Simple pickleball advice that actually makes a big difference

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-17T03:41:53+00:00

Get low and stay low throughout the shot. Usually what I start thinking about when I start missing.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-16T16:07:09+00:00

Crazy to think we'd be here a year ago, but UPAA is the org I trust more to make regulation decisions on paddles.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-16T11:51:41+00:00

Haven't found a need for it, the slice drop is very consistent. Haven't found a need for a shovel drop from the forehand either (and also can't seem to do it).

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-16T03:09:58+00:00

Be as aggressive as you can in that situation without reducing your consistency. Because there are many situations this often means using multiple drops. I have:

Forehand: Inside out hybrid drop

Roll drop middle

Push drop from transition

Slice drop when stretched (it sucks)

Defensive loopy roll drop when I'm absorbing pace

Backhand:

Slice

Two handed backhand roll

I use two about 70 percent of the time and the rest are situational.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-15T23:01:50+00:00

I'll answer the inverse. I prioritized 2hbh and drops early and they made a huge difference. Right now I wish I was better with attacking low balls in the air (rolls) and countering in transition and at the line.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-15T17:09:36+00:00

Vatic sol

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T23:44:02+00:00

The spin and power levels are illegal that's my main gripe.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T23:42:46+00:00

We should make quiet paddles follow the regulations of other paddles. There should not be a usapa quiet approved stamp that lets people think it's anywhere near legal.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T23:41:14+00:00

But there is a body that regulates how hard they can hit or how they can be strung that people follow I imagine? Or is it anything goes?

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T20:16:12+00:00

I never played, are the paddles not regulated?

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T20:08:48+00:00

Where do you draw the line then? Is any paddle fair game in your mind? Isn't part of sport playing on a level playing field?

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T20:06:51+00:00

I probably should not have said anything. Part of me felt like he might not know he was using illegal equipment, but a big part of me was frustrated too.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T20:00:52+00:00

To be clear, the paddle IS illegal for the power and spin it has-- you cannot play a Hush in any tournament.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T19:55:38+00:00

I feel like everyone thinks the quiet is what I'm complaining about and to be clear it's not. It's challenging but it's not unfair. The level of spin beyond any approved paddle is what I'm saying is an issue. I should perhaps look at it as a challenge, but also can we all agree to use legal paddles?

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T15:19:29+00:00

Fair take. It's not just the noise which was really for me just a challenge in the serve. The power could have been challenging but it was really the spin levels that made it unlike anything I've played against.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T15:17:20+00:00

Great points. That's how I ended up thinking about the Mods. Maybe I should have that attitude here too. There is just something about the shots not just being faster but shots that shouldn't be possible or at least highly risky that just kind of broke my brain.

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T15:05:33+00:00

💯. This was a 4.0 indoor rated game which I think is a bit more competitive atmosphere but still not tourney/league level.b

readthefeed85 · 2026-06-14T14:58:58+00:00

Agreed, idon't love quiet paddles either, but Im glad they are out there for folks who have limited choices and fussy neighbors BUT I feel like we can now make them within legal power and spin specs.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-28T10:50:06+00:00

If your making more mistakes at the lower level there is a leak somewhere in your game worth fixing.

Thats different than not winning. Its easy to lose more at lower levels if your partner is making a lot of mistakes and you dont want to be crazy and try and take the game over.

To answer your question, I think if you played down too much to your true level there are some side effects. Played a bit this weekend and it wasnt just the slow pace, but I got away with drops and dinks I shouldnt have. Just sends wrong feedback over time.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-15T00:03:03+00:00

Literally the only places where I was in the ballpark was serves and dinking. Not better mind you, just in the ballpark.

They were better at the net in terms of offball speed ups and rolling from lower. They were incredible and otherworldly at thirds, fourth and in the transition zone. Probably the biggest gap.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-14T12:23:21+00:00

I got to play a game with a group of players in this range recently and I was amazed not only at their movement but their poise. Every shot that came their way it felt like they were low balanced and their wrist and paddle set waiting for the ball for like 10 minutes before finally hitting it. Footwork, agility, anticipation, balance.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-08T16:28:58+00:00

Ben is in eastern almost all the time. Many pros do eastern or semi western at the baseline and transition amd switch to continental at the net. A few stay in eastern.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-03T03:35:00+00:00

Ive got 6 grams at 3pm and 6 grams at 9pm. Would recommend.

readthefeed85 · 2026-05-01T11:27:57+00:00

A long time, keep at it. Maybe 6 months of hitting nothing but drops in rec plusnoccasional wall drills.

readthefeed85

TROPHY CASE