I couldn’t play at my normal time today so I reserved a court to do some drilling. I expected to use the ball machine and maybe take a friend with me for some extra shots and conversation. Before the day came I was asked to join 2 ladies who had gone to the PPR conference earlier this month and learn about some drills they picked up from pickleball pro Sarah Ansboury. I was hesitant to give up the court time because I needed to drill on a few things but I didn’t want to pass up the chance to learn something new.
The gal who wanted me to join them to learn the new drills set everything up and then had something come up with her foot. So, she found another lady to come. I tried to go in with a positive attitude but I really wanted and needed to drill and I figured with 4 people there it was impossible we wouldn’t play. I didn’t want to play, at all, but I also didn’t want to be a jerk. I was sort of trapped, which is wild since I reserved the court.
I digress.
I showed up and it seemed like no one really knew what we were doing there. I knew what I wanted to be doing, 1 gal seemed to be there for whatever, another asked, oh, we aren’t playing? And another had a couple of drills to share. We did 2 drills and worked on serves and returns.
I wish I could say I walked away with some new stuff to use with the drill clinic but both things we went over were things I knew.
We ended up playing 3 games and it was hard for me to take it seriously.
First, I didn’t come to play. Second, we just spent a significant time drilling on drops and dinks and the first game was drive and drive. By the third game there was so much lobbing going on I announced to my partner I wasn’t chasing down any more lobs. Why drill on drops and do third shot lobs? Why practice dinks – heck, why practice anything if the only shots you plan to do are drives and lobs?
There were a lot of good angle shots that were impressive. Almost so impressive it was hard to imagine that people weren’t in the non-volley zone. Regardless, doing a lob every other shot and then clanking a hard angle is definitely a strategy that can be effective.
I know what kind of workout I get when I drill and unfortunately, today wasn’t up to my expectations. But any day with pickleball is better than a day without!
