Synopsis of Books
Apr 17th 2008
Synopsis of “Drilling for Success”
The theory behind the importance of practicing a skill in a drill is the belief that, if a skill is practiced correctly many times in a non-game, controlled situation, the likelihood of that skill being executed correctly in the heated competition of a game is greater. Not only is it important to practice skills correctly and repetitively, but the carry-over value of that practicing to the actual game is much greater if the practice drills are “game-like” in their structure. Those, we believe, are basic principles to the learning of skills in any sport – including pickleball.
Following are the main topics covered in this book along with our rationale for their inclusion.
Warm-ups and stretching; Common injuries in pickleball
including treatment
Rationale: Prior to any physical activity, warming-up and
stretching are crucial to the avoidance of
injury. In case of injury, know what to do!
Drills to develop control of the ball
Rationale: Controlling the ball is crucial to the placement of shots.
Drills for the serve; return of serve and the subsequent volley
Rationale: The beginning of any rally within a game.
Drills for the lob and drop shot
Rationale: Possible skills to use when opponents are
both at the net.
Drills for the dink
Rationale: Skill that requires a good “touch” and crucial to
an effective game when all four players are
at the net.
Drills for communication
Rationale: Crucial for effective doubles play.
Use of a ball-throwing machine/Drills utilizing a machine
Rationale: Ball-throwing machines are more consistent than
a human as to the speed of the ball and the
location of the hit.
Brief description of the basic strokes
Helpful hints for organizing drills
Playing tips
Evaluation of a player in a game
Etiquette for players and spectators
Pickleball is a tremendous sport for all ages! Let’s play forever!
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Synopsis of “Teaching for Success in Pickleball”
As pickleball becomes more popular, it is going to become more necessary that there are qualified teachers of the game. Not all pickleball clubs have available to them a player with teaching experience. This book is an attempt to provide the kind of information that will enable an experienced pickleball player to also become a successful pickleball teacher.
Included are the following chapters:
Chapter 1 - The Game - Basic Description, History and Growth
Chapter 2 - A Suggested Teaching Progression
(Detailed lessons that encompass 9 sessions.)
Chapter 3 - Common Errors and Corrections
(Committing an error in a game, especially if
the same error is committed several times
in succession, causes frustration that at times
contributes to failure. Knowing the cause of
the error and how to correct it can be worked on
during your practice sessions and will no doubt
affect the outcome of your next game.)
Forehand and Backhand Ground Strokes
The Serve
The Volley
The Dink
The Lob
The Overhead Smash
Chapter 4 - Determining Skill Level
(Includes methods of evaluating a player during
a game; a subjective evaluation by an experienced
player; using ladder tournaments and the use of
skill tests.)
Chapter 5 - The Mental Aspects of Competition
(The influence of “the mind over the body”
and how to control it.)
Chapter 6 - Basic Doubles Strategies