Pro Eric Roddy wants you to flip the script when it comes to defensive pickleball. Specifically, as you’re transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen.
Here’s the new rule:
“If you believe your drop, drive, or drip will reach your opponents’ feet and they’ll have to hit up on the next shot, that is a good indicator that you may get an opportunity to move forward and attack the next ball from the transition zone.”
When you’re advancing through the midcourt, the soft game often prevails. And that makes sense. You’re fighting to get to the kitchen as your opponent has the advantage.
But you can rip an attack when they’re least expecting it. You just need to wait for the right ball. Namely, one that sits high enough to be aggressive with.
Now what to do with it. “Attacks from the transition zone either need to be hit hard enough right at your opponent that they can’t dodge the ball,” says Roddy, “or they need to be angled down towards their feet.”
Mix this mindset into your midcourt game and you’ll start to see your offensive opportunities open up.
Roddy explains a few more tactics to pull this off effectively — plus, how to recognize it and get out of the way if you’re on the other end.
