Detailed instructional outline by @PickleballPhil
We made it!!! How cool is it that we committed to 19 days and have really had success in this! I have a SURPRISE for you guys! I will be having an EXTRA DAY on monday. It will have one drill from multiple pros each. I’m excited for them! Now, onto Final day of the 19 day challenge!
1. What are we doing
Setting aside ANOTHER 19 minutes to complete ANOTHER awesome challenge! We do this in order to grow together as a community and build habits that are going to keep us moving forward towards our ultimate goals! Today @Lucore is giving us a great drill that will help us focus on how to work our way up to the line. I LOVE THIS DRILL!! This is one that I will even use as part of my warm up for a tournament.
2. Why it works
“Jennifer’s Favorite Drill” works so great because it mirrors real competitive play. It is a mental and physical challenge to get yourself up to the kitchen line and win the point. And then do it over and over again. When you get into this mindset you begin to progress towards higher level play.
3. How it relates to pickleball
What about this DOESN’T relate to pickleball? Pickleball is all about strategy and decreasing opportunities for your opponents to attack and have any sort of advantage. This drill allows you to work on short hop reset, regular forehand/backhand, and volley resets. It can be whatever you need it to be.
4. Outline & Demonstration
Here’s a personalized note from Jennifer Lucore, about her drill routine for today’s challenge:
Here’s is the drill that all players, whatever your skill level or age, should have on the top of your drills to-do today.
Here is “Jennifer’s Favorite Drill” this actual drill has several variations and probably several different names, but this is my spin on it and what works for me.
Note: This drill is COVID COMPLIANT - for I am drilling with my husband Brandon and we are on a private court.
Play to 11, win by two. The server starts at the kitchen line. The server calls the score, calls their score first, and then opponents score. The server serves the ball deep to start the half-court rally. The receiver is back on the baseline. Rally begins. If the server wins the rally, they are not awarded a point but do move back to the baseline to receive. If the person who started on the baseline (the receiver) wins the rally, they win a point and stay at the baseline for the next rally.
Want more of a challenge? Play a total of four games. Two games straight half the court (play each side) and then play diagonally (play each side). All angles and forehands and backhands are challenges. GAME ON!
Why is this drill is so great, Jennifer?
- It really makes you think … how can I get myself to the kitchen line?
- What shot do I need at this moment to win the point?
- You will quickly recognize or get hit if/when you hit “attackable” balls to your opponent
- No mentally checking out and need to focus on every shot, just like a real game.
5. Go & Do - Return & Report
Review how this fits in your day, ALWAYS! Sometimes it takes multiple times of your routine to find out what you are willing to do consistently. Now, reply to this post and put your proof you completed the challenge! This is a GREAT video challenge for all of us to do that will help us improve our lives and ultimately work together towards a greater goal!
of footwork. One of the things that makes Jennifer’s footwork so good is her split-step, allowing her to move forward or sideways.
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