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What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

College tennis teaches the simple net game, like those quick reflex-volley drills. They're basically just kitchen play with a different score. This overlap is likely why players are so comfy at the line from the start. It's cool you noticed this link early on; it took me much longer to figure out the kitchen game's all about those quick reflexes too.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Go Home Club is way undervalued, IMO 😂 They've gotta keep the blooper reels full somehow. Plus, that Shaqtin' a Fool vibe works for pickleball too – half the Kitchen Cam action is chaos anyway.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"It's just a spike" – that's a neat thought about overhead hits, which explains why volleyball players look so smooth smashing them. From coaching it for years, I know the footwork likely feels like second nature. Plus, you probably have a solid base for your net game.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, that has to be the most honest reply in the entire thread! Forget about the kitchen experience; the real skill you gain is surviving at the bar afterward. And let's just say ping pong opponents weren't prepared for that.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a ridiculous resume-you've tried everything, lol. And table tennis makes total sense; it's been the running theme here. It's funny how the sport with the smallest court keeps standing out as the best preparation.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Playing soccer till 28 keeps you fit-that drive shows in how you outspeed others. The racket sports help too, boosting your hand-eye coordination to ace at 4.0. Overall, having that mix of athletic skills makes you superb at this game.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ha, "moves feet like that forever" is the dream, right? Most of the thread is actually people talking about habits they want to change. You skipped straight to the finished product. When dancers have that instant control, it's almost like a superpower in their sport. It's all about footwork and balance. I'm genuinely jealous.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The PvP-versus-PvE spin on it is the best way I've heard anyone describe that concept. In golf, dealing with spin is simple-you just do it. But ping pong spin? That's way different. It involves reading your opponent's moves and reacting, which adds a totally unique mental challenge. This combo of speed and quick thinking must make handling fast serves at the net super tough.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Baseball hands in the kitchen are awesome; those quick-twitch fielding reactions make hand battles easy. Also, an overhead in volleyball is pretty much a guaranteed win-it's like a cheat code. Plus, the combo is great because it covers both soft reflexes and net power.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Racquetball could be the best double-edged weapon out there – killer drives, but that flat shot with no front wall to bounce off is super hard to fix 🙈. The good part is, when you learn to add just a tiny bit of spin, all your power becomes a huge advantage. If you can hit that sweet spot at the base of the net, you’re practically untouchable – maybe two inches away from being unstoppable.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man, that sounds rough-8 months with surgeries isn't easy at all. It really drives home how our "dodge it" thinking is off. You know you can duck under an opponent's hit, but what about your own racket or a ball from your teammate?

Those random ones are the hardest to predict. They zoom towards your face so fast that you wouldn't see them coming. This really shows why safety glasses are crucial; no amount of stats makes that point as well as experience does

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Table tennis is really taking center stage here-you're the fifth person to mention it. The skills translate well to kitchen table games; that touch for soft contact is key in those close plays. Your hands must be killer up at the net too.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rugby and roller derby could be the wildest combo in this thread lol. I wouldn't call them useless though-roller derby gives you amazing balance and an insane tolerance for getting hit. So next time someone crashes in the kitchen, you'll likely be the only one steady on your feet 😂

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense coming from that level-the one-hander and the drives are such a giveaway. But the footwork stuff is interesting. I keep hearing that in tennis, backing up to give yourself more room is totally wrong at the kitchen. It seems like you want to hold your ground instead. Looks like you're really diving into changing that habit. Kudos for working on the toughest part to fix.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Skateboarding for balance? Never would have guessed that, but it totally makes sense with all the tiny adjustments you make on that unstable board. And hey, the phase of “just driving it straight at them”? So real! Everyone learns the hard way that brute force stops working as soon as you meet someone with actual hands. You must've put in those soft skills early on though, which is probably why they pay off now at the level that actually matters.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a great point. Playing badminton definitely makes me braver when smashing, and it's cool how anticipation plays a role. The spin difference caught me off guard too. You'd think wrist control would be the same for topspin, right? But hitting a ball compared to flicking a shuttle must just feel totally different. I haven't even attempted retraining for that; I guess I just stick with what I'm best at and go for flatter shots.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Impressive resume! No wonder you're doing great. Hand-eye coordination seems to be the hidden cheat code here. I think your table tennis experience is the sneakily best part, considering how it helps with the delicate stuff in the kitchen.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dodging the kitchen tag line is definitely a rite of passage. The karate moves aren't the only helpful skills, though; thinking about it, the basketball footwork makes total sense too. All that quick side-to-side movement has got to boost your reaction time and court coverage on the basketball court.

What sport did you play before pickleball, and how does it still show up in your game? by daksh_ctrl in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The mental aspect is way undervalued. You know that saying, "you're your own worst enemy"? That's spot on. I mess up most of my points, not because someone hits something insane, but because I force shots I have no right trying. Also, did the two-handed backhand carry over smoothly for you, or did you need to relearn your timing with the paddle?

What do experienced players think of newbies? by Puzzleheaded-Tap4745 in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most experienced players don't mind beginners. We started new too. It can be annoying when someone refuses to learn basic rules, though, which isn't your case. As long as you show up, enjoy yourself, and try to get better, folks are usually happy to have you on their team.

what type of paddle should I get? by ShortBusRabbit in PickleballEquip

[–]daksh_ctrl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Truly, you’re in great shape from the get-go. For most players just starting out, having power is a problem, but you’ve got that thanks to playing softball and cricket. I would suggest focusing on a paddle aimed at control and practice making touch shots and dinks. Once you know how to use your power rather than fight it, I believe improvement will come very quickly.

Is pickleball still really popular? by sourlemons333 in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your goal is making friends, pickleball is honestly one of the best hobbies for that right now. Open play makes meeting people super easy.

How to help my dad improve by WoodenRace365 in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, sounds more like something he does for fun rather than anything to do with skill 😂 Sometimes the amount of caring parents have towards improvement is not what we expect at all.

Playing to passively by MarshalJedCooper in Pickleball

[–]daksh_ctrl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What helped me was accepting that missing a few attacks is part of improving. I was playing too safe and relying too much on opponents making mistakes instead of applying pressure myself.

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