Pickleball! 3.0 Players With Potential To Be Better! What Will It Take To Advance In Skill Level?

[@steveiannazzo5451]

In the 70's, wooden racquets were on their way out for tennis. Jimmie Conors was tearing up the circuit with his Wilson 3000 metal racquet. So I bought one. The only good thing about that racquet was that it proved to me that I'm not Jimmie Conors. I couldn't keep the ball on the court. Learn the game with a control paddle. Only buy a power paddle when (and if) you've mastered ball control. Starting off with a power paddle is like buying a Bugatti as your first car.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

This is probably the best comment on this video. Awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@paulw1444]

In amateur rec play 60 per cent of points are scored on unforced errors. But look at the players, out moving around, playing growing the sport and having fun. That alone should be awarded, skills and advancement will come along.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I'm not sure where you came up with that percentage. That seems very high. I'm going to have to do some more research and see what the number might be. If you can tell me where you got that number, let me know. Thanks for watching.

[@paulw1444]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 The percentage is anecdotal based on 14 years of playing at a 3.0 to 4.0 level and teaching beginners and intermediate players. My advice to new players is first get the ball across the net and in play, let the other side make the error.

[@paulw1444]

I also have seen several stats that claim 2 errors for every point scored at the 3.5 level

[@paulw1444]

I also recommend your videos to all of the beginner and intermediate players

[@Tealxsoul]

I can, wholeheartedly, say that the ball was definitely inside of the line at 15:36. The guy calling that out was just a bad call. I've seen similar at my local courts though...so there's also that.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I think so as well. Thanks for watching. Lots of out balls do not get called out.

[@larrymartin1075]

you’re likely right but in some situations, a player is not only trying to return a shot but their eyes are trained on hitting the ball

[@Tealxsoul]

@@larrymartin1075 oh, I understand that, but instead of making the bad call, I'd rather say I wasn't sure and just replay the point instead of calling it out.

[@okayest_amateur]

Rory you might be underrating these players a bit. Low 3.5 to high 3.5. Gray t shirt might even qualify for 4.0, atleast 3.7. Ive never seen a 3.0 hit such nice serves and drives lol!! They had nice resets, dinks etc. But you are correct the consistency separates them from being advanced players. Heres the thing. with enough time and practice the low percentage shots will become high percentage shots. Its good that they are reaching for better quality higher level shots. They may be inconsistent now but it will pay dividends later. Especially Gray shirt has the ability to be a high level player given enough time. They have a high ceiling. I'm more worried for players at the 3.0-3.5 level who are consistent but have a very limited skillset. Those with no topspin or slice. These are the players that will stay at intermediate level. If they apply themselves it should take them 6-12 to rank up half a level.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

As I mentioned, they have potential. However, I'm not sure I've seen too many games where that high of a percentage of points ended because of an unforced error. Not just one player made most of them, they all had issues with them. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.

[@johnmclou]

The "mod" player stands at a good spot when receiving serve but then steps back with many serves which makes it hard to get to the nvz with enough time to get set. John cincola has a great video on usine a short swing while moving forward as a way to get to nvz.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Good point! Thanks for watching.

[@itsnmynature4882]

They could make a big difference in seeing the ball if they would change to a different color ball. Franklin makes an excellent pink ball. It would be much cheaper than fixing the wall color. Not seeing the ball could cause more injuries.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Good point and good suggestion. Thanks for watching.

[@iamjacquesbarjon]

Your analysis at the end is right. They're clearly beginners at 3.0 or below and just need more practice (and less powerful paddles) so that they can develop more feel/consistency in their shots. It doesn't seem like they're taking it too seriously, though, which is good. Probably just out to have a little fun.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Having fun is perfectly fine. But the amount of money they've invested in, paddles, clothing, club membership, probably means they're more serious about the game than just having fun. I'm sure they want to be the best players they can possibly be. And with work, I think they can. Thanks for watching.

[@jaimetarne9436]

I think you are being generous with putting them at the 3.0 level. My partner and I play at 3.0 tournaments, and these folks would not do well in the competition.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion. Some viewers commented. They think they are better than 3.0.

[@bleuShoErn]

It’s not the paddle on the serves and returns. Power paddles are difficult on drops, dinks and resets. On their missed serves and returns they are lifting the ball. There are many fundamental mistakes. The Luxx is a better suited option for them, but it won’t solve their problem.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for your opinion and thanks for watching.

[@PatrickCornell-d7n]

The lady with the too-strong paddle, the TA Mod 15, does have good serves. They are low and deep, consistently. I have the same paddle, and my serves are my best shots. I do have trouble with drives, though, and hit them into the net too often. I also have a Selkirk Deluxe Air, and I think I will go back to using it. The Joola is too strong for my skill level.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Glad you have the Selkirk. Good choice. Thanks for watching.

[@johnmclou]

Yikes, why a lux for a 3.0? Why not a vatic prism flash for around 100$, a forza or a 11six24 jellybean. You can get great info on pickleballstudio channel regarding paddles. Changing from a 6-0 dbd to a jellybean helped a friend a ton. she actually hits ball harder with the control paddle because it goes where she wants with the better sweetspot (nobody in their right mind would sponsor me so don't be suspicious even though I'm throwing around brand names, haha)

[@devlinsturdevant2639]

a lot of unforced errors but definitely above 3.0

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your opinion. I not so sure.

[@kathywolfe9020]

I just bought this Jools paddle and love it. I don’t care for Selkirk. Is it banned for all 3.0’s and just in tournament play? How about practice still legal?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It's banned for all players in tournament play. It won't be banned for recreational play. But, should you really play with a paddle that has been determined to be too powerful? Thanks for watching.

[@kathywolfe9020]

⁠Are you a certified Pickelball Pro ? I am very gentle with it.I love playing with it. It feels perfect for me. What makes it illegal in tournament play ?@@pickleballpick-apart9787

[@kathywolfe9020]

Thank you !!

[@garrett5532]

I don't think these players in their age group are 3.0. They have better game sense, make shot selections that are often optimal. They can drop, drive, dink with purpose, and apply technique with each. Do they make unforced errors? Certainly. But you yourself are blaming many of the errors on paddle choice rather than technique. If these players are 3.0, then the definition needs to change dramatically. Also, first point you critique: that was not a 5th shot drive, that was a flick. He earned a lot of space in the transition zone, he was looking to apply pressure at their feet. He did so on the move, which is challenging, but I don't disagree with his idea. Execution was lacking. Thanks for the video, Rory.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching. I just think players, on a court in which 76% of the points ended with an unforced era are not above 3.0. it is a small sample size. If they watch this video I wish they would post their duprs. I would be really interested to know.

[@garrett5532]

@pickleballpick-apart9787 I'm confused. If we both agree that paddle selection attributed to a majority of their unforced errors and not their mechanics and decision-making, can we not deduce that their paddles are the actual factor here, and not their skill level? If you say that different paddles will change their skill level, do paddles then change one's skill level? If you remove the paddle from the equation, what is your assessment then? I hope you see my point.

[@middlegeorgiapickleball3690]

Garrett, your analysis of these player’s ratings is much better than Rory’s. You cannot just say they made a lot of unforced errors, they must be 3.0s. If these players were playing 3.0s, there would be no pressure to hit deep serves and returns, good drives and drops, as well as aggressive dinks. The real 3.0s would be waxed. This was a friendly game, they are clearly working on aggressive shots. All of these players are 4.0+ with one of them having a DUPR of 4.7. A good pickleball analyst knows to look at the players tool bag and not just the execution in a small sample size. But I think good pickleball analysis is not the name of the game for this KZbin channel.

[@garrett5532]

​@@middlegeorgiapickleball3690this was where I was thinking they might actually be. The mechanics and pattern play alone made the decision pretty easy that they're at least around the 4.0+ level. Thanks for the info!

[@downieduck2414]

how about choosing a colour ball that better for the walls, rather than repaint the wall - bright pink or orange would work..dark walls make the interior to dark

[@Ramphastos333]

Agree! Our gym is three courts on an old, re-finished, original basketball wood surface (light colored wood), and light off-white walls. We use an orange ball and it's no issue. We do recommend that people not wear orange shirts, though!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I think that might work. Thanks for watching.

[@KaLee-gc7oq]

In rec play at my local park, no one cares if you are using an unapproved paddle, especially if you are not a physically strong player.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I get it. What about a 21-year-old who hits it so hard, you can hardly see it? Thanks for watching.

[@saskdad115]

Missing the right shot is better than making the wrong shot... Developing good habits and strategies will pay off in the long run

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Good point. Thanks for watching.

[@janinemurdock2043]

I think some people, especially beginners, miss that first return initially because people don't typically practice serves in the warm up before a game and so they aren't used to what they're going to be facing from a given opponent.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That is true. Not many players practice service before beginning a game. Thanks for watching.

[@nengervang]

Hi. I enjoy your videos and comments. I ran into a pretty good 5.5 level game in case you haven't seen it. It was enjoyable to see them not make too many mistakes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIupiaePdtCcrJI

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. I'll take a look and maybe do a video on that game.