Court positioning

Tips from a Pro...

Court Positioning...

By Mark Friedenberg

I once played in a major Pro-Am racquetball tournament in Seattle, Wash., where I asked one of the big professionals, “What is the most important thing that I can learn and practice in racquetball?” He thought about it and said, “Court positioning.” Then he walked away! What did he mean? After a while I finally realized what he was talking about! My definition of court positioning is, “Your position on the court in relationship to your partner, your opponents and the ball. Where you position yourself on the court will prevent or limit errors. The fewer errors you make, the more points you win. The more points you win, the more games you will win. And whether you are solely recreational or a tournament player, we all want to win.
The highest chance for errors and lost points is the return of serve. In my clinics and lessons I have always preached, “Forehand, forehand, forehand!” For most players your forehand is your strongest and most reliable stroke. Use it! I know, I hear this all the time, “But my backhand is my best stroke.” If you observe players in your area, you will see that most of their errors are made on backhand strokes. Also, most backhand strokes are defensive shots, whereas forehand strokes are offensive shots.
You must position yourself for a forehand return. Therefore, right-handers stay to the left and left-handers stay to the right. Position yourself so that you can use a forehand on the return of serve. I also position myself for a forehand return when I am the server. I serve and return in the same spot.

Editors' Note: Mark Friedenberg is the author of The Official Pickleball Handbook.