Pickleball Magazine 2-6 | Page 62

PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION You Ran Down the Pickleball Lob… Now What? BY SARAH ANSBOURY I n the last issue we talked about running down a lob safely. Now, we focus on what’s next. What do you do with the pickleball lob return…How do you communicate to your partner…Where you might or might not want to aim. Pickleball Lobs and Communication Communication is critical to being a good partner. When playing with a new partner for the first time, for example, I try to discuss: • Who should take balls down the middle? • The fact that I prefer my partner to move forward, as I hit a third shot drop • If one of us is more mobile than the other…who will be responsible for running down a lob? My preference is to play the forehand (i.e. the left side) court. As such, I am often the person responsible for running down most pickleball lobs. I also will often tell my partner to stay in place, and sometimes will even tell him/ her to “duck.” For me, it is important for the lob retriever to be the primary communicator. What he or she says, goes. I don’t believe there are any absolute rights or wrongs when it comes to whether you should switch. Much of this is just personal preference. Again, communication is the most important thing — talking about whether we should stay or switch; and what kind of shot we will hit when in these positions. The more you talk about specific scenarios, the more comfortable you will feel when something similar occurs. What Shot Should I Hit? I am not convinced that there is only one correct shot to hit when you return a pickleball lob. • If I have the time and can get my body set behind the ball, I will likely hit a drop shot. Hitting a soft shot into the NVZ gives me time to recapture the NVZ line and effectively resets the point. • If I see an opening, I might try to drive the ball. But, I will likely aim down the middle or crosscourt. Notice in Figure 1, my partner has switched and if I hit the ball straight in front of me, I have set up the possibility of having the ball hit behind my partner. In Figure 2, my partner has not switched…but, again, if I hit it straight ahead, my partner is in line for a direct hit. • Of course, if I am not in the ideal position or hurried, I may feel my only option is to respond with another lob. There are many times when you can’t go from defense to offense in a single shot. Instead, position yourself for the next shot. Many people don’t like to play against teams that lob and/or don’t practice running down a lob. Like any other pickleball skill, it is something you will need to practice if you want to improve. Work with your partner to find your best way to defend against a pickleball lob.  • Figure 1- Switched 60 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM Figure 2 – Stay