Pickleball Magazine 3-4 Courtesy of Pickleball Guru | Page 51

Stage 3:
3
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Toes, hips, and shoulders point at approximately a 30- to 45-degree
angle
Ball is tossed rather than dropped
Hips and shoulders rotate back slightly
Paddle hand drops down and back
Knee bend is present, weight shifts to rear leg
Hips and torso rotate open as paddle swings forward from the
shoulder
Little elbow bend throughout swing
Weight transfers from rear leg to front leg
Follow-through may end with a catch of the paddle by the
non-dominant hand
4
Stage 4:
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Toes, hips and shoulders point at a 30- to 45-degree angle
Paddle starts high, ready to loop up and around
Ball is tossed and hips and shoulders rotate back
Paddle swings back and around with a “loop” then drops down low to
prepare for forward swing motion
Knees are bent and weight transfers more fully onto rear leg, loading
up energy and power
Paddle hand palm faces downward as the rear hip rotates forward
Rear hip drives forward as weight transfers into front leg
Shoulder swings forward as wrist now “snaps” forward in unison with
hip and core rotation
Follow-through may be more complete as hips uncoil fully, typically
parallel with the net
I hope seeing these various stages of physical development helps
improve your understanding, technique, and performance of your serve.
Remember, it takes practice, so repetition is key! •
DJ Howard, sponsored by Gamma,
is a four-time medal winner at the
US Open and has won multiple gold
medals at regional events throughout
the Midwest. He teaches pickleball
at the Michigan Athletic Club in East
Lansing, MI, where he is the director
of pickleball.
JULY/AUGUST 2018 |
MAGAZINE
49