It’s no surprise that pickleball is the latest and greatest in the world of sports. It’s fun, easy to learn, accessible for every age, and a highly social sport. You’ve probably heard all the buzz and seen the crowds at the pickleball courts every morning! If you’re in the Jackson, Mississippi area, the best place to start your pickleball journey is at the fantastic pickleball courts at Parham Bridges Tennis Center. If you’re just a beginner, have no fear, it is arguably one of the easiest sports to learn. With a few pickleball tips and techniques from the pros at Parham Bridges, you’ll be dominating the courts in no time!
Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The tennis and pickleball pros at Parham Bridges are here to equip you with some of the most essential tips to help you get started on the right foot.
Learn the Rules
It’s important during the beginning phases of play to familiarize yourself with the basics and the rules. This makes for a more rewarding and less frustrating experience. Some important notes: There is a no volley zone called the kitchen, which means that you cannot hit the ball in the air while you’re standing inside the kitchen until the ball has bounced at least once after the first serve.
Focus on Consistency
Pickleball is all about consistency, skill, and placement rather than power. Many people believe that smashing the ball is the goal at every opportunity. However, control and placement matter far more. This helps keep the ball and play and usually results in higher points than smashing the ball each time. Practice your shot placement and strokes so that you can become a master at returning the ball exactly where you want to.
Master the Serve
The pickleball legal serve is very specific in its rules. You must serve it under hand and contact must be made below your navel while the paddle is moving upward. It sounds complicated, but in practice is much simpler. Developing a deep, consistent, and controlled serve can set up the entire rally and typically results in gaining points regularly.
Control the Net
Most often the player or team who controls the net wins. How do you do this? After a serve return, move up toward the kitchen line so that you have a closer proximity to the net and more control of returns. This can help you gain advantageous shots and enable you to score more points.
Perfect Your Grip
A relaxed continental grip is a good place to start when you are learning how to play pickleball. A continental grip means to hold the paddle like you’re shaking hands. It’s important not to grip too tightly and instead have a relaxed approach to your grip. A tight grip limits your wrist movement and tires your hand more quickly.
Parham Bridges Tennis Center has brand new pickleball courts and a thriving pickleball community. Join us today for a little fun dinking and pickleball play! Don’t forget to tune into our next blog to learn five more important tips for pickleball players!
