What is a ‘playing style’ and why do we need one?

Like most sports, there is no single way of playing Pickleball. Different Clubs/Teams play the same sport different ways. What stands out is when a sporting Club/Team unite and play a sport together well … with a common purpose & method. The BPC Playing Style document highlights the fundamentals of good Pickleball and what we want to teach, demonstrate, and encourage in OUR club. It will make it easier and more enjoyable, no matter who your partner or opponent is.

The Playing Style is based on Placement, Movement & Skill.

Within the Club we will:

ü  Encourage the playing style at all levels to build strong fundamentals;

ü  Provide development opportunities for social players focused on the skills in the Playing Style document;

ü  Teach the Playing Style to new members joining the club;

ü  Reward members who adopt the Playing Style & who encourage others;

ü  Encourage talented members to volunteer time to teach the Playing Style

Mastering the playing style will be a prerequisite for entry into Advanced Play programs

Pickleball is a game where opportunities for skill & guile & creativity abound. The unique Pickleball non-volley zone was created to promote a balance between power AND skill.

The BPC Playing Style has been crafted to honour what the game’s creators intended

BPC play attacking Pickleball but NOT overly aggressive

Placement, Movement and Skill characterise our style

Our playing style both enhances social enjoyment and prepares players for advanced play & tournaments

Ø  Placement þ

q  Aim to serve to the middle of the service square – missing the serve is an opportunity lost

q  Aim the return down the middle of the court and deep – (the middle is a riddle – it can create confusion & provides a margin for error)

q  When in a position to attack … we aim for the feet 

Ø  Movement þ

q  Serve and stop (wait for the return of serve before moving forward)

q  Return and run (move forward to the kitchen & take up the attacking court position)

q  Work your way in, to win … use skill to move towards the non-volley zone as the server most scoring points are won from the non-volley line

q  Move laterally (side-to-side) with your partner to close down your opponent’s options

Ø  Skills þ

q  Learn to swing the paddle like a pendulum;

q  Learn to drop the ball into the kitchen;

q  Learn good ‘starting positions’;

q  Be ready to block & defuse hard shots;

q  Think to dink … know when & how to play this critical shot;

q  Win by forcing your opponent into error;

q  Backhand … not last-resort Whackhand! Learn to play an effective backhand

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