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NTPICKLEBALL

21 members • $47/month

12 contributions to NTPICKLEBALL
Night Train Stroop Challenge – 7 Days
If you want faster hands, sharper reads, and better resets under pressure… this is for you. We’re running a 7-day community competition using the Stroop Effect – Brain Test app. Link to download (iPhone):https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brain-test-stroop-effect/id791503877 Why This Matters The Stroop Effect trains: - Processing speed - Decision speed - Visual recognition under pressure - Brain-to-hand reaction time That’s hand speed. That’s faster recognition at the kitchen. That’s better response when the ball gets sped up on you. We train the body. Now we train the brain. 🔥 How It Works - The challenge runs for 7 days. - Play daily. - Post your highest score of the day in the comments. - We track it publicly. - Highest score at the end of the week wins a prize. Simple. You should post your best score each day so everyone knows: - Who’s in the lead - What score needs to be beaten - Who you’re chasing No sandbagging. No hiding scores. If you beat your own score, update it. 🎯 The Goal This isn’t just about winning. It’s about: - Training faster hands - Training faster recognition - Competing together - Raising the standard inside this community If you say you want better hands, here’s the work. Drop your Day 1 score below and let’s get it started. We are sharing Scott's score as he has been working hard on it for the past few weeks to set the tone for the challenge below. Good luck! Train what doesn't break. Raise your floor.
Night Train Stroop Challenge – 7 Days
1 like • 14d
3/10/2026
1 like • 14d
3/11/2026
This Is How You Defend a Lob as a Partnership
If I was drawing it up on a whiteboard, this is it. Ben Johns and Anna Leigh defend this lob exactly how it should be done. Not flashy. Not frantic. Just correct. Here’s what matters. 1️⃣ Immediate Recognition Nelson goes over Anna Leigh’s head. It’s late. She doesn’t hesitate.She doesn’t backpedal into chaos. She turns and switches immediately. No drama.No confusion.Just recognition and movement. That’s communication without talking. 2️⃣ The Switch Happens Instantly Anna Leigh crosses.Ben goes back. Clean exchange. But here’s the detail most players miss: After she switches, she doesn’t just face the net and wait. She turns and watches Ben. That’s partnership awareness. She’s reading what he’s about to do so she can respond to the next ball. 3️⃣ Ben Doesn’t Get Desperate This is the part most players blow. He’s moving backward.Under pressure.Out of position. And what does he do? He drops it. He doesn’t: - Try to drive it - Panic lob it back - Speed it up out of frustration He drops it.And keeps working forward. That’s discipline. That’s how you neutralize instead of explode. He missed the final one — but the decision was right. Textbook Lob Defense If you want to practice this in your own matches this week, focus on: - Immediate recognition - Early switch - Clear lane for your partner - Drop first, recover second - Work your way back to the line Most teams lose lob points because of confusion. Great teams lose them because the opponent hit a great shot. There’s a difference. You’re not just defending a lob. You’re protecting court position and buying time. That’s Match IQ in real time. Drop a comment in Skool: When a lob goes over your head — do you switch early, or do you hesitate? Train what doesn't break. Raise your floor.
This Is How You Defend a Lob as a Partnership
1 like • Feb 20
Improving lob defense is also on my list for 2026. My typical response is deer in headlights, panic, then a rushed late reaction. I’m pretty bad at overheads. I often lose sight of the ball when I have to run it down, and misjudge the shot. If I am able to track it down, my drops often end up high, so a put away is common. A good lob is very hard for me to deal with and very frustrating.
PB Vision: Why You Should Start Using It Now
Quick reminder—if you're a Night Train student, you already have access to PB Vision. No extra cost. I’ve got the account set up and it’s already helping shape what we coach. Here’s what it does: - You send in a match video (just let me know—I'll send you a Dropbox link). - I upload it to PB Vision. - A few hours later, we get a full breakdown of your game: It breaks every shot down. Color-coded. Clean. And only your shots—no confusion with your partner’s game. Example:Pat’s data showed solid consistency and good defense, but her returns and serve depth were keeping her score lower than it should be. Now we’ve got 3 things to work on. Clear and simple. This is coaching that shows you where your game is breaking down. No guessing. 🎯 Want a folder? DM me or drop a comment and I’ll send your Dropbox link. Train what doesn’t break. Raise your floor.
PB Vision: Why You Should Start Using It Now
1 like • Feb 6
This is awesome, thanks Thomas! I’ve been meaning to break out the tripod and record some games. This will give me a good incentive to actually do it.
🎥 Video Breakdown: Middle Ball & Movement Cues
Let’s take a closer look at a recent clip from one of our students, Pat. She’s returning serve, her partner is at the kitchen line, and we’ve got a righty-lefty combo on the other side. A couple key moments worth breaking down as a group. Here’s what we want you to watch and comment on: 🔹 Question 1:The ball is returned clean and lands middle — between two opponents.Both freeze. Both look at each other. Neither takes the shot. Who should take that middle ball, and why? Righty? Lefty? Paddle positioning? Decision-making?Drop your take in the comments. 🔹 Question 2 (Bonus Breakdown):After hitting her return, Pat slows down instead of running to the line. She’s watching her shot instead of finishing her route. By the time the next shot is hit, she’s still moving-now late and off-balance. When should a player stop if they’re not going to make it to the line in time?What’s the right move in that moment? Let’s hear what you see. Watch the clip. Then answer both in the comments below. → Who should take the middle ball? → When should Pat have stopped? Train what doesn’t break. Raise your floor. – Coach Thomas
🎥 Video Breakdown: Middle Ball & Movement Cues
1 like • Feb 4
1) If I am at the line and my partner is returning serve, I tend to try to protect my partner as they come up. If a middle ball is within reach, I’ll try to take it. This is especially true if it was a good serve, or my partner is otherwise slow getting to the line. Taking that ball gives my partner additional time to get to the kitchen line and settled into the point. 2) If I am slow getting to the line, I will try to stop and split step at the point the opponent is hitting the ball. Wherever I am. Note: this is theoretical. In practice, my urgency to get to the line is strong. I find I often run through my shot, or get beaten by a well placed passing shot, if I haven’t stopped and split stepped.
1% Wins Friday
"Every Friday, post your 1% win for the week — a medal, a shot you finally nailed, a breakthrough in a league match, or a drill that finally clicked. Big or small, if it's a win, this is where it belongs."
2 likes • Dec '25
Working on footwork away from the court. When I play, I’m lazy. I don’t move my feet to get behind the ball. Instead, I reach. I have found I’m just not comfortable with the movement patterns needed for the lunge step, shuffle step and drop step. So I’ve started to practice these patterns several times a day. Whenever I remember. Shadow stepping. I’m not sure if this will help me be less lazy on the court. 🤷🏼 But I’m using it as a first step (so to speak).
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Scott Van Blarcom
3
37points to level up
@scott-van-blarcom-2103
Pickleball

Active 8d ago
Joined Nov 7, 2025
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