COACH MARY’S TIP FOR THE WEEK

by Mary Barseleau [email protected]

PICKLEBALL POINTS: Sunday, April 19th, 2026 Coach Mary’s Tip for the Week: SHORT HOPS: What do they look like, why do we use them, and how to execute them? Callie Smith offers four short but informative videos on short hops. https://youtube.com/shorts/m70hM8wvNr0?si=DiN3yz7ofVMVgGr9 · In the first video, her paddle is behind her, and her weight is back. · In the correct video, Callie drops her paddle down in front of her, without any backswing. https://youtube.com/shorts/gF1VUyuMFjs?si=JGB33C0h0jTA0BjP · When should you execute a short hop? Callie says when you are pulled out of position, and you do not have time to get your feet in the proper place. · Soft hands. · It is a defensive shot, no backswing. https://youtube.com/shorts/nfvLGGxiZYM?si=JYCdZFsnBDp_Na17 · Take it right off the ground. Think, “Ba, bump!” ·

Check out the great demo.
https://youtube.com/shorts/PH8KRbEEFsI?si=HYe9Ijt660BvvbbV · Short hop versus topspin dink. · The short hop occurs in front of you, no backswing, just down and up. · The topspin dink involves stepping back and moving low to high to create topspin. Susannah Barr from The Flying Pickleball Academy offers a good video on executing short hops on your serve return. · Susannah explains that she often uses a short hop on her service return when the ball is deep. · Open quickly and contact as the ball is rising. · This will be a better return than waiting until the ball gets deep and trying to move back. · Often, Pickleball courts are tight in the back and on the sides. You will need the short hop return when the back wall or fence is too close. https://youtube.com/shorts/Oz78ZXNPe5M?si=ZPXPNnp7Mkrdcfd_