18

One Step at a Time

2 playersTested on court

A feeds calm balls, and B steps in from the baseline one good drop at a time.

How to play
  • A stands at the kitchen line and starts every ball: calm balls at B's feet.
  • B starts behind the baseline and plays a drop: a soft ball that lands in or near the kitchen.
  • Good drop: B takes one step forward and split-steps (a small hop that lands just as A hits). Step by step to the kitchen line, then back out to the baseline the same way.
  • Bad or high ball: B holds or steps back, and plays the next one soft.
  • Keep the stroke small: a little push and lift, not a big swing.
  • Swap roles after about 5 minutes.
Too easy? Too hard?

Too easy: A plays with pace at B's feet, so B has to decide under pressure whether to step in or hold.

Too hard: A feeds only calm, easy balls, and B thinks only about the timing of the split-step.

Good looks like: Balanced at every step, the soft ball stays low, and B only moves forward after a good ball.

Good reps.Swap roles and go again.

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or write to pickleballinberlin@gmail.com

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