video

Pickleball Video – Importance of Communication at All Levels

Jeff

In the next installment of Jeff Shank’s 100 Pickleball Strategies, Jeff points out the importance of at least a minimal amount of communication between each team’s players even at the club or recreational level. If you have a tournament partner, I am sure you have crossed this bridge before reading this post. At least I hope you have!

Well then, what should you discuss?

  • Are any players on the opposing team left handed? If so, someone should keep track of when both opponents’ backhands are in the middle of the court and announce it to each other during play. The backhand is usually the weakest shot for most players and if each player does have a weak backhand and they are in the middle, this might be an advantage when returning a ball.
  • Which way is the wind blowing (if play is outside)?
  • Have you seen these players play? Anything unusual about their style (do they spin every ball?)
  • Do you know which player is the weakest?
  • Does one player have an especially good lob?

What words will be used to indicate that a ball is in, out, potentially going out, etc. Who will cover lobs and under what circumstances?

Watch the video as Jeff explains how to play “smart” pickleball even during recreational play. What additional hints does he offer besides those highlighted above?

************************

  • Did you hear what Jeff said about calling lobs “in” or “out”?
  • Why is it important to communicate when a shot is returned down the middle of the court to your team?

These are all fundamental key strategies and they can add a couple of points to your score in many games. If you didn’t pick up all of the hints and tips Jeff Shank offered in this segment of his 100 tips, it would be worth it to watch the video again!

NOTE – To find out about this series of posts, i.e. 100 Pickleball Strategies by Jeff Shank, read the first post HERE

 

To See additional Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Video Trailer – Kedi and the Street Cats of Istanbul

Jeff

Generally speaking, I am a dog lover, but I do like cats as well. I have had a couple of cats as pets and I was very fond of them. I don’t think a cat loves as unconditionally as a dog and they have a tendency to restrict their emotions. I don’t currently have any pets, but I have friends with cats and dogs and I enjoy being a “grandfather” or “uncle” to them. I play, go home and they stay. What could be better?

The Internet reports that a documentary, Kedi and the Street Cats of Istanbul, will be in theaters soon and I thought JBRish readers would enjoy viewing the trailer. There are certain countries around the world that have areas that become known for their affinity toward one animal or another. You may have heard that there is a cat island in Japan so I guess this is a special bond various cultures develop.

 


To See more Videos posted on JBRish, Click Here

Pickleball Video – What Are Your Third Shot Options?

Jeff

Helle Sparre explains third shot options. I think many pickleballers will find this interesting. It isn’t a video of pickleball players on a court, but rather about strategy. She uses a magnetic board with “checkers” as players to explain the strategy. This won’t be one of those exciting videos (for most people), but it offers some THIRD SHOT strategy tips for players at different skill levels.

The gold standard, so to speak, of pickleball third shots is the third shot drop shot. My third shot drop shot from deep in the court isn’t very reliable and most of the people I play against would probably say something similar of their own third shot. So…what are the other alternatives for a third shot? Do you just throw your paddle in the air and give up? Of course not!

Helle explains what the three basic options are and offers ideas about what you should try to do. If you are honest with yourself, and you believe that Helle Sparre has the right idea, it will point you to areas in which you need to gain proficiency.

I think you will find this of interest if you are looking to improve your game.

IMPORTANT– Helle talks about when you should NOT RUN TO THE NON-VOLLEY ZONE based on the shot just hit! A very good point or two!

 

To See additonal Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Photography – Find Inspiration and Motivation – Art Wolfe Video

Jeff

Creativity and inspiration are fickle muses. I have written as a hobby via blogs for a number of years and I wrote (with my wife) professionally for three years or so as weekly columnists for a major newspaper in central New Jersey. There were times, when I sat at the computer and magic happened; words, phrases and ideas flew from my mind to my finger tips and I could fashion a wonderful story in no time at all.

There were other times, when I would struggle to construct an enticing opening paragraph. I find the same scenario with my photography. It is only a hobby, but it is an important one. I follow many photographers via the Internet. I listen to podcasts and take part in various webinars. I am currently working on a personal project, A Year of Yosemite, where I am writing about 365 photographs I took during my week (+/-) of hiking there. It was wonderful, exciting and amazing! The spirits of Ansel Adams and John Muir were omnipresent.

So…where can we find inspiration as photographers? You know, those times when our cameras sit in their bags for days on end and we don’t feel inspired to pick it up and go out to shoot. In the video below, Art Wolfe talks about his avenues of inspiration and the different views he brings to his photographic craft. Although he is very modest, Art Wolfe is an acclaimed photographer. His training and education as an artist enables him to distill visual themes which help him create bodies of work that I found very stimulating.

I encourage anyone interested in art or photography to watch this YouTube video and perhaps watch it again. I thoroughly enjoyed it on several levels. It will certainly serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for my own photographic journey.

Where do you find photographic inspiration?


Art Wolfe: “The Art of the Image” -Talks at Google

Jeff Shank’s Pickleball Strategy Video – Third Shot – Major Skill

Jeff

In the last post taken from Jeff Shank’s tips, the role of the non-receiving partner during the serve was covered. You can watch that video tip at the following link:

The non-receiving partner’s role

After learning the basics of pickleball, i.e. double bounce rule, non-volley zone, keeping score, volley, lob, ground stroke, etc. one of the next essential skills that proves to be hard to learn, but very necessary, is the third shot drop shot.

Everyone, including Jeff Shank in this video, acknowledges that hitting a good third shot drop shot from the baseline is a skill that is hard to perfect for most people. Keep in mind, however, that hard does not mean impossible. The video below contains a good number of Jeff’s hints pertaining to the the serving team’s third shot.

Listed below are some of the key points presented in the video. See if you can find the answers as you watch! (stay with the video because it does have some very good ideas throughout.)

***************

  • As a member of the serving team, where should you be standing after the serve?
  • Who has the advantage according to each team’s relative position on the court?
  • What are the three possibilities when attempting the third shot into the kitchen and which of the three needs to be avoided.

    •  

    NOTE – Jeff points out that one does not need to get to the non-volley zone on the first attempt after a drop shot.

  • What should you do when your partner is the one hitting the third shot? Where should your team be standing? What are the options? (I see the mistake Jeff points out all of the time especially with beginners. I sometimes make the mistake as well, but I have learned to try to avoid it.)
  • At the 16:25 mark, Jeff shows a technique for practicing the third shot drop shot. I have found this helpful and I think most players will also benefit from starting this type of practice to improve their third shot skill.

    •  
    Key points when hitting the the successful third shot:

  • Where are the safest/best places to hit the ball?
  • When to avoid hitting the third shot into the kitchen or NVZ?

NOTE – To find out about this series of posts, i.e. 100 Pickleball Strategies by Jeff Shank, read the first post HERE

 

To See additional Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Video – Holiday Season Messages – Poignant, Witty, Funny

Jeff

I found this video to be entertaining and engaging which is quite something for an advertisement. I am sure that some may deem it a bit hokey, but if viewed in light of the season, I think you will find it cute, humorous or poignant depending upon your mood at the time or your general disposition.

I watched it and thought of a couple of subtexts:

  • “Can’t we all just get along?!” – Rodney King
  • “Some of the best things in life are simple.”
  • “You never know what effect you will have on someone or something.”
  • “Live and learn.”

And I am sure this list goes on. If you can think of a witty, poignant or thought-provoking subtext, why not add it in the comment section?

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous Vide-Ohs HERE

Pickleball Video – WOW! Points from the USAPA Nationals VIII

Jeff

If you enjoy pickleball, I think you will be transfixed when watching the video below containing what the creators call “jaw dropping points” from the 19+ men’s doubles gold medal match at the USAPA Nationals VIII. The match features the teams of Wes Gabrielsen and Kyle Yates against Daniel Moore and Matt Staub.

I think I have had entire games that were shorter than the first point shown in the video (…just kidding!)

**NOTE** – One thing I found interesting is how the players used the soft game to set up the power game. It seems to me that there were very few (if any) points won off of the soft game. Most were won with the power shot set up by the soft game; worth noting!

 

To See Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Humor Video – Dogs Called to Dinner

Jeff

These dogs are very well-behaved. Each waits until their name is called before proceeding to the chow line. They appear to be called in a random order, but could be conditioned to the same daily roll call. All goes well UNTIL…the very last dog who seems to have the patience of Job or resents being called last. I think you will enjoy this very short video.

 


See more JBRish humor posts HERE

 

************************************************

Third Shot Drop Shot – Worth the Effort?!

Jeff

As more advanced players know, the third shot drop shot can be a powerful weapon. On the downside, it is a high risk-high reward shot for many casual players.

What to do in the following scenario:

Your team serves the ball high and deep. The other team now returns a nice deep shot and both the players are near the kitchen (NVZ). The opponents both have good volley skills and are waiting for your next shot…

A – You can try to over power them by hitting the ball hard to one of the weaker spots, i.e. backhand which is not that easy since the margin of error is narrow.

B – You can lob the ball to try to move at least one player off of the kitchen line, but this too takes a bit of touch; too short and it gets whacked, too long and it is out.

C – Third shot drop shot. Get the ball over the net into the middle of the NVZ and move the game to the net where it would then become a “touch” game. Once again, high risk-high reward. Too long and the ball is smashed back at you; too short and it goes into the net.

When playing against skilled pickleballers, the choices may all seem difficult. Why not work on that third shot which may be the best opportunity in the above scenario?

To make it even more of a problem, the Third Shot technique is a bit different from various places on the court. It is a “touch” shot and the paddle position, pace, etc. needs to be altered as the ball is hit either longer or shorter onto your side of the court.

Deb Harrison demonstrates how to practice the Third Shot Drop from various positions on the court. I know this is one area I need to practice quite a bit. I am decent near the NVZ, but pretty bad when it comes to executing the desired third shot from the baseline.

From the YouTube synopsis:

Published on Oct 1, 2016

“This video emphasizes the need for players to develop the ability to execute a 3rd shot drop from various types of balls into the NVZ (No Volley Zone) from all areas on the court. Drills to practice dropping short hop and long hop balls are shown. The key is, depending on the type of hop, opening the paddle to the right angle UNDER the ball and using the pace to determine how much forward motion is needed. Remember that the net is your first opponent and MOST importantly, your drop HAS to go over the net. There is a lot of “feel or touch” to the execution of these skills, so more practice = more success!”

 

To See Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)