Footwork Recap: Seconds Matter in Pickleball
In football, they say it’s a game of inches. In pickleball, it’s a game of seconds. We gain these critical seconds through paddle resets, shot anticipation, and most importantly—footwork.
After attending Ty Woody’s Footwork Workshop, I came away with valuable insights to share. Here’s how you can improve your movement and control on the court.
Start in an Athletic Stance
Your ready position is the foundation for every movement—whether it’s forward, backward, or side-to-side. Here’s what to focus on:
- Hinge, don’t squat: Bend at the waist rather than crouching.
- Stay light on your feet: Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
- Width matters: Feet should be shoulder-width apart for balance and stability.
Reset After Every Shot
Many players lose valuable seconds by standing tall after a shot instead of returning to their athletic stance. Training yourself to reset after every hit is key to maintaining control and quick reactions.
Mastering Forward Motion
Forward movement from your ready stance is crucial, especially when charging the Kitchen line. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Stepping back before moving forward.
- Standing up straight mid-movement.
- Jumping during a split step.
Instead, try these strategies:
- Propel forward: Use your shoulders to push your body forward without stepping back. This keeps your shoulders low and your motion efficient.
- Quiet split steps: Ground your movement instead of jumping. Land softly and stay balanced.
Side-to-Side Motion
Lateral movement is just as critical as forward motion. Here’s how to shuffle correctly:
- Stay low and controlled: Avoid unnecessary upper-body movement.
- Maintain your base: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart at all times.
- Ground your attack: When planting your foot, engage your big toe to establish a strong connection with the ground.
- Lead with the correct foot: Always move the left foot first when shuffling left, and the right foot first when shuffling right. This prevents crossed feet and improves efficiency.
Implementing Footwork in Your Game
To make footwork second nature, integrate these drills and habits into your routine:
- Pre-game warmup: Spend 5 minutes practicing your ready stance and basic movements—forward, backward, and side-to-side. This builds muscle memory.
- Focus on resets: Dedicate a few games to resetting into your ready stance after every shot until it becomes instinctive.
- Explode forward on returns: Don’t casually walk to the Kitchen line after a serve return—move with purpose and urgency.
- Mind your lateral dinks: At the Kitchen line, ensure you’re leading with the correct foot, staying low, and keeping a strong base during dinking.
Footwork: A New Priority at Dynamite Academies
At Dynamite Pickleball, we believe footwork is the foundation of better performance. That’s why, starting in January, we’re making footwork a core component of all Dynamite Academies and our Beginner Pathway Foundation Series.
Let’s take those seconds back and elevate your game—one step at a time!