Top Pickleball Tips and Techniques to Improve Your Game
Introduction
Pickleball is easy to learn but challenging to master, which is one of the reasons it’s so addictive. Once you’ve got the basics down, moving from beginner to intermediate—and eventually to advanced—requires a mix of strategic play, refined technique, and mental sharpness. Whether you’re aiming to sharpen your skills, boost your confidence, or win more games, improving in pickleball comes down to a few key strategies and techniques that make all the difference.
In this blog, we’ll cover some of the top techniques, tips, and strategies that advanced players use to gain an edge on the court. From mastering the art of dinking to perfecting your third shot drop, here’s what you need to know to take your pickleball game to the next level.
1. Master the Dink: Control Over Power
In pickleball, the “dink” is a soft shot intended to land just over the net in your opponent’s non-volley zone (the kitchen). While it might seem simple, the dink is actually one of the most important shots in pickleball. Dinking allows you to control the pace of the game and set up offensive opportunities, all while keeping your opponent on the defensive.
Dinking Tips:
Keep it Low: Aim to hit the ball low over the net to prevent your opponent from attacking.
Use Soft Hands: Relax your grip to have more control over the ball and reduce unwanted power.
Stay Patient: Dinking requires patience. Look for an opening or a high return before going for a more aggressive shot.
Practicing your dink game will improve your control, make you more consistent, and help you set the tempo of the match.
2. Perfect the Third Shot Drop: The Transition Shot
The third shot drop is often considered the most strategic shot in pickleball, especially for the serving team. The goal of this shot is to hit a soft, controlled shot from the backcourt that drops into the opponent’s kitchen, allowing you and your partner to move forward to the net.
Third Shot Drop Tips:
Focus on Placement, Not Power: This is a finesse shot, so avoid hitting it hard. Focus on gently lifting the ball so it drops in the kitchen.
Use a Semi-Open Stance: Position your body to face the net with slightly bent knees to keep control over the drop shot.
Practice Footwork: Good footwork ensures you’re balanced when hitting the third shot drop, making it more effective and precise.
The third shot drop can neutralize your opponent’s advantage and is an essential tool for taking control of the net.
3. Keep Your Paddle Up and Ready
In pickleball, keeping your paddle up and ready is crucial, especially when playing at the net. Many players make the mistake of lowering their paddle, which slows down their reaction time and limits their control over fast shots.
Paddle Position Tips:
Keep Your Paddle at Chest Level: Holding the paddle at chest height with a slight forward tilt prepares you for volleys and blocks.
Stay Balanced: Stand with your knees slightly bent and feet shoulder-width apart, ready to react quickly.
Anticipate the Next Shot: Always expect the ball to come back quickly, and stay ready to counter any shot that comes your way.
With a ready paddle position, you’ll be more reactive and able to block or return fast-paced shots with ease.
4. Learn the Art of the Lob Shot
The lob shot can be a game-changer when used strategically. This shot involves lifting the ball high over your opponent’s head to push them to the back of the court, giving you time to reposition or take the net. However, lobs need to be used sparingly, as overusing them can become predictable.
Lob Tips:
Use When Opponents Are Close to the Net: If both opponents are positioned at the net, a well-timed lob can force them to retreat.
Aim High and Deep: Ensure your lob is high enough to prevent an easy smash, and aim for the backcourt to keep them on the defensive.
Mix It Up: Don’t rely solely on lobs, but use them occasionally to surprise your opponents and create a varied attack.
A well-executed lob can buy you valuable time, shift your opponent out of position, and give you a strategic advantage.
5. Focus on Consistency Over Power
While power has its place in pickleball, consistency is often more important, especially in doubles. The most successful players focus on keeping the ball in play and outlasting their opponents in longer rallies. Developing a consistent game means fewer unforced errors, giving you a better chance of winning points.
Consistency Tips:
Aim for High Percentage Shots: Avoid taking risky shots, especially early in the rally. High-percentage shots, like dinks and soft returns, keep you in control.
Practice Accuracy: Work on hitting the ball to specific targets rather than focusing on power alone. Accuracy will force your opponents to move and create openings.
Stay Calm Under Pressure: It’s easy to feel rushed in a game, but staying calm and focused on consistency will help you make smarter shot selections.
Focusing on consistency makes your game more reliable, reduces unforced errors, and allows you to control the pace.
6. Develop Court Awareness
One of the defining traits of advanced pickleball players is their ability to read the court and anticipate their opponents’ moves. Developing strong court awareness allows you to position yourself effectively, anticipate shots, and take control of the game.
Court Awareness Tips:
Watch Your Opponents’ Paddle and Body Position: These can give you clues about their next move. If they’re preparing to hit a lob, for example, you may notice them lean back slightly.
Communicate with Your Partner: In doubles, effective communication is key. Call out “yours” or “mine” and let your partner know when you’re moving up or back.
Positioning: Stay close to the centerline in doubles to cover the middle of the court, and avoid drifting too far away from your partner.
With better court awareness, you’ll be able to react more effectively, anticipate shots, and maintain good positioning throughout the game.
7. Improve Your Footwork and Mobility
Footwork is essential to becoming a skilled pickleball player. Proper footwork helps you move quickly, maintain balance, and hit more precise shots. Working on foot speed and agility will make you faster, more consistent, and better positioned to take on any shot.
Footwork Tips:
Use Short, Quick Steps: Instead of large strides, use short, quick steps to move around the court. This keeps you balanced and able to change direction quickly.
Stay on the Balls of Your Feet: Avoid standing flat-footed; staying on the balls of your feet keeps you nimble and ready for sudden movements.
Practice Side Shuffles and Lunges: These exercises mimic pickleball movement patterns, helping you build strength and agility for on-court mobility.
Improving footwork and agility will make you more responsive, keeping you ready for any shot that comes your way.
8. Add Spin to Your Shots
Adding spin to your shots can increase control and make your shots more challenging for opponents to return. Topspin, for instance, creates a low, forward-rotating shot that drops quickly, making it difficult for opponents to counter. Backspin, or slicing, can be used to send a slower, floating shot, often leading to errors from your opponents.
Spin Tips:
Topspin: Brush up on the ball with a low-to-high paddle motion. Topspin makes the ball drop more quickly, keeping it low over the net.
Backspin: For backspin, use a high-to-low motion, brushing down on the ball’s back. Backspin shots are slower, giving you time to reposition.
Practice Spin Control: Use spin sparingly, but practice enough to control it when needed. Consistent spin shots add variety to your game and keep your opponents guessing.
Learning to use spin effectively will elevate your shot-making abilities and add complexity to your game.
Conclusion
Mastering pickleball takes more than just hitting the ball back and forth; it requires strategic thinking, precise movements, and a solid understanding of advanced techniques. From dinking and third shot drops to mastering footwork and paddle position, each of these techniques can help you become a stronger, more strategic player.
Pickleball is a game of finesse and control, where small adjustments can make a big difference. By practicing these tips and incorporating them into your game, you’ll be ready to take on tougher opponents, enjoy more competitive matches, and truly elevate your skills.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re working on your third shot drop or building better footwork, improving in pickleball is a rewarding journey. Keep practicing, stay consistent, and enjoy the process. With time and dedication, you’ll be surprised at just how far you can go on the court. Happy playing!