Learn how to properly block the ball at the net and finally beat the bangers.
I've been teaching for a few years now, and one of the common mistakes I see most of the time with my students, even those I've been training for years, is that they still struggle with blocking. In this video, I'm going to go over the mechanics. Without wasting any more time, let's jump into it.
The first topic is how to use blocking after a third-shot drop. Imagine they serve the ball to you, you return it—that means you have to get to the net quickly. Once you get there, you must be ready for two possibilities: first, if they are going to drive the ball at you, and second, if they are going to drop it. Let’s go over the first scenario where they drop the ball at you. I'll explain exactly how to do it, including the mechanics and everything else.
Let me show you.
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Now, back to the first topic. As soon as you return the ball, you must use your momentum to get to the net. When you get to the net, you should be ready to handle the ball. Ensure the ball is high enough because, most of the time, you’ll need to take it out of the air. Some balls will go high but land very short. When you try to take these out of the air, you might hit the edge of your paddle, leading to errors such as hitting the net or popping the ball up.
Before you strike the ball, you must prepare mentally. Decide whether you’re going to counter the ball or drop it. Once you’re clear on your intention, you can focus on the technique.
The first thing I do is loosen my grip. My grip pressure is around three or four because I cannot have tension in my hand or body. The ball is coming, and I need to block it or drop it very softly. A tight grip will cause the ball to pop up, which I want to avoid. That’s why I relax my grip and let the ball do the work. It’s essential to let the ball drop. If you try to hit the ball in the air when it’s high, controlling it becomes challenging. By letting the ball drop, I can position my paddle under the ball, allowing me to guide it to where I want it—whether in the middle, in front of me, or down the line.
The angle of the paddle is also crucial. When the ball hits my paddle, I don’t push it or add force. The ball's pace does the work for me. To keep the ball short and slow, I just let it hit my paddle and guide it gently.
*Next: When They Drive the Third Shot*
When they drive the third shot at me, I block hard. This often happens when people drive the ball and rush forward. If I can aim for their feet, that’s ideal. Driving the ball hard at me is an opportunity. I block it fast and low to neutralize my opponent. A slow or high block will just set them up for another aggressive shot.
To block effectively, you can’t just let the ball hit your paddle this time. You need to hit the ball deliberately. The angle and grip are very important here. Unlike the drop block, my grip pressure is tighter—around 8 or 9. Timing is also critical. Watching the ball closely is essential, and you must avoid hitting while running, as this increases inconsistency. Stop, set your position, and then hit the ball.
*Mechanics for Driving Blocks*
I come from tennis, so I use a bit of wrist action. However, I don’t actively move my wrist. Instead, I position it to create the right angle. The power comes from my body, not my wrist. When I make contact with the ball, my wrist is locked, and I use my shoulder and a bit of elbow to push the ball forward.
Many players make the mistake of relying too much on their wrists, losing control of the ball. Instead, break your wrist to set the angle, take a small backswing, and follow through forward. Always stop and get into a ready position before hitting the ball.
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*Key Tips*
1. *Drop Block:* Loosen your grip (3-4 pressure), let the ball hit your paddle, and guide it gently.
2. *Drive Block:* Tighten your grip (8-9 pressure), lock your wrist, and use your body to push the ball forward. Aim to hit low and deep to neutralize your opponent.
If you put this into practice, you’ll find it much easier to block effectively, especially against aggressive players or "bangers." You’ll dominate them!
I really hope you enjoyed the video. If you did, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and I’ll see you next time!
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I've been teaching for a few years now
one of the common mistake I see most of
the time with my student that I've been
training for a few years is they still
struggling with the blocking in this
video I'm going to go over the mechanic
without wasting any more time let's jump
into it the first one is how to use your
blocking after a third shot drop okay
imagine they serve the blet you you
return that's mean you have to get to
the net first when you get to the it you
have to be ready first if they going to
drive the ball at you and second if they
going to drop it so now the first one
we're going to go over is the one when
they drop the ball at you I'm going to
explain you exactly how to do it the
mechanic and everything let me show you
introducing the red by robust pickle
ball the red paddle brings you cutting
edge gen 3 technology foam injected SPS
core and a t700 carbon fiber face all at
an unbeatable price this high
performance paddle offers top tier Power
Precision Spin and incredible touch for
just
$145 go to robust pickleball.com use
code Pirates to get 10% off your
purchase play
[Music]
robust okay as you can see this is the
first one as soon as you return the ball
you have to use your momentum to get to
the net okay when you get to the net you
should be able first to with the ball
okay so you have to make sure the ball
is high enough because most of the time
you have to take it out of the air okay
now some of the ball they go high but
very short when you try to take it out
of there you're not going to get it most
of the time you're going to hit the edge
of your paddle and you're going to hit
the net or you're going to pop it up
okay the second one even before you
strike the ball you have to be prepare
you have in your mind to know what
you're going to do with the ball if
you're going to counter the ball or
you're going to drop it now when you
have that clear now you can decide we're
going to go over the technique now very
important the first thing I do okay my
grip is loose okay my grip is three four
because I cannot have any tension in my
hand or in my body because the ball is
coming and I want to block the ball drop
up it very short so if I have any
tension hold my paddle tight the ball
going to pop up okay I don't want that
this is why I need to be relaxed losing
up my grip and head the ball next it's
very important to let the ball drop now
if I try to take the ball in the air
very high like let's say over the net is
going to be very difficult for me to
control that ball in that corner okay
now if I let the ball drop and I get my
paddle under the ball I don't have to do
nothing with the right right angle I can
guide the ball whether I want to drop it
in the middle I want to drop it in front
of me or I want to go down the line okay
I go under the ball okay as you can see
my paddle with a slight angle to my
right okay now when the ball hit my
paddle I'm not going to push it I'm not
going to do nothing the pace of the ball
do the job for me now since I don't want
the ball to go deep I want the ball to
get to to drop very slow and short this
is why I'm just going to be there
waiting for the ball let the ball hit my
paddle and drop over there now the next
situation is when they drive their third
so most of the time when they drive the
third at me what I do I block hard what
I'm try to do that's happened a lot when
people drive the ball and they start
running forward this is where I block
hard so if I can aim for your feet that
would be perfect
you drive the ball very hard at me all I
have to do okay and block it fast but
down because I'm trying to neutralize my
opponent if I block that ball very slow
and high it's just going to come and
whip it at me I don't want that this is
why I'm trying to hit the ball very low
and deep make it very hard for him to
drive it again even if he try to drive
drive it again that ball is going to be
below his knee most of the time you can
just let it go he's going to go out now
how do you do that but this time you're
not going to let the ball hit your
paddle you need to actually hit the ball
now the angle is very important and the
way you hold your paddle it's very
important too this is why we're going to
start with the first one as you remember
the first block the block drop I losing
up my grip by losing up my grip I lost
the ball to drop in the kitchen but this
time I don't want the ball to drop in
the kitchen I want the ball to go even
faster than the way they drive the ball
at me but for that I'm not going to have
a lose grip again okay my grip is going
to be like when I'm driving the ball 8
or 9 okay and timing is very important
so the first thing I'm going to do to
fix my timing I'm going to be watching
the ball I'm going to watch the ball
okay and obviously not running because
when you're running and head the ball at
the same time that increase your
inconsistency okay you have to make sure
when you're going to make contact with
the ball you have to stop that way you
can control it now the mechanic is since
I come from Tes I use a little bit of my
wrist but not the way you think when I
hit the ball okay I don't hit it with my
wrist okay I don't move my wrist I just
get my wrist and in a position to give
me the right angle for the ball to go
down which mean I use my body instead of
my wrist when I'm making contact with
the ball now what I mean by that so this
is my initial position I'm ready as soon
as I stop like this this is the way I am
so when the ball is coming I want you to
watch my hand now okay all I'm going to
do you see this is the way I'm going to
move my wrist very important as soon as
I break my wrist like this okay I'm not
going to move it anymore I'm not going
to do this okay very important remember
the ball is coming fast at me and I'm
going to hit it with my wrist I might
not be able to control it this is why I
H the ball with my body my whole body
now as soon as I get the right angle
okay all I do is go forward so as you
can see most of the time I use my
shoulder okay and a little bit of my
elbow to push the ball forward I don't
do this okay this is what most of the
people they do they just use their wrist
and they lost control of the ball
again okay I break my wrist get to the
right angle and when the ball is coming
I take like a small swim back okay and I
go I follow through forward some people
they just move and try to hit the ball
you stay where you are okay you break
your wrist and you just follow through
forward with it before you hit the ball
remember you have to stop be in your
ready position before you make contact
with the ball okay next the first one if
you want to drop it short anywhere you
want in the CT you have to loen up your
grip three four pressure grip okay so
don't hit it don't push it let the ball
hit your paddle okay and just guide it
the next one when you playing especially
bangers they drve the ball hard at you
remember as soon as you get to your
initial position paddle up you get the
right angle with your wrist okay you
don't move your wrist like this anymore
you keep your wrist locked and you use
your shoulder and you push forward so if
you put this in practice you're going to
see how easy it's going to be for you
like to block the ball and especially
when you're playing against Banger you
just going to destroy them okay I really
hope you like the video and if you do
don't forget to give us a like subscribe
and I'll see you next time
