Pickleball Teamwork Strategies: Pickleball coach Rob Nunnery introduced a “protection drill” to help players cover for their partners after a mistake during a training session on Cirk TV. The drill teaches players how to move and defend when a teammate struggles with a return, especially against strong serves.
Helping Partners After Mistakes
During the session, Rob N explained that players can easily get frustrated when their partner misses a shot. He said it is not just the partner’s mistake, but also the responsibility of the other player to help.
Rob gave an example: “Let’s say Amber is hitting a gigantic serve. Jamie Sue has a tough time returning it, maybe it’s a little bit of a weaker return. She doesn’t get all the way to the kitchen line. Then Damien or Amber drives at Jamie Sue. She misses a volley from her feet right down there. You’re like, ‘Oh man, my partner sucks.’ No, that’s your fault.”
He taught that players must “get big” and cover for their teammate without overcommitting, allowing their partner time to reach the kitchen line.
Movement and Positioning
Rob stressed the importance of adjusting based on the return’s direction. “Let’s say her return is middle. I’ll come pretty heavy over because I know there’s not much of an angle to get the ball right there,” he explained.
Players should move towards the center if the return is in the middle and protect the teammate being targeted. Rob also demonstrated how partners should communicate and shift back into position once both players are up at the line.
JBU, a participant, asked Rob, “Do I cut if you’re here and she’s coming in behind me? Does she stand right behind and kind of wait staggered, or should she come up to the line?” Rob answered, “She should come up to the line so I can feel that she’s there and I know she’s made her way. Then I’ll slowly shift my way back and she’ll shift over, and then we’re set.”
Handling Tough Pickleball Serves
Rob emphasized that strong servers make protection harder. He advised players to return serves to the middle instead of cross-court.
“If you know you’re playing someone that has a big serve, as best as you can you don’t want to return cross because then your partner can’t protect,” he said.
If a return goes cross-court, the defender must stay in place to guard the line, leaving their partner exposed. A middle return gives the team a better chance to defend together.
Final Practice and Encouragement
After practicing, Rob reminded players about the importance of teamwork. “If your partner is struggling to get all the way to the line, whether it’s a big serve or a poor return, either way just make sure you’re covering as best as you can,” he said.
He also encouraged players to keep the idea front of mind. “It’s not your partner’s responsibility. You guys are a team. If they’re struggling, help them out. That’s pickleball. We are pickleball.”
Rob invited players to subscribe to Cirk TV for more tips, drills, and podcasts.
Impact of the Protection Drill
The protection drill helps players become better teammates and build trust on the court. By learning to cover for each other, pickleball players can reduce frustration, improve their defense, and strengthen their teamwork. This approach could lead to more wins and a more positive playing experience for everyone.
News in Brief: Pickleball Teamwork Strategies
Pickleball coach Rob N taught a new “protection drill” during a Cirk TV session. The drill trains players to cover for their partners after a weak return or missed shot. Rob stressed teamwork and smart movement to help struggling partners, improving overall court performance and team confidence.
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