by Kyle Koszuta (@thatpickleballguy)
Today’s edition has three parts:
1. A Helpful Tip - How to effectively “speed up” a ball to put your opponents in a tough spot.
2. An Entertaining Video - Former NFL player beats a pro singles player (a feel good story).
3. An Update on my Journey To Pro - What I’ve learned from hanging out with a top player this week.
Now, let’s get to it!
HELPFUL TIP
As pickleball evolves, new strategies emerge.
This week, I’ve been filming content in Nashville with rising star James Ignatowich. I’ve had the chance to play points with him and one thing I’ve observed in his game and other top players is…
… if you leave a dink slightly high, or it bounces a tad too high — players attack you with a hard shot, also known as a “speed up.”
They do this to put their opponents in tough spots. Or to engage them in a hands battle if they feel their team has better hands.
So, in this video, I asked up and coming pro player Lacy Schneeman, "When do you decide to 'speed up' a ball off the bounce and how do you do it?"
Here’s what she said.
ENTERTAINING VIDEO
It’s not everyday you get a former NFL player matched up against a current pro pickleball singles player.
But, that’s exactly what happened when my friends Brice Butler and Michael Lloyd got together!
This is a true feel good story guaranteed to make you laugh 3x minimum or your money back.
An Update on my Journey To Pro
When I first started this journey to play pro pickleball, I remember thinking…
“I can do this. I mean, The skill gap between me and the #1 player isn't as far as it is from me to Steph Curry in basketball.”
And to this day, I still believe that. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s still a wide gap… It’s just not as wide.
As I continue to improve and play at higher levels, I’m constantly reminded that getting to the top is freaking hard. Which I was reminded of again this past week.
Like I mentioned, I’ve been in Nashville the past few days filming content (in partnership with Selkirk) with James Ignatowich.
And if you haven’t heard his name yet, you will soon.
He’s good. Like, really good.
He’s a former Vanderbilt tennis player who’s already beaten top players in singles, and is starting to see success on the doubles side, too.
I say all this because sometimes it's discouraging to see how far away I am from the level I want to be at.
But, what I’ve said multiple times over the past 42 editions is…
I just have to keep improving day after day, so my next breakthrough isn’t just starting to play pro tournaments.
It’s winning them.
Until next time,
Kyle
PS: My mission here is to educate (and teach) people this awesome sport, make them laugh, and inspire others to have the courage to go after what they want in life.
So, if you enjoyed this edition, consider sending it to one person you know who would enjoy reading! And if you want to receive more like this, subscribe to my newsletter!
