Pickleball Kitchen Line Attack Tips: Pickleball coach Linda Thompson is teaching players how to master attacks from the kitchen line as part of her “New Pickleball” lesson series. Linda Thompson explained that knowing when and how to attack during a game is a skill every player must learn to compete at a higher level.
Linda Thompson said, “Okay so another thing that is really important to learn how to do and get comfortable with is learning when and how to attack from the kitchen line because if you don’t trust me your opponents will.” She emphasized that players should be able to recognize when they have given their opponents an attackable ball and prepare for a quick return.
Spotting the Right Ball
Linda Thompson demonstrated with Nathan, showing how to wait patiently for the right shot to attack. She explained that some players try to hit every ball aggressively, but skilled players attack only the right ones. She said, “Well you should be ready because you should recognize you just gave them an attackable ball.”
While rallying with Nathan, she described how to disguise an attack by making it look like a dink until the last moment. Linda Thompson said, “I put my paddle out like I was going to hit a dink and at the last second I just hit it right at him.”
Staying Patient and Deceptive
After her first attack, Nathan became more alert and ready for the next one. Linda Thompson shared that sometimes she lost the element of surprise by moving her paddle back too soon. She said, “It was short it was a forehand I gave it away because I took my paddle back so I just lost the art of deception on that one.”
She continued practicing until she found the perfect ball to attack again. She explained, “That was a backhand it was right in front of me and I was able to again make it look like a dink but at the last time he he almost got it he reacted a little bit late.”
Learning to Recognize Attackable Shots
Linda Thompson taught that players should look for balls that bounce high enough to strike with control. She described, “I’m looking for a ball that bounces right about here and I don’t want it to be a low bouncer I want it to be one of those kind of dead dinks that sits up a little bit.”
She said the key to success is making sure the opponent also knows when they have sent a ball that can be attacked. If players wait too long to get ready, they will not be able to defend the shot. She explained, “If he gets his paddle ready quickly he can get it back if he goes like this and then he goes ‘Oh crap,’ he’s not going to get it back.”
Practicing the Modern Game
Linda Thompson reminded players that the newer style of pickleball includes faster play and more attacking shots. She said, “The progression that you need to make to be able to play with the newer style of pickle ball the hard-hitting the attacking look for the balls you can attack first don’t be surprised when your opponents attack you.”
To keep improving, Linda Thompson encouraged viewers to keep learning. She said, “If you want to really evolve your pickle ball game keep watching Selkirk TV you’re going to see lots of videos and podcasts that are really going to help you get better.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Kitchen Line Attack Tips
Coach Linda Thompson taught how to attack from the kitchen line in pickleball by spotting the right shots and staying patient. She showed ways to hide attacks and be ready for fast returns. Linda Thompson said learning these skills helps players adjust to the faster modern game.
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