5 MAIN Reasons 3.0/3.5s Pop Up Blocks (& How To Keep It Low Instead)

[@bretwallach9863]

Kudos to you for another exceptional video! You have an amazing talent for breaking parts of the game like this one down into the most important components and addressing the flaws advancing players have. For me, my biggest volley mistake is excessive body movement or flinching.It seems so obvious once you point it out. Yesterday, during a drilling sessions I worked on this and focusing on moving just my arm helped hugely. It actually felt like the ball moves slower if I'm not moving and it became much easier to hit them. Unfortunately, I tried to focus on moving only my arm in some games today and I couldn't quite get it. I just didn't have the right focus at the right time. More drilling I guess...

[@primetimepickleball]

"I worked on this and focusing on moving just my arm helped hugely. It actually felt like the ball moves slower if I'm not moving and it became much easier to hit them." 👏 👍 🏆 Awesome! I'm so happy to hear this. Yes, keep at it with drilling until it becomes more automatic in a game.

[@cjusino85]

I appreciate the tips and advice! Im 7 months in and i play against all slammers and am learning to do resets thats to you!

[@primetimepickleball]

That’s great Clint. Keep at it! Thank you 😊

[@kayvickers3023]

Another great video! When I started wearing eye protection I found I was much more comfortable at the NVZ.

[@primetimepickleball]

That’s a great point. Lots of pros are starting to wear eye protection.

[@michaelorgera181]

I will never delete your channel! Most others are gone for me! You are a GREAT teacher!

[@primetimepickleball]

Happy to hear that Michael! I’m glad you get value from the videos. 😊

[@nilkamals]

Awesome tips thank you. I have issues doing all 5 of these.

[@primetimepickleball]

You’re so welcome! The work you put in on this will make a WORLD of difference in your game. It’s a cornerstone skill!

[@kimleith1378]

Been using the backhand block as my primary block.Working on keeping my paddle out in front but not push at all. I've even had some success putting the ball down the net close to it with spin. I drill this shot off my machine.

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome!

[@peterjordan2738]

Great advice Nichole! Unfortunately, I have attempted these with the forehand and have been popping the ball up. I will concentrate on hitting the ball with the backhand rotation as you show.

[@primetimepickleball]

Sounds great Peter! You got this.

[@tonyhuemann7613]

Wow - great video and extremely helpful. I like the way you teach the game. Thank you!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks so much for the kind words Tony.

[@MrLouisjB]

Great tutorial, thanks.

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pahu47]

Excellent! I like how you focus on one skill. Now to practice practice practice

[@primetimepickleball]

Thank you! You can do it!

[@gregbossert9459]

Thanks much for the channel! Any thoughts how to practice pop-up blocks with a Slinger machine?

[@primetimepickleball]

My pleasure. I’m working on a video for that right now.

[@ianmacdonald5278]

7:52 Another great video. And while not important I believe it is Ryan who somehow gets back in position and counters the initial speed-up.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Ian!

[@jamesstone3856]

Could you produce a video showing blocking & resetting drills using your new Slinger ball machine.

[@primetimepickleball]

yes, here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npqmpGuXq5merqc

[@margaretdunbar6642]

This is a great video and very helpful. My question is: if the ball is just outside my reach (either forehand or backhand) should I shift for the ball to be in the right rage to block or do something else. It isn’t the balls that come right to me that I have problems with but the once waist high to are a little outside a comfortable reach.

[@primetimepickleball]

If you have to reach then reach and still hit a blocking or reset shot. I wouldn’t move to far because you’ll put yourself out of position for the next shot.

[@kelleelist4590]

Nichole,, I teach beginners and get a lot of push back on having them stand right at the line. The guy in this video is blocking from a foot off of the NVZ line....is that where he should be? Thank you.

[@primetimepickleball]

It really depends. If you popped one up and have time to drop back and still get your legs under you and forward lean before the next shot then do it. Sometimes you have to just deal with it where you're at because there's not time for that. You want to teach players to get right up to the line because of dinking so I don't think you're wrong for that. Blocking is after the fact and something they have to deal with when they've been attacked at the line.

[@indigobrude]

Have them practice at the kitchen line as much as possible, with dink drills, volley drills, etc. When practicing regular play, encourage them to move a half-step closer to the line each day, and "highlight" the shots they make that worked well because they were closer, and the shots that didn't go well because they had to lunge/reach. With time and encouragement, they will start to feel the benefits and also feel more comfortable moving up.

[@kabnis2022]

On defense, should you back up for balls that are high enough (shoulder to head height level) for the opponents to hit hard at an angle downward BUT not a full overhead straight down smash?

[@primetimepickleball]

The purpose of backing up is to give yourself time to react. if you have the time, back up.

[@chipsun2504]

Thank you, so helpful

[@primetimepickleball]

😊

[@sonnycruz7032]

Fast but still. When I think of a pro who's fast but still I think of JW Johnson. He's so efficient with his movement and I'm so shocked that he's at the right place at the right time both with his feet and his paddle. Yet he looks so composed and almost slow, which he definitely is not.

[@primetimepickleball]

Exactly! He's a great player to model for "fast yet still".

[@megm2023]

This one is SO hard for me. I can't find that 'just right' grip strength to reset successfully- the incoming shot is usually so hard it makes my paddle flip if I don't have an iron grip.

[@primetimepickleball]

You're not alone here. This is exactly why we all need to train the heck out of this. the precision on grip pressure and paddle face angle is so nuanced. Quality reps is the way.

[@jekpapa]

Right on the money!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Jim!

[@Xmc-rx6ph]

More detail explanation about open paddle.

[@indigobrude]

Think of it as "open to the sky", or facing upwards.

[@primetimepickleball]

Yup, that's it.

[@bobkat2601]

Awesome advice! The challenge now is to try and remember it all. Perhaps I'll work on each one at a time! :o)

[@primetimepickleball]

YES, one at a time is a GREAT plan.

[@bimalradia1969]

Right on the money

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Bimal!

[@shaohuayin7158]

谢谢

[@primetimepickleball]

👍

[@annem3284]

This is exactly what I’m trying to work on. Instead of blocking or returning it low, I popped it again😢.

[@primetimepickleball]

Don’t be too hard on yourself. This one of the hardest things to do well in pickleball. Keep working at it 💪

[@waynearcuri]

Thank you for sharing this with all of us. One of the best clips I have seen to date.

[@2T357]

Great tips

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks Marcia!

[@williamhilchey3111]

I thought we were supposed to stay away from the "chicken wing." Yet, that's what happens went you use your backhand past the centerline of the body.

[@primetimepickleball]

The chicken wing applies to blocking the hitting arm shoulder. Here I was discussing only waist level and below contact points.

[@garywasik8875]

I have to disagree with much of this. As Katie shows in your video, it is very difficult to control and reset a hard shot when you’re at the kitchen line - you only end up popping it up. I feel it’s often better to respond with a hard return to overwhelm your opponents reflexes, even with low shots. They may then pop up your return.

[@primetimepickleball]

Learning to counterattack vs defend at the right time is key if you want to be a well rounded player. If you always counterattack low balls, players at higher levels will eat that up.

[@kellylee9134]

Paddle face open - what the heck does that mean? No explanation

[@primetimepickleball]

The side of the paddle your going to hit with tipped slightly towards the sky.

[@kellylee9134]

Thank you, should that be intuitive or just inexperience on my side?

[@primetimepickleball]

Not intuitive. A term I could have defined.

[@777-Phil]

No thumbs up: Most of what you state about blocking seems coldly intuitive to me ... and only requires practice, drills, backboards, etc. ... but mostly .... a lot of passion whilst training. So reseting vs. counter-attacking here means nothing to me. If I, a beginner, were playing against some aggressive monster at the net ... I'd certainly use your coolness of techniques ... but while playing my heart out. In sum: your logical techniques mean nothing without ferocious hearts and passions dictating the fight-to-win. Utmost blessings!

[@primetimepickleball]

No thumbs up? Come on… 😂😂😂. You make a good point. You have to fight for defense and countering in your heart. Totally agree! Thanks for the comment.

[@jonvich3011]

“Ferocious hearts and passions”? We’re playing pickleball bro not going to war 😂 you said a lot of words with little meaning. Like what are you even telling her? Do you want her to start every video saying “hi guys, remember to have ferocious hearts and passion or nothing in this video matters”.