Eliminate these 7 mistakes if you want to level up your pickleball game

So you're a pretty good pickleball player, but what's preventing you from being even better? Do you feel like your game has plateaued?

Well pickleball specialist Tanner Tomasi is here to help. He explains the seven mistakes that players make that keep them from increasing to a 4.0-5.0 skill level.

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Check out Tanner Tomasi's YouTube video on the mistakes preventing you from leveling up.

If you cannot access the video on The Desert Sun website, then search Tanner Tomasi Pickleball, 7 mistakes at YouTube.Mistake 1:  Being reactive, rather than proactive

This comes from not paddle tracking the ball after you return it.  Track the ball you hit with the point of your paddle, so you are ready to return depending on where it is coming from.  Mistake 2: Standing upright when approaching the NVZ line

Amateur players tend to approach the NVZ after they execute a third shot drop upright.  Then, when the ball is returned, they must crouch and get ready.  Pros approach the NVZ already in a low, ready position.  Tanner calls this the “crab walk.”  Watch the wrong and then the right way.

Mistake 3:  Wrong mindset in hand battles

In hand battles at the net, players tend to just attack at the opponent’s chest, trying to hit through them.  Instead, try to slow it down, and attack high to low, at your opponent’s feet.  Let them make a mistake.

Mistake 4:  Lazy footwork at the NVZ zone

Tanner says this is 99.9% of your problem when making errors.  He calls this “Cement Feet.”  Players are in the middle of the court in the transition zone, and they are looking to reset.  Rather, you need to be on your toes, using your knees, with active feet, constantly moving and ready to respond to your opponent’s shot.  The same thing happens at the kitchen line. 

Mistake 5:  Incorrect ready position at the NVZ line

Confusion about paddle position at the kitchen.  Pros keep a low paddle position, to reset, defend, dink, or attack with topspin.  This is when both of you are at the Kitchen line.  Conversely, when your opponent is at the baseline, now you should have a higher paddle position, way out in front of you, so you can attack if possible.  When they are back, you should stretch. This is a huge adjustment that you should make.

Mistake 6:  You should never drive two balls in a row

When you are at the baseline, you should never drive two balls in a row.  If you drive the first ball, then reset or drop the second ball.  This gets you to the NVZ, instead of freezing you at the baseline. 

Mistake 7:  How to handle drives right at you

As that ball is being driven, the mistake is that you lunge and punch at the ball from in front of your chest.  The ball often ends up in the bottom of the net.   Instead, reach out, with your paddle floating over the Kitchen.  Reach and defend/attack in front of you, using your hips, shoulders and follow-through. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball expert says eliminate these 7 mistakes to level up your game