SINGLES STYLES AND HOW TO PLAY AGAINST THEM

You are better off going into a match with a plan. You need a baseline to be able to change a plan if it is not working. Good players will adjust, so you must be able to adjust as well.

You certainly need to know yourself, what you can and cannot do. Good players have a weapon, and they know how to maximize that weapon. You need to be able to size up your opponents from the get-go. Where are they most consistent and where do they make errors? Do they like pace? Spin? Is their forehand angle better than yours? Are you confident in your plan when you take the court?

Singles is a running game. You want your opponent to have to run more than you do. That is the basic building block of singles strategy. If you can win in a hurry, then go for it. Otherwise, you had better be ready to outplay or outlast.

Let’s look at four basic styles of singles play and build a strategy to play against each one. There are so many factors involved in a game plan—the players’ skill levels, age, weather conditions, court surface, players’ height, etc. You build your own plan, so it is important to start with fundamentals.

Opponent #1

THE STEADY PUSHER

This opponent has mastered the counterpunch by keeping the ball in play. She cannot hurt you by hitting winners. She just never misses. She runs down every ball. Lobs you to death. Hits high to your backhand so you are always playing defense. She gives you nothing to hit. She waits for your frustration to take over and exhaustion to set in.

Your plan should focus on your mental ability to set out for a long match. You are not going to blow her off the court. “Precision, not power” should be your mantra. You want to keep her deep so that she must work for every point. Don’t give her any cheap points like missed serves or returns. You have to earn each point against steady players.

Don’t go for the lines, go for zones. Hit high and deep to her backhand then a short drop shot. What is good for the goose is also good for the other goose. Wide to the forehand then deep down the line. Make her hit on the run. If she is on the run, go to the net and force her to hit off-balance.

It is important to not rush yourself when playing a pusher. Keep the ball in play and expect it to come back. Patience is the key strategy unless you can blow her off the court in two games.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are teaching youngsters how to play, they will be rewarded by being steady players. But be sure to teach them how to rush the net and volley as well. As they become older, styles change and adult players are more adept at aggressive play. Teach a young player to be an all-round player even though early success comes from being steady.

Opponent #2

The Net Rusher

This player has one goal in mind: hit and rush the net. The court is small, and these players are usually tall—or at least it seems like it. Yikes! What do you do?

First, you need to keep the ball deep. Those extra steps count, so you want your opponent as far back as possible. Your serve needs some pizzazz to keep your opponent on his toes. And you need some variety, so he doesn’t just chip and charge every ball. Your return needs to be deep and without much angle because he is looking for that approach shot to pull you off the court.

Consider taking the net before he does. Take away his signature play. Since you know he is coming to the net at every opportunity, you need to stay low and on your toes, so that you can push off to set up early for a passing shot. Changing direction is crucial when you are being forced. Even if he may be the better volleyer, you probably have a better chance by taking the net first. Take him out of his comfort zone.

Pickleball rewards the aggressive singles player. Practice accuracy shots including passing shots when you drill. Good players attack, so practice accordingly.

Opponent #3

The Banger

These guys hit everything hard. They hit at you, at the fence, at the ceiling, into the net and sometimes they hit a winner. You need to be the steady, prepared player and wait for the banger to spray his shots hoping something will stick. Back to fundamentals.

You need to keep the ball going back and going back deep. Spin gives him a look at some variety and forces him to think. He probably likes pace so don’t get suckered into trying to outhit him. If you stay steady, he will try to out-macho you. Keep remembering that pickleball is a game of placement, not power. Learn to duck.

Having said that, pickleball is becoming a game of hitters so practice against hitters. Be ahead of the curve in style changes. With better preparation, better footwork, better conditioning, those bangers will become competitive players.

Opponent #4

The All-Around Shot Maker

This player does not have an obvious weakness. She makes the “right shot.” She threads the needle on passing shots, hits angles well, approaches the net at the right time, and is in good shape. The best philosophy here is to play each point as if it were masterpiece painting. It is not one game to 11, it is each point, one by one. You can’t rush these players. You must build each point.

Fundamentals, yes, deep returns, yes, but most of all you have to key in on opportunities. If your opponent hits short, you must take advantage. You need to be patient for those opportunities. In your practice sessions you must work on analyzing what works against each pattern. What is your best response? Each shot is an opportunity. It is a piece of the whole. Equate this skill to playing chess.

After strategy comes tactics. You have to have the tactical skills to implement your strategy.

Let’s say you are playing someone with a big forehand crosscourt. You try to steer clear of that weapon, but she manages to get around and pound it, pulling you way wide. You need to be able to hit to that initial forehand to open up her backhand. You must practice negating someone else’s strength. Then you can impose your strength.

Singles is challenging. It requires more shots and better court coverage. It will make you a better player and a better student of the game. •

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Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the ‘60s. She’s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional. As a 4.5 pickleball player, she has won gold in Huntsman, NSGA Nationals, US Open, and USA Pickleball events around the country. Alice is an IPTPA member, SSIPA founding board member, Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain, Italy, and Germany.

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SINGLES POINTERS

by Marne Smith

Professional pickleball instructor, Franklin, Tennessee

Anytime your opponent scores three points in a row you need to take a time-out. This applies to whatever style is being played. Do not let your opponent get a run going. Use the time-out productively.

If your opponent fast-serves and/or plays a fast rhythm game, slow it down. Force him/her to play your rhythm. Do not rush yourself. If you are losing, change the rhythm of play.

Practice by playing skinny singles, especially playing up the line rather than crosscourt (the diagonal). Work on your consistency, using the half court to force yourself to practice precision on your returns, passing shots, drives and dinks. Placement should be your goal—not only in skinny singles, but also in full-court singles. Use angles. Placement over power!