Mastering Offense at the Kitchen Line: High Balls, Smart Shots

In pickleball, the kitchen line is where games are won or lost. After honing your dinking skills, it's time to shift focus to offense, particularly how to handle those tempting high balls that come your way. Watch the full video here.

The Common Mistake: Swinging Too High

Many players, when faced with a high ball at the kitchen line, fall into the trap of over-hitting. The excitement of a potential winner often leads to a long shot, missing the court entirely. The key to avoiding this mistake is in the aim. Rather than aiming for a dramatic, crowd-pleasing finish, you should focus on a more controlled, strategic approach.

The Target: Your Opponent’s Feet

When you receive a high ball, your primary goal should be to direct the shot downward, aiming at your opponent's feet. This doesn’t just keep the ball in play; it also sets you up for a potential winner on the next shot. Aiming low forces your opponent to pop the ball up, giving you a prime opportunity to capitalize.

The Technique: High to Low Swing

To consistently execute this strategy, you need to adopt a high-to-low swing path. Instead of swinging horizontally or upwards, which can easily send the ball flying out of bounds, your stroke should start high and move downward, driving the ball towards the court and your opponent’s feet.

Avoiding the Chest Shot

Another common error is aiming too high at your opponent’s chest. While it might seem like an aggressive play, it often allows your opponent to counter effectively. Shots aimed at the chest are easier to return, potentially putting you back on the defensive. By keeping your target low, you maintain control of the rally.

The Golden Rule: High, Let It Fly—But Aim Low

Remember, when you get a high ball, Matt Manasse's mantra “high, let it fly” applies, but with a crucial caveat: always aim down. Directing your shots towards your opponent’s feet not only minimizes errors but also maximizes your chances of winning the point.

By mastering this approach, you'll turn those high balls at the kitchen line into opportunities to dominate the game. Happy playing!