Pickleball is a fast-paced, exciting sport that requires quick reflexes and smart strategies. One of the most aggressive shots in the game is the roll shot, and it's a technique that many professional players, like Porter Barr, use to keep their opponents on their toes. Mastering this shot can be challenging, but with practice and perseverance, you can perfect it. In this blog post, we will break down Porter Barr's instructional YouTube video on the two ball drill, designed to improve your roll shot and help you gain an edge in pickleball.
The Two Ball Drill:
The two ball drill is designed to improve your fast hands and help you become more aggressive on the court. To perform this drill, you'll need a drilling partner, two balls, and three cones placed strategically on the court. The drill involves two main steps: reset and punch.
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Reset: Your partner hits a drive at you with the first ball, and your goal is to reset and block it into the kitchen. To reset effectively, you should absorb the ball with your paddle, adding a little backspin if needed. It's important not to hit the ball too hard, as it may fly out of the kitchen.
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Punch: After the reset, your partner hits the second ball at you. Your goal is to punch it out at one of the three cones on the court, depending on the direction of the incoming shot. The punch shot should be short and quick, with minimal swing. You want to hit the ball and push through it to your desired target.
Common Mistakes and Corrections:
When practicing the two ball drill, it's essential to pay attention to the paddle's face during both the reset and punch steps. If your paddle face is slightly open during the reset, the ball may go high and fly out of the kitchen. Keeping your paddle face parallel to the net will help keep the ball in bounds.
For the punch shot, try to generate a bit of topspin by bending your wrist slightly. This will cause the ball to skip forward and travel lower to the net, making it more challenging for your opponents.
One key to success with the reset is to not just rely on your paddle to absorb the ball, but to use your entire body to catch and absorb the shot, directing it into your opponent's kitchen.
What is the roll flick shot?
The premise of the roll flick shot is relatively simple, but the execution requires finesse, timing, and patience. Porter explains that this shot is generally used during a dinking rally, often crosscourt, and interestingly, it is one of the few shots you might take from below the net. The aim is to hit the ball out of the air and roll it to land somewhere around your opponent’s hip—a place they will struggle to return effectively.
In his video, Porter showcases a simple drill to practice this shot. It involves dinking crosscourt, both backhand and forehand. He patiently waits for his partner, Clint, to hit a shot that he can take out of the air before rolling it down the line. He emphasizes the importance of not overdoing this shot—you’re not aiming for speed or power, but rather a slight pace change to disrupt the rally’s rhythm.
Another crucial aspect of the roll flick shot is the technical execution. As Porter demonstrates, this shot requires more wrist action compared to other shots. The player starts from a low position, catching the ball around the midsection, and then uses the whole body—wrist, arms, and legs—to rotate upwards, adding topspin to the ball so it will dip down into the court.
One of Porter’s key advice in mastering this shot is patience. He stresses the importance of waiting for the right ball—one you’re comfortable and confident with. If the incoming ball doesn’t look as great as initially thought, Porter encourages players to take a step back and simply dink the ball back. As he wisely states, “We want to go with something you know you can do rather than something you think you can do.”
The roll flick shot is not only for backhand but is also effective on the forehand side. The principles of patience, consistency, and targeting the opponent’s hip area down the line still apply. However, it’s essential to remember to stay low with bent knees, allowing your legs to do the work while hitting the ball upward and maintaining control of the shot.
