January - February
2000 -- Vol. 11, No. 1

WILSON GAME PLAN: How to Make
the "Splat" Noise ... by Lynn Adams

Q: I want to be able to hit a splat shot but I can't seem to make that really neat noise that the other guys make when they hit a splat. What am I doing wrong?

Are you sure that noise isn’t coming from your opponent’s battle with something he ate at lunch? Sorry ... First, a splat is a type of a pinch shot, with the distinguishing factor of making a wonderful noise when it hits the front wall.

There are five key components to hitting a splat shot. If you skip any one of the steps, you won’t hear that wonderful noise ... so let’s look at the components of hitting a splat shot.

#1 The ball has to be close to the side wall ... In order to compress the ball enough to hit a splat shot, the ball should be no farther away from the side wall than about a foot. If the ball is farther away than that, you’ll be able to hit a wide angle pinch, but not a splat. The ball must be very close to the side wall in order to create the necessary angle.

#2 Chest and feet face the side wall ... Your body can’t be open, facing the front wall, if you want to hit a splat. You need to generate as much drive and power as possible, and that comes from hitting the ball sideways, like hitting a line drive in baseball.

#3 Step into the ball ... This is a continuation of step #2. You want to be able to drive your legs, your hips, your shoulders, your chest, your torso, everything you’ve got, into the shot. If the ball gets too deep or behind your body, you won’t be able to hit a splat. Keep your body behind the ball and step into the shot.

#4 Striking the side wall 3-5 feet in front of yourself ... For the ball to travel the path of a splat shot, you need to hit the side wall in the correct area. If you are facing the side wall (step #2) look at the spot 3-5 feet in front of yourself. That is the area to which you want to aim in order to hit a splat shot.

#5 Hit it HARD ... Here’s the simple truth...if you can’t hit the ball with power, you can’t hit a splat. When you hit the ball flat and hard into the side wall, it compresses. When it hits the front wall it opens up and makes that wonderful splat noise. Consequently, no power, no splat.

Good luck making "the neat noise."