Pickleball Tips

Get to the kitchen ASAP

This is important, as it will give you the best and easiest opportunities to put pressure on your opponents and attack high balls. It will also limit the number of angles and open spots your opponent has when hitting the ball back.

Play it safe

Every shot will not be a winner. Therefore, play the safe shot and keep the point moving instead of risking it all and potentially making a mistake.  Pickleball is a game of mistakes, NOT a game of winners.

Don’t attack low balls

You don’t want to attack low balls below your knees because you are creating a low to high trajectory, which will allow your opponent to hit down on the ball when returning your shot.  Additionally, the likelihood of hitting the net or having the ball sail long out of bounds when attacking low balls is high.

Keep your opponents back

It is always best to keep your opponents as far from the net as possible.  By keeping your opponents back, you limit the amount of shots that they can hit down and toward your feet.  In addition, there is a better chance for them to make mistakes on longer shots.

Target your opponent's feet

This is a great strategy because it forces your opponent to reach down and hit the ball with an upwards trajectory, thus setting you up for a great return.  Additionally, it’s just hard to hit a ball near your feet in general.

Use short strokes

Short, compact strokes are the key to pickleball.  They allow you to prepare quicker and hit with more control.

Practice your 3rd/5th shot drops

These shots are the best way for both you and your partner to advance to the non-volley zone.  They take skill and time to develop. However, once you begin to use and develop them, you will understand how incredibly important they are.

Make your serve a weapon

For beginners, it is ok to just get your serve in to start the point.  However, as your game evolves, you must use your serve to set the tone of the point. Using speed, spin and distance, will allow you to have an advantage from the start of the point.

Practice your weaknesses

This is important. Especially when you play competitively, opponents will seek out your weaknesses and try to exploit them.  If you practice your weaknesses, they will soon become less of an issue and more of an opportunity to counter attack. 

Have fun!

Pickleball can become a stressful activity. Tournaments, leagues and open play can all contribute to the added stress. That being said, it is very important to remember why you started to play and why you continue to keep playing, to have FUN! There will always be the next shot or game, but making new friends while getting an awesome workout is what it’s all about.