Christian Alshon Shares Mixed Doubles Secrets: In pickleball, mastering mixed doubles play requires a specific set of strategies. Professional pickleball player Christian Alshon, who regularly shares valuable insights with his followers, recently posted on Instagram three essential pickleball lessons to elevate one’s mixed doubles game. These tips focus on offensive pressure and court positioning, two key aspects that Alshon guarantees will lead to better performance in this format.
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Target the Player Moving to the Net
Alshon’s first piece of advice is simple but effective: aim the third shots at the player advancing to the net. He shows this by targeting his opponent, Lacey, who is closing in from the baseline. This strategy puts pressure on the advancing player, often leading to mistakes or weak returns.
Alshon highlights the importance of identifying who is moving forward and making them the target of the third shot, a crucial move in mixed doubles where the player dynamics are often different than in men’s or women’s doubles.
Apply Pressure by Closing In
The second lesson emphasizes the importance of closing in after a strong shot. Alshon uses a real match example where his partner, Catherine Parenteau, hits a third shot. As the ball approaches the net, Alshon positions himself aggressively, just two feet from the kitchen line, applying pressure on the opponents.
This proactive movement forces the opposing team to react quickly, limiting their shot options. Alshon’s advice: as soon as the player or their partner hit a solid shot, move forward to the net to capitalize on the opportunity.
Attack the Space Behind the Man
Alshon’s third and final lesson involves court awareness, specifically targeting the space behind the male player. In mixed doubles, the male player often tries to dominate the center of the court, taking away key angles from the opposition.
However, Alshon stresses the importance of attacking behind the male player to break up this strategy. By going behind the man, you force the opponents to stay in their positions and cover more of the court, opening up space for more aggressive plays.
Winning Strategy in Mixed Doubles Pickleball
Christian Alshon’s straightforward yet impactful advice serves as a valuable guide for players looking to improve their mixed doubles game. From targeting the net player to applying pressure and finding gaps, these three lessons offer a balanced approach to offensive and defensive play.
With practice and consistency, Alshon’s strategies can help players handle the variations of mixed doubles and find success on the pickleball court.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon Shares Mixed Doubles Secrets
Professional pickleball player Christian Alshon recently shared three essential pickleball strategies for mastering mixed doubles on Instagram. First, he advises targeting the player advancing to the net to create pressure and force mistakes. Second, after hitting a strong shot, players should close in on the net to limit opponents’ options.
Lastly, Alshon emphasizes attacking the space behind the male player, disrupting their dominance in the center court. His straightforward tips focus on offensive pressure and court positioning, providing players with a balanced approach to improve their mixed doubles performance and enhance their overall pickleball game.
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