Upper back (Thoracic spine)
Stiffness when turning to retrieve balls behind you, or neck aching after high-paced doubles sessions.
An evaluation looks at Thoracic rotation in standing and seated postures, and scapulothoracic rhythm.
Interactive · educational
See what quick court changes ask of your body.
Turn the model, step through the four court positions, and note where your own movement feels restricted. Takes about two minutes and produces a personal reflection to bring to an evaluation.
Educational only. This is not a diagnosis, not a court movement lesson, and not a claim about how you will play.
Not a diagnosis
This tool does not name medical conditions or prescribe exercises. It is an educational look at court movement.
Not paddle coaching
Shot selection and court strategy belong to your coach. Dr. Bob looks at joint mechanics and movement capacity.
Private & in-browser
Your answers stay in your browser. You can copy the summary to discuss at your appointment.
The model
Four positions, five areas of the body.
Pickleball demands rapid split-second reactions on a 20-foot court: quick lateral shuffles, deep hip and ankle flexion at the kitchen line, and overhead reach without overtaxing the shoulder. This 3D model shows where that mechanical work happens.
Ready stance
Athletic, balanced stance at the non-volley line with knees softly bent, chest upright, and paddle ready in front of the sternum.
Asks for relaxed ankle dorsiflexion, symmetrical hip flexion, and light core readiness without neck or shoulder tension.
Split step
Feet widen and weight drops into the balls of both feet as the opponent contacts the ball, loading the ankles and hips for an instant push-off.
Asks for rapid ankle elasticity, hip abduction mobility, and dynamic lateral balance control.
Dink & reach
Stepping wide to retrieve a low dink, hinging deep at the lead hip while keeping the trailing leg anchored and the trunk stable.
Asks for deep hip flexion and internal rotation, lead ankle range, and lower-back stabilization while reaching.
Overhead reset
Turning to track a lob or high ball, rotating the upper back while elevating the shoulder overhead to reset the point.
Asks for thoracic spine rotation, shoulder elevation and scapular upward rotation, and rear-foot balance.
Where does your court movement feel restricted?
Tap any area on the model, or use the list. Select any that apply — there is no score.
A few questions about how it feels.
Four quick questions. There are no right answers and nothing is scored.
Your reflection
Nothing marked yet.
Nothing marked yet. Select an area on the 3D model or answer a question above to generate your reflection.
Without JavaScript this summary is not assembled, but everything it would say is on this page already: each area above explains what it does during a court movement, and what an in-person evaluation looks at.
Educational tool only. This reflection is not a medical diagnosis, not a screening result, and not coaching. All processing occurs locally in your browser.
In person
What an evaluation actually looks at.
Nothing on this page is a finding. These are the things Dr. Bob measures and observes during an individual appointment.
Shoulders & paddle arm
Aching in the front of the shoulder on speedups, or stiffness during overhead reach.
An evaluation looks at Shoulder elevation, internal/external rotation, and rotator cuff stability under speed.
Hips & pelvis
Feeling like reaching for a wide dink is a strain rather than a step, or tightness in the groin/hips after two hours of play.
An evaluation looks at Hip abduction, deep hip flexion, and rotational symmetry between left and right sides.
Lower back (Lumbar spine)
Lower back fatigue after prolonged play, or stiffness when straightening up between points.
An evaluation looks at Lumbar spine mechanics, hip-hinge quality, and core endurance during repeated lateral loading.
Balance & ankles
Stiff ankles when crouching low, feeling unsteady moving sideways, or difficulty braking abruptly.
An evaluation looks at Ankle dorsiflexion, Achilles elasticity, and dynamic single-leg balance.
Questions people ask
Straight answers.
Will this improve my DUPR rating?
No. Skill and match results come from practice and coaching. A movement evaluation evaluates joint range and mobility so you can move without compensation.
Why do my ankles and knees feel tight after playing?
Pickleball requires abrupt braking and side-to-side loading on hard surfaces. When ankle dorsiflexion is restricted, the knees and lower back absorb more impact.
What happens during a pickleball movement evaluation?
Dr. Bob tests hip rotational range, ankle mobility, spinal rotation, and lateral balance, explaining findings clearly and without rush.
Pickleball Movement
Bring your reflections to an evaluation.
An individual sports movement evaluation with Dr. Bob looks at your actual range of motion, lateral agility, and balance. It is an evaluation, not coaching.