New to Pickleball? Start with this Essential Tip

[@PaddleReadyPickleball]

Great video. I do something like this with my beginner students. I have them imagine the paddle face has Velcro. I toss the ball and they catch the ball on out in front and thigh high. Then the next progression I toss they catch and push the ball forward.

[@suelee1253]

I’m a beginner and I’m learning a lot from you thank you so much! I’m working as hard as I can to get better so people will want to play with me ha ha!

[@johncincolapickleball]

keep it up

[@stevenjanoff8496]

This concept is amazing! As a 2 week player with one actual lesson from a ‘teacher’ I find this and your ‘clock’ footwork drill tossing the ball to the wall to be mandatory concepts. I didn’t get it from my guy. I guess I have to help him.

[@richhume6717]

It always seemed to me that the pros put the paddle into the proper position and then there was a small "hit" to move the ball back over the net. Your description of this as a catch and then follow through is a nice concept. I like the drill of just positioning the paddle. There is a lot of useful ideas here for the full shot as well. You've done good work with your other videos too. Thanks.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Rich, I appreciate the feedback. I personally know when I switched to this kisser I saw my game improve a lot.

[@garymyers1034]

Excellent information thank you

[@sylviedube187]

Merci!

[@marionsigurdson1392]

Great video!!! Please continue with more videos with step by step instructions on techniques for specific shots. I love how you teach! 😊

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Marion, I appreciate that! I certainly will keep them coming 👍

[@colinsmith1233]

Great visual and explanation of the mechanics of this stroke

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Colin 👍

[@nickramirez5670]

I love the drills you are preforming. They remind me of my baseball drills as a shortstop through my years. Thank you!

[@genekochert9443]

What a great way to articulate and demonstrate the concept of “catching “ the ball. To me the best part of the instruction was using the net to catch the ball. The student naturally learns to extend their arm a bit and work out in front of them. I think building this technique into the instruction of a beginner will pay dividends throughout their development. Way to go, butterfly net on order!

[@johncincolapickleball]

I agree 100% make sure to look out for the next two parts of this series because I’m gonna discuss exactly how to build on this concept.

[@neilmm]

another great vid, really love the pro play with analysis narration too, please do more of those

[@TamiVroma1]

I have learned so much from you videos in past 48 hours! Going back to the bounce serve now so I can start building on it and now this video. The concept of catching helps so much especially for someone who has no racquet/paddle back ground at all!

[@johncincolapickleball]

yes that is great! tennis/ ping pong background helps but definitely not required at all!

[@marielandry8929]

Clear progression. Thank you

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Marie 😊

[@amykocee5707]

Wowza, this is good stuff. Coming from a tennis background and struggling with control in Pickleball, your mindset tweaks are just what I needed,

[@johncincolapickleball]

Awesome, glad to hear this is helping out Amy!

[@jamesmoore7407]

I teach this concept all the time, never thought of the net... great idea, I will credit you when i use it...

[@chongqinghotpot]

Totally agree. It applies to reset/volley too.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Yeah, for sure. I feel like I use this concept as a basis for every shot I hit.

[@TheMegansdad]

Great info!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks for watching!

[@gabecudd7063]

Great concept and instruction!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Gabe 👍

[@usapatriot5078]

Great video! Thank you for posting.

[@NickLeggett]

This is a game changer for me, thank you! Your videos are the best out there.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Glad you like them!

[@fkporsche1]

Excellent advice

[@billkennedy401]

interesting concept - looking forward to the next video

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Bill!!

[@boblew808]

Thanks!

[@johncincolapickleball]

thank you for the suppor!!

[@supermochithedog6896]

Wow! Way to pinpoint the problem!! Awesome vid!!!

[@jokieser5988]

Love this advice...

[@hazelvoice6125]

In the beginning I thought we were going to discuss the angle of the paddle face when coming in contact with the ball! Glad I stuck around. Thanks for the informative video.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Yeah, that’s one of the things that gets a lot of the blame for pop ups. An open paddle face isn’t bad if your hitting the ball with the correct power level.

[@mikebarron3643]

Love it and I’m a 4.5 and you reminded me that this is such a powerful tip!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Mike, deformed important at any level. Sometimes it helps to just get back to basics.

[@ginnyk891]

Awesome explanation and demonstration

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks so much 🙂

[@tch43]

Thank you for providing clear, simple instructions. Tons of great info in only 7 minutes

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Todd, I appreciate it 👍

[@romanhernz9209]

Wow 😮 simple great idea 💡 to fix bad habits great video thanks so much I’ll try it.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Roman, sometimes simple is the best!

[@scottpriske6793]

Just found your channel. Really enjoying it. I'm new to pickleball from tennis and found this video really helpful. Thanks. Look forward to seeing more from you.

[@ericgould4302]

A great "aha" moment. Also glad you showed the machine -- I don't get a steady drill partner. This drill is easy to repeat and I should be able to diagnose the good from bad. Thanks.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Eric, simple concept but will make a big difference with some practice!

[@kimleith1378]

I switched to a ping pong grip 3 yrs ago.Works great for my control at the net.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Yeah, I hear you. I started that way for control. I needed more pop for my singles game so moved away from it. Works great though

[@cindysayavong8513]

Love it . Keep it coming! 🙏

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Cindy, I will!

[@doc-bj4bj]

Wow John, awesome video. I think this video should be a must watch for any pickler. I have watched hundreds of KZbin videos about dinking, especially backhand cross court dink. This helped so much the first time I played after watching. The big concepts here: catch/throw and acceleration/swing length. I think this will increase my level 0.5 to 1.0 higher.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks! I’m glad it helped. I really do believe that this concept is one of those foundational things that you can build your game on

[@PickleballWill]

The best concept out there in pickleball and even tennis

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks, I agree. This is a big one! I used to teach a similar concept in tennis that I called the 20/80 rule. 20% backswing 80% follow through

[@PickleballWill]

@@johncincolapickleball loving the concepts! These ideas are what help players grow and add to their game. Keep up the great work John!

[@MD-hk8xq]

looking forward to the next videos. Great information and presentation!!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks, I’m going to continue working hard to put out valuable content

[@tawmack]

Well done.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks!

[@CaptainRonAhoy]

Great lesson! Really learned a lot from that one John.......

[@johncincolapickleball]

Glad to hear it!

[@jorgevelasquez9955]

Bravo!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks!!

[@annettee1605]

Hi John. Where is the third pause video? Can’t seem to find it. It would be great if you could consider adding links to related videos in your descriptions. Love your videos! Thanks!!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Hey Annette, if you go to my channel I have them organized in playlists. That is a good idea to add video series links below though. I’ll do that 👍

[@annettee1605]

@@johncincolapickleball I looked there? I only see 6 playlists … but didn’t see the pause series. I finally found it btw. Great stuff! You are my fav PB coach on KZbin. Thanks for your content.

[@kevincafaro8846]

thanks for sharing your knowledge. what i have been trying to improve is a more offensive dink. my dinks are too attackable. soft over the net. could you cover advance drills for offensive dinking. thanks.

[@lynnelucas168]

You are the best! What a concept. I’ll see how it effects my game tonight. How best can we drill this lesson? Net? Wall? Partner?

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Lynne, I appreciate that. Any of those work. Usually as a progression you wanna practice the simplest versions first and then add more difficulty to the situation.

[@freedomgirl744]

Perfect.

[@pband-joy]

I’ve been working on my soft game for a while now. This is the best explanation I’ve found and I’ve watched a ton of KZbin videos. Thanks so much!!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Joy, I really appreciate it. So glad to hear it’s helping you out!

[@lancearchambault3554]

Bonne idée!

[@jenniferthompson761]

Thanks for this great explanation! It makes sense to “catch” the ball before contact to better control it. I need help with a proper return/drive. Friends tell me my back stroke is too big. Would love to see your form. Thanks!

[@johncincolapickleball]

I’m sure I’ll do a video on that at some point. In general just take a mindset that you’re going to take less backswing. Practice getting power on your drive while feeling like there’s no backswing.

[@jenniferthompson761]

@@johncincolapickleball so focus more on accelerating as I hit the ball? I'll be looking for a video. Thanks for your tips!

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

Not bad.... I'm a fan of the bug net... I'm going to try n work it into my lessons.. Good job.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Hey Thanks, your comment is “not bad” as well 👍

[@SDPBALLCOACH]

@@johncincolapickleball I was able to find the "velcro" style Flat disc's n ball that straps to your hand. It's really great and cheap. Good alternative to the net. Take care.

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

the part 2 of this video got suggested to me by YT. but I'm trying to start here first. one interesting observation is that I was watching JW's dinking technique a lot (today and in general). when he makes first contact with the dink, he looks like he is cradling the ball. and then (this is kind of more of a finesse thing I think) he may slightly adjust his paddle face angle to redirect the ball as he pushes it back (I guess this is the toss part of this drill/concept). I feel like force wise, he is slightly absorbing force on initial dink contact and then mainly just redirecting the ball to his target

[@gg80108]

Got a video on how to take the power off? I never pop up a soft ball! I got the 3 grip pressure! Especially forehands. Backhands seem easier to take power off, natural slice?

[@petemanning3012]

Really great way of looking at this. Great explanation and video. I’ll be sharing with my group tonight.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Pete!!

[@kylebutz2003]

The idea of teaching people a longer follow through or more acceleration as a way to hit the ball farther is interesting. The key to hitting consistently is accelerating through the ball. Controlling the length of the take back adjusts for the distance of shot as it provides the physical distance to accelerate. The acceleration and follow through should flow naturally to maintain balance and control. Golf is an excellent analogy for take back controls distance and acceleration is the same concept - especially chipping and putting. Most beginners struggle with getting their body in position early, overly long take backs, and inconsistent acceleration through the ball. The result of all 3 elements cause inconsistent shots. The throwing drill is great as it teaches the natural acceleration and release. It will be the same motion for beginner to use to hit with - where they release the ball throwing underhand is where they want to make contact.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Kyle! I agree 💯

[@austindinofrio2829]

Absolutely love this video. This is exactly what I teach my students. I usually have them try to catch the ball on the paddle, but I will definitely be purchasing a small net as the angle will be more realistic than completely under the ball. One other thing I've done is completely eliminated the term "swing" and I use the words "catch and lift" instead. Great stuff.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Austin, I like it. I’ve tried all different versions of trying to get the catch and throw concept across. It’s good to try them all.

[@marshall4480]

Wonderful video and explanation of the technique John. Looking forward to the videos that will follow up on it. Thanks!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Marshall, I’ve been busy with tournaments. Will be working on the next video very soon 👍

[@mbarrettelaw]

So glad I found you. I feel like I am receiving Pickleball lessons from Mr. Miyagi. Wax on, wax off; paint fence; catch bouncing ball in net. Simple, instinctual movements that seem so simple, yet most relevant and important. I don’t feel compelled to usually comment, but you are relating to me in ways that make me wonder where you have been along my pickleball journey. Keep ‘em coming!!! Cannot wait to try this with my ball machine tomorrow!!!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Haha, Thanks Michael. I haven’t been called that called that yet but I love the reference! I’m glad to hear that it helped 👍

[@dennismassey1940]

Great video!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Dennis!

[@marykennedy5372]

So simple yet such a brilliant analogy.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks so much Mary! I appreciate it

[@superion81]

Great video. Is that a preset drill at the end of your video or is that a custom setting. I just got a spim shot

[@johncincolapickleball]

probably custom, I've tweaked all of the drills on there app a little bit. I'll be doing a video soon of some ball machine drills I like to do and the settings for them 👍

[@superion81]

@@johncincolapickleball nice. Thanks for the reply

[@superion81]

@@johncincolapickleball just got your new paddle. Love it

[@mediumdun18]

Still working out the kinks and this is very helpful. Is your laid back wrist purposeful or is that the result of a softer grip? I'm finding that helps me

[@johncincolapickleball]

Glad to hear it helped. Yes the paid back wrist is purposeful. It helps to create more of a locked wrist position.

[@gerrydertinger7447]

Found myself thinking concept looks fine when speed of incoming ball is mild as shown. When bangers firing shots at you, the control needed is often how to manage the absorption level is it not?

[@lesterma1608]

Good job on this tip!

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks 👍

[@mmommo10]

this was helpful thanks

[@johncincolapickleball]

You bet! Thanks Carly

[@robertcuomo7084]

I was inadvertently doing this returning serves. So much more control with my shots doing this even though iI basically was accidentally doing what is described here. I cannot wait to try dumping shots into the kitchen during play when the opportunity exists. I am always hitting it too far past the kitchen.

[@paulmcdevitt2038]

Going to send this video to people I play with as it explains this better than I have seen so far. Although one thing that this doesn’t discuss is that many pop up because they are trying to return a ball with more power than the gentler drops here. So they also need to soften their grip, to reduce the power the ball has when returning

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Paul, I appreciate you sharing it. This is definitely a topic that I’ve seen some people have a misunderstanding of. Hopefully this will help to clarify things.

[@longtimelo]

Balls never come at me that slow though. How do you handle speed/power?

[@johncincolapickleball]

You have to master a concept slow before you can do it fast. It’s certainly harder on a faster ball but the same concept still applies. The more quiet and neutral your paddle is right before contact the better chance you have to control the ball at any speed

[@johndavison9006]

Is that butterfly net USAP approved??

[@johncincolapickleball]

No, but there’s no testing so it doesn’t matter 😉

[@jesnatic1296]

How do I easily find the next video that applies to this one?

[@johncincolapickleball]

If you go to my Channel I have the videos sorted in playlists. I'll also add links in the description box though. Thanks

[@marksmindset76]

Do you love that ball machine? I’m in the market for one and I’ve looked into that one. Also if you have an affiliate link or website for me to purchase one, lmk. Thanks

[@johncincolapickleball]

Yeah, I really do like it. I’ve tried pretty much all of them and this one is my favorite. Here is my link that will get you free shipping. spinshotsports.com/discount/john

[@mikefixac]

I watched this video and it made sense, then I watched your video where you're playing doubles against Zane, and I don't see anything of what you're saying here. It looks to me like everyone is winding up, hitting the ball and the racket is moving forward before coming into the ball. I don't see hardly any catches. Today I tried to implement the catch and push the ball off my racket with my serves, and it was really weak.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Hey Micheal, a couple things. First this idea is mostly for soft game shots. You’re going to see a little more swinging when the ball is hit hard which is what you end up seeing in a lot of our highlight points. Also, this was a an idea and when practicing it is definitely an exaggeration. The main concept is to have control of your paddle before you strike the main. Pros have pretty good paddle control already so you’re not going to see this concept as exaggerated as I was shogun it the video. You will however still see it when we are dinking. Hope that helps.

[@mikefixac]

@@johncincolapickleball John, thank you for the thoughtful reply. That certainly clears things up for me. I must say, the video of yours where you discuss getting set before hitting the ball has helped me a lot. Easy to see it at just the 2 different levels I play against.

[@brianrutherford2379]

I wish I could have watched this video 6 years ago. I use to much power at times and thus pop up the ball.

[@lemontree4097]

You should make a video on how to play the right side or how to hit a forehand dink

[@johncincolapickleball]

I’ll work on that 👍 still figuring it out myself 😉

[@neilmm]

What I struggle most with as a new player progressing quickly due to prior racquetball and badminton experience is: Some dinks / drop shots where I feel I apply the same or similar power based in stroke size and speed result in significantly different levels of pop because of how much speed or spin the ball has on it. I also have had a hard time with volley dinking and blocking since the ball has more power before the bounce and it feels like it sometimes pushes and moves the paddle too much and messes up accuracy, maybe I need to grip more tightly on volley dinks and blocks to add more stability? Quick blocks are also less likely to be in perfect sweet spot since they are fast reactions.

[@mariolombardi4766]

Love the video, but the music is distracting, I don’t think it’s needed.

[@johncincolapickleball]

Noted, thanks 👍

[@downieduck2414]

finally some brainy instructions

[@DanNitroClark1]

Great drill my dude! #nitroUP

[@johncincolapickleball]

Thanks Dan!

[@peterbarrett5496]

Wonderboy plays Pickleball?

[@JohnHarvey-fz3gd]

BZ.