Every athlete in every sport has had to deal with the dreaded “yips.” That frustrating moment where your body seems to forget everything it ever knew about that sport.
Well it happens in pickleball, too, and most often with the serve. That leads us too …
Coach Mary’s Tip of the Week
What to do if you have the yips on your serve?
Online instructor Tanner Tomasi demonstrates a short but sweet tip on missing serves. Check out the attached video in the online version of this story, of if you cannot access the Desert Sun website, then search @tanner and “Overcoming the Yips” on YouTube.
Tanner weaponizes his serve, by jumping in on his follow-through and using topspin to control the serve to a target area. Watch his two demo serves carefully.
Yes, contact in front. Yes, emphasize follow-through to your target area. Yes, make sure your feet are positioned so that your swing plane is to your diagonal target area. Yes, finish your serve with your paddle pointing to the target service box, rather than across your body.
Notes: Topspin helps you with control with wind and sun. Start low to high, short backswing, big follow-through! Use your hips and shoulders and jump into your serve!
Desert Pickleball Night League
I think it is important to provide pickleball competition opportunities for all levels and for all populations.
What if you work during the week? I am offering drill classes on Saturdays at Rancho Mirage CP.
What if you are available weeknights? I used to love my weeknight softball, volleyball and basketball leagues in San Diego when I was teaching and coaching.
Well, here is an opportunity for you to join the Desert Pickleball Night League!
And for those who would like to get some team play in this fall, the Desert Pickleball Night League is looking for teams and players. Locations for play are at Paradise Pickleball and Palm Desert Resort. The Desert Pickleball Night League is affiliated with American Team Pickleball and uses their format.
Here are the important details:
And another reminder: My first outdoor Round Robin tournament is the Kick-Off the Fall Pickleball Tournament at Palm Desert Civic Center Park on Oct. 19, 2025. Email me to register: mgbarsaleau@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball tip: Having the ‘yips’ with your serve? Try these tactics
Reporting by Mary Barsaleau / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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