John Cincola’s Slinky Drill Helps Pickleball Players: Pickleball pro John Cincola introduces a unique drill to help players master hitting the ball into the kitchen zone, no matter where they are on the court. The Slinky Drill is designed to teach players how to adjust their power levels and control the ball’s distance, making it a key skill for every pickleball player to develop.
What is the Slinky Drill?
The Slinky Drill, demonstrated by Cincola and his partner Rick, focuses on controlling shot power and hitting the ball into the kitchen, the non-volley zone near the net. The drill involves players starting at the kitchen line and moving back toward the baseline, hitting five shots at each spot.
Players gradually work their way back to the baseline and then return to the kitchen line. The process helps players adjust their power levels for different distances.
Why is this Drill Important?
Cincola emphasizes that power control is crucial for pickleball players. When a ball pops up instead of landing in the kitchen, it often means too much power was used. The Slinky Drill teaches players how to manage their shot strength and avoid mistakes.
If the ball lands in the net, players learn they didn’t use enough power. If the ball goes past the target, it means they used too much power. This drill allows players to fine-tune their skills for better accuracy.
Progressions of the Slinky Drill
Cincola offers different progressions to help players improve:
- First Progression: Players hit five shots at each spot, adjusting their power as they move from the kitchen line to the baseline.
- Second Progression: Players hit three shots per spot with less time to adjust.
- Third Progression: The final progression involves hitting one shot at each spot, focusing on quick movements and dynamic play.
Cincola notes that all soft game shots in pickleball, like dinks and third-shot drops, use the same technique but with varying power levels.
Expert Insights
John Cincola, a full-time traveling pro and content creator, has a world ranking of #6 and has earned over 10 professional medals. His expertise and experience make him a trusted figure in the pickleball community.
Cincola explains that the Slinky Drill not only teaches power control but also helps players understand the connection between technique and shot placement.
News in Brief: John Cincola’s Slinky Drill Helps Pickleball Players
Pickleball player John Cincola introduces the Slinky Drill to help players master hitting into the kitchen zone. The drill teaches power control and accuracy, allowing players to adjust shot strength for varying distances.
Cincola emphasizes the importance of managing power to avoid mistakes. Progressions of the drill gradually increase complexity, enhancing players’ consistency and dynamic play.
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