Tipbit #31 - Net Cord
I don’t think I’ve seen a member who gets more pesky Net Cord winners than Janet Poling. Perhaps it’s because she hits the ball so hard and with topspin, so when the ball does contact the net cord that forward spin takes it over the net.
A ball off the net cord is one of the most dramatic plays in pickleball. Spectating RFPBA members often ooh and ahh when the ball clips the cord and falls over the net. They sound like they’re at the River Falls 4th of July fireworks celebration at Hoffman Park.
When you're on the receiving end though, it's hard to get caught up in their excitement. You turn on the boosters and fly up to the net, praying not to pull a hammy on the way. Plus, what adds to the difficulty is the net cord often misdirects the pickleball.
When you're on the sprint for a net cord, it's important to stay calm. If you don't, your sprint and lunge turn into wasted effort. When you're on a dead sprint, your extra momentum gets transferred to the ball and your intended safe dink turns into a popup on a silver platter for your opponents.
Next time you chase down a Net Cord, be sure to:
-
Loosen your grip to soften your shot.
-
Step into the kitchen toward the pickleball, leading with your extended paddle. You probably be reaching but try to get your paddle completely under the pickleball with an open face. Then try to go over the lowest part of the net and drop the ball into a larger part of the court in a cross court direction.
-
If your follow through took you into the kitchen, high tail it out of there. You may have just bought yourself a little time by resetting the rally, but you still need to get out of the kitchen or tuck and roll :-)
You do have other options, such as a speed up or a lob. Take it from me, I’ve tried those options too many times and they come with more risk and an increased chance of an unforced error.
I think in the future Janet should lose those points, as it’s a total fluke and she never intended to hit the net cord, but still winds up winning the point. Wouldn’t it make more sense if she hits the Net Cord, she loses the point? Just saying, President Lueck