Why are Balance Exercises Important in Pickleball?

Having sufficient balance is a critical factor in pickleball because of the movements involved in the game while navigating the court and hitting shots. Pickleball involves quick lateral movements, forward and backward sprints, and changes in direction.

Having good balance enables you to stay steady on your feet and prevent trips and falls that could lead to injury. Adequate balance also allows you to make precise footwork adjustments and react quickly to the ball's movement, improving your agility on the court.

Improving your balance can help you hit more accurate shots, recover your body position quicker after a shot and improve your defensive stability, as well as prevent injuries. Let’s take a quick look at how better balance can help.

Shot Accuracy

Whether you're performing a forehand or backhand shot, a well-balanced body position helps you maintain control and transfer power more efficiently through your stroke. It allows you to generate more racket head speed and accuracy, enabling you to place the ball where you want it to go.

Body Position Recovery

After hitting a shot, you need to quickly recover to your ready position to prepare for the next shot. Good balance allows you to regain your center of gravity efficiently, enabling faster movement and reaction time. It helps you maintain a stable position, be ready for the opponent's return, and adjust your positioning on the court as needed.

Defensive Stability

Having good balance enables you to react swiftly to the ball, adjust your positioning, and maintain stability even when stretching or lunging for shots. It helps you stay in control and maintain a balanced posture while executing defensive shots, reducing the risk of stumbling or losing stability and increasing the likelihood of you reaching shots that might be beyond your normal swing length.

Injury Prevention

Maintaining good balance allows you to move efficiently, distribute your weight evenly, and absorb impact properly. When your body is balanced, it can handle sudden movements and changes in direction without putting excessive stress on your joints, muscles, and ligaments, reducing the likelihood of sprains, strains, or other injuries. Obviously it will also help prevent falls on the court as well.

If you’re not performing pickleball balance exercises in your training off the court, you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice. Reach out to get started now!