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Stop Getting Attacked at the Kitchen | Hit Hard Without Losing Control | Upcoming Programs & Tournaments

Universal Rackets Weekly Pickleball Update: Coaching - News - Tips

June 09, 2026

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How To Stop Getting Attacked At The Kitchen

Getting attacked at the kitchen line is one of the most frustrating things in pickleball.

One second you're in a neutral dink rally. The next, your opponent is speeding up at your shoulder and you're scrambling to survive.

Here's the truth: most of the time, you gave them that opportunity.

The good news is that it's fixable. There are three main reasons players keep getting attacked — and a clear solution for each one.

❌ The 3 Reasons You're Getting Attacked

1. Floating Dinks

A floating dink is any ball that rises above the net tape before your opponent makes contact.

When the ball floats, your opponent sees a green light. They have height, they have leverage, and they have every reason to speed up.

Every time you float a dink, you hand your opponent an invitation to attack.

2. Wrong Shot Selection

A lot of players try to attack from a position where they are making contact below the net.

This is one of the most common mistakes at the kitchen — and it almost always ends badly. If your contact point is below the net, you are not in an offensive position. Trying to attack from there forces you to swing upward, which means the ball goes up. And a ball that goes up gets put away.

3. Flat Feet

When you stand flat-footed at the kitchen, you are forced to reach for balls instead of moving to them.

Reaching means your paddle is away from your body, your balance is off, and your contact point is inconsistent. That combination produces pop-ups. Pop-ups get attacked.

✅ The 3 Fixes

1. Master the Dink

The goal of a good dink is simple: keep the ball low and make it unattackable.

Most players make the mistake of brushing or swinging upward on their dinks, which puts lift on the ball and causes it to float.

Instead:

➡️ Use an open paddle face

➡️ Push the ball forward — not up

➡️ Think of it as a controlled push, not a swing

When your dink stays low and lands soft in the kitchen, your opponent has no angle to attack. That is the shot you are building toward every time you dink.

A great way to train this is the Attackable vs. Unattackable Drill — hit a dink, then evaluate: would your opponent be able to speed that up? If yes, adjust and go again.

2. Red Light / Green Light

Simplify your shot selection with one rule:

🟢 Green Light — Contact is above the net. Attack.

🔴 Red Light — Contact is below the net. Reset.

That's it. You don't need to overthink it. If you are making contact above the net, you have the leverage to attack. If you are making contact below the net, your only job is to reset and get back to neutral.

Players who master this one decision stop giving away easy points and start putting their opponents on defense instead.

3. Active Footwork

Most pickleball problems are footwork problems. Not paddle problems. Not grip problems. Footwork problems.

When the ball moves, your feet move first.

➡️ Stay light on your toes

➡️ Move your feet to the ball before your arm reaches for it

➡️ Get your body behind the shot — not stretched out to the side

Two drills that help: try catching the ball with two hands at the kitchen, or practice with your paddle held horizontally. Both force you to move your feet properly instead of relying on your reach.

🏁 The Bottom Line

Stop floating your dinks. Stop attacking from below the net. Stop standing flat-footed. Move your feet first. Keep the ball low. Make the right call based on your contact point. Do those three things consistently — and getting attacked at the kitchen becomes a lot less common.

Philly Area & Jersey Shore Pickleball Summer Programs Are In Full Swing!

What We Offer:

✅ Adult Clinics
✅ Junior Clinics
✅ Pickleball & Tennis Summer Camps
✅ DUPR Rating Clinics
✅ Competitive Tournaments
✅ Indoor & Outdoor Options
✅ Multiple Skill Levels
✅ Weekday & Weekend Offerings

Whether you’re just getting started, looking to improve your rating, or ready to compete — our programs are built to help you play smarter, move better, and gain confidence.

👉 Secure your spot today before programs fill up!

Drill Of The Week: 3 Step Overhead Smash Drill

4th Annual Stone Harbor Classic Sponsored By CRBN Is August 1st

One of the biggest pickleball events of the summer at the Jersey Shore is returning — and you do not want to miss it.

📍 Stone Harbor, NJ 📅 August 1st

Divisions

✅ Mixed Doubles ✅ Men's Doubles ✅ Women's Doubles

Levels

🥒 Pickle Peeps — 1.0 to 3.0 🏅 Pickle Pros — 3.0 to 4.5

Whether you are just getting into competitive play or you are ready to test your game against the best at the Shore — there is a division for you.

All first place teams in the Pickle Pros divisions will take home brand new CRBN paddles.

Come compete, connect, and be part of one of the most exciting pickleball events of the summer.

Register here at: www.7milepickleball.com

How To Hit Hard Without Losing Control

The 3 Keys to Real Power

1. Load First

Power starts before the swing, not during it.

If you do not load your body, you cannot generate real pace. Loading means:

➡️ Bending your knees and using your legs

➡️ Turning your hips and shoulders

➡️ Creating stretch in your body before you swing

No load equals no power. When you load correctly, the swing becomes explosive without any extra effort. You are not forcing pace — you are releasing it.

2. Accelerate at the Right Time

Power is not about muscling the ball from start to finish.

The best players build speed into contact. The swing should feel smooth at the beginning and fast at the moment the paddle meets the ball.

When acceleration happens at the right time:

✅ The ball jumps off the paddle with pace

✅ Your contact stays clean

✅ The shot has both power and control

Most players do the opposite — they tense up from the start and never actually accelerate. The result is a stiff, flat shot that does not go anywhere.

3. Stay Relaxed

Tension kills speed.

A tight grip and a stiff arm slow your paddle down and put unnecessary stress on your shoulder and elbow. The looser your grip, the freer your swing, and the faster your paddle can move through the ball.

➡️ Loosen your grip

➡️ Let your arm swing freely

➡️ Trust the paddle to do the work

When you stop fighting the swing and let it flow, power becomes automatic instead of forced.

🏁 The Bottom Line

If you want to hit harder without missing more balls or hurting yourself, do three things:

Load your body. Accelerate into contact. Stay loose.

When those three things happen in the right order, you stop forcing power — and start generating it.

Program Spotlight #1: Jersey Shore Pickleball Is Back!

Summer is officially here at the Jersey Shore — and our clinics are already underway.

Pickleball clinics, tennis clinics, and summer camps are returning to:

📍 Stone Harbor / Avalon 📍 Sea Isle

Come train with one of the fastest growing racket sports communities on the Jersey Shore this summer.

Our programs are available for juniors and adults of all skill levels — from beginner to advanced. Whether you are looking to improve your game, stay active, meet new people, or have fun with family and friends, we have something for everyone.

Spots fill fast every summer. Register today and secure your spot before it's gone.

✅ Pickleball Clinics ✅ Tennis Clinics ✅ Junior & Adult Summer Camps ✅ All Skill Levels Welcome

Register today:
Stone Harbor/Avalon: www.7milepickleball.com

Limited spots available for many programs.

Program Spotlight #2: Universal Rackets Summer Camps START NEXT WEEK!☀️

Our 2026 Pickleball & Tennis Summer Camps are officially open for registration!

With 70+ camps running across Pennsylvania and the Jersey Shore, Universal Rackets offers one of the largest summer racket sports camp lineups in the area.

Designed for all skill levels, our camps focus on:

🎾 Skill Development
🏃 Movement & Athleticism
🔥 High-Energy Drills & Games
🤝 Confidence, Competition & FUN

📍 Programs available across PA, Sea Isle City, and Stone Harbor / Avalon.

Whether your child is brand new or already experienced, our structured camps are built to help players improve while loving the game.

Program Spotlight #3: PA Area Weekend Summer Programs Start THIS WEEKEND

Lower Merion Sunday Clinics with Coach Cameron

Whether you are just picking up a paddle for the first time or you have been playing for years, we have a clinic built for you. Universal Rackets certified coaches bring the same professional, high-energy experience you would expect at a country club — right in your own backyard.

✅ Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced clinics available ✅ Junior and adult programming ✅ Small groups with certified coaches ✅ All skill levels welcome

👉 View schedules and register at mainlinepickleballclinics.com

Lesson of the Week: Pickleball Footwork Secrets That Instantly Improve Your Game

Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!

-Universal Rackets