I have three videos for you to watch. See if you can see the difference in how pickleball was played in 2016, was played in 2019 (a key inflection point in the sport), and in late 2023.
2016 US Open Bronze Medal Match – watch the first three points: https://youtu.be/9UVG5–LzZk?t=247
2019 Nationals Women’s Championship Match – watch the first point: https://youtu.be/tq4L0Ab3JTA?t=1403
2023 Nationals – watch the first point: https://youtu.be/xc3yaixseHY?t=80
The 2016 video is like watching traffic pass by a sign that says SPEED LIMIT 25.
The 2019 video is like watching traffic pass by a SPEED LIMIT 45 except that traffic is kind of out of control.
The 2023 video is like watching traffic pass by a SPEED LIMIT 65 sign with effortless braking and accelerating happening in real time.
All of those “soft skills” (drops, dinks) are still important, but the tool kit required to be effective is different seven years later, isn’t it?
Pickleball Analytics! 