Student Of The Game - Pickleball Drilling Journal

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Anna Leigh Waters Singles Sunday Press Conference - Atlanta Open

3:48 Mindlessly Cracking Her Knuckles

Atlanta Press Conferences Playlist

Friday, April 24, 2026

Anna Bright: A+ Instruction

Anna Bright shares her journey of developing a lethal one-handed backhand aerial attack—a shot she previously thought was impossible for her to master. She breaks down the technical nuances of the three main types of aerial backhand shots:

The Poke (0:54 - 1:40): A simpler, defensive-minded pop of the ball at an opponent, often used as a misdirect. It is generally less effective for putting pressure on opponents compared to other shots.
The Roll (1:46 - 4:51): A shot primarily powered by the shoulder joint, which is essential for handling lower balls (at the knees or below). Anna emphasizes keeping the paddle face relatively closed and lifting through the shoulder to generate topspin.
The Flick (2:01 - 5:44): A more advanced, wrist-heavy motion that provides snappy, fast-twitch topspin. Anna notes that players like JW Johnson are masters of this mechanic, relying on quick wrist action rather than large shoulder movements.

Key Takeaways for Improvement:

Body Mechanics: Regardless of the shot type, Anna stresses the importance of hinging at the hips (5:01) rather than rounding the back, which ensures better reach and stability.
Contact Point: For crosscourt speed-ups, you must make contact significantly earlier (6:50) to effectively direct the ball outside and across the court.
Strength Training (8:19 - 8:51): Anna provides a "hack" for those struggling with the shot: strengthen your forearm. Using a light dumbbell for rotation exercises can significantly increase stability at the point of extension, which is crucial for a consistent aerial attack.

Anna concludes by noting that if you can master these mechanics on the left side, you will become significantly more dangerous on the right side as well, as the backhand naturally provides more reach.

10-question quiz to test your knowledge of Anna Bright's backhand aerial attack techniques: 1. According to the video, what is a "poke" primarily used for? (0:54) A) Generating heavy topspin. B) A defensive misdirect or popping the ball at an opponent. C) A long-range power drive. D) A full-extension roll. 2. Which body part is the primary driver for a "backhand roll"? (1:47) A) The elbow. B) The wrist. C) The shoulder. D) The hip. 3. Which player does Anna identify as the "flick wizard"? (2:09) A) Ben Johns. B) Federico Staksrud. C) Andrea Koop. D) JW Johnson. 4. What does Anna recommend regarding the paddle face when performing a roll? (3:40) A) It should be completely open. B) It should be kept relatively closed. C) It should be flat at all times. D) It should be angled upward at 45 degrees. 5. Why is it important to hinge at the hips rather than rounding the back? (5:01) A) It helps maintain balance. B) It ensures better reach and prevents an "ugly" posture. C) It increases the speed of the serve. D) It makes the ball bounce higher. 6. What is the key mechanical difference between a roll and a flick? (2:01) A) A roll is shoulder-reliant, while a flick is wrist-reliant. B) A roll is wrist-reliant, while a flick is shoulder-reliant. C) A roll is only for the left side, while a flick is only for the right. D) There is no difference. 7. When hitting a crosscourt speed-up, what adjustment does Anna suggest? (6:50) A) Hit the ball later in your swing path. B) Keep the paddle face wide open. C) Make contact significantly earlier in front of your body. D) Focus exclusively on the elbow motion. 8. According to Anna, why is the backhand often better on the right side of the court? (7:42) A) You have more natural reach. B) The ball travels slower. C) It is easier to hit a forehand from there. D) The court is smaller on that side. 9. What is Anna's "hack" for those struggling to gain power or stability on the backhand? (8:20) A) Increase your cardio. B) Strengthen your forearm with rotation exercises. C) Switch to a heavier paddle. D) Use two hands for every shot. 10. At what point in the dink rally does Anna suggest the shoulder lift is most important? (3:08) A) When the ball is high above the net. B) When the ball is at the shoulder height. C) When the ball is low, at the knees or below. D) When the ball is being served. Answer Key: 1: B, 2: C, 3: D, 4: B, 5: B, 6: A, 7: C, 8: A, 9: B, 10: C

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

2026 US Open

17:22 Women's Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters vs Valdes/Huyhn

Mixed Doubles

10:18 Waters/Devilliers vs Butler/Lanier
3:00:32 Waters/Devilliers vs Carvajal/Emry

Monday, April 6, 2026

Anna Bright's Vietnam Vlog

Throughout the week, Anna Bright navigates the challenges of international travel, intense competition, and local cultural experiences. She announces that she is the number one pickleball Vlogger in the World (12K+ subscribers).

Tournament Highlights & Performance:

Mixed Doubles: Anna and her partner Hayden faced tough competition, including a frustrating loss to Christian and Kaitlyn (24:30), but they gained valuable insights into the need for strategic adjustments (25:20-25:50).
Women's Doubles: The highlight of the trip was winning the gold medal with partner Anna Leigh Waters (31:10), which Anna described as the "icing on the cake."
Technical Adjustments: Anna discusses how the specific type of ball used and the humid, muggy conditions (13:42, 14:19) significantly altered the gameplay, requiring her to be more aggressive and adapt her dinking patterns (14:40-15:05).

Trip & Cultural Experiences:

Local Culture: Anna embraces the local scene, including trying Vietnamese coffee (29:11), visiting Train Street (7:35), and meeting local fans. She expresses deep gratitude for her driver and security team who helped her navigate the city (19:28-19:52).
Logistics & Daily Life: She shares funny anecdotes, such as accidentally "dining and dashing" (11:22) and participating in "credit card roulette" with the other players (27:06). She also discusses the physical toll of the tournament, including elevated creatine kinase levels (5:20) and the extreme humidity that left her shirt soaked with sweat (15:21).
Behind-the-Scenes: The vlog offers a glimpse into the life of a traveling pro, showing the balance between intense training, social time with other pros, and managing personal health and recovery.