Mike Branon: Deception and Aggression at the Kitchen, Articles

 

Mastering the Trick Shots: Advanced Techniques for Keeping Your Opponents Guessing

An Instructional Guide to Deceptive Shots in Pickleball

Most pickleball players rely on basic shots like the dink, volley, and ground stroke to win points. But mixing in some trickier, more aggressive shots can keep your opponents guessing and lead to more wins.

In this guide, expert player and author Mike Branon breaks down advanced techniques for executing deceptive pickleball shots. With step-by-step instructions and links to video tutorials, both beginning and experienced players can add some spice to their game.

Learn how to disguise your shots, aim for your opponent's body, and master the delicate drop shot. With practice, these unconventional shots will become valuable weapons in your pickleball arsenal. So grab your paddle, head to the court, and get ready to unleash some pickleball trickery!

1. Identifying the Right Ball to Attack (0:43)

The key to successfully executing a deceptive pickleball shot is finding the right opportunity. Branon advises waiting for a “dead dink” - when the ball is hit medium depth into the non-volley zone with a nice bounce. This will allow you to disguise your intentions longer before unveiling a surprise shot. Be patient and don’t get overeager taking on balls that will be difficult to deceive on. Wait for the ideal bounce and catch your opponents off guard.

2. Aiming Your Shot (1:20)

When you have a dead dink to work with in the kitchen, think carefully about shot placement. Branon recommends going after the player in front of you to increase your chances of a winning shot. Other good targets are the hip and armpit area on your opponent's dominant side. This makes it hard for them to quickly swing their paddle into position. Avoid aiming directly at their paddle, or a skilled player may counterattack. The key is limiting their reaction time as much as possible.

3. The Flick Shot (1:41)

One great kitchen trick shot is the flick. It starts with almost no back-swing as you quickly snap your paddle to send the ball towards your opponent's body. The flick doesn't require hitting the ball hard. Focus on catching them by surprise and making solid contact. This is an acceptable shot in competitive play, but make sure your playing partners are comfortable with some pickleballs bouncing off them for fun.

4. The Drive Shot (1:50)

Similar to the flick, the drive shot aggressively targets your opponent's body. Drive the ball firmly enough that they have little time to react. Again, aim for the hip and underarm section on their dominant side. This may force them to hastily flip their paddle to reach the shot. Driving directly at their paddle risks a counterattack from a skilled player. The drive is extremely tough to defend against, so use it strategically.

5. The Rollover Shot (2:22)

For a less aggressive surprise shot, Branon suggests the rollover. Hit this down the middle with a paddle path that starts low and finishes high, putting heavy topspin on the ball. Make contact firmly so the ball splits your opponents but stays in play due to the spin. Be sure not to overload on wrist roll in your swing - letting the paddle path impart spin is more reliable. A key precursor can be crossing a dink wide to open up the court middle for your rollover.

6. Proper Rollover Technique (3:20)

When executing the rollover, start your paddle below the ball and brush up over it compactly. Let the swing path create spin rather than turning your wrist. Also make sure to push your wrist forward right before impact, keeping it stable through the hit. This generates power and keeps the ball low. Finally, don't take a long backswing which could reveal your intentions early. A shorter swing will help sell the deception.

7. The Drop Shot (4:21)

The drop shot is another very sneaky pickleball play. Unlike kitchen shots where you disguise a dink, here you pretend to hit a hard volley or overhead. At the last second, delicately deaden the ball into the non-volley zone instead. Branon notes two prime chances for attempting a drop shot - when you receive a hard drive from the baseline or a high lob to slam. In both cases, sell the power shot then surprise your opponents with touch.

Summary

Adding deception and aggression expands your offensive options in pickleball, keeping opponents uncertain and increasing your winners. Upon receiving a medium-depth ball in the kitchen, disguising your intentions is critical. Target your opponent's body or aim down the middle to limit reaction time. Practice flick and drive shots that catch defenders off guard by striking their dominant side. For a less combative surprise, use the rollover to split opponents with power and spin. Fundamentals like paddle path and wrist stability are key for keeping this tricky shot in play. The drop shot also fools adversaries by transforming what appears to be a slam into a delicate kitchen drop. Mastering these unconventional strokes requires work, but elevates pickleball from recreation to artistry.

About the Author

Mike Branon brings decades of wisdom to his celebrated book The Joy of Pickleball and accompanying instructional guides. His goal is to unlock every player's full potential by clearly communicating techniques, strategies and mindsets tailored to the senior demographic. With an affable tone blending humor, empathy and expertise, Branon shares hard-won insights from playing and teaching pickleball at the highest levels. Yet he stresses that the real joy comes not from trophies but self-improvement, camaraderie and finding flow in the sport you love. When he isn't writing or on the courts, you can find Branon enjoying time with his wife and dog near their Carlsbad, California home. Though the author may be too humble to say so himself, his transformational impact on pickleball cements his eventual place in the sport's Hall of Fame.

YouTube Time Code List

0:00 Introduction 0:43 Dead Dink 1:20 Flick 1:41 The Flick 1:50 The Drive 2:22 The Rollover 3:00 The Paddle 3:20 Swing Patch 4:21 Drop Shot 5:20 Outro

Here is a 20 question multiple choice quiz based on the "Mastering the Trick Shots: Advanced Techniques for Keeping Your Opponents Guessing" instructional guide: Mastering Trick Shots Quiz 1. What type of ball presents the best opportunity for executing a deceptive pickleball shot? a) A very fast, low shot b) A ball hit with heavy topspin c) A medium-depth ball with a high bounce d) A high lob 2. When both teams are positioned in the kitchen, Mike Branon recommends aiming trick shots ___. a) Down the middle b) At your opponent's paddle c) At your opponent's forehand side d) At your opponent's body 3. The flick shot starts with ____. a) A long backswing for power b) A compact backswing for control c) Almost no backswing d) A circular wind-up motion 4. What is the main purpose of the drive shot in pickleball? a) Hitting behind opponents b) Limiting opponents' reaction time c) Imparting heavy topspin d) Pulling opponents wide 5. Where is the BEST area of your opponent's body to aim the drive shot? a) The ribs b) The hip and underarm c) The lower legs d) The forehead 6. Unlike the drive and flick, the rollover shot is intended to ___. a) Strike opponents' bodies b) Split opponents down the middle c) Catch opponents by surprise d) Pull opponents wide 7. When hitting a rollover shot, you should _____. a) Physically roll your wrist over during the swing b) Limit your backswing to disguise intent c) Use minimal wrist movement and a horizontal swing path d) Take a long circular backswing for power 8. What paddle technique does Mike Branon recommend for properly executing the rollover? a) A high-to-low swing path b) A flat, compact swing path c) Holding the paddle face vertically d) A low-to-high brushing swing path 9. Where should you aim the rollover shot? a) Behind opponents b) Down the middle c) At opponents' feet d) Just wide of opponents 10. The key to successfully executing the drop shot is ___. a) Heavy topspin b) Deception c) Reaction speed d) Ideal positioning 11. When is one good opportunity in a match to attempt a drop shot? a) When receiving a high lob b) After a long rally c) When drawn wide d) After your opponent hits a drop shot 12. What technique does Mike Branon recommend when executing a drop shot? a) An abbreviated backswing b) Leading with your wrist c) Gripping the paddle tightly d) Catching the ball softly with an open paddle face 13. What is an important strategic reason to mix in trick shots? a) To attempt highlight reel shots b) To surprise and uncertain opponents c) To always try difficult placements d) To keep the ball away from opponents 14. Mike Branon warns that players should ____ trick shots. a) Frequently attempt b) Carefully choose when to attempt c) Only practice during games d) Avoid using 15. Which factor does Mike Branon say is MOST important regarding trick shots? a) Deception b) Entertainment value c) Difficulty level d) Paying attention to percentages 16. Mike Branon specifically advises against aiming trick shots ___. a) At an opponent's non-dominant side b) Behind a stationary opponent c) Just over the non-volley zone line d) At an opponent's paddle face 17. What does Mike Branon identify as a precursor shot to set up the rollover? a) A forehand groundstroke b) A straight overhead smash c) A cross-court dink d) A third shot drop 18. According to the article, why should players wear protective eyewear in pickleball? a) To defend against UV rays b) As required by regulation c) To avoid distraction d) For protection from stray shots 19. What does Mike Branon recommend players do BEFORE attempting aggressive trick shots? a) Ask opponents' permission b) Master basic shots first c) Warm up sufficiently d) Position themselves deep in the court 20. The main reason Mike Branon gives for ONLY using trick shots judiciously is ___. a) They can anger opponents b) Most require advanced skill c) They frequently result in errors d) They are physically taxing Answer Key: 1. C 2. D 3. C 4. B 5. B 6. B 7. B 8. D 9. B 10. B 11. A 12. D 13. B 14. B 15. D 16. D 17. C 18. D 19. B 20. C

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