U.S. pickleball is growing rapidly. Whether you’re a beginner or an avid pickleball player, it’s essential to stay on top of the latest trends and developments in the sport.
We’ll examine some of the most important pickleball trends you should know about in this article. Topics covered include new equipment, rule changes, and strategies for success. With this knowledge, you can ensure that your game is always at its best!
5 Pickleball Trends You Need to Know
Pickleball has come a long way since Bainbridge Island in 1965, not just in paddles, balls, and fashions. Compared to a few years ago, let alone back in the 1960s, today’s sports tactics are very different. We are in the midst of a revolution in this sport!
Check out some of the current pickleball trends.
Play Faster
Pickleball gets a bad rap for being a slow game. As we watch advanced pickleball today, things happen so much faster than they did in the past. Those serve returns will take a lot of concentration; drives will test your reflexes and volleys and go unnoticed (let alone hit) if you blink. Even slower shots like drops and dinks are now being hit with pace.
Then why do players hit so hard these days? Your opponents have less time to react when you hit a shot faster. Technical or tactical errors are more likely to occur when they have less time to respond. A strong player always looks to apply pressure by stealing time by hitting faster.
Technology, like paddles, plays a role in accelerating things. A paddle with more ‘pop’ can hit the ball harder. It means some balls can be fast. Even when receiving low balls, which have to be shot upward to get over the net, there’s still lots of room for the softer side of the game. In terms of the game as a whole, pickleball is becoming faster.
More Spin
Paddle manufacturers always claim that their paddles produce a lot of spins. What is the reason for this? Players who can add significant spin to the ball have options they wouldn’t have otherwise. Possibilities arise from spin. I’ll explain.
Topspin happens when the paddle moves up the back of the ball from low to high. Since the topspin makes the ball dive into the court, it travels shorter distances than a flat (non-spinning) shot. Topspin is most valuable when aiming to hit hard (see comments above regarding the game getting faster).
Creating lots of topspin allows me to hit hard and keep the ball in play while hitting hard. A ball that would otherwise fly long may drop close enough to the baseline to be caught. Additionally, I have more margin for error when I take a big swing – for example, on a driving serve. The dropping power of topspin allows players to hit higher over the net and still keep the ball in play when hitting fastballs tight to the net.
Backspin and sidespin on the ball by swinging down its back or horizontally across its side is also valuable. An opponent trying to hit a precise shot can run into all sorts of trouble if the player can make the ball skid (backspin) or kick to the left or right (sidespin). You’ll regularly see advanced players slicing and dicing returns of serve, for example. In this case, it’s more about making it hard for the opponent to respond. Spin can be a real offensive weapon in this regard.
More Movement
The Pickleball players’ movement is one of the biggest trends. While we’re seeing more athleticism in the game as it advances, I’m referring to the frequency and variety of ‘unorthodox’ movement patterns. Here are a few examples.
Teams looking to use power and poaching as an offensive tactic frequently use drive-poach combinations – sometimes called shake and bakes. While one player hits the third shot from the backcourt, the other crosses just before the rival plays a volley into what appears to be an open court. Drive-poach is similar to a boxer’s one-two punch.
Additionally, stacking and switching are proper movements; the former is a predictable way to ensure that players are playing on their preferred sides, while the latter gives opponents a little bit of uncertainty since they are unsure which player will end up on the right or left side. Even if you start a point on one side of the court, you don’t have to stay there. You can keep your opponents off balance by switching things up.
The usefulness of Ernes and Berts is expanding quickly! An erne (named after Erne Perry, the man who invented it) occurs when you stand outside your sideline and reach into the airspace above the NVZ to intercept the ball. You can also jump over the kitchen to volley the ball to avoid a kitchen violation.
Increasingly, we are seeing players jump in front of partners to execute this play more frequently. Erne and Bert are what happens when this happens. A high-flying and low-flying move are examples of inventive athleticism in pickleball.
Offense First
My observation is that advanced players are playing with an “offense first” mindset, which encompasses the other trends mentioned above. It means they step onto the court and immediately begin creating problems for their opponents. Players seek to apply pressure directly with power, spin, deception, and movement. Those days of meaningless first shots leading to the ‘real’ game are gone. Pressuring your opponent as soon as possible and pushing yourself until you can’t is the goal of most players.
Neutralizing shots (such as dinks and drops) continue to play a role, but even these shots have become more offensive, with more speed and spin. Simone Jardim (one of the all-time great players) and I once had a friendly conversation about this. She told me that pickleball had changed significantly from a few years ago. According to her, unattackable balls no longer exist. All balls are now attackable”. In today’s high-level pickleball, this mindset – that every ball is attackable – is the norm.
Advanced Strategies
When playing doubles, have you ever encountered a player more substantial than another? When playing doubles, have you ever noticed your opponents constantly move to intercept your shots? The following are just a few examples of new pickleball playing styles.
For example, “stacking” involves positioning the stronger player to maximize their advantage. Utilizing your team’s strengths can be a great way to win.
Players can also engage in “poaching,” which involves intercepting shots intended for their partners. On the right hand, this can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and give your team an advantage.
With pickleball’s popularity growing, players are getting creative and experimenting with new styles. Take note of these game-changing strategies, whether you’re a pro or just starting.
FAQs
Drill, practice, play – These are the three things to focus on in pickleball. Moreover, I suspect that most pickleball players only play. The only way to improve is to practice and drill. Practicing and drilling are essential if you want to improve.
The sport of pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Indoors or outdoors, it’s played on a one-quarter-size court similar to a tennis court. A paddle more considerable than a ping-pong paddle hits a plastic ball with holes.
A pickleball strategy can only be completed with dinking. You should make this your primary skill, not just an essential part of your arsenal. Training camps for pickleball can be a lot of fun, as anyone who’s been to one will tell you.
Conclusion
There are always new trends and developments in the world of pickleball. There has never been a better time to try out some of these trends, whether you are a seasoned player or new to the game! The pickleball community is enthusiastic and energetic, from aggressive play to innovative playing styles.
People from all walks of life come together through pickleball, which is more than just a game. Pickleball is perfect for meeting new people, exercising, or having fun.
Let’s take a look at what all the fuss is about and see if it’s worth a try. You will be satisfied!
I am a professional physiotherapist and the author of the BallSportsPro. I worked with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional, and i helped them overcome injuries and improve their performance. I am a certified Pickleball instructor and has been playing the sport for over 10 years.