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Training

Training: Overview

The founding members’ core elements of “high percentage winning pickleball” — the fundamentals every IPTPA certified professional teaches, and key study material for certification.

Overview

High Percentage Winning Pickleball

The original founding members of the IPTPA represent the highest level of players in the sport of pickleball, with over 60 national championships among them. Although each came from a different background with a unique style, they all agreed upon the following basic elements of stroke development, shot selection, and strategy for the beginner through 3.5 player. It was the group’s consensus that these basic elements represent “high percentage winning pickleball.”

All too often, beginners look to the champions for direction on how to play. What they fail to recognize is that the 5.0 player has added more advanced strokes and strategies after mastering these high-percentage elements. Certified teaching professionals are encouraged to teach the basic elements below and build a strong foundation of error-free play before adding more advanced strokes and strategies. Mastering these elements can take a player all the way to the 5.0 level.

Teaching Basic Pickleball Strokes

  1. A simple and fluid pendulum swing initiated from the shoulder and introduced with the dink can be consistently used for all strokes.
  2. The basic stroke requires a shorter backswing than tennis or racquetball and a good follow-through; swing from low to high.
  3. The continental grip is the preferred grip as it eliminates switching between forehand and backhand grips.
  4. Avoid a vice grip on the paddle; a relaxed yet firm grip helps you “feel the ball on the paddle.”
  5. Avoid teaching underspin or topspin strokes until the student has mastered all the basics. The lone exception is an advanced player from tennis, racquetball, or another sport who already has mastered spin and is obviously comfortable and error-free in its execution.
  6. Footwork during the stroke is critical. Movement should primarily be side to side, especially at the NVZ and baseline.
  7. Use the cross step only when a ball is out of reach.
  8. Proper body position in relation to the ball is the first step toward well-executed strokes.
  9. Make contact with the ball out in front of you and accelerate through contact.
  10. The ready position is your recovery position after every shot and puts you in the best position to anticipate and react quickly to your opponent’s next shot.
  11. Have your paddle chest high and way out in front of you. Feet should be shoulder-width apart with your weight on the balls of your feet.
  12. When moving from the baseline toward the NVZ line, the paddle should be up and in front of you as in the ready position. When your opponent is about to make contact, take a split step and land in the ready position.

Pickleball Strategies & Shot Selections

  1. Teach pickleball from the kitchen line out.
  2. Respect the net — hitting every ball over the net minimizes net errors and leads to more success.
  3. Serve deep and, once mastered, direct to different target areas.
  4. Return deep and, once mastered, direct to different target areas.
  5. The return team should approach the NVZ line right after the return of serve.
  6. The team that controls the net controls the point.
  7. If your team is at the net and the opposing team is at the baseline, KEEP THEM BACK by volleying each shot back deep.
  8. The 3rd shot drop in the kitchen is the preferred 3rd shot.
  9. The 3rd shot is the serving team’s first opportunity to approach the net. You should not automatically rush the net.
  10. Earn your way to the net — determined by how good your 3rd shot drop is. If you’ve hit it too far, be prepared to hit a 5th or even 7th drop shot before moving to the NVZ line.
  11. Do not aim for the side lines; give yourself a cushion of several feet.
  12. Dinking the ball to your opponent should make up the majority of shot attempts.
  13. Develop consistency and patience at the NVZ line.
  14. Do not attempt a put-away unless the ball is a minimum of 1 foot above the net.
  15. Winning pickleball is the result of hitting the ball over the net and NOT allowing your opponents to go for winners.
  16. Play safe, consistent, and defensive pickleball.
  17. Utilize the middle of the court between your two opponents for safety, as the net is 2″ lower in the middle.
  18. Hit to the open space between your opponents.
  19. If the ball is below the net, drop it in the kitchen; if it is above the net, hit to your opponents’ feet.
  20. Move as a team, following the path of the ball, to keep proper court position.
  21. Once your team is at the NVZ line, maintain your position and minimize moving backward unless lobbed.
  22. If lobbed, immediately turn sideways with your paddle arm up and “scratching your back” while side-stepping back, other arm pointing up toward the ball. Do not back-pedal.
  23. Open communication with your partner is important (e.g., “Mine,” “Yours,” “Switch,” “Out”).
  24. Staying positive and encouraging your partner leads to greater success.
  25. When at the NVZ line, the player whose forehand is to the middle should take all balls on his side plus 12–18 inches across the center line.
  26. When a timeout is called, players should lay their paddles down at their correct position with the ball under the server’s paddle.

Clinics — IPTPA Guidelines

IPTPA has developed guidelines to provide the highest value and safety for players attending an instructional clinic. Our first priority is a safe environment of instruction; many players are seniors with limited mobility. With 4 players per court and two courts per instructor, being responsible for more than the 8 players below diminishes the quality of individual instruction and creates unnecessary risk. These guidelines must be followed by all IPTPA Teaching Professionals; infractions are taken seriously and investigated by IPTPA, and may lead to suspension or expulsion. They apply to clinics advertised as instruction-based, where specific drills and strategies are taught to help each player improve.

  1. The maximum ratio of student to IPTPA Teaching Professional shall be 8:1.
  2. All instructors must be IPTPA Teaching Professionals to maintain consistent instruction for all players.
  3. Students must be organized in like-skilled groups.

These guidelines do not apply to exhibitions or introductory clinics where the rules of the game are reviewed and participants attend for free or pay a nominal fee to cover court cost or instructor expense. Such clinics simply introduce the game to a large group and may have a large student-to-instructor ratio.