Vandalia, Ohio Pickleball

01/22/2025

Does your serve need help? Watch this:

Want to serve like the players everyone’s afraid to face? It’s easier than you think, and in this video, I’m handing you the exact blueprint to turn your ser...

01/22/2025

Need some help before the upcoming tournament? Contact our “teaching pro”, Mr. James Lawson, to help your game.

James helps train people before tournaments doing solo training and team trainings. Private lessons are $50 an hour and then add $10 for each additional lesson. Lessons would be between 12-3 next week.

James Lawson
937-418-7126
Love the way you playTM
Visit us at: https://www.crushpickleball.com/?aff=93 use discount code Lawson15

At team CRUSH we encourage you to try our pickleball paddles & gear and make a decision for yourself. Our goal is to offer you a quality product, exceptional customer service and keep you coming back for more. You can elevate your game on the court without overspending. You don't have to be the bigg...

01/22/2025

01/22/2025

❗Players Reveal the #1 Tip That Took Them Beyond 4.0

We asked players what helped them break through the 4.0 barrier, and here are the most recommended tips, with practical insights to level up:

1. Drill, Drill, Drill: Repetition builds consistency, and consistency wins games. Focus on key skills like d***s, drops, and resets.

Tip: Make it fun by setting goals, like 20 consecutive drops in the kitchen. Drilling always beats relying on luck!

2. Play Against Better Players: Higher-level players push you to adapt and improve. To get them to play with you, ask during open play, attend clinics, or offer to rotate in with humility and eagerness to learn.

Tip: Don’t worry about winning—focus on what these players expose in your game and work to fix it.

3. Focus on Shot Selection: Use high-percentage shots like d***s, resets, and deep returns. Avoid risky speed-ups or low drives down the sideline.

Tip: Don’t let your ego force bad shots—wait for pop-ups you can confidently put away.

4. Improve Court Positioning: Control the kitchen by staying balanced, coordinated with your partner, and closing gaps opponents can exploit.

Tip: Master transitioning to the net after a drop and maintaining pressure at the kitchen line.

5. Be Patient: Pickleball is a game of strategy and endurance. Avoid going for flashy winners and let your opponent make the mistakes.

Tip: Treat the game like solving a puzzle—build the point patiently until the right opportunity appears.

Master these skills, and you’ll not only compete at 4.0+ but thrive.🔥

01/22/2025

How Effective Is the ‘Drip Shot’ in Pickleball?

The pickleball world is abuzz with talk of the “drip” shot—a hybrid third shot that blends elements of a drop and a drive. With its medium pace and sharp topspin, this shot is designed to disrupt your opponents and create opportunities. But is it just a trendy addition, or is it a skill worth mastering?

Here’s everything you need to know about the drip shot, including when it’s effective, when to steer clear, and whether it’s time to add it to your game.

What Is The Drip Shot?

The drip shot (also called a hybrid third shot) lands between the extremes of a hard drive and a soft drop. Instead of blasting the ball past opponents or floating it gently into the kitchen, the drip shot dips sharply with topspin and targets opponents’ feet, especially when they’re in transition.

This shot is all about disrupting your opponents’ rhythm, forcing uncomfortable returns, and setting up offensive opportunities. It’s gaining traction among advanced players for its versatility and tactical edge.

01/22/2025

Pickleball Union
COMMUNITY
NEWS

Is Power Essential to Get to 4.0+

If you’ve ever watched advanced players in action, you might think power is the secret weapon of 4.0+ pickleball. Those blistering drives, powerful overheads, and lightning-quick serves can be intimidating.

But do you really need to hit the ball super hard to level up your game?

The Role Of Power At Higher Levels

Power definitely has a place in advanced pickleball, but it’s not the whole story. At 4.0 and beyond, power is just one tool in a player’s arsenal. Success at these levels comes from balance—knowing when to use power and when to focus on precision, placement, and consistency.

Benefits of Power:
Forces weak returns when used correctly.
Puts opponents on the defensive, especially with hard drives or serves.
Creates opportunities to finish points quickly.
Limits of Power:
Hard shots without precision lead to unforced errors.
Predictable power makes it easier for opponents to counter.
High-risk shots often require greater control to keep them in play.
Key Takeaway: Power is helpful but not mandatory. Many successful 4.0+ players rely on placement, shot variety, and strategy rather than sheer strength.

Precision Over Power

At higher levels, placement beats power almost every time. A well-placed shot to an opponent’s weak side or feet can do far more damage than a blazing fastball that’s easy to block.

What Matters Most:
Depth: Deep shots keep opponents pinned back, giving you time to transition to the kitchen.
Angles: Sharp angles force your opponent off the court, opening up space for your next shot.
Spin: Topspin or backspin adds unpredictability, making it harder for opponents to counter.
Pro Tip: Focus on hitting shots with 70–80% of your maximum power while maintaining accuracy. This sweet spot offers a mix of speed, control, and placement.

Do You Need Power To Be 4.0+?

The short answer? No, but it helps. Players who lack power can still thrive at higher levels by excelling in other areas:

Consistency: Fewer unforced errors mean you’ll win more points over time.
Soft Game Mastery: Strong d***s, resets, and drops are critical for controlling the kitchen game.
Defensive Skills: Blocking and resetting fast drives or speed-ups keeps you in the rally.
Examples:

A player with a “lofty” but well-placed serve can frustrate opponents and force weak returns.
Mastering the “drip shot” (a hybrid drive/drop) allows you to combine pace with precision, targeting opponents’ feet.
When Power Shines

There are specific scenarios where power becomes a significant advantage:

Punishing Pop-Ups: Hard overheads or smashes can quickly end a point when your opponent leaves the ball high.
Driving Weak Returns: A fast third shot drive can put your opponents on the defensive, setting you up for a putaway.
Serve and Return: Adding pace to your serve or return can force rushed or poorly placed third shots.
Learn how to pack more power into your serve with expert tips from our friend and pickleball coach Will East:

Caution: Power without control is wasted. A hard shot that sails long or wide is an easy point for your opponent.

How To Develop Effective Power

If you want to add power to your game, focus on these tips:

Use Your Legs and Core: Power comes from your body, not just your arm. Engage your legs and core for more controlled strength.
Add Topspin: Topspin keeps your hard shots in play, causing the ball to dip as it crosses the net.
Prioritize Placement First: Practice hitting powerful shots to specific targets rather than simply swinging hard.
Check out Will East as he breaks down how to add both power and precision to your drives:

Power Isn’t Everything

While power can be an asset at higher levels, it’s not the defining factor. Players who excel at 4.0+ know how to balance pace with placement, adapt to opponents’ styles, and maintain consistency under pressure.

Focus on building a well-rounded game where power is just one of many tools. Master your soft game, develop precision, and learn when to unleash power strategically. In pickleball, smarter play always wins over brute force!

01/21/2025

Struggling with Consistent Shots?😕
Let’s Talk About Impact Point

One of the most important yet often overlooked fundamentals in pickleball is the ability to have a good impact point when hitting the ball. This is true whether you are hitting a drop or d**k, a volley or smash, a serve or return. While many factors contribute to shot quality, the impact point (where a player hits the ball relative to their body) can significantly influence the quality and outcome of your play. After all, if you make contact in a comfortable position, it is much easier to control the paddle angle, swing path and swing speed.

A good impact point is typically out in front of your body, between you and the net. Ideally, the contact should be as high as possible, not too far away so that you are overstretching, and not too close, where your swing becomes cramped. Basically, it is the goldilocks rule – not to high, not too low, not too far and not too close.

Why is the impact point so important? For starters, while a perfect impact point doesn’t guarantee your shot will go exactly where you want, it makes it far more likely. Having a good impact point allows for better shot disguise (e.g. if your d**k and speed up look essentially the same, it will be hard to know which is coming next). When you can make several different types of shots from the same position, you keep your opponents guessing.

Another key benefit is enhanced control and power. Good feel for the ball comes from contacting it at the right spot, where you can use your body most effectively. Power also comes more efficiently when your impact point is solid, reducing the strain it takes to hit the ball hard.

When a shot goes somewhere it isn’t supposed to—whether it sails long, falls short, or misses wide—the first question you should ask yourself is, “How was my impact point?” If it was poor, there isn’t a whole lot of additional digging you need to do. By analyzing and improving this fundamental element, you’ll build a stronger, more consistent game. Great shots start with great contact!

01/19/2025

Rally scoring is a scoring system where a point is awarded after each rally, regardless of which team served. It's used in sports like pickleball, badminton, volleyball, and table tennis.
How it works

In rally scoring, the team that wins the rally scores a point.

The exception is the final point, which can only be scored by the team serving the ball.
Rally scoring games are usually played to 21 points, while traditional scoring games are played to 11 points.
To win, a team must win by two points.

Why it's used

Rally scoring makes every rally important and can make matches more exciting.

Rally scoring has been adopted by sports like badminton, volleyball, and tennis to speed up matches.

01/15/2025

Skills & Drills- fact or fiction?

Can You Get Better at Pickleball Without Drilling?

We get asked all the time, “Can I improve at pickleball with just rec play, or do I really need to drill?” The truth is, rec play helps build instincts, court awareness, and adaptability, but drilling is where you fine-tune skills like d***s, drops, and resets.

If you’re serious about advancing your game, drilling isn’t optional—it’s essential. For faster progress, balance both. Play to learn, drill to perfect.

Drilling can be tricky without a partner or dedicated court, but there are ways to work around it:

Use a wall or ball machine for solo practice.
Partner with someone at your skill level and trade focused drills for 20–30 minutes before or after games.
Reserve courts during off-peak hours, or try a shared community gym.
For real improvement, aim for 2–3 hours of drilling per week alongside rec play. Even short, focused sessions can make a big difference. With intention and consistency, you’ll see your game skyrocket!

01/13/2025

Pickleball Updates

Reminder that there is NO Pickleball this Friday, January 17th!
Thank you for being a valued part of our Pickleball community!

Other Important Pickleball Updates/News:

Don't forget to check out Skills & Drills- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am-10:30am and Fridays from 11:30am-12:30pm

01/08/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAez2X-zS1c
This 6 minute tip is a "must watch" & will certainly improve your game!

Get free access to our ATTACKING MASTERCLASS so that you can attack like the pros and be the most dominant player on the court: https://www.brionespickleball...

01/07/2025

https://youtu.be/t1Q5tbjUlKk

If you have trouble moving up to the kitchen line, the pickleball reset is one of the best strategies you can practice. We will take you through what a reset...

01/07/2025

QUICK TIP - MAKE A DECISION AND COMMIT TO IT

Decision making on the pickleball court is crucial to securing victory. Good shot selection and the ability to play higher percentage shots are essential skills, along with knowing where to position yourself on the pickleball court. Quick and confident decision-making is key; 🔑 hesitating or second-guessing can lead to costly mistakes. When the time to make a decision and execute a shot is just fractions of a second, any indecision can throw off your timing and precision. Therefore, trust your instincts and fully commit to your shot selection! It's far better to go all out on a questionable choice than to hold back on a good one. 💯 Believe in your decision, take action, and you'll be that much closer to winning the game.

01/07/2025

ACT AND REACT: TIPS TO TURN DEFENSE INTO OFFENSE ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT

Strategy & Technique
Pickle4 Team
01-07-2025

In the fast-paced world of pickleball, the age-old adage “the best defense is a good offense” rings truer than ever. While maintaining a solid defense is key to staying in the game, simply holding your ground is not enough to clinch a victory. The most successful players possess a crucial skill that sets them apart: the ability to anticipate their opponent’s moves and transform their strategy with effective counterattacks. Find the sweet spot where defense meets offense with these tips to turn strategic moments into scoring opportunities.

Analyze Your Opponent – To become a master at anticipating shots, start by analyzing your opponent’s positioning and body language. Watch for subtle cues—a shift in weight, a tilt of the shoulders, or even a glance during a rally. These signals often precede their next move. By observing and understanding how your opponents play, you can adjust your own strategy to exploit their weaknesses and minimize their strengths. What are their patterns? Observe their footwork, shot placements, and court positioning. This strategic analysis will allow you to make intentional decisions based on your opponents’ tendencies.

Court Position – Consider counterattacking when you are in a good position, with your weight forward and balanced, as this allows you to generate power and accuracy. Staying on your toes and maintaining a balanced stance helps you react swiftly. Consider what your next move will be before a shot is even made—this proactive mindset allows for more seamless transitions from defense to offense. If you are at the Kitchen Line, then you will generally be in a stronger position to counterattack your opponents, as you are able to take time away from them and decrease their reaction time. Movement to the proper court position will help you create angles of attack for you and your partner and minimize angles of attack for your opponents.

Find Opportunities – Be on the lookout for your moment to counterattack. Defense alone will likely not lead to success on the pickleball court. As a result, it is important to look for opportunities to turn defense into offense by counterattacking when your opponents are not expecting it, when you have strong positioning, or your opponent’s shot has insufficient pace or is hit to a favored spot. This sudden shift from defense to offense creates pressure on your opponent, often catching them off guard and giving you a strategic advantage.

Execute – Execute your counterattack! But, be ready for your opponents to mount a counterattack of their own. Never assume that you hit a winner. Keep your guard up and finish out the point until the very end.

Diversify Your Responses – Varying your shots keeps your opponent guessing, forcing them to contend with unexpected returns. If they anticipate a soft shot from your backhand, surprise them with a powerful volley instead. This unpredictability not only enhances your game but increases your chances of putting your opponent in a defensive position, thus enabling further offensive moves.

Focus on Footwork – Speed and agility are essential in making defensive moves on the pickleball court. Improving your footwork can dramatically increase your range and responsiveness, allowing you to cover more ground quickly. Incorporate drills focusing on lateral movement, quick pivots, and reaction time to improve these skills on the pickleball court.

Ultimately, the ability to anticipate and read the game can be the difference between a win and a loss on the pickleball court. By honing your observational skills, positioning, and shot variations, you not only bolster your defensive capabilities but simultaneously pave the way for swift and decisive counterattacks. Remember, every rally is an opportunity; embrace the battlefield-like mentality of staying engaged and adaptable. You’re not just defending; you’re strategically navigating the court, waiting for the perfect moment to turn the tables and claim your win.

12/28/2024

https://youtu.be/JxIaTSG7D8Q?si=cXhTovRxuRjiDe3W

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Catherine Parenteau Soft Game course! Selkirk pro Catherine Parenteau takes you through your pickleball volley, the best paddle p...

12/28/2024

https://youtu.be/s5tdzMO6ESE?si=iKODAhS4fonkV0KU

As the pickleball server, you will always be at a disadvantage. Learn how you can minimize the disadvantage, drive your serve as deep as you can, and set you...

12/28/2024

A critical video for seniors! How to handle the lob.

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Senior Pickleball Success podcast with Steve Paranto! As a senior pickleball player, you will want to learn to defend the lob wit...