Pickle Ball Tip of the Week 

by Mary Barseleau

COACH MARY’S TIP FOR THE WEEK: What to do if you have the “YIPS” on your serve?
Tanner Tomasi demonstrates a short but sweet tip on missing serves. Check out the attached video. If you cannot access on the Desert Sun website, then go to YouTube, go to @tanner. pickleball and go to “Overcoming the Yips.” https://youtube.com/shorts/GHOaEr5ZdwQ?si=jxMAaWwzJVHcR-L9 The best part of this video is the demo at the beginning. Tanner weaponizes his serve, by jumping in on his follow-through, using topspin, to control the serve to a target area.

Watch his two demo serves carefully. Step 1: The main reason you miss your serve is that you are using just your arm, and not your entire body. Step 2: Bend your knees! Load your body, get low. Step 3: Hold the ball out in front of you, rather than next to you. Slow it down, rather than being busy with just one motion. Step 4: Sniper path. I do not like to start with my paddle out in front of me contacting the ball to start, so I disagree with Tanner. Rather, I will start with my paddle at my side, with the ball out in front. Cut down on extraneous motion. Yes, contact in front. Yes, emphasize follow-through to your target area. Yes, make sure your feet are positioned so that your swing plane is to your diagonal target area. Yes, finish your serve with your paddle pointing to the target service box, rather than across your body. Notes: Topspin helps you with control with wind and sun and control. Start low to high, short backswing, big follow-through! Use your hips and shoulders and jump into your serve!

Reminder: My first outdoor Round Robin tournament is the Kick-Off the Fall Pickleball Tournament at Palm Desert Civic Center Park on October 19th, 2025. See attached flyer, and email me to register: [email protected]