Universal Rackets Weekly Update!
Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game
🎯 How To Handle Fast Shots At Net
One simple fix + a strategy shift = confident blocking and clean defense.
A lot of players struggle with fast-paced shots at the net — and it usually comes down to this:
They’re trying to reach for the ball too late, causing them to get jammed, hit off-balance, or miss entirely.
Let’s break it down:
❌ What Most Players Do (and Why It Doesn’t Work):
The ball comes in hot, and they react by trying to chase it with their paddle.
By the time their paddle gets there, it’s too late. They’re jammed. They pop it up or miss it completely.
✅ The Fix: Let the Ball Meet the Paddle
Here’s the mindset shift:
Instead of your paddle meeting the ball, let the ball meet your paddle.
That means getting your paddle out in front early — even before the ball crosses the net.
This one move gives you:
✔️ More control
✔️ More time
✔️ Way fewer pop-ups
🏓 ONE SIMPLE TIP: KEEP YOUR ELBOW AWAY
Want to master this? Stick your paddle out and keep your elbow away from your body — that’s the sweet spot.
🎥 Click here to see a 60 second explanation on this amazing tip
🧠 BONUS: The Rule of 10
When a ball is coming fast, don’t swing — just block.
Here’s how to gauge it:
• If the ball is a 9 (super fast), your swing should be a 1 (super short).
• If the ball is a 3 (slower than average), your swing can be a 7 (bigger).
The faster the ball, the smaller your swing.
Keep it compact, controlled, and calm — and you’ll start winning those fast-paced exchanges with ease.
Female Pickleball Titans Of The Northeast: Featured Universal Rackets Owner Michele Stroyek
100s of Programs Are Starting Near You!
Universal Rackets is thrilled to offer programming at 35+ locations across the PA, NJ, TX, FL, IL area including adult/youth clinics, rating clinics, camps, adult clinics, social tournaments, Picklepaloozas, fundraising events, and more. As your all-in-one, inclusive pickleball and tennis community provider, we are proud to offer opportunities for all ages and skill levels, with flexible scheduling that includes weekends, weekdays, mornings, and evenings!
Click here to view all of our programs!
We Were On The News! Fox 29 Hit The Courts With Us!
Our New Shoe Sponsor: Cypher Pickleball
Looking for a performance-driven pickleball shoe that actually feels like it was made for pickleball? Meet Cypher Pickleball — one of the few brands out there designing footwear specifically for the fast-paced movement and court demands of our sport.
From the moment you step on the court, Cypher’s attention to detail stands out:
✔️ Exceptional lateral support
✔️ Lightweight design
✔️ Breathable materials
✔️ Pickleball-specific grip for hard court traction
Whether you’re grinding through drills or battling it out in tournaments, Cypher shoes are built to keep you comfortable, stable, and confident.
Check them out at cypherpickleball.com and use code tStroyek19 at checkout for $19 off take your footwork to the next level.
PS: for all Eagles Fans out there: they have a Kelly Green Color (as seen below) Go birds!
Instagram post by @cypherpickleball
💥 3rd Shot Drop: Red Light, Green Light, Yellow Light
One of the biggest mistakes players make? Rushing the kitchen after every 3rd shot drop. The truth is, your positioning should depend on the quality of your drop — and that’s where our traffic light system comes in:
🚨 RED LIGHT = High Drop
Your opponent is making contact above the net, driving the ball down.
👉 Stay back! Give yourself time to defend.
🟡 YELLOW LIGHT = “Normal” Drop
Your opponent is contacting the ball at or slightly below net height.
👉 Creep up and get ready — set body
💚 GREEN LIGHT = Great Drop
Your opponent is reaching below the net, head down, hitting up.
👉 Move up to the kitchen line and apply pressure!
By using this Red-Yellow-Green system, you’ll stay in better position, take smarter risks, and ultimately win more points.Players end up losing too many points because they think after EVERY drop they should move up to the kitchen: HOWEVER in reality you should position yourself based upon what type of drop you hit in other words: RED LIGHT, YELLOW LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT.
RED LIGHT= HIGH DROP – this is when your opponent is making contact above the net down into the court
YELLOW LIGHT= ”NORMAL” DROP – this is when your opponent is making contact at the net or slightly below net heigh
GREEN LIGHT= GOOD DROP – this is when your opponent is making contact below the net, head is down and they are hitting up
When Red Light: move back (to allow yourself time to return the balls)
When Yellow Light: move up slightly and set
When Green Light: move up to the kitchen to capitalize on your shot
By adapting this strategy you will be in the best position to win points.
Click here to watch a quick example of this
Lesson of the Week: The Ultimate Forehand 3rd Shot Drive Footwork Guide
Click here to view this week’s lesson
Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!
-Universal Rackets