Advice from Atlanta Select Pickleball Coaches
The Art of Soft Shots
David Epstein has been playing Pickleball since 2019. He was a tennis player and coach at the time, and it was an easy transition for him. He fell in love with the sport quickly and soon was playing every day.
He started at Chosewood Park and Grant Park in Atlanta, where they had to make their lines and bring their own nets to the tennis courts in order to play. Now, he mainly plays and teaches at Atlanta Pickleball Center and Agape Academy at DeKalb Tennis Center.
Epstein and his group have been trying for years to get the city of Atlanta to create courts, but this has been a very steep uphill battle. The city of Atlanta is very slow, and the people in charge have been hesitant.
As soon as Epstein started playing with friends, he picked it up quickly due to his tennis background, and his teaching background made it an easy transition to help others learn the game.
Epstein’s philosophy for the game has remained pretty constant: Low middle, low middle, low middle.
He believes some of the biggest mistakes made by players, especially former tennis players, are overhitting and going for angles. It is very difficult to hit the ball hard and low at the same time. Players must learn control and aim for correct placement before just smashing the ball. Keeping the ball in play and letting the opponent make the mistake is key.
Regarding equipment, Epstein does not have too much to say. There are many paddle companies out there, but most of the paddles are pretty much the same. Beginners can start with paddles that cost under $100. As they develop their game and are looking for more control, they will want to find a paddle that fits their game and can find a very nice paddle for $150.
His greatest piece of advice? Aim for the opposing players’ feet. Soft shots to the feet win points, and you are less likely to hit the ball out of bounds. Another piece of advice is to ensure the middle of the court is covered. It is the cross-court player’s responsibility to cover the middle.
Follow David on Instagram at @atlantacontactpoint