I’m at the Mountain Diamond Regional tournament near Las Vegas. Nestled within snowtop mountains are 24 professional courts. It’s quite the change from Canada and needless to say me and the group I’m traveling with are in pickleball heaven.
Today is singles day and although I wish I had entered, it’s pretty nice observing everyone else who willingly chose to put themselves through self inflicted torture.
Gearing yourself up for singles might feel more intimidating for the fact that you’re doing it alone rather than with a partner and you’re using longer strokes from the baseline. But fundamentally, much of the warm up strategies remain the same regardless of singles or doubles. My recommendations are not necessarily in order, but here’s what I believe to be the priorities of a solid warm up...
Warm up off court first. Many times I’ve been guilty of jumping on court to do the traditional warm up of cross court dinks, vollies and skinny singles. What I’ve learned over the years is the importance of an off court warm up before jumping on court.
I make sure to go through a series of dynamic movements to get the blood flowing and increase my energy level. It’s so important to get the legs moving right away, especially after sitting and waiting in between matches. Standing at the net and doing a series of volleys won’t always get the heart rate up quick enough.
It’s more than just getting the ball over the net - play smart and review your game plan. Before each game.
Who’s guilty of coming off court and socializing, especially after a win? Hey, if that’s the way you can stay physically loose but mentally focused, you do you. Personally, I find it to be a distraction.
I am more partial to using music as a way of re-energizing myself for the next match. Be sure to get into the right headspace and to stay in the right headspace to compete - however that looks to you.
During the on court warm up, assess the other team to determine some of their strengths and weaknesses. For a couple of years I played club tennis and I remember this is something the tennis coach always told us during team practice.
I also believe this is something that one can’t help but notice, whether they make it a priority or not, it’s hard not noticing the way the other team plays - amirite? I don’t actually recommend changing up the game plan too much before playing a team but there could be key elements to pick up during the on court warm up.
Review your game plan and also be prepared to make slight changes. I always take into account factors such as sun and wind as this can help determine which side to start on.
At the same time, try not to make extreme changes at the last minute. An example of a significant change that I wouldn’t recommend is to make a paddle or grip change. Consistency is key in pickleball and that includes all aspects, equipment being one factor.
As the day goes on and you get deeper into your category, it’s important to keep in mind that warming up will look a bit different. You want to find that balance of keeping the shots sharp but conserve your energy as well. Every tournament I have been to has allowed five minutes for your first match of the day and then two minutes for every match thereon out.
Some people ask if intimidation is a factor during warm up? I remember another tip the club tennis coach made to us: never lose a warm up. It’s something else I’ve carried with me into pickleball.
I can’t say this falls into the “intimidation” factor, but what I do notice for myself is that a successful warm up (low amount of unforced errors, clean shots, good headspace) really carries into the match itself.
I really believe these priorities carry well between singles and doubles games. One final tip is to focus on one game at a time. As much as we’d all like to win and do well, during competition it’s really not about the end goal; thinking that way can suck you into a place of unnecessary pressure. One game at a time, one point at a time.
Seriously, one of the best parts of the job is being able to work remotely. Here I am, at a tournament in Las Vegas (actually, I’m at Sunset Park in Henderson and have been told it’s not really Las Vegas.
The strip will have to wait until my categories are done!) and I’m able to set up shop, get my work done in between my friend’s matches. Shout out to Henderson for offering free wifi at this park too. After a long, cold winter in Canada, this really is living and breathing pickleball at its best.
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