Fundamentally Speaking

As I introduce beginner players to the sport of pickleball, I focus on the priority of keeping things simple, and I make sure they have an understanding that the main goal as an entry level player is to avoid and eliminate unforced errors.

Players who are new to the game need to focus more on the proper fundamentals of stroke production and less on advanced strategies.

Simply put, strategically speaking, the last player to hit the ball over the net and inside the lines wins the point!

Players at this level need to commit to become confident in executing three shots; the serve, the return of serve and the third ball shot. 

Until a player (utilizing sound fundamentals of stroke production), has effectively and confidently conquered and achieved getting these three main shots in, without incurring any unforced errors at least 80% of the time, they should not be over concerning themselves with the application of advanced, premeditated strategically planned shot selection.

The reason for this is because the actual execution of advanced, premeditated strategically planned shot selection requires a solid foundation of basic stroke fundamentals which are unique to the sport of pickleball. 

I make this statement from my own personal experience, because, even with preexisting, extensive competitive tennis experience, I found myself having to devote a lot of time and effort to drills and practice to raise the level of my game to where I could compete (and hold my own) with players in an open level of competition in pickleball.

Once a player has gained confidence in the fundamentals of executing the strokes related to these three shots, they can then begin to focus on utilizing strategical thinking skills and apply all of that to an eventual goal of attempting to finish more points positioned with all four players positioned at the no volley zone.

So now that I have hopefully convinced you of the importance of mastering these three shots, here is Coach Wayne’s homework assignment.

First, find yourself a practice partner. With this partner, you are going to hit just these three specific shots. Take turns where player A serves, player B hits the return, and player A hits their third ball shot.

The purpose of this drill is to focus on proper fundamentals of stroke production. The goal of this drill is to complete the sequence of three shots a minimum of five times in a row. Once this has been accomplished, switch the rotation where player B serves, player A hits the return, and player A hits their third ball shot.

The results of successfully getting and keeping these three shots in play will help to build more self confidence in your game and win you more points!

Wayne Clark is a professional tennis instructor with over 25 years’ experience coaching players on all levels of the game. Wayne is also qualified in pickleball instruction and is on staff as an instructor with The Naples Pickleball Center and Training Academy at East Naples Community Park. Contact Coach Wayne by email at coachwayneclark@aol.com, or by or by phone or text at 239-450-6161.