Paddle 101 by Paul Wallack. Page 1 of 2.
SERVE:
*Put it in a place where they can’t drive it for a winner. Mix up your placements. Don’t let the returner get into a rhythm.
*The more spin the better.
*Always serve and volley--unless they’re killing the returns then both stay back and get into the point.
*Get to the courts early, get a basket of balls and practice the serve. Having only one serve takes time to get used to.
*The net partner should try to pick off the returner’s drive down the middle.
RETURN OF SERVE:
*Drive it if you can do it effectively, otherwise lob it and get into the point.
*Don’t give away the point.
*The best return is to the server’s feet. You and/or your partner can blitz on that return as they have to hit it up.
*Attack the net man when you have the advantage, otherwise keep it away from him.
*Your partner should be just inside the baseline to cover a short volley off the returner’s drive. He should be ready to blitz if he sees you are going to drive, but should step back if he sees you putting up a lob. If you know your partner is blitzing, keep it away from the net man or your partner is dead.
BACKCOURT PLAY:
*Be patient. Embrace the long point.
*Play overheads off the screens if you can’t hit an effective drive or lob off the court.
*Drive from inside the baseline (only if you the advantage), lob from behind the baseline (unless they’re out of position).
*When in doubt lob, don’t drive.
*Push them back with the lob, then hit to their feet and come forward (blitz).
*Learn to drive off the screens.
*Drive to the righty’s right hip. Lefty’s left hip.
*Try to lob deep down the line. This will often set up your partner with a short ball he can drive.
*On a lob over their heads or a drive past them you both take the net, but be ready for a drive coming back.
*On a short ball where your options are limited, either lob the ball or drive the ball through the opponents at the net, looking for gaps between or around them.
NET PLAY:
*Be patient, embrace the long point.
*Don’t give them a forehand to drive.
*Shoulder high let it fly.
*Hit mostly backhand volleys. Use the sweep volley.
*Don’t try to hit a miracle volley. Let good drives go by you and come off the screen to buy time.
*If playing two righties the safe shots are to hit softly to the ad court side screen and down the middle to the deuce court player’s back hand. Playing a left and righty, hit to both side screens.
Paddle 101 by Paul Wallack. Page 2 of 2.
NET PLAY, continued from page 1.
Good players will see your tendencies so you have to mix it up.
*Move in tandem, cover the two thirds of the court where the ball is. If they hit a winner to the open third more power to them. The percentage is against them.
*The player on the ball side will be closer to the net, the partner a step deeper.
*Call all balls that aren’t obvious as to who will take it.
*Cover the lobs to our side.
*Switch if one of you is a lefty to get him to the deuce court. You don’t want both backhands in the middle. Call for the switch on a well placed overhead.
*When your partner is driven back by a deep lob the next shot will be to his feet. Try to cut it off..
*Tell your partner whether or not to hit a deep lob or let it go. If it’s going to be in you want to hit, don’t let it drop.
*On lobs over your head or a drive past you, both of you move back.
GENERAL:
*More points are lost than won. Don’t lose them.
*Patience is key. Embrace the long point.
*Like tennis, don’t get caught in no man’s land.
*The screens are your friend, they buy you time. The screens are the difference between tennis and paddle. Learn them. Use them. Quick recognition and good positing are the keys.
*At the top level there is no advantage to being up at net.
*At the top level serve is held just 50% of the time.
*Watch better players play. Pick one that plays your side and study his positioning and tactics.