It’s the fastest-growing sport in America.
And if you want to improve your technique, here’s how to get better at pickleball.
Id boil it down to three key features.
First, it doesnt take up much space.
Second, theres a low barrier to entry.
Whether you have a history with sports or not, pickleball lends itself to people of all backgrounds.
Mark Renneson is a professional pickleball coach and the founder of Third Shot Sports and Pickleball Coaching International.
Third, its really fun.
Who doesnt like smacking a ball back and forth over a net?
Its also a really great way to benefit both your physical and mental health.
Sure you get some exercise,improve your flexibility, and work on hand-eye coordination.
But the most significant health benefit I see is related to mental health, says Renneson.
I see the joy that people have when playing pickleball and the community that builds around it.
Do some skipping
Renneson says the main challenge of pickleball isnt hitting the ball, as thats relatively easy.
Its receiving the ballespecially when your opponents are trying to hit it away from you.
Developing some basic agility and movement skills is really helpful, he says.
Mark Renneson is a professional pickleball coach and the founder of Third Shot Sports and Pickleball Coaching International.
Skipping can be great, as can moving [in] different directions as though youre chasing a ball.
A really useful skill is being able to remove speed from an oncoming shotespecially against hard-hitters, he says.
Its also really fun and challenging.
Instead of hitting them back, let them go by you.
Thats why he says its so important to work on how you receive the ball.
This will make it easier to control where you send it.
make a run at spend some time hitting against a wall or with a friend using only your backhand.
Its amazing how much better it can get with just a little deliberate practice.
The high balls get smacked for winning shots or land out of play.
The low balls that are too low hit the net, he says.
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