Tactics, concepts, and skills
This page looks at the concepts and skills that are necessary to begin playing Pickleball.
4R model - "for reading the game and moving in preparation to play a shot" (Hopper, 2003; Hopper, 2007; Hopper, 2014).
The 4Rs provide a plan for how a player will react to the game. As the 4Rs create a cycle, the plan can be relied on each time a player hits the ball and sets up for the return. The 4Rs diagram also provides the transitions between each R. This leads the players to develop the ability to make a decsion, cover their court, adjust to their opponents actions, and return to their base to begin the cycle again. The cycle never changes in Pickleball due to the hitting and returning of the ball being a constant (no interference from an opposing team). Following the 4Rs moves the player's focus from their side of the court to the entire court, allowing them to be more aware of how their opponent is playing. The player becomes involved with the game as a whole.
Tactical Concepts - defending and attacking (SPACE), anticipation (TIME), striking (FORCE), error/coerce error (RISK) (Hopper, 2003; Hopper, 2007; Hopper, 2014)
If the concept of SPACE, TIME, and FORCE working together to create RISK is understood, a player will be more able to decide where to place the ball, how high to hit the ball, and how much power is needed. When these questions can be answered in play, a player can change the level of RISK they are using by observing how their opponent is using these concepts and proceed to play in a way that counters their opponent and leads to a win.
Many tactical questions can be asked of players to get them thinking about their play and the concepts mentioned above. These questions act as cues and help increase the level of play and ability. A few are mentioned below along with specifc skills that are needed to play out the questions. More tactical questions can be found on the Game Outline and Progression page.
4Rs
BASE = player returning to stable position after shot. Knees bent, feet shoulder width apart and slightly staggered. Player on toes ready to push-off (any direction)
DECISION = stay in BASE position, move back to defend, move in to attack
COVER = action responding to opponent's strike with jump split-step to move and cover target area of shot
ADJUST = movements in reaction to arriving ball's trajectory - small push-off movements to set-upand execute shot
(Hopper, 2014)
STF=R questions
SPACE - Where do you go after you hit your shot? When do you move forward in the court and when do you move back?
TIME - How do you create more time for yourself? Minimize time for opponent?
FORCE - How do you use force in a shot to set up/win a point and stay in the rally
RISK - What are the risks associated with this game? (opponent has weak backhand/forehand, opponent is too far/close to net)
(Hopper, 2014)
tactical questions - simplified
Individual
- How do you play to be consistent and keep the ball in play?
- Where do you position yourself after your shot?
- Where do you send the ball to challenge opponent?
- Where to place the ball to create spaces to attack?
- Where do you position yourself based on ball placement and anticipated response of opponent?
- When do you use spin to control power in shots to press, defend, or attack spaces
- How do you use spin and force to set-up/win a point to stay in the rally?
Pairs
- How do you work as a pair to cover the space?
- How do you create spaces to attack as a pair?
- When does a pair move forward in the court and when does a pair move back?