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On-Court Coaching Tips

1. Overly Large Swing
One of the most frequent mistakes players make is taking too big of a swing. Focus on a controlled swing path that moves low to high which helps in generating topspin.

From the baseline (serves and drives), prepare with your paddle low and back, while keeping it within your peripheral vision.

In the transition zone, use a half swing or a controlled punch depending on the speed of the incoming ball.

At the net when receiving drives, keep your stroke short and compact—think of a punch or block rather than a full swing. This improves control (keep your opponent’s deep) and reduces your opponent’s reaction time.

2. Stop and Split-Step Before Contact
Movement and timing are critical for consistency. Many players try to hit while still moving, which leads to errors.

Come to a controlled stop and execute a split-step just before or as your opponent makes contact.

Read the ball early as it crosses the net, move to the correct position and stop, get set, take a breath, and then execute your shot.

This sequence promotes balance, control, and better shot execution.

3. Keep Your Opponent Deep
Controlling court position starts with depth on your serves and returns to apply pressure and maintain the advantage.

Serve: Target the back third of the court. Use core rotation, start your paddle path low, and finish high near your ear while keeping your head down through contact.

Return of Serve: Track the ball early, split step, set your shoulders and hips perpendicular to the net, and rotate through the shot with a low-to-high paddle path to create depth and consistency. Follow through in the direction you want the ball to go.

4. Be Consistent in the First Four Shots
Most points are decided within the first 4–5 shots, often due to unforced errors.

Prioritize getting the first four shots in play by focusing on control and intentional targeting. In is good

Make smart decisions: aim for your opponent’s backhand, inside (non-dominant) foot, or hip. By hitting good target, you create discomfort and force your opponent to move.

Emphasize control over power, shorter backswings lead to greater consistency and better decision making.

Doug Wisman (PPR Certified Coach and TPS member)

2026 Ladder League

We will be hosting up to 3 ladder leagues this summer. If we have 3 ladder leagues I will need some help, anyone interested email me at mailto:sandyandkeith4@gmail.com or text me at (541) 246-0843.

The first league will be the same as last year on Sundays.

In addition we will be adding an advanced league >3.5 and a beginner league < 3.5. These two leagues will work a little different – you will get a text or email on Sunday with the three people to play that week. The four players will set up where and when to play and email the scores by Friday.

Eye Safey

Eye protection is so important, but we often hear that protective eyewear is problematic in our humid coastal climate because lenses fog up easily. There’s a new manufacturer who makes LENS-FREE pickleball eyewear – it’s called Kitchen Blockers and you can find out about them at kitchenblockers.com. The Club is not endorsing or recommending this product, but if you’re in the market for safety eyewear, you should add it to the mix of options you investigate and consider.

PICKLEBALL CENTRAL DISCOUNT CODE

Please note we now have a Club Rewards Discount Code for FLORENCE OREGON PICKLEBALL CLUB! When making purchases from Pickleball Central YOU can save money AND help earn money for our club! Here is how it works please read the following from Pickleball Central:

We want clubs to grow and multiply, so we’ve created a program called “Club Rewards”. Our Club Rewards program gives members of local pickleball clubs a 5% discount on almost everything they purchase from PickleballCentral.com and an additional 5% of the purchase price of the eligible items goes back to your local pickleball club in the form of an annual “club cash” code.

When checking out, simply type in your club’s unique discount code in the coupon code box, hit the “apply” button and you’ll see 5% of the bill disappear! Plus, periodically clubs receive a special email offer available only to Club Rewards members. These special offers and discounts are not available to the general public and feature amazing deals on pickleball equipment for serious players.

Every time a member uses your club’s discount code, 5% of their eligible purchase goes into the club’s reward fund. In February of each year, we’ll send the designated club representative “club cash” for the value of whatever is in the club’s Reward Account from the preceding year. Club Cash is a special gift certificate that can be used toward the purchase of anything we sell (aside from another gift certificate) and will expire 6-months after issuance.