when they go off the rails". 

Being a success seeker isn't about making your students feel good. It is about contextualizing the skills you want them to develop and connecting them to things they already know how to do. And if they understand how these new skills fit into their overall game, they are much more likely to have the desire to learn what you are teaching them.

2) Too Much Talking. Mark Twain wrote: "Sorry to write such a long letter, I didn't have time to write a short one" and I think this sums up one of the challenges that instructors face: it is difficult to be precise, concise and thorough. 

I spend a lot of time working with coaches and pretty much without fail they are incredibly passionate and eager to help. They draw from their own knowledge and experience in an effort to get other people to play better. The trouble is, sometimes this overflows and becomes them wanting to share everything they know. 

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The most effective coaches I know are the ones who a quick and to-the-point; they get in, they get out. The ones who are best at this identify a single teaching point, make the case for why it matters and then put their students into a situation to practice it. The downward spiral of never-ending information often starts with: "oh. and one more thing..." which inevitably leads to several more things. This takes more time, runs the risk of overwhelming the players, and can make the coach look like a know-it-all.

Coaching isn't the time to highlight your extensive knowledge of the sport -- it's not about you. Remember: concise, precise, thorough.

3) Disconnecting Tactics and Technique. What would you say if I asked you if a hammer was the right tool? You'd probably want to know what I was planning on using it for. The same logic should apply when we are teaching technique to our students. That is, technique is a tool we use to perform a task. These tasks (tactics) could include: making your opponents move; being consistent; buying yourself time; taking away time; exploiting a weakness, etc.. And while some elements of technique are good for certain tasks, they are inappropriate for others. 

Unfortunately, many coaches believe that technique can or should be taught separate from tactics. The red flag for this kind of thinking is when someone says: "today we are going to work on the [insert stroke name here]." They then proceed to treat the stroke in isolation, as though if you just mastered the mechanics you'd be all set. While that may work well for sports synchronized swimming or figure skating, pickleball is very different. Pickleball is an open-skilled sport filled with variables and decision making. The other side of this coin is when "strategy clinics" are offered as though it can exist in a vacuum devoid of technique.

The fluid nature of PB means that it is vital to connect the technique being learned with the tactics being implemented (i.e. in what situation would I use this shot and how will it help me?). Instructors who fail to integrate tactics and technique are like people who insist that a hammer is the 'right' tool.

Mark Renneson is the founder and CEO of Third Shot Sports. He travels North America extensively working with pickleball players and coaches. If you like thinking and talking about coaching, you can join the Pickleball Instructor Forum that he runs here. 

5 Ways to Pressure Your Opponents (while following the rules)

While highlight reel shots are terrific, a huge part of pickleball is finding ways to maintain the pressure on your opponents and to challenge them to to come up with something amazing. Here are a few things that you can do right away to make the other team sweat:

1) Use Your Serve to Gain an Advantage. We've heard it a million times before: "you should never miss your serve". And while we don't like hitting the ball out either, we think it is shortsighted to demand 100% consistency. The serve is the one time in PB where everything is under your control: you are standing still, with the ball exactly where you want it and you can even wait (within reason) for the wind to die down. And with these conditions in your favour, the serve is a great time to put some pressure on the opposition.

We're not saying try to make it unreturnable, but by aiming your serve well (making the returner move or hit from their weaker side), or by hitting with speed, you make it more likely that they will play a poor return that you can pounce on. Of course, there is some risk when you hit near a sideline or drive the ball fast and low, but there can also be significant reward. Don't go for so much that you miss every other serve, but look to use the first shot as a way to dictate play. 

2) Consider the Drive. We know a woman who missed 9 drops in a row in a gold medal match. She and her partner either hit into the net or set up an easy put away for their opponents. Down 0-9 and embarrassed, the team decided that they might as well just swing away and hit the third shot hard. Their sudden use of power surprised the opponents and the hard-hitting team won a couple free points. But then they won a few more because they simply overpowered the other team who were not strong volleyers. The team rattled off 11 straight points and won the game.

The winning team was glad that they used their drive (although why they waiting until 0-9 is anybody's guess). We encourage players to test the waters with the drive early on and see what happens. If your opponents can handle your speed, you better think about the drop. But if you are able to overpower them, you've hit the jackpot and should keep going. Don't let myths about the 'slow game' cloud your good judgement. 

3) Maintain a Winning Pattern. We commonly hear from people who think they should change things up so they are less predictable. While that argument has some merit, here's a better one: if what you are doing is working, keep doing it! Who cares if your opponents know what's coming if they are powerless to defend against it? If you find something that works, stick with it until it doesn't. 

4) Change a Losing Pattern. While it is good to have a game plan, it is it is better to know when to abandon it. If things aren't going your way even though you are hitting the shots you are intending, it is time to reconsider your options. This requires being aware of what's going on and how you are winning or losing points. With this in mind, you can make an educated decision. 

5) Return Like You Mean It. Too often players use the return of serve only to get to the net. But if your return is short and high, you're asking for a fast shot at the body. Instead, focus on consistently hitting the return deep enough that it pins your opponents behind the baseline. Making your opposition hit thirds from 25 feet from the net will make their life a lot harder. 

Make Your Backhand Better

Are you tired of having a weak backhand? Are you sick of your opponents getting rewarded for picking on it? Here are 4 things you can do to make your backhand better.

1. Care About the Set-Up. Backhands are tough enough to hit when you're stationary, but they are extra difficult if you're off-balance or reaching for the ball. Work hard to get to the ball and be on balance as you hit. It won't guarantee success, but it will tilt the odds in your favour. 

2. Use a Good Grip. It is important to have your hand in a strong hitting position. Too often people hit their backhand with their eastern forehand grip. The preferred grip on the backhand is either a continental grip, or the eastern backhand grip. This will make contact more solid and will make it less likely the ball pops up.

An eastern backhand (index knuckle on the top of the handle) will make it easier to hit with power.

3. Swing From the Shoulder. A common cause of weak backhands (and injured elbows) is an over-reliance on the forearm. It is important to get sideways and initiate the swing with your shoulder. This stronger joint will make it much easier to hit a strong shot.

4. Make Contact Out Front. A forward impact point is important because it puts your body in a strong hitting position. While you don't want to be reaching for the ball, forward extension will help you to have more control and power.

4 US Open Takeaways

By Mark Renneson

For me, the US Open and other major tournaments are a combination of costume party and scavenger hunt. I love hearing whispers like "Have you seen the 'new girl' Kaitlyn Christian yet? I hear she's incredible" or "Do you know that Jeff Warnick guy? You've got to see his technique. It's wild. But he's crazy good!". I like trying to discover who these new people ar and then watching them play. I posted daily videos of the US open here, here, here, here, here, and below.

But it is also fun for me to take the pulse of pickleball in general and to see where the game stands now compared to what I saw at this time last year. I like wandering around and watching, not quite knowing what I'll see but being open to anything. I especially enjoy watching how the game -- at a high level especially -- is evolving.  That evolution, in a nutshell, is what this post is about.

Power Please

I have written before that pickleball continues to get quicker. Players are hitting harder, moving faster and being more offensive-minded as they play. Seves are being used to cause trouble for the opponents, and if that ball is returned short -- and sometimes even if it isn't -- and being driven at the net players. Balls that I expect to be dinked back over the net safely, are now attackable balls that players are putting so much topspin on, that shots that would have sailed out 3 years ago are now curling and dropping just inside the baseline.  

Sliding 

The balls are moving faster and the players are too! People like Kaitlyn Christian continue to rip up the hardcourt as they slide gracefully into a forehand. Exceptional balance, strength and a hate for letting the ball bounce twice are allowing them to not only get to more balls than players of another generation, but hit them back with quality. This technique would definitely fit in the "do not try at home" category for most people!

 Stacking

As competition gets fiercer, players are looking to gain any advantage they can. And one way to gain an upper hand is to make sure that you are always playing on the side you prefer. The pros have been stacking for a long time, but I'm seeing more intermediate players do it as well. For those who are new to the idea, stacking is putting you and your partner on the same side of the court. After you hit your serve or return (as per your obligation), you then move over to the side of the court upon which you'd rather play.

2-Handed Backhands

Unfortunately, some PB 'purists' think that only one hand can touch the paddle. That's silly! Most of the top women use two-handers to get extra stability and power when hitting from their non-dominant side. We're even seen more of the guys doing it too! And with longer-handled paddles becoming the norm, why not? A two-handed backhand is a great way to shore up your backhand if it is currently a liability. 

There are lots of other things I saw at the US Open and I'll be posting about them here over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

3 Pre-Game Tricks to Play Better Matches

We are getting into a heavy time for tournaments so I thought it appropriate to talk a little about things you can do to play your best. While we like to think that the better players always win, the reality is that this is only sometimes the case. There are upsets, poor performances and players who are just 'on' that may defy expectations or  -- to use a term common to this time of year -- 'bust your bracket'. 

And while these exceptional performances may be pure dumb luck, I've been around enough high level athletes to know that in most cases, the players who want to perform well, prepare well. Here are a few things you can do to maximize your chances for success:

1. Show up on time -- and by "on time" I mean early. There is nothing worse than frantically trying to find a parking spot knowing that your match is about to be called. You get impatient, frustrated and are libel to make bad decisions. These are all the antithesis of what you want when you compete.

While it might mean setting the alarm clock a little earlier than usual, grab yourself that extra coffee and get to the venue well before your match is called. You'll be calm, cool and collected when it is time to play your best. And bring your partner with you!

2. Make a plan. Heading into a match knowing how you expect to win is a critical part of competing well. And while you might have to adjust your tactics as the match unfolds, knowing whether you'll look to use your power game or out-dink your opponents is pretty important.

Rather than 'waiting to see how it goes', talk with your partner before you step on court. Decide how you expect to play your opponents and what patterns of play look most promising (i.e. your backhand dink is great. Let's try to get you into crossourt backhand rallies with them). If possible, watch your opposition play a little beforehand to figure out what they seem to like (or dislike). And if necessary, pull up a quick YouTube vid showing some recent matches. Walking onto the court with a clear plan in mind will help you to make better decisions and to play with confidence.

3. Don't just stand there! Tournaments can involve a lot of waiting. And while it is important not to over exert yourself, it is more important to be loose and feeling great when the match begins. Jump on a practice court and stay warm when you know that your match will be called soon. And if no court is available (this is often the case), hit some reflex volleys on a patch of grass, against a wall, or in a parking lot.  At the very least, go for a little jog or do some quick, athletic movements (see GIF above for examples). This will help you to be ready to go when you get called.

Of course, none of these things guarantee that you'll play great or have the match of your life. But by taking a little time to prepare well, you give yourself the best shot at putting on a good performance. And when you think about it, that's all we can really ask of ourselves, right?

Mark Renneson is the founder and Head Coach at Third Shot Sports. When he is not crisscrossing the continent coaching pickleball, he can be found tending to his 4 year old child and 10 year old golden retriever in Collingwood, Canada. Mark can be reached at mark@thirdshotsports.com

7 Things You Can Do to Play Better Pickleball -- Fast!

Some people think that it takes a long time to improve your PB game. And while things like a significant grip change, improving your co-ordination or dropping 15 pounds so you move quicker  around the court are major undertakings, there are lots of things you can doing today that will boost your game immediately. 

1. Identify the Target Player. Before you even hit a ball, ask yourself (and your partner) "who should we pick on"? And while it might be 'nice' to isolate the weaker player, if you want to be a tough opponent then it is crucial. Pro Tip: While this strategy is great for competitive situations, use it cautiously if you are playing recreational games where people might not take kindly to keeping the ball away from the stronger player.

2. Get Your Returns Deep. Many people hit their return of serve thoughtlessly. And if the ball lands short (i.e. it allows the serving team move forward to get your shot) then you are vulnerable against a good drive from your opponents. Try to pin your the servers behind the baseline with your return -- it will make your life at the net a lot easier. 

3. Be Ready to Move. Pickleball is an athletic sport yet many people stand around like they are in line at the grocery store. The sooner you accept that you will need to RUN the more likely you'll be able to get balls back in play. And while we can't all run like the pros, we can all have the desire to chase down every ball.

4. Serve Smart (Part 1). If you are like most people, you'd prefer to hit the third shot with a forehand. When serving stand as close to your backhand corner as possible (i.e if you're a righty, stand near the sideline when serving from the left side and near the T when serving from the right side). This will almost guarantee that a return of serve hit back to you gives you the forehand you want. 

5. Serve Smart (Part 2). Your serve is a great opportunity to cause trouble for your opponents. Whether you do it by serving deep, making them move, aiming for a weakness or just plain hitting it hard, a challenging serve makes it more likely the return is less tough for you. There is some risk, of course, but I think you'll find with a little practice, it's worth it. 

6. Don't Just 'Sorta' Get to the NVZ. Most people know that it is smart to move forward after retuning serve. It is a chance to take away your opponents' time. But many players move forward in a haphazard way and don't get as near to the kitchen as they could. If you want to be a threat at the net, get right up there before your opponents hit the third shot! Pro Tip: If you are nervous at the net or don't have great volleys, see tip #2.

7. Talk. Don't wait until you lose a point before you and your partner discuss how you want to handle middle balls. Whether you go with "forehand takes it" or some other plan, take 5 seconds at the start of a game (yes, even rec games) and say "Hey. How do you want to handle middle balls?". The quick chat will mean clarity when your opponents hit down the centre of the court.

Mark Renneson is the Founder and Head Coach at Third Shot Sports. He can be reached by email at mark@thirdshotsports.com