Get Your Head in the Game

At the 2021 Pickleball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, I had the pleasure of meeting and hitting with some of the game's legends, including future Hall of Famer (in my opinion) Susannah Barr, aka The Net Lord.  Susannah’s ability to switch between a soft, consistent game and aggressive power is one of the keys to her success, and she communicated a critical concept that has stuck with me all these years.

Anatomy of a Shot

“The closer your head is to the ball, the more precise and accurate you can be with your shot.  The further your head is away from the ball, the easier it is to apply power to it.”  She instructs her students to get their heads close to the ball on dinks and thirds to maximize accuracy and consistency.  However, when hitting harder shots like volleys and overheads, she implores us to make space between our head and the ball by sliding and moving our feet to maximize force.

Consider sports and activities that require accuracy, such as darts or a table tennis serve.  The face is very close to the object to lock in on the target and apply the most precise play possible.

However, in sports or activities that require power, such as baseball or javelin, the face is as far away as feasible from the object to maximize leverage.

Winning Pickleball

The dance between power and consistency is one of the reasons this game is so addictive and keeps us coming back time and again to try to play the perfect match. If you struggle with accuracy and consistency on dinks, drops, or even returns, try to get your face closer to the ball when making contact. If you struggle with power, create space between your head and the ball to maximize leverage. 

If you are wondering why Susannah has the nickname “The Net Lord,” she tends to get the most bounces off the net cord in her favor. Is it luck, or is it skill?  Pro Collin Johns may have an opinion on this!  But for now, take Susannah’s advice, get your head in the game, and see if you too, can become a lord of the net!

Bonus Video: Classic HOF Steve Paranto Tip: Improve your Drop!

John is a PPR Certified Instructor, a professional rec player known by his pickleball friends as “The Professor.”  He aims to help players navigate their pickleball addiction with weekly tips from etiquette to technique to injury prevention.  He can be reached at ThePIckleProf.com.