James Ignatowich’s Get Low Pickleball Technique: The Key to Handling Strong Serves in Pickleball

James Ignatowich’s Get Low Pickleball Technique: In his latest instructional video, professional pickleball player James Ignatowich offers a critical piece of advice for improving the return of serve: “Get low.” This simple yet effective pickleball technique can dramatically enhance a player’s ability to return even the most powerful serves. In a sport where the return can often determine the outcome of a point, Ignatowich’s breakdown provides valuable insight for players looking to refine their skills.

Ignatowich, known for his impressive playing style and high-level pickleball technique, shared his tips in a video that focused on one of the most common mistakes he sees among players—standing too upright when preparing to return a serve. His advice is simple, but it is based on years of experience at the professional level. According to Ignatowich, the key to returning a serve effectively, especially against a player with a strong, deep serve, is lowering the body into a wide stance and staying low to the ground as the ball approaches.

 

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The Importance of a Wide Stance

The first element of Ignatowich’s return technique is the positioning of the legs. He strongly demands a wide stance when receiving a serve.

“When you’re standing upright, it limits your ability to react and move efficiently. You need to treat the return like a shortstop in baseball—ready to move quickly and absorb the power of the incoming serve.” – (James Ignatowich)

A wide stance helps stabilize the body and allows players to move side-to-side more quickly, crucial when facing powerful serves. With this stance, players can maintain better control over their bodies and have a greater chance of reacting to the ball’s direction, even if it is moving at high speed.

Getting Low to Improve Reaction Time

Ignatowich emphasizes that the key to a successful return, particularly against strong serves, is getting low at the moment of contact. He explains that players should be ready to make contact with the ball closer to the ground rather than trying to meet it at its apex.

“You’re not going to get the chance to hit the return at the highest point of the bounce. In most cases, the ball will bounce lower than the ideal spot, and you need to be ready to adjust.” – (James Ignatowich)

By lowering the body, players increase their chances of making solid contact with the ball, even if it bounces lower than expected. A lower stance allows players to generate the necessary power for the return while maintaining better control of their shot. Ignatowich’s suggestion is based on the idea that players must anticipate the ball’s movement and prepare for a more defensive return when dealing with deep, hard serves.

Adapting to Stronger Serves

Ignatowich’s tips are especially useful when returning serves from players with powerful serves. The faster and deeper the serve, the more critical it is for players to adjust their positioning.

“The harder the serve, the wider and lower you need to be.” – (James Ignatowich)

By lowering the center of gravity, players can more effectively absorb the power of the serve and return the ball with control. The concept of reacting to a serve based on its speed and depth mirrors pickleball strategies used in other racquet sports, where players adjust their stance and positioning according to the strength of the shot.

In pickleball, where serves often dictate the rhythm of a point, being able to return the ball effectively can turn the momentum in a player’s favor. Ignatowich’s advice provides players with a tactical advantage in these situations.

Why This Technique Works

James Ignatowich’s advice is grounded in sound biomechanics. By adopting a lower and wider stance, players can better absorb the energy of the incoming ball and react more fluidly. In sports, especially those requiring fast reflexes, staying low increases the body’s ability to quickly adjust to a moving object, such as a ball. This technique also gives players a more stable base, reducing the risk of mis-hits or poor positioning.

In professional pickleball, even the smallest adjustments can make a difference in performance. James Ignatowich’s focus on a proper return stance highlights the importance of preparation and anticipation in every aspect of the game. His emphasis on getting low ensures that players are in the best position to succeed when faced with a challenging serve.

News in Brief: James Ignatowich’s Get Low Pickleball Technique