Pressure Ramping Pickleball Strategy Tips: Pickleball coach and player John Cincola recently shared a valuable strategy for improving performance at the kitchen line in pickleball. Known as “pressure ramping,” this approach helps players better handle situations at the net, whether they should play defensively or aggressively.
Cincola’s kitchen line strategy revolves around the concept of controlling the pressure on the opponent, adjusting tactics based on their position. He emphasizes the importance of both defensive and offensive dinking.
Defensive vs. Offensive Positioning
Cincola first explains the difference between defensive and offensive positioning. A defensive position occurs when a player is forced to stretch for a ball or make an awkward shot, such as a half-volley. In these situations, the goal is simply to get the ball to bounce, ensuring the next shot is easier to handle.
On the other hand, an offensive position occurs when a player is in a better stance, with the ball within their reach. From here, the aim is to dink the ball aggressively, aiming for deeper areas of the court and lower shots over the net.
The Three Phases of Pressure Ramping
Cincola’s pressure ramping strategy has three phases:
Phase One: Creating a Defensive Position: The first step is to force the opponent into a defensive position. By using offensive dinks, players try to get the opponent off-balance or make them hit a difficult shot, such as a half-volley.
Phase Two: Increasing Pressure: After achieving phase one, the next step is to ramp up the pressure by taking the next shot out of the air. This minimizes the opponent’s recovery time and forces them into scrambling. Cincola points out that even the mere threat of attacking can create discomfort for the opponent, causing them to back up or hesitate.
Phase Three: Pulling the Trigger: The final phase is when a player makes their attack. By using the earlier phases to stress the opponent, the player now looks for a high ball or an opening to launch an aggressive shot, taking advantage of any movement or positioning mistakes.
Cincola highlights that recognizing the phase a player is in can guide their strategy and decision-making, making each shot more effective.
Countering the Pressure
Cincola also explains that pressure ramping can be used against a player. If an opponent is attacking by forcing difficult shots and taking balls out of the air, the best counter is to make the ball bounce. By doing this, players can turn the pressure back onto their opponent.
Cincola’s approach helps players understand how to control the flow of the game at the kitchen line, using strategic dinks and timely attacks to gain an edge over opponents.
News in Brief: Pressure Ramping Pickleball Strategy Tips
Pickleball coach John Cincola shared his “pressure ramping” strategy to win more points at the kitchen line. The strategy includes three phases: creating a defensive position, ramping up pressure, and making an attack. Cincola’s tips help players understand when to play defensively or aggressively.