Paddle Position At The Net | How To Defend Body Shots

[@walibashir102]

I've been playing about a month & now I'm playing with higher level players who excell in the NVZ. Your video has really helped me not only to defend but actually score a point when the opportunity presents itself.

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome Wali!

[@vnguyen888]

thanks Jordan. great video! theres a difference between a tennis ready position and pickleball ready position, nice job explaining ready position for pickleball

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome! 👍🏻

[@lancefernandes7415]

Great teaching Jordan I have learned a lot from this and changed my paddle positioning doing much better

[@primetimepickleball]

Awesome!

[@JohnKostohryz]

Great video...one of the best I’ve viewed as a novice!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks !

[@joseph40ninjas88]

Makes sense = Thank you!

[@primetimepickleball]

Happy to help! Thanks for the comment Joseph.

[@sdg638]

Good stuff. Love your videos.

[@primetimepickleball]

Np !

[@vitoberlingeri1879]

New to the game and I have struggled with holding my paddle up too high with the edge facing forward, I will have to try your way as it looks like you are more prepared to get balls.

[@primetimepickleball]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@danfecioru8449]

Nice vide thanks

[@oldschoolmusiclover1]

excellent!!

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you liked it.

[@4321alp]

Thanks for another great, and useful, video!

[@primetimepickleball]

Your welcome!

[@336blessing]

Thanks for info. Hope I can play better next game. I'll let you know.

[@markobrien2264]

Thanks Jordan, I have been struggling with that right handed under cut defense, obviously it doesn't work. I think what happens to me is, while dink rally is on I tend to drop my paddle low defending the middle or my feet. I am always amazed how well certain players have the ability to keep the ball low during volleys. I tend to lose net battles, my returns seem to get a little higher each return. I'm a little on the short side, any suggestions for little guys?

[@primetimepickleball]

Keep practicing fast volleys at the net! You’ll get better. Also, You have to drill. One good tip that I have is to try to not hit the volleys hard. Just block it firmly and it will drop down at your opponent’s feet. This will keep your opponents from attacking you more. I may do a video of this soon. Keep practicing!

[@cwarner5909]

Wall drills are your friend.

[@thormatt2963]

Great video Jordan. .I have a question about the kitchen. Here's the scenario...2 opposing players are at the kitchen line and a volley begins. A serving player returns a volley that hits the opposing players body but then he steps into the kitchen. I say the serving player loses the point because he stepped into the kitchen even though the player hit by the ball doesn't return the shot. Am I right?

[@primetimepickleball]

Not 100% sure, you may have to ask a certified ref. Lol.

[@garyjones3585]

Jordan, the one hard body shot I have trouble with is the unexpected fast ball...any ideas?

[@primetimepickleball]

Rule number 1, always expect a fast ball first!! 😊

[@gabrielfrench8382]

Hey Jordan. I play against a lot of physically strong opponents who can hit very hard volleys that are hard to handle. I have tried blocking and slowing the game to attempt to reset the point, but in the end, a vast majority of points ended with them slamming a volley at my body or where I couldn't return it well. Is there a way to effectively return their hard shot to help win the point or put them on the defensive...? If it goes to a long volley session, I always end up losing or having to slow it down (and still losing), so would it be possible to make a strong first counter that could improve my chances of winning the point...?

[@primetimepickleball]

If they are already winning a majority of volley exchanges, probably not. Sound like you need to work on hitting solid volleys down at their feet. If you can’t control their pace and slow it down, then the next best option is working on those firm volleys aimed below their knees. If you can consistently keep volleys out of their strike zone, it’s going to be very difficult for them to continue to attack with accuracy. This is the best way to neutralize their offense.

[@gabrielfrench8382]

@@primetimepickleball Awesome. Thanks for the response...!

[@terry5070]

I so much agree, Wilson!

[@primetimepickleball]

We’ll work on it. In the meantime, you can you use the play speed feature to speed it up.

[@longtimelo]

Makes it look easy.

[@primetimepickleball]

Yes, with lots of practice that can happen to anyone ;)

[@kylebutz2003]

Seems to me that many ready positions are fine and actually the more important part is anticipating the shot coming. That allows you to load forehand or backhand and hit the ball in front of your body. Isn't the biggest key getting your paddle out in front at the ball as opposed to moving the paddle sideways or backwards at the ball? Any position that allows you to read the ball and move the paddle forward to the ball can realistically accomplish this. Some ready positions can add tension when it is generally better to fully relax and react instinctively.

[@primetimepickleball]

There are many different ready positions, but this one seems to be the most effective. Anticipation is very important at the net, and this is why having a good paddle/ready position is so important.

[@markandcherylhoward225]

kyle - have not heard from you in awhile.. when are you coming back to St. Louis??

[@dalevoigt8612]

It seems to me that waist high is a bit vague as to paddle height in the ready position. A 6'4" players waist is a bit different than a 4'10 players waist. Maybe it is better to refer to the ready position in terms of a constance like net height, instead of a variable like a players height. Is that why several of the pro womens paddle position seems to be higher than the mens.

[@primetimepickleball]

Just watched the gold medal match from the US OPEN. I would say all of the women’s ready position was around waist level, maybe minimally higher. There are always exceptions. For the average player, if your paddle is up in front of your body and ready to defend around waist level, that is a good place to be.

[@dalevoigt8612]

Seems to me that Jardim's paddle position is higher than the other taller girls. Makes sense to me being she is shorter.

[@primetimepickleball]

She has the highest out of the four

[@dalevoigt8612]

Yet the bottom edge of all 4 players paddles is about net height. If a person was 4ft tall would you say that a ready position with a paddle below the net would be to one's advantage. From watching most the pros it seems to me that a paddle that is just above the net is the proper paddle position. If you are Jordan it does happen to be waist high. If you are Scott Moore it is lower. If you are Jardim iy is higher.

[@primetimepickleball]

I would say everyone’s ready position no matter what gender or height should be around waist or bellybutton level. Of course there are exceptions.

[@countbarcount2]

What camera did you record with this video with?

[@primetimepickleball]

GoPro

[@rungavagairun]

Do you use a separate audio recording device with a mic?

[@rungavagairun]

... and if so, what device do you use for recording your audio?

[@johnmcclure4983]

Nicole, why is Jordan always in the videos, but you’re not? Do you pirate them from him?

[@primetimepickleball]

I have a serious injury that prevents me from being on the court at all presently.

[@johnmcclure4983]

PrimeTime Pickleball I’m sorry to hear that. Hope you get well enough to play again soon.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks! Me too...

[@thatyogawoman]

I will try your tips. I am the worst player on the court!

[@primetimepickleball]

Not for long!

[@dalevoigt8612]

When Jordan says this is the ideal ready paddle position his paddle is about 3" below his sternum. Yet 75% of the time while volleying his ready position is either sternum hight or higher. So is it do as I say or do as I do?

[@primetimepickleball]

Give it a rest Dale. Have your paddle up and ready! If it weren’t over-analyzing everything, you’d probably be a better player. Go out there and spend time on the court 🏓

[@martywolman4543]

I agree with Dale, and his remarks shouldn't be dismissed. Your verbal instruction is worthless if it doesn't match your drills.

[@primetimepickleball]

🤦‍♂️

[@dalevoigt8612]

The reason why I watch Prime Time Pickleball Is because of their excellent video instruction. I would not let 1 video influence my decision to watch their videos.

[@jimkazmarek5302]

I like the way you move your feet.

[@primetimepickleball]

😊

[@WilsonColter]

I have a hard time sitting through your videos, PrimeTime Pickleball. And hear me out, this isn't meant as a dig. I want to get the content you offer, and absorb it, but I lose interest very quickly, and often jump ahead or skip portions. I think the quality of your videos could be greatly improved by two things: 1. Plan a tighter worded script/talking points. After watching this video, I think it could easily be 3 minutes long, instead of 7. Most of what was said could be said with a lot fewer words. You could plan a 10 second intro, then have 30 seconds for each main point, then do a 35 second drill, and end with a 15 second recap. It would keep your content streamlined, more accessible, and better received, in my humble opinion. 2. Add video editing that displays the video's main points as they are reached. Example: have the words pop up on screen as Jordan starts talking about them: "1. Favor your backhand at the kitchen line." "2. Reset to ready position after every swing." etc. I hope you read this, because I honestly like your brand and I love learning about Pickleball--and once again this message isn't meant to be rude or inflammatory. Thanks!

[@ryanedward7508]

Wilson Pruiett start your own channel I’d love to see what ya come up with all this wonderful insight

[@primetimepickleball]

Thx for the feedback. There’s a feature on KZbin where you can watch at faster speeds if you find it slow. As far as the graphics...sometimes we have them, sometimes we don’t. These videos are quite time consuming to produce. We enjoy it though and we do our best.

[@tonym753]

So if a ball is hit shoulder high when at the kitchen you should duck?

[@martywolman4543]

I'm sure, you know, Jordon knows his, you know, stuff, but he, you know, is a rather, you know, ineffective and, you know, needlessly repetitive, you know, communicator.

[@duncanhills1136]

I couldn't disagree more. PTP has osme of the tersest videos out there. It very little filler. In this particular case 1/2 the video is devoted to Jordan showing u how what he just taught you can be used in the play and illustrating those facts. This isn't a recipe. It;'s an instructional video. I think they do a great job.

[@HHHPedigrees]

I hate playing against players with the Selkirk Power Air paddles. You know they're just gonna try to hit it as hard as they can at you on every shot. Unskilled chumps

[@primetimepickleball]

paddles continue to get more powerful.

[@abstractheory1]

Sound like you’re getting beat by bangers. Don’t hate the play and get better

[@jerrywelsh3366]

Again, too much preamble with several items repeated sometimes twice. Overall, informative video but too much filler.

[@primetimepickleball]

Thanks for the feedback

[@abstractheory1]

Jerry needs to relax. The video was great

[@jerrywelsh3366]

@@abstractheory1,thanks for the troll. I don’t remember mentioning your name. I’ll continue to relax at my own pace thank you and likely maintain my right to an opinion.