Week 10

This week was all about getting back to fundamentals. I focused heavily on my backhand flick and roll with Cam having me adjust my grip slightly so the paddle face points more toward the ground. After some initial adjustment, the shots started clicking. We worked on attacking the opponent's left hip followed by forehand finishes, plus mixing in down-the-line rolls to catch opponents off balance.

We also dove into Wardlaw Directionals from Cam's tennis background—a set of rules for creating higher percentage points that translate well to pickleball. These drills were probably the most exhausting we've done, highlighting my need to improve preparation. They pushed both my footwork and drives.

In games, I performed much better this week, though it took time to settle in at the kitchen line. Once I trusted my training and swing, things improved dramatically. While drives felt good, I discovered the hybrid drop ("drip") was actually my most effective offensive weapon. My hands felt faster too, likely because I was better anticipating speedups.

Not everything was perfect—I still missed too many easy shots and played too tight at times. But overall, real progress is happening with each game rep.

• Backhand Consistency: While my backhand flick and roll are improving with the new grip, I'm still not fully trusting it in game situations. Need more reps to make this second nature, especially when transitioning from flicks to rolls down the line.
• Preparation: I'm clearly preparing late, especially during the Wardlaw drills. Cam pointed this out, and I can see it too. I'm hitting too many balls off my back foot when the pace picks up, which limits my options and control.
• Kitchen Line Confidence: Still taking too long to settle in at the kitchen. The hesitation leads to pop-ups and missed opportunities. Need to trust my training from the first point.
• Easy Misses: Despite the improvements, I'm still missing too many "gimme" shots. Playing tight in key moments is costing me points that should be automatic.
• Transition Zone Management: While I had moments of success, consistency through the transition zone remains a work in progress. The drip shot is becoming a weapon, but my overall approach needs refinement.

There were plenty of moments where my training showed up, but one point stands out above the rest: After hitting a 3rd shot drop, I pinched the middle and my opponent responded with a deep, angled 4th shot that got behind me.

In the past, I would've panicked—rushing my backhand and either popping it up or dumping it in the net. But this time was different. I stayed patient, kept my composure, and executed a perfect cross-court drop that neutralized the point and got our team back in position.

That sequence—staying calm under pressure, trusting my training, and executing the right shot instead of the desperate one—felt like everything clicking into place. For just a moment, I glimpsed what playing at a higher level feels like. Small win, but I'll take it.

Next week we're shifting to more game-like scenarios, specifically 7-11 format with 1-v-2 drills where Cam joins in. I'm genuinely looking forward to this challenge. Cam operates at a completely different level, and I welcome every opportunity to test myself against that standard. These pressure-filled reps are exactly what I need to build my footwork + resets on the run and develop a sharper speed-up/counter game.