Hey!

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) – How to Let Out Balls Go Out (Drills).

2. For the Pickleball Nerds – The Middle-Wide Strategy.

3. My Journey Playing Pro – What Injured Wrist Kyle Has Been Doing.

A Helpful Tip (Video):

Jim Krimbill, a local pickleball coach in phoenix, taught me something that made me say, 

“How have I never thought of this?”

It was so simple. 

He said, “Serve it up the middle then drop it wide. Or serve it out wide, then drive it middle into the gap.”

Let’s call this serve opening the:

• Middle Wide (click for video example)
• Wide Middle (click for video example)

It's smart because it gets your opponent moving laterally before they move up to the kitchen. Which in turn, changes their "entry angle" toward the kitchen. And because of that, there's an open space for you to target on your 3rd shot. 

This makes their life harder. And making life difficult for your opponent will win you more points. 

The Takeaway: 

I’ve been studying the game for two years. And never considered this. Which gets me thinking, what else have I (and you) completely overlooked? I think I know the answer. A lot :)

While my wrist has still kept me out (started hitting today actually), a lot of good has come from this:

I started ThatPickleballSchool with my close friend Tyler. Quick notes on that, as many have asked:

1. We only have two in person schools scheduled as of now, but more will come later in the year (I'll let you know the schedule when I know).

2. After this weekends school concludes, I'll shift my focus toward creating an online school, for people anywhere in the world to access. 

And finally, please bare with me as I work to bring this to life. It will take some time, in the midst of my tournament schedule and video creation commitments, but know, I'm commited to making these resources world class for you. 

__________________

ON ANOTHER NOTE....

I commentated again for the PPA tour and had a blast being next to Michelle McMahon. She's fantastic and gave me a ton of coaching throughout, which I loved! 

Three learnings: 

1. You have limited time to speak before the next point starts, so you have to be brief in your delivery.
2. There’s always someone talking in your ear about what's coming next or the graphics they’re about to put on screen, so you have to stay focused while talking.
3. Sometimes saying nothing is better than saying nothing. 😉
   
   

Until next week, 

Kyle

PS: After two months of trial and error, I’ve finally figured out how to ERNE with my left hand on the right side! Take a look :)

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