If you want to learn more partner strategies including "Respect the X" from the master. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/ItFZ5JWm_hw/v-deo.html If we can help you along the way, that is our jam, and you can reach at BetterPickleball.com. Join our mailing list to make sure you stay connected on all our latest. The Pickleball Therapy Podcast is dedicated to your pickleball improvement. It’s the only podcast that discusses your pickleball mindset. link.chtbl.com/pickleballtherapy
I always use this concept and it works! The hard part is explaining it to a partner. They look at me with bewilderment! I try to explain if I am the non-receiver than I will cover the middle~ forehand or backhand. Some players only want the middle if it's their forehand. I also try to explain if I have returned serve and I am running up to the NVZ it will be hard to return that 3rd shot. This video explains it so clearly but I guess there will always be some players who won't understand or accept this concept. Thank you Tony and CJ for your expertise!
Hi Lynn, it's sometimes difficult to explain to players that they things they hear at the courts don't always apply and that there might be a better way to do things. :)
If Kyleen moves too early or does that poach too often a smart player will beat, her down the line. Maybe not, at those beginning levels; who have not figured out how to get to the net on the return of serve.
Yep, at the senior pro level my guess as soon as Toney sees Kyleen move middle at 4:35 he is sending it down the sideline. Especially if she has a 2 handed back hand, which would give her less reach. If she has waited till, he is looking down at the ball before moving maybe not.@@joenenninger971
"A poach in pickleball is where a player crosses over the centerline of the court to hit a pickleball on his or her partner’s side of the court. "As soon as her foot crosses the center line on a ball going towards her partner it is a poach. It may be one if she simply reaches across the line. It might not be considered a full poach where a person cuts in front of their partner with their body.@@BetterPickleball
Now I could land a shot one foot and 1/2 inside the sideline and still get it by her. With her momentum carrying her towards the middle she is not getting there. Some factors are; has she poached before in the game, did you set up to only hit cross court, or is it a spot you can hit multiple shots from, and finally how early did you recognize the shift.
Tony is a lefty and the principle is the same. Don’t get beat down the middle. Cover the center of the court with your backhand, just like Terri did :)
Where it would be harder for the lefty is when he gets the ball playing as Kyleen played. While Kyleen 6+ foot gap, for a lefty it would be another foot and 1/2 bigger. Returning center would help by taking some of the angles away. This scenario should not happen very often in advanced play where the first 5 shots are made a priority. More likely a rec game scenario. If it happens very often hanging a bit farther back in the court may be better than trying to poach every cross court shot from the kitchen line. The return of serve is so important in pickleball that some say it is the most important shot in the whole game. @@BetterPickleball
I have found with better players if I am the player who is up and favoring the middle they will hit it to the gap I have created on the side which causes me to struggle to reach it.
If the returner hits it cross court to the player in front of you when you are at the net you may need to cover the line a little more, but not every player has that shot or has it from both their forehand or backhand. The solution is a return to the center of the court between the serving team. that causes a lot of problems and bottles up the angles.
Gotta know your opponents tendancies. Ive been beat down tye line covering middle many time. So pick your poison. Id rather help cover middle and give up a little bit of line hopefully your opponent isn't a good shot and hits it wide. If your range is good you can cover both line and middle
That is an option. The main point in the situation is that one player is not up to NVZ and how the player that is at the NVZ can help the team by taking the middle shot while they wait for the player to join them at the NVZ.
If you want to learn more partner strategies including "Respect the X" from the master. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/ItFZ5JWm_hw/v-deo.html
If we can help you along the way, that is our jam, and you can reach at BetterPickleball.com. Join our mailing list to make sure you stay connected on all our latest.
The Pickleball Therapy Podcast is dedicated to your pickleball improvement. It’s the only podcast that discusses your pickleball mindset. link.chtbl.com/pickleballtherapy
I always use this concept and it works! The hard part is explaining it to a partner. They look at me with bewilderment! I try to explain if I am the non-receiver than I will cover the middle~ forehand or backhand. Some players only want the middle if it's their forehand. I also try to explain if I have returned serve and I am running up to the NVZ it will be hard to return that 3rd shot. This video explains it so clearly but I guess there will always be some players who won't understand or accept this concept. Thank you Tony and CJ for your expertise!
Hi Lynn, it's sometimes difficult to explain to players that they things they hear at the courts don't always apply and that there might be a better way to do things. :)
Great video! Also a quick question: Who's playing with an Oliver-Sport paddle? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
So many new paddles on the market. I Haven't heard of Oliver sport. The paddles in this video are Selkirk, Joola, Engage and a Diadem.
@@BetterPickleball Thank you!
this is actually the best channel
Thank you
If Kyleen moves too early or does that poach too often a smart player will beat, her down the line. Maybe not, at those beginning levels; who have not figured out how to get to the net on the return of serve.
At 4:36
Yep, at the senior pro level my guess as soon as Toney sees Kyleen move middle at 4:35 he is sending it down the sideline. Especially if she has a 2 handed back hand, which would give her less reach. If she has waited till, he is looking down at the ball before moving maybe not.@@joenenninger971
Dale it’s not actually a poach, she simply steps covers the middle, and if Tony tries to hit the ball behind her there is not much room for error.
"A poach in pickleball is where a player crosses over the centerline of the court to hit a pickleball on his or her partner’s side of the court. "As soon as her foot crosses the center line on a ball going towards her partner it is a poach. It may be one if she simply reaches across the line. It might not be considered a full poach where a person cuts in front of their partner with their body.@@BetterPickleball
Now I could land a shot one foot and 1/2 inside the sideline and still get it by her. With her momentum carrying her towards the middle she is not getting there. Some factors are; has she poached before in the game, did you set up to only hit cross court, or is it a spot you can hit multiple shots from, and finally how early did you recognize the shift.
I'm left handed so that gap is on my backhand. Even harder. Need some videos on playing with us lefties.
Tony is a lefty and the principle is the same. Don’t get beat down the middle. Cover the center of the court with your backhand, just like Terri did :)
Where it would be harder for the lefty is when he gets the ball playing as Kyleen played. While Kyleen 6+ foot gap, for a lefty it would be another foot and 1/2 bigger. Returning center would help by taking some of the angles away. This scenario should not happen very often in advanced play where the first 5 shots are made a priority. More likely a rec game scenario. If it happens very often hanging a bit farther back in the court may be better than trying to poach every cross court shot from the kitchen line. The return of serve is so important in pickleball that some say it is the most important shot in the whole game. @@BetterPickleball
So good the Valenti's love TONY
He’s awesome!
I have found with better players if I am the player who is up and favoring the middle they will hit it to the gap I have created on the side which causes me to struggle to reach it.
If the returner hits it cross court to the player in front of you when you are at the net you may need to cover the line a little more, but not every player has that shot or has it from both their forehand or backhand. The solution is a return to the center of the court between the serving team. that causes a lot of problems and bottles up the angles.
I thought the ball had to bounce first before return can hit it … and then bounce again on server side… correct?
that's correct. The serve needs to bounce on the both sides. In this instance Tony is showing the shot from the 3rd shot forward.
Gotta know your opponents tendancies. Ive been beat down tye line covering middle many time. So pick your poison. Id rather help cover middle and give up a little bit of line hopefully your opponent isn't a good shot and hits it wide. If your range is good you can cover both line and middle
thanks for sharing
For beginners
If you want to learn more partner strategies including "Respect the X" from the master. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/ItFZ5JWm_hw/v-deo.html
If the partner covers the middle why not hit the ball down the line?????
That is an option. The main point in the situation is that one player is not up to NVZ and how the player that is at the NVZ can help the team by taking the middle shot while they wait for the player to join them at the NVZ.
The problem sometimes is you can’t,t tell how far back your partner is?
True, but no matter where they are I cover the middle. Even if they could hit the shot they are likely still moving which may create an error.