Always Be In A Ready Position By Keeping Your Pickleball Paddle Up

One fundamental yet often overlooked aspect is maintaining a ready position with your paddle up. This simple practice can dramatically shift the dynamics of your gameplay, offering both defensive and offensive advantages on the court. Here, I'll explore the importance of keeping your pickleball paddle up in a ready position.

Make it a habit to keep the paddle head up above your wrists.

The Basics Of The Ready Position

The ready position in pickleball is similar to that in tennis. It's the stance you take when you're preparing for an opponent's shot and it's the position that allows you to move quickly in any direction. For pickleball, a good ready position means keeping your paddle up at the waist and the knees slightly bent. Your weight should be on the balls of your feet, allowing you to push off quickly and smoothly. The non-dominant hand should rest on the paddle's throat, while the dominant hand holds the paddle's grip.

The Benefits Of The Ready Position

Quick Reaction Time

When you're in the proper ready position, your reaction time is significantly reduced. The lower your center of gravity, the quicker you can respond to your opponent's shot. Keeping your paddle up also allows for faster movement and return of shots.

Efficient Movement

The ready position enables you to move in any direction without losing time or balance. By keeping your knees bent and weight on the balls of your feet, you can quickly lunge forward, backward, or sideways to reach a shot. This also helps in covering the court effectively and efficiently.

Reduced Injury Risk

The ready position not only optimises your game but also reduces the risk of injury. By keeping your body in this ready stance, you'll be able to move more freely and easily avoid any surprises that might otherwise throw you off and potentially cause an awkward move leading to an injury.

How To Incorporate The Ready Position Into Your Game

Make It A Habit

Getting into the habit of holding your pickleball paddle up should be as automatic as breathing. Practice drills where you and a partner just hit the ball softly back and forth, focusing on always being in the ready position after each shot. This will help you develop muscle memory, making the stance second nature.

Awareness Is Key

One of the major challenges is staying in the ready position when the ball isn't in your immediate area. However, the best players are always aware of the ball's location and maintain the ready position regardless of where the ball is in the court. This heightened awareness means that when the ball does come near you, you're already in a great position to make your move.

Mental Readiness

Pickleball is not just a physical game, it's also mental. By always being in the ready position, you stay mentally sharp and focused on the game. It helps you feel more engaged and connected, which can lead to better strategic decisions overall.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Paddle Drifting Below The Waist

A common mistake is letting the paddle drift below the waist. This is not only an inefficient use of your body's mechanics but also slows down your reaction time. Keep your paddle in the "strike zone" – the area ranging from your knees to your waist – for optimal performance.

Weight On the Heels

Another frequent error is having your weight on your heels. This makes you slower to push off and can result in a loss of balance when you move. Concentrate on having your weight forward on the balls of your feet.

Hand Position

While in the ready position, do not leave your non-dominant hand dangling at the side of your body. Instead, rest it on the paddle's throat. This helps with balance and allows for a quicker reaction to shots.

Conclusion

Pickleball is a game that requires technical skill, agility, and quick thinking. By adopting the ready position, players can significantly enhance their performance. The ready position allows for quicker and more controlled movements, reducing both reaction time and the risk of injury. It's a great habit that can yield big improvements in your overall game.