Sarah Ansboury

Pickleball Video – Paddle Up and in Front of You

Jeff

Watch a few games of pickleball and you will notice that a significant number of players do not keep their paddle in the up and front position. Each and every top player/coach I have watched encourages players to keep the paddle up and in front of them. Prem Carnot (The Pickleball Guru), Coach Mo, Deb Harrison and Sarah Ansboury are all proponents of this fundamental stance.

Sarah Ansboury is one of the best pickleball players in the world, winning many medals in the tournaments she has entered. In the video below she describes an interesting technique for trying to assure that you keep your paddle up and in front of you for the best chance to return the ball with a good stroke.

Watch the video below and see if this works for you!

In Summary:

  • Keep your paddle out in front of you
  • Point the paddle toward each and every ball while it is in the up position
  • This technique will keep a player alert and engaged

 

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Perhaps Pickleball’s Hardest Shot

Jeff

The Hardest Shot: Consistent Third Shot Drop Shot

NOTE: Who is Sarah Ansboury? – Sarah is the pickleball instructor at Pacific University in Oregon. Prior to that, Sarah was a professional tennis coach. As you watch her videos, you will understand that she is very skilled as both a player/athlete and instructor. Thank you Sarah for your pickleball videos!

Most pickleballers hear that the third shot drop shot is the mainstay of the 4.0-5.0 players and it is the key to being a consistent winner. Well, consistent is the word. If you are going to use the third shot drop shot, it takes a lot of practice to become consistent. Too soft a shot and it may go into the net. Too hard a shot and you may give your opponent a cream puff lob to put away. There is little room for error.

Sarah Ansboury shows us how she works to develop a consistent third shot drop shot. Watch the video and see if you can find some techniques to improve your game. To make it easier, she restricts this video to non-spin forehand drop shots.

 

Some key points (time stamps are approximate):

Let the opponent’s shot bounce and prepare to hit the ball as it starts to descend off of the bounce. This is her recommended strike zone. (3:05 – 3:40)

Push or “bowl” the ball using the paddle. No big backswing; guide the ball while keeping the arm straight. (3:41-4:28)

Step forward with the non dominant foot to keep the motion forward when hitting the ball. This improves accuracy and puts your momentum toward the net. (4:30 – 5:35)

Demonstration starting at (6:20 – 7:25)

On the move dropping shots from the baseline to the non-volley zone. (7:25 – 9:30)

 

To See Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here

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