Pickleball Clock Face Trick: When faced with an ideal overhead opportunity after a series of aggressive dinks, players often find themselves making a crucial mistake—hitting the ball directly into the net. Simone Jardim, widely regarded as the Queen of Pickleball, offers a solution to this common problem. Her technique involves using the clock face visualization to perfect overhead shots.
Clock Face Visualization
Jardim advises players to imagine their body as the center of a clock. With 12 o’clock pointing directly up and 9 o’clock extending to the right, this mental image will guide their paddle positioning.
Aligning Ball Height with Clock Hours
As the ball approaches, players should align its height with the corresponding hour on the clock. For instance, a ball at waist height should be visualized as 8 o’clock, while one at shoulder height corresponds to 10 o’clock. This alignment assists in determining the correct paddle angle for the shot.
Executing the Overhead Shot
During contact, players should ensure that the tip of their paddle points to the same hour as the ball’s height on the clock. For a 12 o’clock ball, the paddle tip should be straight up. Newer players often make the mistake of hitting down on a ball that is high but not high enough. In such cases, adjusting the body position to align the paddle tip with the ball’s clock position may be necessary.
By adopting this clockwork approach, players can refine their overhead shots and enhance their performance on the court.
News in Brief: Pickleball Clock Face Trick
Simone Jardim’s clockwork technique for overhead shots involves visualizing the body as the center of a clock with 12 o’clock pointing up and 9 o’clock to the right. Players should match the ball’s height with the corresponding clock hour to guide their paddle positioning. Ensuring the paddle tip aligns with the ball’s position prevents common errors, such as hitting down on a ball that isn’t sufficiently high. This method aims to improve precision and effectiveness in overhead shots, offering a practical approach to refining pickleball skills.
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