Image Up Advertising & Design

54 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2021 Eight Pickleball Doubles Strategies for Pickleball Players 1. Hitting: Whether you serve or return, you need to maintain accuracy in your shots. When serving in a doubles match, try to hit the ball deep i.e. the best way to get started. When returning, look for your opponent team's vulnerability. If they have a weak backhand, go after it! 2. Returning: Hit the ball towards the center. This shot strategy will keep both of your opponents on their feet and most of the times will lead to confusion. 3. Third shot strategies: While serve and return are the two most important shots, it's the third shot where the game actually begins. There are many shot options which you can select as a third shot, these include a drop shot – a low hit over the pickleball net angled at the center. A hard hit is a good idea if wanting to win a point at baseline but points in pickleball are usually earned near the net. A dink, a lob, or side drop shot are some of the other and perhaps better important third shot strategies. 4. Minimize errors: Most points in pickleball are won through an opponent committing an unforced error. 5. Observe your opponents during warm-up: While warming up, observe your opponents as they are more likely to expose their weakness without knowing about it. Even look at the way they hold the paddle! 6. Get in sync with your partner: If you don't work in accordance with your partner, you'll eventually lose the match. Though chemistry may not develop instantly, understanding your own teammate and their playing style is more important than figuring what your opponent has in store for you. 7. Think forward: Though a game of pickleball is fun, filled with high energy, and it keeps the players engrossed both mentally and physically, sharp players are quicker than others. As a player playing in a team, you want to be sharp and be able to take on any kind of shot that comes your way. Furthermore, you should be able to make up for your partner's weaknesses and vice-versa. 8. Keep moving: If you stand still, it's certain that you're going to lose the game. Thus, you should be able to set the tempo of a match. That can only take place when you take the initiative! ~ Karen Rose, kr6565@gmail.com Pickleball All Seasons RV Happy April and a big welcome to daylight savings time. Many of our club members are chomping at the bit to get out on the road. Well three of us jumped the gun and went to the Emerald Desert Resort in Palm Desert for a few days. It was a welcome reprieve, even though it is a short distance away. They keep the Park sparkling clean. This would be a wonderful place for a future outing. They provide many of the activities our members enjoy such as pickleball, tennis, golfing near by and beautiful swimming pools. If you are interested in joining us, we would love to have you. ~ Ann Williams, annwilymz@yahoo.com Above: Members enjoying a dinner outing to Las Casuelas in Rancho Mirage Top Right: RV spaces at Emerald Desert in Palm Desert Bottom Right: A BBQ hosted by the Williams family

• Cover