When I first picked up a paddle, I dove headfirst into the game without much guidance, learning mostly through trial and error. Along the way, I’ve gathered some priceless nuggets of wisdom from seasoned players that have seriously upped my game.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been hitting the courts for a while, I want to share some of these tips with you.
💡15. Stay Light on Your Feet with Proper Split Stepping
Implementing a proper split step changes the game. This simple move at the start of each rally keeps you agile and ready to move in any direction, improving your ability to quickly react to your opponent’s shots.
💡14. Deep Serves Set the Tone
A deep serve forces your opponent to hit their return from a less advantageous position, setting you up for a stronger play. It’s not about power; it’s about placement.
💡13. Smart Service Returns
Focus on placing your service returns deep into your opponent’s court. A deeper return can disrupt their positioning and give you more time to approach the net.
💡12. Avoid Net Errors on Drop Shots
When playing drop shots, it’s better to be a little high than too low. A shot that’s too low gifts the point away by hitting the net, while a slightly higher shot still keeps you in play.
💡11. Drill to Build Skills
Regular drilling focuses on specific skills, helping you develop muscle memory and improve faster than game play alone.
💡10. Consistency in Serving
Consistent serves are more effective than powerful ones. Ensuring your serve is in play every time builds pressure and reduces your own unforced errors.
💡9. Patience in Play Strategy
Embrace a patient approach to the game. Waiting for the right moment to strike and letting your opponent make mistakes can often lead to more wins than a purely aggressive style.
💡8. Moderate Your Power
When hitting powerful shots, keep your effort at about 80%. This helps maintain control and reduces the chance of errors, keeping more balls in play.
💡7. High-Percentage Shot Selection
Choosing shots that have a high success rate is crucial. Avoid tricky shots that could lead to easy points for your opponents and focus on keeping the ball in challenging areas for them to return.
💡6. Effective Middle Coverage
Adjust your position based on your and your opponent’s tendencies. Sometimes, one player might take up to 75% of the court based on the play direction, optimizing both defense and attack.
💡5. Proactive Net Play
Taking dinks out of the air at the net keeps you from being pushed back and helps maintain an aggressive position in the kitchen, allowing for quicker volleys and less time for your opponent to react.
💡4. Reduce Backswing
Limiting your backswing helps maintain control over your shots and improves your reaction time. This is especially useful in fast-paced exchanges at the net.
💡3. Practice Visualization
Work on mental drills like visualization and positive self-talk to boost your confidence and focus during crucial points.
💡2. Refine the Reset Shot
Refining the reset shot is key to turning defensive plays into offensive opportunities. It helps stabilize your game when under pressure, allowing you to reset the point’s rhythm.
💡1. Master the Art of the ‘Third Shot Drive’
While everyone focuses on perfecting the third shot drop, perfecting the third shot drive can catch opponents off guard and add a powerful dimension to your game. It’s less expected than a drop, but when executed well, it can be just as effective at gaining the upper hand in a rally.
Your Game, Your Strategy
As we wrap up this treasure trove of tips, it’s important to remember that not every piece of advice will be the golden ticket for every player. We all have our unique styles, strengths, and areas of growth on the pickleball court. Some tips might resonate with you immediately, completely transforming the way you approach each game, while others might not quite fit the way you play.
When I started playing, I tried to soak up every tip I could get my hands on, but it was the unexpected ones that often had the biggest impact (like limiting my backswing!), changing my game in ways I never anticipated.
