Paddle-Up
BENEFIT #1: Faster Reaction Time
Because your paddle is already up, you are able to
react more quickly to forehand or backhand shots.
If your paddle is down, then you actually lose a lot of
time getting your paddle up and into a position where
you can start reacting.
BENEFIT #2: Minimizes Pop-Ups
If your paddle is down, in order to hit the ball, you
have to bring your paddle up from a low position to a
high position. When you do that, most likely you’re going
to pop the ball up. You want to avoid pop-ups because
they give your opponent an opportunity to smash the
ball downward toward you.
BENEFIT #3: Hitting the Ball Downward
The third and most important benefit to keeping
your paddle up is you are more likely to hit the ball
downward. And that is very important. If you’re hitting it
down, chances are better for you to hit a winner.
COMMON MISTAKES
There are three common mistakes I often see
people make when utilizing the paddle-up position.
First of all, they will keep their paddle way too low,
close to the knees. Again, the paddle should be
chest high. Secondly, people will make the mistake
of keeping their paddle too close to their body. This
restricts their movement. A good paddle-up position
should be about a foot away from your body. And the
third mistake is that people will often start with the
paddle-up position, but then they drop their paddle as
they play and never bring it back up again. The most
important thing is to always reset and get your paddle
up after every stroke. •
Special Thanks to: Prem Carnot
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 |
MAGAZINE
19