Community post
pickleball
Pickleball - Love the game! Just started playing this about 2 months ago. My friends give me a hard time about it because they say it is only for older folks (60 plus). Not true! Where I play the average player is in their 30's or early 40's. Although I did partially pull a calf muscle last time out - did not stretch and paid the price.
I'm playing tonight and have one main goal for improvement. I have to hit my serves and returns deeper - been getting crushed when hitting lazy shots that only reach mid-court. I have been struggling with the how to approach shots. Do I play this game more like tennis or ping pong? Still don't have that figured out, but I do like to spin the ball. Love watching the ball spin out of the opponents reach!
Just bought a second paddle designed to produce more spin - working well so far. After using my first paddle 3 times, I was able to return it to Amazon for full price. Love Amazon - able to try it for a while, and return it with no shipping charge. If only I had bought Amazon stock when I first created an account with them about 15 years ago!
Any pickleball players out there?
Replies (2)
Well last night went pretty well. Basically tried to hit shots deeper into the opponent's court as well as working on hitting with topspin. With my new paddle (ProLite Crush), I could create much more topspin than with previous paddle. Hit a few winners like the old days of playing tennis. Very enjoyable! Stayed competitive with some of the better players so that was all good!
Calf muscle bothered me before playing and in quite a bit of pain this morning. During play really did not bother me except for a little soreness. I guess the competitive spirit overruled anything too painful.
When running back to try and hit a good lob shot sent my way, the ball actually hit me in the head. Provided everyone in our game with a few laughs. Cheap entertainment!
Later!
Pickleball tonight. Calf feeling better and looking forward to some good games. Playing from about 6:30 to 9:00. Ate a light supper - hopefully easier to get to those low shots with less of a gut to deal with.
Last week worked on hitting the ball deeper into the opponent's court and developing a topspin. Goal for tonight - Hitting second shot where I am supposed to according to the videos I've watched. Deep yes, but in the center of the court - actually, slightly left of center to force opponent to hit backhand.
Also going to work on backspin shot. Always a favorite of mine in ping-pong, often forced opponent to hit it into the net. We'll see how it works in Pickleball. Probably use this on the third shot, trying to drop it into the kitchen. Still trying to figure out if this game is more like pong or tennis when I approach the ball.
Oh yea, also going to make a major effort to keep from getting hit in the head with the ball.
Not much of a Pickleball presence on this site - would appreciate a few upvotes and comments!
Thanks!