why this 6.0 DUPR pickleball pro is TRICKY | Match Review

[@SpankdoggPickleball]

Another great video analysis. There is not much high DUPR level content and yours is great. Definitely learning more tips for playing up. Still using the 14mm mod vs the 16mm?

[@Martin-Grunin]

Thanks for the comment! Next year, I hope to bring a whole bunch of 4.5+ and 5+ tournament play, and review the full games on here. Should be fun. In these games, I was using the 16mm.

[@Reeseballin8]

Love the breakdown format

[@nicoperezcreative]

Enjoy your videos, man; learning from them. Thank you

[@glenngee9934]

Martin, Your analysis is very instructive, especially since Eric (the 6.0+ pro is playing). I like the details that you present. As I viewed your video, I can't help[ but notice the supreme confident that Eric has in his stroke making abilities; some of his pro level techniques; it is very instructive to see how a pro sees and plays against lower level players. Granted that it is maybe 1.0 lower, but amazing to see him at a casual level - knees not bent all the time, just waiting, allowing his partner to play (and not trying to poach all the time); no stacking either, in order to take advantage of his skills. The video shows me that there is alot to learn. Thanks

[@Martin-Grunin]

It's pretty clear that nothing that we do is overwhelming for him, so it's pretty easy for him to feel confident and in control during every situation. Even if it's possible to get the better of him on one stroke, it's difficult to do that consecutively within the same point, which is where his skill difference is clearly shown.

[@saigonproducer]

What shoes is your partner wearing. They look cool

[@SpankdoggPickleball]

I noticed you consistently hit the slicing backhand on your return of serve. Do you find this to be a better strategic shot than a topspin forehand at higher levels?

[@Martin-Grunin]

Good question. So what I found is that in most games, usually one out of the two opponents struggles a bit more against a slice. Normally in a game where I am focused on winning, I will target my return to that opponent. I know that on video, it looks like a simple slice return, but on court, there is definitely a bit more to the slice than meets the eye. In situations where both of my opponents deal with the slice really well, which usually consists of having a powerful forehand drive against it, I usually revert to a two handed backhand return. In general, yea, I don't priortize a forehand return, and that's mostly been from just being very comfortable with the backhand wing. Even in tennis, my backhand was simply a stroke that I can 100% rely on in the most tense of moments. But know to further improve my game, I will have to put in time on developing a strong forehand return as well. Just something else to add the list of things to work on in 2025.

[@jordankelly1782]

Love these videos!!! Hope to see more high level players play and you breaking down vs 4.5-5.0 level. What level is everyone? One comment/suggestion: when doing replay run it at like 0.25 speed to show how the pro hits some of the shots

[@Martin-Grunin]

On this particular court, Erik is a 6.1 dupr, I'm a 4.75-5.0 player, Shaun is around a 4.5 player, and Richard is a 4.5-4.75 player. The misses he made in this match are uncharacteristic of him. Sure, next time I'll make sure to slow down the film at crucial parts! Thanks.

[@calcon11]

enjoy your analysis

[@yapenjuan]

More of this please

[@loso_snrs2667]

if the person in front of him is hitting driving or going to drop, he needs to guard his backhand and line. you need to move over and shade towards the middle and cover it. The same thing goes for him. If the person in front of you is hitting, you need to guard your line, and he needs to shade to the middle cover for you. I look at like help defense in basketball you're playing help and weak side.

[@Martin-Grunin]

You're absolutely right. I was just also pointing out that Shaun wasn't just guarding the line by being closer to it, but he also kept his paddle prepared for a body shot, which can cost him time in the event he needs to cover some portion of middle with this forehand.

[@Martin-Grunin]

By the way, I'm aware that the frame rate of the game isn't that great. For some reason my screen recording software drops the frame rate by a lot. I'll look for a different solution next time, if this sort of format is what folks want to see.

[@Ten25zerosix]

It’s nothing special what Eric is doing… he’s down playing back to simple shots because you guys are so in your own heads that you’re both over thinking that you’re playing against a “pro player”… your expecting pro shots and high level shots but he just went back to playing simple 3.5 shots bcuz you guys are not expecting it. You guys are thinking too much and got caught off Gaurd