Christian Alshon’s Winning Strategy: When tuning into PickleballTV or catching a live pickleball tournament, one might notice a peculiar phenomenon: doubles partners seamlessly shifting over to cover their teammate’s side of the court. It’s a strategic dance that reveals the depth of play in pickleball, particularly in mixed doubles.
A Lesson in Positioning
In a recent mixed doubles pickleball match, Meghan Dizon and Andrei Daescu faced off against Etta Wright and Christian Alshon. The highlight came when Andrei Daescu, stationed on the left side, aggressively moved toward the right, seemingly commandeering the court.
From the outside, it might appear that Andrei Daescu is hogging the ball, leaving Meghan Dizon sidelined and overshadowed—a familiar trope in mixed doubles where male players often dominate the exchanges.
Yet, this scenario isn’t exclusive to mixed doubles. In another engaging clash, Ben Johns and Collin Johns battled against JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier. Throughout the match, Ben Johns and JW Johnson repeatedly intercepted shots that appeared destined for their partners.
Ben Johns’s presence near the center line suggested he was poised to handle any of Collin Johns’s backhands, leading to the question: is this merely a strategy for left-side players?
Understanding the Strategy Behind the Shift
Christian Alshon sheds light on this tactical move among pros, emphasizing that it’s not a desire to monopolize shots but rather a calculated response to gameplay dynamics.
At the IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open, Christian Alshon teamed up with Quang Duong in men’s doubles, where they managed to outplay the formidable Johns brothers in the finals. Early in the match, however, it became clear that the Johns brothers were targeting Quang Duong, hitting nearly every ball his way in an attempt to isolate him.
“Because they’re hitting every single ball to Quang, that means I can come over, pinch the middle, and bait my opponents to hit a ball behind me.” – (Christian Alshon)
Christian Alshon’s insight reveals a fundamental aspect of team strategy: when one partner is under pressure, the other must adjust to provide support.
“If you’re playing with somebody and your partner is getting picked on, it doesn’t mean that you’re completely helpless and you just stand there and say ‘good luck.’ What you can do to help your partner out is by creeping over to their side.” – (Christian Alshon)
Instead, Christian Alshon encourages players to inch over toward their partner’s side of the court, ready to respond.
The Tactical Advantage of Middle Play
By hugging the middle, Christian Alshon positions himself to intercept balls directed towards that critical zone. Should the Johns brothers send a shot into the middle, Christian Alshon is ready to respond from the center and right side. Conversely, if the ball goes wide, Quang Duong can execute an Around The Post (ATP) shot, further pressuring their opponents.
This well-coordinated strategy leaves Christian Alshon and Quang Duong’s adversaries with limited options. Their only realistic target becomes a narrow opening in front of Quang Duong, which often results in a weak dink that Christian Alshon and Quang Duong can swiftly capitalize on—whether to speed up the play or outright finish the point.
In the end, this tactic not only secured critical points during the match but ultimately led Christian Alshon and Quang Duong to victory, clinching the gold.
News in Brief: Christian Alshon’s Winning Strategy
Christian Alshon emphasizes the importance of strategic positioning in doubles pickleball. During a recent match at the IHG Hotels & Resorts Bristol Open, he and his partner Quang Duong executed a successful strategy against the Johns brothers.
Christian Alshon explained that by playing closer to the middle, he could effectively support Quang Duong, allowing them to capitalize on their opponents’ shots and secure a win. This tactical approach highlights how players can turn pressure into opportunity, transforming the dynamics of the game.
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