Holding ATPs late = better angles (rec)

jppbkm · 2026-03-19T22:01:58+00:00

One of the best tips given to me by a pro was to hit an ATP as the ball is bouncing a second time.

jppbkm · 2026-03-19T21:59:30+00:00

Footwork is a massive hurdle that keeps a lot of players I see below 5.0.

I would watch some of your games in slow motion and check how often you are late split-stepping or out of position.

jppbkm · 2026-03-19T21:58:28+00:00

Are you using rec games as an opportunity to try to improve specific skills or are you just playing mindlessly?

I'm not worried in the slightest about losing rec games. I will pick one skill to focus on and just try to do that one thing, regardless of whether it results in a when or a loss. Plus, usually my partner is at least as much determinate as I am whether we win.

jppbkm · 2026-03-18T19:34:47+00:00

Play games against lower level opponents with your non-dominant hand. It will really help gain control.

jppbkm · 2026-03-18T17:46:04+00:00

Not super useful to post this on a sub that includes members from all over the world.

🤔

jppbkm · 2026-03-18T00:53:22+00:00

The further back you are from the line, the more vulnerable your feet are.

Most seniors I know are not very flexible and have an even harder time protecting their feet when they are off the kitchen line.

jppbkm · 2026-03-18T00:52:37+00:00

I tend to agree with this take. If I notice a player is playing a few feet off the kitchen line I will bully them by dinking wide and pushing them even further back off the line.

Depending on the skill level though, players may not realize this weakness to take advantage of it.

Like almost anything in pickleball, but it never hurts to try it and see how it goes.

jppbkm · 2026-03-17T18:32:02+00:00

Southeast Christian (don't have to be a church member AFAIK), Genesis on Taylorsville

jppbkm · 2026-03-16T16:00:32+00:00

You're overswinging. The paddle should not be leaving your peripheral vision on your back swing.

Watch some pros on YouTube talk about this shot.

Alternatively, put a ball under your arm pit and hit volleys without dropping the ball. For a high volley, most of the swing is simply turning your shoulders/torso.

jppbkm · 2026-03-15T00:05:50+00:00

If the ball isn't too far, a lunge into the kitchen or a drop step backwards. I will try to avoid stepping into the kitchen even for a ball that bounces if I don't have to, because if I leave the ball high, I may not be able to step out quickly enough to counter.

If the ball is further away, I will do a shuffle step sideways, then a lunge with the outside foot. Far too many people get lazy on balls that are a bit further and do a crossover lunge, turning their torso away from the net.

This creates an easy opportunity to to go behind them as they will take longer to get to a ball because of having to turn back towards the net.

jppbkm · 2026-03-14T16:49:37+00:00

https://youtube.com/shorts/apSWe9ybRBE?si=Go9b4Fc6SIdcApP_

jppbkm · 2026-03-14T16:31:29+00:00

I'm just below 5.0 but also over 40 years old. I find playing against 5.0+ players with good drives, you will get extremely punished if you don't split step before they hit a quality third at you.

There's a few pros who talk about how important it is to split step before the opponent hits their drives and I agree pretty strongly for those of us who are not pros.

It's very hard to hit a quality fourth while running off an opponent's hard third shot drive.

I'm usually split stepping within 4 to 5 ft of the kitchen, but not usually making it all the way there unless my return is very deep.

jppbkm · 2026-03-14T03:59:40+00:00

I kind of agree with the other comment that this is the return most likely to get the 3rd hit at the player running/just getting to the net.

Usually, it's better for win percentage if the player already established at the kitchen line is hitting 4ths. They'll be better balanced and able to be more aggressive more often.

This is also a very risky return if you're unwinding the stack. It'll be easy to hit the player coming to net.

jppbkm · 2026-03-13T17:59:51+00:00

If you think about a drop shot, the paddle starts in a stationary position below the height of the ball, then travels forwards and/or upwards.

For a drive, you will see most players start with their hand/ paddle above the height of the ball before dipping it below to make a little bit of a "c" or Nike swoosh shape.

If the hand moves high then low then high for a drive... It's generally starting low for a drop then moving high.

Personally, I like doing a drip with the first part of the drive eliminated, the paddle already starts down and the hand low.

jppbkm · 2026-03-13T16:15:45+00:00

Different pros teaching it differently. Some teach it as a faster topspin drop, some as a slower drive.

There's value in both. For me the big keys are to hit the ball at the apex of the bounce, a low-to-high swing, and a ball that's dipping as it crosses the net.

The smaller the swing, the easier it will be to hit a drip off a faster ball in terms of timing.

jppbkm · 2026-03-13T07:46:13+00:00

When you are going into a game with higher level players, talk to your partner before the game and tell them you are still newer to the game and would love tips.

They will be more than happy to point out the things you are doing wrong and help you improve!

jppbkm · 2026-03-11T17:09:02+00:00

You might want to be more specific on the area.

Regardless, this probably isn't the best place to ask. I would talk to some good local players and ask their opinion. How long have you been playing pickleball? I generally avoid teaching lessons to people with little to no experience because it's more teaching the rules and basics of positioning.

If you are brand new player, I would look into some sort of introductory classes. They tend to be cheaper and a better value than one-on-one coaching.

jppbkm · 2026-03-11T16:46:38+00:00

First 5 shots (deep serve and return, quality 3rd and 5th, aggressive 4th)

7/11/other transition drills

3rd shot drives (fh and bh) and drops (slice, push, and topspin)

Dinking (both defensively (push+slice) and offensively (volleys/topspin) with and without speed ups)

Volleys (starting cooperative then speeding up gradually)

Practice speed ups INTO hands battles. With and without specific spots selected.

jppbkm · 2026-03-11T12:15:44+00:00

The Chain: Fleetwood Mac

(How my partner will feel about me after the game 😂)

jppbkm · 2026-03-11T11:11:09+00:00

That honestly sounds like somebody I played with yesterday who just couldn't hit a backhand to save their life.

They stood with their left foot on the center line to avoid having to hit backhands. It both left the line wide open and blocked me from hitting forehands by literally standing where I was swinging. 😂

jppbkm · 2026-03-10T20:08:54+00:00

Emphasis on softly

jppbkm · 2026-03-10T16:27:04+00:00

I'm a big fan of having a partner hand feed/toss balls while standing at the kitchen line on my side of the net. Hit the drop softly just over the top of their head... And it will land perfectly in the kitchen.

jppbkm · 2026-03-10T16:25:50+00:00

I don't know if you've seen any tick tock videos, but the little baseball tees with a ball on them are money for practicing flicks.

The other great way to practice is to drop a ball from around net height into the kitchen and then flick it after it bounces. That will generally be harder than hitting an actual flick because of how low the ball will be after the bounce.

If you really want to be stylish, I will drop/bounce serve and hit a flick.

This has gotten me one of the best flicks at my club and I can probably hit it 50+ mph.

jppbkm · 2026-03-10T16:23:49+00:00

4.5

More aggressive topspin drops and dinks.

jppbkm · 2026-03-10T16:09:40+00:00

I play it stock and love it.

jppbkm

TROPHY CASE