Pickleball

The elements of weather and climate (especially wind) are an immense factors when playing pickleball outdoors. Be aware of the direction and speed of the wind in order to be better equipped to deal with it. When playing against the wind you will have to hit the “3rd shot drop” more firmly to ensure the ball gets up and over the net. The opposite is true when playing with the wind at your back. Be sure to check the weather forecast prior to playing and ensure that you are able to adjust your game accordingly.

There are slight but important differences between indoor and outdoor pickleballs. Outdoor balls are harder and heavier than indoor balls making them more difficult to control. Because the holes off the ball are smaller, an outdoor ball will travel more quickly through the air leaving you with less time to react when in the Non Volley Zone. As you spend more time playing outdoors, the more comfortable you will become with the speed and feel of the ball bouncing off of your paddle. The indoor ball might start looking slow!

The outdoor ball will bounce and react differently depending on the surface of the court you are playing on. The outdoor pickleball surface (same as tennis) is harder and more rough or gritty than an indoor court. This means that the ball will be more reactive to different spins when bouncing off the surface. The best way to deal with an opponent who consistently puts spin on the ball is to do your best to volley their incoming shot. Do your utmost to read whether there is any slice or topspin on their shot to give yourself the best chance of making your volley successful. ♦