“Hey Coach, Why All the Rules?”
This morning, a surprise landed on my phone: a message from my son, Wesley. He shared a discourse given in 1971 to a vast Christian audience, titled “Why All the Rules?” The relevance of this to The Coaches Corner struck me immediately. Nearly every drilling session I inflict (*grins!) my pickleball students with “rules” to help govern their athletic behavior in skill development. Fundamentally, rules guide people toward success. In pickleball, every drill, movement, and strategy has a rule. The ultimate question, “why?”, is what The Coaches Corner revolves around. Why do we follow these sequences? Simply, the ‘why’ is more crucial than the ‘what.’
Personal Reflections & The Coaches Corner Studying religions was a passion during my college days at the University of Minnesota. Over the years, I’ve held a deep respect for varied beliefs. I encourage readers to explore my writings in The Coaches Corner (see “Pickleball and the Metaphor for a Happy Life) which echo this sentiment.
Lessons and Parallels from “Why All the Rules?”
The discourse emphasizes that rules, like the 10 commandments, shouldn’t be rewritten but revisited. In pickleball, our foundational rules are timeless wisdom guiding players toward continuous improvement. These principles don’t need reinvention, just frequent revisits.
Returning to Basics: Reread, Not Rewrite
The message is clear: return to the roots. Commandments (and pickleball foundational performance rules) are enduring for a reason. The real challenge is: are we revisiting them enough?
Unlocking Potential: Choice, Freedom, and Practice
Every athlete has immense potential. To unlock it, one must make choices. Training rigorously, staying disciplined, and perfect practice are paramount. Our coaches guide athletes, ensuring their adherence to foundational rules.
The Ten Commandments vs. Pickleball Rules
Just as Moses received the Ten Commandments, foundational rules are vital in pickleball. To drive the point home, let’s juxtapose the Ten Commandments with The Coaches Corner’s “commandments” (or rules) for optimal performance:
List of Ten Commandments
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- You shall have no other gods before God.
- You shall not make, or worship graven images.
- You shall not take God’s name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness (lie).
- You shall not covet.
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List of Coaches Corner Rules
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- Watch the ball.
- Paddle ready, the second you step on the court!
- Watch the ball come off your opponent’s paddle.
- Watch the ball come off your partner’s paddle.
- Thou Shalt connect with the ball in the “sweet spot” of the paddle (*grins!)
- Practice forehand/backhand on Volley Zone in circular “figure 8” motion (backspin).
- MOVE YOUR FEET
- Lower apex connection to the ball = greater accuracy!
- Contact the ball in the middle of the 90°
- Be equally balanced as often as physically possible when contacting the ball.
- Stop, balance, then hit (“a body in motion = a ball in the net!”)
- OPTIMAL hit strategy: Cross court
- Zone’s 1-5 have strategic relevance, apply zone strategy in the back court!
- “Punch” shot (minimize wrist at specific height of ball when at the kitchen).
- Seek ATP-able shots.
- Figure 8 fundamental physiology.
- Like a vitamin: Spend 8 minute a day on Volley Zone or Wall (500 mg/day … *grins!).
- Forcing and flashing the Erne (body movement advantage)
- Dinking X-factor off pillow shot strategy.
- Backward motion with forward intent.
- Quickly getting to the kitchen “marathon style” (No bobbing).
- Paddle up, always!
- Warm up drill (1st game is NOT a warm-up game!).
- Knees bent (defensive/offense position): Athletic stance fundamentals.
- Follow your shot.
- “Snapshot opponents” with mental energy on placement, always.
- Watch your opponent’s paddle position.
- Move the paddle up as the “first move” when the ball comes off the opponent’s paddle (an AMC reflective stat!).
- Recognize the better shot, not the hero shot (placement over power!)
- Be patient and reset more (hand-battle – reset)
- Stretch before play.
- Protein advantage (20 minutes prior to session).
- Hydrate often during play/session. If you’re thirsty, it’s too late!
- Forward mental intent on every possible shot.
- Pillow-shot options: (1) neutralize/pressure dink (kitchen play), (2) lob, or (3) body shot.
- Adherence to body-shot velocity: Pillow shot strategy!
- Side shuffle step at kitchen
- Counterbalance non-paddle hand (tight-rope principle).
- Mid-court: Reset (brain training)
- Purposeful and patient dinks and drops (Passive statement: “all day long!”)
- AMC: 10 consistently, NO distractions!
- Deep serves!
- Deep returns!
- Keep opponents back when possible.
- Move feet and hit from a lower position (strategic accuracy!).
- Stay positive and paddle up with your partner ALWAYS (and especially when UE happens).
- BREATH: 5-5-5 to clear the mind (oxygen to the brain!).
- Focus on for next shot (I want it attitude!).
- Refrain from dwelling on frequent mistakes (mistakes happen, get over it IMMEDIATELY!).
- Drive: SVEN!
- Drive ZONES 1 to 5 and 5 to 1.
- Top spin, middle (or body) on short serves.
- Mental focus: 14-foot reaction time (minimum).
- Reaction Time: Move a step off the kitchen line when the drop or dink is in the pillow across from your position!
- 3rd shot cross-court drops and drips (optimal).
- Focus intently on mid-court shoelaces and shin shots (and especially when opponents are in transition).
- Plant. Hit.
- Don’t lean back!
- Use spin effectively on your drive returns and dinks.
- Snapshot opponents (eye acuity!) but focus mentally on ball placement.
- Use arms to swing your body for faster movement.
- Trust your partner (drops, position, movement, etc.)
- “Mine!” or “I’ve got it!” on 3rd shot means more than just the fact that you will take the hit!
[Discover the answer to this last entry, develop the know-how, and address the WHY factor for rapid unconsciously competent skill development at The Coaches Corner!]
Navigating the Nuances: These Coaches Corner Rules!
At The Coaches Corner, we delve deep into the intricacies of pickleball, culminating in the identification of critical elements of the game—our unique rules or ‘commandments’, if you will. These are the fundamental skills and understandings, the very bedrock upon which every pickleball player should build their game. Drawing an allegorical parallel, just as the Israelites journeyed from a state of ‘enslavement’ to ‘freedom’ through adherence to the Ten Commandments, pickleball enthusiasts too aim to elevate themselves. From being in a “consciously incompetent” state—where one recognizes the gaps in their skills—to achieving an “unconsciously competent” state, these timeless rules play an imperative role.
It’s here that the unparalleled worth of a seasoned coach from The Coaches Corner shines brightest. Consider every cent invested in training as a tribute to the finely-tuned, critically-trained eye of these coaches. They not only observe but internalize every nuance of these foundational rules in every session. Their meticulous care ensures that athletes adhere rigidly to these essential principles. These guiding lights, our coaches, illuminate the rigorous, challenging path that culminates in the highly sought-after 5.0 skill level and even beyond. This journey is not just about participating—it’s a commitment to evolve with precision and perfection, always under the watchful, nurturing gaze of a dedicated coach.
Beyond Gimmicks: Merging Tradition with Innovation
The world of athletic training is rife with gimmicks. But quick fixes don’t build champions. At The Coaches Corner, we blend time-tested principles with modern technology. One tool, Senaptec, boosts sensory performance, a secret of many elite athletes. We evolve, ensuring we stay ahead, providing the best for our students.
Ever-evolving, Humble Coaches
The discourse from Wesley mentioned the perils of taking misguided paths. At The Coaches Corner, we always strive for better. Our humility is our strength, ensuring we keep learning and providing the best for our athletes.
Final Thoughts: Pathways Rooted in Ageless Wisdom
The discourse celebrates the power of revisiting timeless wisdom. The Coaches Corner is more than a training hub; it’s a guiding hand on your journey to pickleball mastery. We don’t offer shortcuts, but a path, one walked by legends. A path that promises rapid improvement.
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