Hey!

Welcome back to the 100th edition of this newsletter. And Happy thanksgiving!!

Before we get going, this edition is sponsored by the Erne Ball Machine. I just got my Erne and have been using it a ton. A couple of the cool features I love most…

• Holds 150 balls
• Ability to change spin on ball
• Shoots balls from 10 mph to 65 mph
• Comes with over 24 pre-loaded drills
• You can control it by an app that also updates anytime the ERNE team updates the software

If you want to see a quick video of the Erne in action, click here.

If you’re interested in getting one, I can get you $150 off with my code, “PBGUY” 

Before we keep going, welcome back to another edition of the blog. If you’re new to the blog and want to go back and check out past editions, go here!

Today’s edition has three parts: 

1. A Helpful Tip (Video) – Video Breakdown of One INSANE Point.

2. For the Pickleball Nerds – You Hit Too Many Out Balls (more below).

3. My Journey Playing Pro – Tuesday Night Pickleball at The Orchard.

A Helpful Tip (Video):

Recently, I mentioned I’m working on making a video to help you (and me) stop hitting so many out balls.

The truth is, I’m tired of people telling me, “Shoulder high, let it fly.” It’s a nice line, but an incomplete thought, in my opinion.

Even though I've played for 2 years, I still hit the balls at shoulder height.

So clearly I’m an idiot or there’s more to the equation. Or, maybe it's both. 😂

After my script writing session last night, I thought I’d share a sneak peak into one section, aimed to expand your thinking on how to actually stop hitting out balls. 
__________________

AFTER your opponent hits the ball, you have little time to decide if you should hit the next one or let it go. 

So, you must understand the concept of “read and react.” 

Read and react means you observe, analyze, and decide.

1. Observe what’s happening.
2. Analyze it.
3. Decide what to do next.

And of course, all that happens in milliseconds. 

I’d argue most players fall into one of three categories when it comes to their ability to read and react. 

1. Newbie
2. Amateur
3. Expert

Newbies don’t read and react, they predetermine — “HIT EVERYTHING, all the time.”

Amateurs don’t read, they ONLY react after contact is made. 

Experts read visual cues BEFORE opponent contact is made, to inform their reaction AFTER their opponent makes contact with the ball.

And what exactly are those visual cues made before opponent contact? Well, these 5 questions will help you know what to look for:

1. How deep in the court will the ball land? 
2. How high does the ball bounce before they hit it? 
   
   1. Are they hitting up on the ball, or down on the ball?
3. What’s your opponent's court positioning at the time of contact? 
4. What does their pre shot footwork look like? 
   
   1. Are they running full steam with fast feet, or are they slowing down for “drop footwork?” 
5. What’s the length of their backswing before contact? 
   1. A big backswing is a good indicator they’re about to hit hard.
6. BONUS: KYO - Know Your Opponent. 
   1. Are you playing a beginner with a horrendous forehand drive, or Connor Garnett, who generates the most topspin in pickleball? You’ll learn this information by observing your opponents early in games. 

THEN, you take this information and couple it with the post shot read, which is: 

• What’s the ball's trajectory? 
• How fast is it coming toward you?
• What’s the height of the ball when it reaches you?

Now, understand this. Applying pre shot & post shot reads to your game doesn't guarantee you'll never hit another out ball. 

It’s the whole shoot for the moon, land among the stars concept.

Elimination is the goal, but reduction is the reality. 

___________________

While still in writing mode for this video (as this is just one of four sections), I’m excited to get this to you sometime soon with visuals behind the words you just read! Coming soon! :)

This past week’s Orchard Match was a tough one. We lost, which puts our team at 2-2 on the season. And we’ll be in the playoffs in two weeks.

I didn't play my best in mixed doubles or men's doubles. As one of my readers messaged me,

“Kyle, it looked like you were off your game.”

Truthfully, I felt it. Felt like we never got into a rhythm all night, and it cost us the game. The good news is, we play the exact same team in the first round of the playoffs!

I expect to write a different recap after our second time playing them :)

Talk next week, 

Kyle 

PS: If you want to learn how to politely react to net cord winners, watch this video :)

PPS: For fun, and in honor of this being edition #100 — Here’s the first edition I ever wrote. 

PPPS: If you enjoyed this blog and you want to subscribe to the newsletter, you can do that by clicking here!