Being pulled out wide at the kitchen line is a challenging situation that can disrupt your positioning and strategy. However, with the right techniques, you can manage these scenarios effectively and maintain control of the game.
Here’s a guide with strategies for different skill levels to help you tackle this common pickleball challenge.
Beginner Level (2.0 – 3.0)
Scenario: You’re pulled wide at the kitchen line and are unsure what to do.
Tip: Focus on getting the ball back over the net. Aim for a middle dink. This gives you more time to recover and prevents your opponent from taking advantage of the open court.
Avoid attempting a desperate lob, as it’s a low-percentage play for beginners.
Don’t forget to check out our article on the 3 most common dinking mistakes!
Intermediate Level (3.5 – 4.0)
Scenario: You’re consistently getting pulled wide and struggling to stay in the point.
Tip: Work on your footwork and positioning. Make sure you’re not standing too close to the middle.
When you get pulled wide, try to reset the ball by dinking it cross-court. This buys you time to get back into position and keeps the rally going.
Advanced Level (4.5+)
Scenario: You’re up against a strong team that exploits wide shots.
Tip: Keep your positioning sharp. When pulled wide, turn your hips and reset the ball in front of you. A high slice lob to the middle or cross-court can be effective, giving you time to recover while drawing your opponents back.
Be mindful of your opponents’ ability to counterattack and adjust your shot selection accordingly.
3 Key Tips for All Levels
1. Stay Calm and Focused: Maintain your composure to execute your shots effectively. Take a deep breath and keep your eye on the ball, allowing yourself to respond with precision rather than rushing your shot.
2. Master Your Positioning: Positioning is essential to prevent getting pulled wide. Always stay slightly staggered with your partner, maintaining a balanced stance. Keep your paddle up and ready, and avoid drifting too far from your ideal spot to minimize recovery time.
3. Practice Your Footwork: Proper footwork is key to avoiding being pulled wide. Focus on:
- Split Step: Use a split step as your opponent hits the ball to stay light on your feet and ready to move in any direction.
- Lateral Movement: Work on side-to-side shuffling to cover the width of the court without crossing your feet, which can lead to tripping or slower movements.
- Crossover Step: When you need to cover a large distance quickly, use a crossover step to maintain speed and balance.
- Recovery Steps: Practice quick, small steps to recover to your optimal court position after being pulled wide.
Getting pulled out wide at the kitchen line is a common challenge, especially for intermediate players around the 3.5 to 4.0 level.
But don’t worry—by tailoring your approach based on your skill level, you can manage these tricky shots and keep the game in your favor.
You’ve got this!
