Pickleball! 5.0 Mixed Doubles Match! A Shot You've Never Seen Before! Learn from Watching Others!

In this video, a game a 5.0 doubles game with three very, very good players and the wizard, Mark Napartovich. He hits some shots that other players just do not have. Check out his incredible play.

[@PickleballJoy]

THAT was a fun one, Rory! Great to see teamwork, positioning and technique on display like that game. Lydia seemed to be trying *too hard* to avoid Mark ... especially with her 3rds. Edward taking all the 3rd shots at about the halfway point seemed to be the equalizer. To the early comments saying, "That's not 5.0!" all I have to say is, Pth-th-th-th!!!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Exactly!

[@lesontime]

The wizards lob is so unique almost looks like he is going to hit himself with his paddle

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Not too many players hit a lob like he does.

[@aurelioroca6801]

Another advantage of topspin on the lob is it takes off after the bounce making it harder reach for the returner

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Good point.

[@-Tac0caT-]

I have a topspin lob that is fun to play. Like him, you end up putting so much top on the ball that you almost hit yourself in the face with your paddle. The interesting thing is that if you put it high enough and the right pace, the physics of the curve almost guarantee that it will be in. It will go straight down, and sometimes with a slight wind assist come back on itself. Then bounce and run right into that back wall/fence divider. Not the best shot at high levels, but still fun to do and to keep people on their toes.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@-Tac0caT- Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment. I've been working on it. It has taken a while, but I'm getting better at it.

[@brianbanks3044]

after re-watching this a year later, i do not agree with you anymore about the lob not being a good shot...it is totally used as an offensive AND defensive weapon in the game today....it buys time, it forces people back, it catches teams off guard and it can flip the court in 3 seconds....it is way more prevalent in today's game than a year ago when this video was made

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That's all right. I think at higher levels, it can be used effectively as a defensive move. Most of the time, I see it used over and over in lower level games where players either don't hit it deep enough, hit it out or don't hit it effectively.

[@mddale]

Great to see unusual technique

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Special!

[@guyrestivo]

yes..coming from table tennis--Marks excessive spin serves him well, but to us mere mortals that excessive spin is low % and should be avoided..an occasional roll at NVZ line and slice return is all u need--more spin in singles helps alot but this game is about avoiding mistakes and the timing of wrist movements is something to be avoided..Mark is a spin wizard like u said and he can make that pball dance but his style should never be copied--in my opinion

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes. He's something else. I hardly ever hit lobs. I am working on that lob from the 6:00 to 6:00 position in practice. I have tried it three times now in a game just to see if I could do it. I failed twice and in a perfect one once. Depending on who I'm playing, I might use it maybe once a game. I am no Mark Napotavich.

[@aconneen]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 Besides the paddle skill, Mark also uses great body position and a perfectly timed step-back on his far foot to make it work. Thanks for highlighting this match. Very enjoyable and informative.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@aconneen Good point. Thanks for watching.

[@kvom01]

Might be the camera but Mark looks to have his toes on the line many times.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I really didn't notice. Thanks for watching.

[@Sigmacattherian]

mark is a ping pong player!!! i can do a forehand underhand cut to return serve on the baseline lefty!!!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

A very good ping pong player. Thanks for watching.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

Edward is really highest rated player here (mostly due to age), mark most highly skilled.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. First time I've seen Edward play. If I were choosing a partner, I'd take Mark.

[@gk-qf9hv]

"Lydia is an excellent player" LOL

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Come on! You don't think she's good?

[@Goofymonkey11]

Excellent video. Lydia is good but very outclassed by everyone on that court. Good for her though being active out there at that age.

[@tombishop8083]

Almost got her in the face because she started too far to her right before his return then she stepped even further to her right. Very odd move. Fun match. Lots of wristy flicks.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for pointing that out and thanks for watching.

[@psayer72]

She starts farther to the right bc they run the switch or "shake & bake"... except when they don't. You can tell they have played together as partners a ton, because when she's at the net and he's returning, she decides based on the location of his return whether to switch or not. After he returns, his first angle is to switch unless he sees her decide to stay, they he veers back to cover his side of the court. He's fairly fast and handles balls fine in the no-mans-land so it works well.

[@jeffreybartlett4899]

6:25 questioning the out call? I freeze framed it touching the surface a full 1/2 foot out. Mark's good ... no need for hyperbole.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes. Mark is good. Very, very good.

[@donaldlenardson6291]

Mark does not seem to be particularly athletically co-ordinated . And this is what makes his shots sooo surprising , and therefore effective . You cannot assume anything against this guy . Believe it or not , it is his brain , not his , at best , average athleticism , that makes him so effective. This game of Pickle-Ball is 95 % mental . And Mark proves it !

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That is an excellent point. When I play against players half my age, they are more athletic, they have better hand-eye coordination and better reflexes. But, I have a chance because I can outsmart them by taking advantage of their weaknesses. That's what I love about pickleball. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.

[@Abbiedupre7]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787don’t you think those days are slowly coming to an end ? Tennis players are starting to crush seasoned pickleball players

[@marshallwise1763]

Like professional boxing...85% mental.

[@toddjudd5120]

Please watch this video in slow motion. Mark's shots are out more often than called. This is not 5.0

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. I have watched Mark play many, many times. He is an outstanding player. He plays out of Orlando. I'm not going to question his ability. I've seen him do things I don't see other players able to do.

[@bosoxer4eva]

Too many unforced errors by the fella in red and the female in white was really good too.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. I was trying to focus in on Mark.

[@charlieytpw]

Check pickleball pirates Joey had mark show the trainer.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I've seen his trainer. Thanks.

[@Moo2oob]

They all generally get to the NVZ line. Good players. You wouldn't believe the number of people I play with recreationally who simply stand back at the service line playing defense. And I feel I can't offer them a critique. Frustrating.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Some players take instruction while on the court, some don't. Thanks for watching.

[@greggwinter]

These players are no better than 3.5

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I'll have to disagree. Mark could beat any 3.5 player he would play against. Thanks for watching.

[@bigo5659]

I don’t see any wizards….

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You didn't look hard enough. LOL!

[@pattiecarr5599]

They are not acting like 5.0.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I did not rate them. That's what the title of the video was. I do believe Mark is a 5.0 player.

[@bakervinci163]

This is not the same as 5.0 tennis

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I never made it to 5.0 tennis. Got stuck at 4.0.

[@redequal7457]

They are not 5.0 players. I can play better than them, and I do not consider myself to be a 5.0 player.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. I think Mark is 5.0. He has some shots other players do not have.

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

They're good? I guess I have to start pickleballing!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Give it a shot. You might enjoy it. Thanks for watching.

[@spelunkerd]

Topspin lob is a routine shot in Tennis.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes, but not quite hit like Mark does. His is extreme.

[@jackparsons8396]

For those who say that Mark is not a 5.0 and not that good, I watched a video where Cliff and he gave Ben Johns and Simone Jardim a run for their money. They lost, but it was a competitive game.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That match was played 2 years ago. Johns and Jardim won the first game 11 to 1. In the second game, Mark and cliff got out to a 5-0 lead. Johns and Jardim then ran off 11 unanswered to win 11 to 5.

[@jackparsons8396]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 I must have watched the second game.

[@randallmcmanus]

"Wizard" my ass. I'd love to see Ben Johns shove those wristy spin shots where the sun don't shine. He make A LOT of unforced errors for a supposed 5.0. Just sayin'....

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

If you're ever down in the Tampa area, why don't you look him up? Thanks for watching.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

Strongest player taking third ball is common at higher levels, especially in tournaments and especially in mixed doubles. Even in straight men’s doubles stronger player’s forehand takes left side and covers middle and farther at least 60 percent to keep partner from having to hit weaker backhands. It actually helps team play at a higher level but for the average player doesn’t go over well.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and commenting. You make some very valid points.

[@jimw6991]

Its always hard to judge how fast, hard a ball is being hit and how much spin watching on KZbin. That said, 5.0 players should be able serve and return with depth. The spin master is getting balls dropped in center of court with no pace, of course this creates no pressure on him, he is able to tee off on the shot with some unusual technique and get the best of his opponents. The team losing should have taken a time out and figured out how to get to the net and avoid giving time to spin master to hit his funky shots. If your opponents like pace, slow it down. If they want to play slow, speed things up. Frustrate the man by hitting to his partner or vice versa. Etc., Etc. Etc. I didn't see any change in way points were being played even by team losing. That is not a trademark of advanced players .... they will definitely try different things if plan "A," isn't working. Not put their hands on their hips. If you have played long enough to be a 5.0, you have seen players hit lots of spin and know how to counter it. That said, the lady in white and man in blue played well together.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for your comments. Very accurate observations.

[@bakervinci163]

The guy you are calling the better player is totally flat footed. I don’t play , but I do play tennis and table tennis.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

He may be flat-footed, but he is an excellent pickleball player. Top shelf. Thanks for watching.

[@ericbooya]

I play with a dude that does a lob like Mark, but Mark's looks much better

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I've been working on them and getting pretty good at it. Thanks for watching.

[@tomhesemann3680]

Mark is the real deal. I have watched him on Pickleball Pirates for years.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

He's one of my favorite players out there. Thanks for watching.

[@929mmr]

Back to the lob debate. At 14:25 you say the lob didn't work. I say it did work and worked very well. He had a tough shot to handle going off his back foot and he lobbed it to the weaker opponents back hand side. He was able to reset his position and drive her shot back at her and got to the net to win the volley. Lobbing is a tactical weapon rather than a kill shot. When I have seen you comment on lob shots I mostly agree with you because most players are pretty bad at it and use it in wrong situations. I am only middling myself but play with ex tennis/ping pong players that are quite good at it. Lately one such opponent got to the court before me and while I was stretching he was working on that shot while I watched. First couple were lousy, next couple were decent and then the next several were within one or two feet of the baseline. In our 3 game doubles set he had about 8 for 8 total lobs that landed in that area with a huge advantage before he finally hit one about 2 inches long. Usually used it when the serve returner hit a mid long shot and ran up to the net but maybe not completely set so all momentum going the wrong way. Top spin lob just out of smashing reach that was either not returned or returned with his team now at the NVZ and our team out of position.. Its a tougher shot than the 3rd shot drop because it has to travel further but practice and skill make a big difference.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It is a very tough shot. That's why average players hit it out, a lot.

[@jimw6991]

​@@pickleballpick-apart9787 It is not a tough shot, but like any you have to practice to be good at it. As the other person wrote a great time to lob as opposed to dropping is when your opponent has charged to NVZ and has their momentum moving towards net, a decent topspin lob and you have that person easily beat. The other time is during a dink rally, if your opponents have thier feet wide apart, leaning forward and low to ground a lob over the backhand side of your opponents can be a winner. I played in Naples recently with some high level players, they worked the points well with offensive lobs mixed in with other attacks. It can win points and certainly will tire someone out if they have to chase down the lobs. As you know, running down lobs or drops on a hot day can take it out of you in a hurry if you are a senior.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

8 for 8! That's incredible! I have been working on the type of lob Mark hits. I'm getting better at it, but no way can I go 8 for 8.

[@929mmr]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 He is a very good tennis player (and very good ping pong player) who picks his spots well. He also has a ridiculously good drop shot. Played him today and he wasn't quite as good with the lob but he is definitely better than a 20%er. I am guessing you are better than 20% now also especially if your standard for success is that it gives you an advantage rather than only succeeding if it is not returnable. I believe your stat and you are usually right when commenting about it. I just don't think it can be applied across the board. Some are better than others.

[@kathleenmontavon8630]

5.0? Is that self rated? Seniors? Please give age bracket.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I know Mark is over 50. Self-rated? I'm not sure. It may be their DUPR. If you're questioning their ability, my suggestion, if you're in the Orlando area, go challenge Mark. Thanks for watching.

[@kenjiss7666]

The lady in pink is not a 5.0. She can't do the basic right

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching.

[@joeymitchell1899]

I like your videos and I am learning the do not of the game. It comes down to be patient and set yourself for the next play.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Good point!

[@mango0686]

Loves that offensive lob, can be useful to use against opponents who are out of position

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Especially one like his. I practiced it over and over and over and I've gotten pretty good at it. When I do hit it effectively, my opponents are not happy. Thanks for watching.

[@davetarleton8030]

I would say you need to watch more pickleball if you think they were 5.0...

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I'm not the one who rated these players. That is what was in the title of the video that was posted on youtube. I do believe Mark Naportavich is a 5.0 player.

[@psayer72]

You're right, Mark's not a 5.0... he's a 5.3. His DUPR is 5.326.

[@ar15tac]

Good break down even the guy with a good lobs missed two in that game I think. I’m with you I don’t believe in lobs from the back court unless its return of serve or you are out of position and need time to get back on the court.still better to drop if you can hit a high drop. That said from the non-volley zone line seen some brutal lobs. Do you feel the same way that lobs off a dink from the non-volley zone line are bad idea?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Sometimes surprise lobs whe dinking do work.

[@gg80108]

Yes I will lob if pushed back with a deep return after I serve. Fireball topspin serves seem to backfire and cause deep returns if its not a winner.

[@CharlesBrodheadIII]

Occasional controlled lobs from the kitchen are very effective to reset pace and positioning. Even though I'm 6'7" good players can get it over me with relative ease. I can return most of them but it's hard to drop or drive them with accuracy. Of course, when it's windy they're far harder to execute, so should probably be avoided.

[@TreetopEscape]

I'm very new to pickleball, I have no real tennis background, a lob is one of my favorite hits to but on people, I'm probably 75% success rate. I'm not erally sure my swing motion, i've never recorded myself.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Lobs are not going to work for you in pickleball like they do in tennis. The court is just not big enough. You're also going to have to shorten your swing by about 70%. Best of luck.

[@matthewmeyer929]

If you look at the comments on the original posting of this video, half of them are “this is not 5.0.” It’s nice to have commentary from someone who knows what he’s talking about

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. That's nice of you to say.

[@929mmr]

I agree. You could probably convince me that Lydia was more like a 4-4.5 just from watching the video but the rest were all excellent. Even with Lydia it might have been a case of Mark just putting enough pressure on her to make her falter more.

[@miketrumitch9309]

Probably a 3.0 in tennis

[@CharlesBrodheadIII]

I think too many high drops and unforced errors for 5.0 play. Lady in pink is 3.75 at best so Edward has to massively overcompensate. Mark has great ball control and spin, but footwork is lazy. All players leave gaps in the middle where they lose points. I also see far more drives than resets at and near the kitchen, and dink rallies can't be maintained beyond a few shots.

[@brianlane9534]

@@miketrumitch9309 this ain't tennis - sheesh

[@rodmarshall6747]

Not 5's no way, and your sweetheart "Wizard" Mark had kitchen violations that you seemed to have missed. Why didn't you give them a notional rating? If you are going to put it in your TITLE "5.0" you really should follow up with some logic. It's like Movie titled "Titanic" without the ship ;-)

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

The video really does not give a true picture of how good Mark really is. If you're ever in the Orlando area, go watch him play, or better yet, play a game against him. Thanks for watching!

[@shanec4441]

The Wizard spins like I do in pingpong and pickleball. I need to perfect it a lot more

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Oh yeah. They took his ping pong skills to pickleball.

[@torchape]

I'm a life-long table tennis player (almost 66 yrs old), and that was my first guess as to Mark's style: he's a table tennis player. I don't play pickleball yet, but I just signed up for beginner lessons. I need to get in shape and I figured I can bring my ping pong skills into pickleball.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@torchape You absolutely can! Best of luck and thanks for watching!

[@georgebarbero4743]

Funny you say lobs fail 80% of time...just opposite with me. I had a good topspin lob in tennis and have been able to transfer it to pickle. Players do get pissed but so what. I had a game where I hit like 6 lob winners..one after another...and the opponents were furious. The best is many times they call 'out' before it hits and then have to concede point when it lands in.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That's awesome. Most players don't have your ability. They do not put top spin on it. So when the ball hits its apex it just keeps going and does not drop down like yours does.

[@edward1019]

This is what will happen to players who watch this video and actually believe this is 5.0 play.(the lady in pink can barely move) Guy to his wife: "Hey hon, check this out, this is 5.0 play, whaddya think, we should play 4.5 in that tourney next month just to be safe? Otherwise I'd say let's go 5.0 if this is what it's like." One month later, while putting ice on his welted body after getting body-bagged for 45 minutes straight, "They said it was 5.0...then what did we just play in 500.0?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I know! That's funny and pretty much true. I did not rate these players. Thanks for watching.

[@daveharter6469]

I watched this a second time. And look for different things. The wizard was putting back spin on the ball. 1. the ball will check up a bit when it hits the ground. The other thing is ( take a ball in your hand and rotate it with back spin and put it up against the paddle. It will come off the paddle with a downward motion in most cases into the net). That is what was happening. About a third way into the game, the guy in red figured it out. He started putting a lift on it when he hit it. Too high started poping it up. Sometimes, an unforced eir is the result of a very well hit ball. These were great players.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes! They are excellent players. Mark is one of my favorites.

[@pauliezzi3348]

isn't this just rec play? I'm confused by the empathise about trying to constantly hit to the weaker player. In our highest level night, if there are (2) 4.5s and (2) 5.0s, the 5.0s will purposely hit mostly at each other. In lower level rec play, yes they play only for the game they are in and will generally hit to the weakest player. Is this really 5.0? On a side note, I enjoyed watching and the breakdown provided.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. 5.0? I think Mark is. The others, ????.

[@thecontralawrian7575]

Who really thinks this is 5.0 play?? This is 4.25 to 4.5 ( at best) play by lady in white and dude in red. Lady in pink is 3.5 on a good day. Blue shirt is obviously a 5.0+.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching.

[@peterbarrett5496]

I just realized watching old people is way better, what about 5.5. I like to see the game when it's not about full body athleticism like tennis, it's strategy and finesse on display

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I recently did a pick apart of players playing in the gold medal match at Nationals at the 70 plus age bracket. Check it out.

[@RobertMacdonald-t3r]

I have watched Lydia play in several tournaments over the years. I think she now plays in the 4.5 70+. She is definitely the oldest player on the court. I think she is from the Villages. She is good for her age.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Awesome! Thanks for the information. For her to play with those guys and compete is quite an accomplishment.

[@charlieytpw]

Mark is my favorite player to watch. His training on his wheel spin machine has allowed him to have gain of function of eye hand processing along with additional muscle development. 80’s racquetball players did the same. I would love to have one. Mark has minimal body movement and always faces the bet an always gets to the ball.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

He's one of my favorite players as well. Has a tennis table background. Thanks for watching.

[@bplewniak]

People either ping pong and racketball are really fun to watch play pickleball vs someone with a tennis background.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Badminton as well. Thanks for watching.

[@gg80108]

Why does Lidia try to hit high balls with a chop? Pound em down.cuz I think she has a western grip. Only two people can make a western work.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Yes, not good.

[@scottreich1420]

The guy in the next court, with the plum tank top is a giant

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes. I did notice that!

[@robsutton3092]

Nephalim!

[@tedlevendosky4182]

At 3:00 you say that the lady in white makes a mistake by not getting to the net. Her shot is going to bounce high and be attacked by any decent player. In my opinion she is absolutely right to stay back and the "wizard" is wrong and or lazy to not have dropped back. Her mistake is that she hit a ball that was going out.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. She did.

[@paulschubert2861]

5.0 ? That

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I'm not 5.0 and never will be. I do think if the tennis players decide to dedicate themselves to pickleball, both of them could be. Thanks for watching.

[@CurtisSimpson]

Excellent analysis and great play.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching.

[@iantercero5380]

Poor Lydia. I feel for you. This is why mental game is huge.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching.

[@Ray96744]

Rory is AI

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Haha! Not quite.

[@scottfrancis13]

Not 5.0

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Sorry. They are. Go watch them play in person. Or, play a game against them.

[@scottdaniels-rx2ql]

5.0? Sorry, this is above average, but, not close to 5.0 players.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

That's what the KZbin video that was posted had them as. Thanks for watching.

[@7915thomas]

I presume they are 3.5. Both teams unable to get to the kitchen on a regular basis.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Well, I'm just going to have to disagree. These players are above the 3.5 level. A 3.5 player would not stand much of a chance winning against Mark.

[@CarieStrahorn]

this was very instructive!

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching!

[@daveharter6469]

It's a great game to watch. It's pretty good, players. I would give them 5.0.. 4.5+ anyway. Was closer than I thought it would be.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

They are very good. I know someone who goes to Orlando and plays against them. He tells me you don't realize how good they are until you play against them.

[@daveharter6469]

@pickleballpick-apart9787 Yes, I'm not sure people watching these videos realize how consistent good players are. Do you know where they play? I am going to be in Orlando in March- April.

[@DarrenWellhoefer]

The player in blue does that switch everytime and always ran to the left side even if the partner didnt switch- they werent in line. I play with a friend who is a lefty so the switch makes sense. Ive never seen it right two righties. I wonder whats the purpose of it if both players are righties- just preference?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

He seems to prefer to be in that court.

[@godgunsandgoldens]

In tournament play mostly the dominant forehand attacker takes left side to take more third balls and middle balls with forehand. In Rec. play no reason because the point is getting better experimenting with shots, winning should be secondary.

[@DarrenWellhoefer]

@@godgunsandgoldens Thx for the explanation.

[@pepinopolice6928]

Lydia is so terrible it's hard to tell how good any of these players are

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

I don't think he's quite that bad.

[@dm11554]

Wouldn't one expect longer rallys at the 5.0 level? The play is not that amazing....

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Perhaps so. If you sell them play in person, you could really see how good they are. Thanks for watching.

[@dm11554]

I thought you were only judging on the video. @@pickleballpick-apart9787

[@NOT_A_TOP_FAN]

Question: the player who attempts to do all kinds of wild spin just as annoying as the non stop banger??

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

If you're talking about the guy in blue, with the bald head, the answer is no. He mostly has control of his spin, having been a top level table tennis player for many years. I see players who put spin on the ball who have no control and should not do it. Mark has the control and the ability to do it. If you played against him, there are probably shots youu could not get back, because you have never seen his type of spin.

[@Sigmacattherian]

yes i agree i'm getting serious stink eye from all -due to playing ping pong on a pickleball court--i cut every shot can't help it!!! sorry---absolutley not sorry :}

[@stanpfoff8313]

Guy in blue has toes on kitchen several faults.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Didn't notice that. Thanks.

[@ardynites1733]

Mark’s ping pong prowess really shows. I played a ton too and I put a lot more spin on the ball than most people who have never played ping pong

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Good ping pong players tmconvert well to pickleball. Thanks for watching.

[@2musiclover534]

What paddle do you recommend for ping pong players who are high spin? I find that I cannot 'lift' the pickleball close to what I can to with table tennis. Thanks.

[@kpachgofast3]

5.0 ha…

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Well..if you ever make it to Orlando, challenge them. Thanks for watching.

[@kpachgofast3]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 maybe that mark guy

[@coachmackey]

Some of Mark's severs look illegal.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. Some others thought so as well. I do not think they are illegal. He plays in enough tournaments, to where if they were illegal they would be called. Thanks for watching.

[@MotorjockMike]

Thank you for your videos and breakdowns.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

You're more than welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@bmin1022]

Nice video with comments. Do you know which paddle Mark uses? I've never seen that kind of spin even in pro's games. There might be a reason why the empires check the paddles before and after the game.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks. He uses a Gruvn Raw H16.

[@af02271]

You got any videos of you playing?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Stay tuned.

[@charlieytpw]

Edward has been a good player

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Yes.

[@robynnichols1695]

I’m not an expert but it Mark’s serves are close to illegal?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for asking.5 Maybe close, but not illegal. He plays in a lot of tournaments and I've never seen it called on him by an ump.

[@spelunkerd]

The rule change for spin serve only speaks to what is done by the hand dropping the ball. In Mark's case, he drops the ball clean every time. Contact is with a rising paddle, below the waist, and top of paddle is below his wrist. The spin is simply an effect of glancing contact with the paddle, completely legal.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@spelunkerd I agree. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

[@CaptainRonAhoy]

Completely out at 3:40....

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching and thanks for asking. That's what happens mostly in tournaments. Recreational play, not so much. Pretty serious players. They want to win, so they are going to pick on the weaker player.

[@johnmccormick8357]

Do you have to win by 2?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It depends on what the rules are where you are playing. One place I play is very crowded so you win by one. Other places went by two.

[@thomasmcivor2665]

hacking the ball ....

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

If you're calling what Mark is doing hacking the ball, then my suggestion would be to make a trip to Orlando and see if you can return his hack.

[@golfmaniac007]

mark serve is illegal

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for watching. I don't think so.

[@aahyes9068]

They didn't even look close to illegal to me, perhaps b/c I'm focused more on how he starts rather than how he follows through after contact. So I re-watched all of Mark's serves several times. 12:30 and 15:40 and afterward he starts putting a bit more extra-aggressive top and his post-contact continuation brings the paddle over the wrist but imo there's nothing wrong with that except that I've seen some players question such serves and one such even got called at the Canadian nationals last year (on me). Fortunately, one time someone was randomly filming when I was hitting it and an opponent challenged it and the guy wandering around with the camera offered to review it for us in slow-mo; I didn't even look, just waited with a grin... my opponent changed his mind & said "sorry, it's a good serve". I think Mark is being careful to start with the paddle end downward so the top roll during contact is mostly lengthwise rather than side-to-side, but after contact, he (and I, when I do that kind of serve) continue up and over the wrist and even back down on our left sides. It's the late part of the stroke, in my opinion, that catches some people's eye but if it's all post contact it shouldn't be called. (I wish my paddle weren't worn so smooth by this point. Using heavy spin is fun but it's getting hard to generate close to the amount of it as I used to.)

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@aahyes9068 Great explanation! Thanks for taking the time to comment and thanks for watching.

[@ericgriffinthefirst]

Mark is the man he took control after he was patient enough for most of the match

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

He really is an excellent player. Thanks for watching.

[@929mmr]

Interesting to hear you say you don't like to get in fire fights and prefer to reset. I think I have the advantage over several players, am even with many more and have a disadvantage against several. Even on the 50/50 or so they are so much fun I wouldn't reset unless it got me from disadvantage back to even. What is your thinking there?

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

It seems most of the time I get in firefights it is with younger players. They are much quicker and stronger. So I normally lose if I keep firing back. I find if I am able to reset, it takes their power away.

[@929mmr]

@@pickleballpick-apart9787 That's good reasoning. When I get in a fire fight with my 17 year old son it is mostly a losing proposition but if I can stay in it long enough eventually I will see him get impatient and wind up. That is when I duck and he rips it out of bounds. Bad odds for me but it is just too much fun. With other younger players I will use your approach but I mostly play folks around my age.

[@timoliver7924]

5.0.?..

[@donreinholz8121]

Thanks for these videos. I love playing pickleball for around 3 hours at a time 5-6 days a week. Great cardio.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Me, too. Usually gets me about 6 miles and 3,000 calories burned.

[@frankfurter7260]

LOL at great cardio. I get tired after one set of singles tennis. I could play Pickleball forever and only stop to eat or go to the toilet. There’s virtually no running.

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

@@frankfurter7260 Thanks for watching. Yesterday on the court, I logged 15, 475 steps (7.3 miles), burned 3,099 calories and was active for 145 minutes.

[@seymourbutts563]

Dude analyzing sounds like the commentator on the PPA Tour videos

[@pickleballpick-apart9787]

Thanks for the compliment, I guess?