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The Art of Anticipation: How Advanced Players Predict Their Opponent’s Next Move
Stretches & Exercises to Avoid Injury, Baby Learning Pickleball, PB's Economic Impact on Cities & More!
FIT PICKLER
November 21, 2024
In partnership with
Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages
What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:
The Art of Anticipation: How Advanced Players Predict Their Opponent’s Next Move
Stretches and Exercises to Prevent Pickleball Injuries
Pickleball's Economic Impact on Cities
Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: Cut Faster, Stronger and Without Injuries
California Prisoners Play Pickleball To Build Community
Pickleball Specific Facilities Grew 55% Last Year But More Is Needed
Adorable Babies: Pickleball Influencer's Baby Girl's Training Session Video
HUMOR: When Should I Pick You Up After Pickleball?
Pickleball in Malaysia
Coach Mary: Avoiding Common Crucial Mistakes
🥷 SKILLS
The Art of Anticipation:
How Advanced Players Predict
Their Opponent’s Next Move
Anticipaaaation, Is Making Me Wait, Is Keepin' Me Waitin'
In pickleball, anticipation is a skill that can turn good players into great ones. The ability to read the game, predict your opponent’s next move, and position yourself accordingly can lead to winning more points and controlling the pace of the match.
While some players seem to have a natural instinct for anticipation, it’s actually a skill that can be developed through practice and observation. This article explores the strategies and techniques for honing your anticipation skills to stay one step ahead on the court.
1. Understanding Body Language and Shot Indicators
Advanced players excel at reading their opponents’ body language to anticipate their next move. The way a player sets up their body, positions their paddle, or shifts their weight can all provide valuable clues.
Reading Body Language:
Stance and Footwork: An opponent’s stance can reveal whether they’re preparing for a drive, dink, or lob. A low, balanced stance with bent knees often indicates preparation for a dink, while an open stance might signal a drive or a crosscourt shot.
Weight Shifts: When an opponent shifts their weight backward, they might be preparing for a lob. If they’re leaning forward, they may be ready for a fast volley or dink.
⚕️ HEALTH NEWS
Stretches & Exercises
To Prevent Pickleball Injuries
Head, Shoulder, Knees & Toes, Knees & Toes…
Pickleball's surge in popularity brings joy and excitement to many, but it also introduces a risk of common injuries, especially among older players and newcomers. Dr. Kristina Marie Quirolgico, a physiatrist and sports medicine expert at HSS, shares her insights on the most frequent pickleball injuries and how to prevent them.
From ankle sprains and knee strain to tendonitis and falls, understanding these potential setbacks and incorporating targeted exercises can keep players safe and active on the court.
Discover essential stretches, strengthening moves, and expert tips to keep your game strong and injury-free. Read more HERE…
🗞️ NEWS
Pickleball's Economic Impact on Cities
If You Host It, They Will Come….
Pickleball's rapid rise is turning into a powerful economic engine, especially in Arizona. The USA National Pickleball Championships in Mesa has attracted thousands of athletes and spectators from across the globe, boosting local businesses and creating a surge of activity in hotels and restaurants.
With players and fans staying several days, the impact is substantial, reinforcing Mesa as a key player in the pickleball world. See how this sport is shaping the local economy and why its influence continues to grow. Click here to read more…
🏋️ STAYING FIT with GLENN
Cut Faster, Stronger and
Without Injuries
🗞️ NEWS
California Prisoners Play Pickleball
To Build Community
Pickleball, an Exercise in Rehabilitation
San Quentin, once infamous for housing some of the most dangerous criminals and boasting the largest death row in the U.S., is embracing a surprising change: pickleball. This fast-growing sport is proving to be a transformative force within prison walls, fostering unity among inmates, even those from rival gangs, and involving the warden in games.
With statistics showing that most state prisoners will be released and over 65% will be rearrested, California is pivoting toward rehabilitation-focused programs like pickleball to break this cycle. Could the simplicity and inclusivity of pickleball be a key to reshaping correctional culture?
Discover how this unlikely pastime is making an impact, Click Here…
👶ADORABLE BABIES
Pickleball Influencer's Baby Girl's
Training Session Video
Starting ‘Em Young
When the daughter of a well-known pickleball influencer steps into the spotlight, it’s bound to capture hearts. In an adorable video that’s winning over fans, baby Alina is shown eagerly practicing her first pickleball shots with a tiny paddle, bringing smiles to the faces of everyone who watches.
Discover why this little training session is quickly becoming a viral sensation and how it’s inspiring the next generation of picklers.
🇲🇾GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Pickleball in Malaysia
Pickleball in Malaysia
Pickleball is making waves in Malaysia with two exciting developments. In Sibu, the Sibu Pickleball Association is collaborating with the local education department to introduce the sport to schools, engaging students with this accessible and competitive activity.
Meanwhile, Selangor plans to elevate pickleball to a new level by including it as a medal sport in the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma). This move, supported by investments in facilities and festivals, aims to cultivate young talent and position the region as a hub for pickleball in Asia.
Discover how these initiatives are set to shape the future of pickleball in Malaysia.
Click here…
🤣 HUMOR
When Should I Pick You Up
After Pickleball?
🧭 COMMUNITY NEWS
RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
MILLVILLE, DE: Millville Gets Great New, Upgraded Pickleball Complex
DALLAS, TX: Landlord Installs Pickleball Courts To Lure Tenants
CHICAGO, IL: Streeterville Office Building Transforming Into Apartments With Rooftop Pickleball Courts
DENVER, CO: Denver Has An Idea For The Civic Center Gravel Pit - It's Pickleball
CANADA: Guelph Entrepreneurs Bringing 'Real' Pickleball Experience To Town
FARMINGTON, AR: Burns & McDonnell Expands Offerings With New Pickleball Courts At Beloved Arkansas Park
CHARLOTTE, NC: CStore Connections To Feature Pickleball Networking Event
ROCHESTER, MN: Pickleball 'Fun'raiser Benefits Elder Network
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL NEWS TO SHARE? REACH OUT TO US AT
[email protected] and send us a link to your story!
HOLDING COURT with
COACH MARY
💪 AVOIDING COMMON CRUCIAL MISTAKES
CHECK OUT ELISHA AND JUSTIN FROM PICKLEBALL JOURNEY AND SEE IF YOU ARE MAKING SOME OF THESE 8 CRITICAL MISTAKES
Be sure to watch the video numerous times – It’s a good one!
Serve & Stay! After serving, you step into the court, and you are not ready to react to the return. Remember the two-bounce rule! Stay behind the baseline. It is easier to move in than to move back.
Foot Faults at the NVZ: Players volley, taking the ball out of the air, but they step in the Kitchen either on contact or on follow-through. Sit down, soft knees, balance, and use your hips and shoulders, rather than a step to contact the ball.
Hitting Out Balls: Arrgh! Says your partner! Remember this rule: “Shoulder high, Let It Fly!” Too often we contact balls that are going out. It takes discipline and patience to let an out ball go by, but its a skill we have to develop.
Down the Middle, Solves the Riddle: If the ball is down the middle, you must communicate! Talk about this prior to the match. Forehand generally takes it! If you have a lefty partner, make sure you “Respect the X.” If it is coming from cross-court, the player on the diagonal takes it. If one of you is stronger at the net, be aggressive, and poach or take a ball that is going to your partner.
Don’t Dilly Dally, Get To The Net: Return deep, so that you can get to the net before your opponent receives the ball. If you are the serving team, execute a third ball drop that lands softly in the NVZ so you can get to the net before they contact the ball.
Watch The Ball AND MORE: Use your peripheral vision, and see both of your opponents, as well as the ball. Track the ball with your paddle and shift your weight with your feet and shoulders. Anticipate by tracking the ball with your body, not just your eyes.
Consistency, Placement, Power. Consistency First! Master the simple stuff, then add spin. Keep your paddle in front, use your hips and shoulders, keep your knees soft, balls of your feet. Add spin using your hips and shoulders, not just your arm.
Use Topspin: When you have a return that is short, and you feel you can attack it, do not hit it as hard as you can! Use topspin and hit it three quarters speed. Low to high. We often attack a short ball too hard and it goes out. Stay low, short backswing, and follow-through with your hips and shoulders.
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