Improve Your Shots By First Improving Your Footwork
There are many different shots that we can work on to improve our pickleball game, but something that is not talked about enough is correct footwork when going towards the ball.
Image via Instagram by @ryanfupb
It is important to note that at different parts of the court, we need to be utilizing slightly different footwork in order to play most efficiently. The three main zones that we want to be thinking about is from the back, transition zone and at the kitchen.
The 3 Main Zones to Keep In Mind
Baseline:
When we are at the baseline hitting drops or drives, we want to make sure that we are always positioned behind the ball. This means that we need to make sure we are split stepping and actively tracking where the ball is going to land.
If we wait to split step until the ball has already crossed the net, many times we will end up reaching, which causes a popup. It is important to always try to get behind the ball so that we can control our shots. Lastly, we do not want to run directly at the ball.
Oftentimes I will see people run directly into the ball and they will jam themselves. Make sure that you are giving yourself some room to actually swing at the ball.
Transition Zone:
When we are in the transition zone it is extremely important that we are getting low and preparing to reset the ball. We do not want to be running through the transition zone while our opponents are hitting the ball.
Right as they are about to hit, we want to split step and drop the paddle. Once we have successfully hit our shot, we can then follow our ball into the net. If our shot is left high, that is the time to either stand your ground or take a step back. Your movement in the transition zone is dependent on the quality of your previous shot.
Kitchen:
Now we have made it to the kitchen! The most important thing to note when discussing kitchen movement is to always lead with your outside foot. If we are crossing our feet over, a few problems occur.
For one, it is harder to hit a shot when your back is facing your target as opposed to when you have an open stance. Imagine trying to hit a cross court dink when you can’t even see your target. The other reason to not cross your feet is because it takes more time to get back to the ready position. If your opponent speeds up a ball, you may not have enough time to counter that shot on balance.
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