Pickleball Secrets
Biomechanics, Strokes, and Strategy

M.L. JOHNSON
July 2021, 138 pags
Cover design by White Space Graphics, Janell Osborn
Illustrations by M.L. Johnson
ISBN 978-0-89641-615-4
$24.95 (includes shipping)

Pickleball Secrets
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Pickleball is a fun athletic and social activity. Pickleball Secrets: Biomechanics, Strokes, and Strategy was written to introduce more sport science to the game. Individuals can certainly perform at a very high level without knowledge of biomechanics. But, when players understand the underlying science, they can become their own coach. Hints and error corrections are noticeably absent from the book, as focus should be on learning effective stroking rather than trying to fix fundamentally ineffective stroke mechanics. The book is also a source of verbiage for coaches to both describe biomechanics of the respective stokes and identify muscle groups that need strengthening. Research into game strategy and management of emotions during competition are included.

With more active seniors and pickleball being introduced in schools, participation has grown geometrically. Pickleball was added to the annual Colorado Senior Games and that grew from a one-day event to multiple days—including some rather young and intense seniors. The scene has now changed from hoping to find a fourth player to hoping to find court space.

We now know that those who play racket sports tend to live longer than the non-exercisers. Two longitudinal studies, one including 80,000 and the other of 8,600 women and men, found that, compared to the sedentary, jogging/biking added 3.2 years and tennis added 9.7 years of longevity. These findings held up even when controlled for people’s age, education, and socioeconomic status. Explanations vary, but these studies show that frequently raising your heart rate is important, but connecting with other people during exercise is even more important. Interactive exercise with a partner or team apparently has beneficial psychological and physiological effects.

Given that pickleball has such a brief history, and biomechanics research has not caught up with its popularity, it is necessary to cite parallel research studies—particularly those conducted in tennis and badminton. Extensive experience in squash rackets, racquetball, tennis, badminton, and pickleball, helps in selecting which studies reasonable apply to pickleball.

CONTENTS

  • Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
    The Game
    Equipment and facilities
    Sstrokes and shots
    Basic rules
    Getting started
    Getting better
    Terms
    Timeline of events

  • Chapter 2: BIOMECHANICS
    Performance factors
    Biomechanics applications
    Fundamental piositions and angles
    Sport science

  • Chapter 3: SERVING
    Serve
    Serve Return
    Key points

  • Chapter 4: FOREHAND GROUNDSTROKE
    Flaat drive
    Topspin forehand drive
    Slice/backhand stroke
    Key points
    Sports science

  • Chapter 5: BACKHAND GROUNDSTROKE
    Flat stroke
    Topspin stroke
    Spin/slice stroke
    Key points

  • Chapter 6: FOREHAND VOLLEY STROKES
    Volley stroke
    Half volley stroke
    Key points

  • Chapter 7: BACKHAND VOLLEY STROKES
    Backhand volley stroke
    Backhand half-volley stroke
    Key points
    Sport science

  • Chapter 8: FOREHAND AND BACKHAND SOFT STROKES
    Types of soft strokes
    Forehand soft strokes
    Backhand soft strokes
    Key points

  • Chapter 9: OVERHEAD STROKES
    High forehand volley
    High backhand volley
    Forehand smash
    Backhand overhead smash
    Sports science

  • Chapter 10: LOB STROKES
    Forehand lob stroke
    Backhand lob stroke
    Key points

  • Chapter 11: SINGLES STRATEGY
    Strategy Theory
    Operationalizing strategy
    Key points
    Warmup

  • Chapter 12: DOUBLES AND MIXED DOUBLES STRATEGY
    Partners
    Strategy decision process
    Your turn
    Player positioning
    Key points

  • Chapter 13: SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
    Stages in skill acquisition
    Factor effets over time
    The practice effects
    Transfer of training
    Motivation
    Attribution
    Anxiety management
    Managing performnce anxiety
    Playing benefits

  • RESOURCES

  • REFERENCES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR . . .

M.L. Johnson, Ed.D., Ph.D. is a professional educator and university administrator, is an author of 18 books—with titles ranging from sport program management and sport instruction to business entrepreneurism. He is listed in “Who’s Who in American Education, “Who’s Who in Louisiana,” and “Outstanding Young Men of America.” His instructional video program, produced by contract with theU.S. Department of Education, won a Silver CINDY Award and a Videographer of Distinction Award. He is a Fellow of the Bighorn Center for Public Policy and a Colorado State University emeritus professor. As a lifelong multi-sport participant, he won the Dallas Open Men’s Doubles Badminton Tournament with Tan Joe Hok, numerous regional Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles tennis tournaments, numerous State Senior Games Pickleball Doubles and Mixed Doubles Medals, and State Senior Games Singles and Men’s Doubles Racquetball titles.