Callie Jo Smith’s Closed Stance Serve: Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith recently shared a video on Instagram addressing a common question among players: which serving stance is best? Smith, known for her strategic approach on the court, weighed in on the “open stance” versus “closed stance” debate. With a blend of personal preference and technical insight, she offered her followers an inside look at the reasoning behind her choice, sparking a lively discussion among players.
Open Stance in Pickleball vs. Closed Stance: The Breakdown
Smith outlined the differences between two popular serving styles in her video. The open stance involves standing closer to the line and positioning the body forward, which enables a powerful serve. Players with an open stance load their weight onto the back leg, often the right leg for right-handed players, before “exploding” forward through the ball. This stance allows for quick movement, but it requires coordination and timing to fully utilize the body’s momentum.
By contrast, the closed stance in pickleball, which Smith favors, involves positioning the body sideways, almost parallel to the court fence or wall. This alignment, she explained, provides a solid foundation and allows players to incorporate a step into the serve, adding both control and stability. Smith described this stance as her personal choice, highlighting its role in helping her set up for a powerful yet consistent serve.
Smith’s Preference: The Closed Stance Advantage
For Smith, the closed stance offers benefits that outweigh the power focus of an open stance. With her body turned sideways, she can gain stability and control with each serve. “I like having the closed stance, where you turn your body sideways,” she shared, emphasizing that this position enables her to take a calculated step into her serve. This approach reflects Smith’s emphasis on precision, a quality that has defined her professional game.
The Importance of Personal Choice in Pickleball
While Smith acknowledged the benefits of both stances, she left room for personal preference, encouraging players to experiment and find the stance that best suits their style. The Instagram post invited followers to share their own preferences, creating a platform for dialogue within the pickleball community. For Smith, success in pickleball often comes from adapting techniques to fit an individual’s strengths, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Finding Stability in a Fast-Growing Sport
Smith’s insights are part of a larger trend in pickleball, where players and professionals alike are exploring and refining techniques as the sport evolves. Her breakdown of the open versus closed stance serves as a reminder that while power is an asset, precision and comfort with one’s form can be the real keys to success. As pickleball continues to grow, professionals like Smith are helping to define its techniques, ensuring that the fundamentals remain accessible to players at all levels.
News in Brief: Callie Jo Smith’s Closed Stance Serve
Professional pickleball player Callie Jo Smith recently shared insights on Instagram about the open stance versus closed stance debate for serving. While the open stance offers power through a forward body position, Smith prefers the closed stance for its stability and control. She explained that the sideways alignment allows for a more calculated, consistent serve, emphasizing precision over raw power. Smith encouraged players to experiment and find the stance that suits their style, reinforcing that personal choice and adaptability are key to success. Her advice highlights the growing trend of refining techniques in the evolving sport of pickleball.
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