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Handle Fast Shots | Stay in Points | Leagues Are Here | Programs Start This Week
Universal Rackets Weekly Pickleball Update: Coaching - News - Tips
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Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game…
🔑 Key Takeaways
🎯 Meet the Ball Out in Front to Handle Speed
⏱️ Set Early — Don’t React Late at the Net
🧱 Fast Ball = Small Swing (Block, Don’t Swing)
📍 Get Closer to the Kitchen Line for Better Control
⬆️ Higher Contact = More Offense
🔄 Reset When in Trouble — Don’t Force Offense
🧠 Stay in the Point Instead of Trying to Win It Early
🌸 Weekday Programs Are Starting Now — Stay Consistent
👟 No Backswing = Faster Hands at the Net
🏆 Leagues, Camps & Clinics Are Filling Fast
🎯 How To Handle Fast Shots at the Net
A lot of players struggle with fast-paced shots at the net — and it usually comes down to one thing:
They’re reacting too late.
They reach for the ball… get jammed… pop it up… or miss entirely.
❌ What Most Players Do
The ball comes in fast, and they try to chase it late.
By the time they react:
• They’re jammed
• They’re off balance
• The ball pops up or flies off the paddle
✅ The Fix: Meet the Ball Out in Front
Instead of reacting late…
You need to have your paddle meet the ball out in front.
That means:
➡️ Paddle is set early
➡️ Contact happens in front of your body
➡️ You’re stable before the ball arrives
This gives you:
• More control
• More time
• Cleaner contact
• Fewer pop-ups
🏓 One Simple Tip: Keep Your Elbow Away
➡️ Keep your elbow slightly away from your body
➡️ Paddle out in front
➡️ Stay compact and balanced
This prevents you from getting jammed and keeps your contact clean.
🧠 The Rule of 10
When the ball is coming fast — don’t swing, block.
• Ball speed = 9 → Swing = 1 (short)
• Ball speed = 3 → Swing = 7 (long)
➡️ The faster the ball, the smaller your swing
Short, compact, concise, controlled.
The Bottom Line
Meet the ball out in front.
Set early.
Block instead of swinging.
Do this — and fast exchanges at the net become a strength instead of a weakness.
🌸 Weekday Programs Start THIS WEEK!
Our Spring & Summer Philly Area weekday pickleball programs kick off this week — and spots are filling fast.
These clinics are built for real improvement, with structured sessions, level-based groups, and live coaching every week.
What We Offer:
✅ Adult & Junior Clinics
✅ Beginner → Advanced Levels
✅ Indoor & Outdoor Options
✅ DUPR Rating Clinics
✅ Round Robins & Tournaments
📍 30+ locations across the Philly area
If you’re looking to get better, stay consistent, and improve your game — this is the place to do it. Register now and secure your spot!
👟 Drill of the Week: NO MORE BACKSWING DRILL
Get Closer to the Kitchen — Win More Points
One of the easiest ways to instantly improve your game at the net is simple:
Get closer to the kitchen line.
You should be standing no more than a ball’s length off the line.
Even giving up just 2–3 inches can change the shot you’re able to hit.
Instead of taking a neutral volley…
You’re now forced into a defensive dink.
Why Distance Matters
The further you stand from the kitchen line:
• The more space you give your opponent
• The lower they can hit the ball
• The more defensive you become
Less space = more control.
More space = more problems.
Beginner vs Advanced Positioning
If you’re a beginner:
Keep your weight slightly in your heels
Stay balanced and avoid falling into the kitchen
If you’re more advanced:
Shift your weight toward your toes
Lean forward and take more balls out of the air
Be more aggressive at the net
Contact Height Wins Points
At the kitchen, your goal is simple:
Hit the ball as high as possible
Force your opponent to hit as low as possible
The closer you are to the net, the higher your contact point.
And higher contact = more control and more offensive opportunities.
Stay Athletic
Your stance matters.
• Hips and toes facing forward
• Knees slightly bent
• Center of gravity low
The lower and more balanced you are, the more you can:
• Extend over the kitchen
• Reach balls earlier
• Take more balls out of the air
The Bottom Line
Stand closer.
Stay balanced.
Take the ball early.
The closer you are to the kitchen line, the higher you make contact — and the more control you have over the point.
Stop Backpedaling — Learn to Reset the Point
One of the biggest differences between average players and high-level players is what they do when they’re in trouble. Most players get pulled into defense and panic. They start backing up, swinging too big, and trying to win the point from a bad position — and the point ends quickly.
The Problem: Panic in Defense
When you’re off balance or pushed back, that is not the time to attack. But most players do the opposite. They speed up bad balls, try to drive from below the net, and rush their shots — handing the point away.
The Solution: Reset the Point
High-level players do one thing better: they reset. A reset is simply taking a difficult ball and turning it into a neutral one. Instead of trying to win the point, you’re trying to stay in the point.
What a Good Reset Looks Like
• Soft shot
• Lands in the kitchen
• Forces your opponent to hit up
• Buys you time to recover
The goal is simple: get yourself back to neutral and work your way back to the kitchen.
When to Reset
You should reset when you’re off balance, the ball is below the net, you’re getting attacked, or you’re stuck in transition. If you’re not in control of the point, don’t force offense.
The Mindset Shift
Instead of thinking “How do I win this point?” think “How do I stay in this point?” That one shift will save you countless errors.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to win every point with a great shot. Sometimes the best play is simply: don’t lose the point. Reset, recover, then take control again.
Program Spotlight: Universal Rackets Pickleball Leagues Are Here!
Universal Rackets is excited to bring our next league to the Kaiserman JCC.
Our leagues are built around competitive match play, great organization, and a fun, high-energy environment — and this one is no different.
🔥 Sponsored by CRBN
All participants will receive CRBN pickleball goodies, and first place winners will take home brand new CRBN paddles.
If you’re looking to compete, improve your game, and be part of a well-run league — this is for you.
👉 Register now: www.jccpickleball.com
Program Spotlight: JUNIOR TENNIS & PICKLEBALL SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE!
Summer is coming fast — and our Junior Tennis & Pickleball Summer Camps are officially open for registration!
Universal Rackets summer camps are designed to do more than just keep kids active. Our camps focus on skill development, confidence, teamwork, and FUN, all in a structured, positive environment led by professional coaches.
Whether your child is brand new to the sport or already competing, our camps meet them where they are and help them level up — both on and off the court.
What to Expect at Universal Rackets Summer Camps:
• Tennis & Pickleball options
• Ages grouped by age and skill level
• Beginner → Advanced instruction
• High-energy drills, games, and point play
• Emphasis on fundamentals, movement, and sportsmanship
• A fun, welcoming environment kids love
Our coaches create an experience that keeps kids engaged, learning, and excited to come back each day — while parents can feel confident their child is in great hands.
📍 Multiple Locations Available
📅 Weekly & Multi-Week Options
🎾 Tennis & Pickleball Camps Offered
Spots fill quickly every summer — especially beginner and prime-time sessions.
Lesson of the Week: How To Hit Low Balls In Pickleball
Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!
-Universal Rackets