youtu.be/VDtNk8JjDO0


Any shot in the kitchen or even past the kitchen that is below the knees is a red zone shot— a shot that should be neutralized by giving another below the knee shot back to your opponent.

A shot that is around waist height or “comfortably lower” can be counter attacked. This counter attack is a yellow zone shot that can be struck with some dipping topspin or flat. It challenges your opponent. If they are set for their shot early they can counter attack. If they are pressed they may reset with a dink shot to get back into the power point.

A shot above the waist, that is in your “wheelhouse”, is a green zone put-away opportunity. Typically these shots are dipped hard with topspin or flat at your opponents feet or placed off the court.

Knowing the ball height and opportunity height is critical for good shot selection in pickleball.

There are three basic shots that can happen at the kitchen;
1) dink, 2) attack and 3) put-away.

When dinking you are trying to set up a ball that sits above or just below the net that allows you to hit your shot at your opponents right shoulder, thereby forcing them to “reset” with a dink volley that hopefully sits up for you to attack again or even better, put away.

Whats really cool to watch in this video with Jordan and Riley is how Riley uses a two handed backhand volley and attacks balls below net height well. Also, notice how low they bend while at the kitchen.

One thing I noticed that Riley does that wasn’t mentioned is that he takes a micro “split step” just before Jordan contacts the ball. It seems to make him quicker and sharper on his shots—interesting!!!!!! Two other things he does are noticeable: 1) Riley’s elbows are slightly more in front of his body in his ready position. 2) He seldom if ever backs up; his feet stay wide at the no volley zone and picks up difficult dinks at his feet right off the hop!

youtu.be/e5a6BirqS6M

The spin, pace, and location of Morgan Evan’s serve is absolutely an art form to watch. The serve can be an aggressive attempt to win the point outright on one shot. Theoretically you could dominate a match with your one shot wonder—the serve! Check out his serve.

youtu.be/sHq2oQR5hf4

Practicing on a wall is the single best practice tool you can do to improve your game. You can groove your shot making while at the same time get a strong workout. In this video you’ll see how to use the wall. I would suggest measuring 7 feet out for a no volley zone and 22 feet out for serve practice.

youtu.be/VbftefnB_bQ

Jordan talks about drop feeding forehands and backhands, and hitting low half volley transition shots and the serve. You will need to have a bucket of balls for these drills. Its important to develop topspin on your shots to force your opponent to hit up.

Three types of Ernie
youtube/TjlDRULc0pU

These are really good basics to help you win at all levels.
It is a game consistent shot making.

Four shots you need to become 4.0 or better:
​youtu.be/Bt9UM8ip4R4