Episode 2 - The Struggle

Episode 2 focuses on the struggle to the line - the kitchen line. Also called the non volley zone (NVZ).

First we chat a little about our crazy, we took a train to Chicago and went to the Shedd Aquarium for the day, we had a great time. Also, we need to mention Cheeks the Hamster, and sitting on the train watching a girl get chased down and arrested in Elkhart - what??

Matt and I have been struggling to play together, his attitude and my attitude, it can be very hard for married people to play as a doubles team because we say things to each other we wouldn't say to anyone else!

• Great time in Chicago

• Talk about our play- I need to be nicer on the court

• New paddles take some getting used to

If you remember last time we talked about the FORMALITY–the serve and return–we call that the first phase of the pickleball point so this week we’ll cover that second phase.

We’ll get to that in a bit but in the meantime we want to continue to share our story in these first few episodes of our podcast so you can get to know us. We’ve covered how we met, dated, and got married so Abs, what’s next? Talk us through those first few years of marriage before the kids came along…

• No kids but we did have dogs- Rocky and Reggie

• Struggle to get pregnant (related to the struggle to the line)

• Eventually decided to go the adoption route–and we will get into that in future episodes.

• Each has our own athletic hobbies… marriage was tough for a bit

What exactly do we mean by the struggle to the line?

• Start by setting stage: returning team should be at the line already

  • Serving team should be trying trying to get up there

• This is where we talk about a Third Shot Drop or simply a Third

• Matt: Ryan Keirns when I started– most important shot- what its all about

• Technique

  • Set yourself up for success- Make sure you are back (have to let it bounce)

  • Low to high

  • Bend knees

  • Contact point in front of you

  • Not a tennis shot

  • Tip Down- think Cornhole toss

  • Get set before you hit- momentum going forward as you hit

• Strategy

  • Enough loft to allow you to move in

  • Might take 3rd/5th/7th shot to get all the way to the line

  • Assess the drop to determine how far to move in (both you/partner)

    • Even before the shot is hit (how have your/partner drops been? How well set up are they to hit the shot?

  • Watch for pop up to poach from opponents 4th shot

  • Vary your shots- drives, rolls, even lobs

• Placement

  • Target backhands or weaker player

  • Middle of the net is 2 inches shorter but crosscourt does give more margin for error

  • Middle can also cause partner confusion

Other strategies to get to the line:

• Driving 3rd to set up 5th

  • When return come in flat or returner isn’t going to get to the line

  • Or if you just have a really good drive or want to mix things up

  • Someone hits a hard slicing return

  • Still the goal should be to get to that line– “They who control the line, control the point”

• Lobbing can also be an effective strategy

  • When you see your opponent moving hard to the kitchen line

  • When they don’t have a great overhead

  • To mix it up

  • When the sun is shining or wind is blowing

• Lets talk more about moving in— what happens after you hit that 3rd?

  • Small bites- ok to take a few shots to get in

  • Only move in while ball is in the air to your opponent

  • Split step

  • Not all or nothing- ok to take a few to get in

    • Don’t be afraid of NO MANS LAND this is where you get better

      • Drill practicing one person at the kitchen line/other middle of transition zone