Top 10 Tips for Improving Your Pickleball Game

1. Master the Basics: Perfect Your Grip and Stance

Becoming a pickleball player of renown begins with your grip and stance. An effective grip gives you greater control over the paddle and improves your precision. Start with the continental grip, placing the base knuckle of your index finger on the second bevel of the paddle handle. In simpler terms, hold the handle as if you were going to use the edge of the paddle to hammer a nail. The continental grip allows versatility in your shots, whether serving, dinking, or smashing.

Your stance should be balanced and light, with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. This athletic position keeps you ready to move quickly in any direction, enabling you to react to your opponent’s shots with agility.

2. Focus on Footwork: Stay Light and Ready

Good footwork is essential in pickleball. Staying light on your feet permits you to move efficiently and position yourself optimally for each shot. Avoid crossing your feet when moving laterally, as this can slow you down or trip you up. Instead, use small, quick steps to maintain balance and speed.

Practicing drills focused on side-to-side and front-to-back movement will improve your agility and make you a more dynamic player on the court.

3. Master the Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is a game-changing technique that can shift the momentum in your favor. It is typically executed after the serve and return and involves hitting a soft, arcing shot that comes down just over the net in your opponent’s kitchen (non-volley zone). The goal is to neutralize your opponent’s power and give yourself time to advance to the net.

Practice this shot until you can consistently place the ball in your opponent’s kitchen, forcing them to hit upward and giving you the advantage.

4. Develop a Strong Serve: Aim for Consistency

A strong, consistent serve can put immediate pressure on your opponent. While power is necessary, control and placement are key. Aim to serve deep into your opponent’s court, close to the baseline, making it harder for them to return aggressively.

Experiment with different types of serves, such as the topspin serve or the slice serve, and vary them to keep your opponents guessing and off-balance.

5. Work on Your Dink Game

Dink shots are essential to pickleball strategy, especially in doubles play. These soft shots are played in the kitchen and require finesse rather than power. A skillfully executed dink forces your opponent to hit upward, setting you up for a more aggressive shot. Three keys to success with this shot are to 1) swing from the shoulder, 2) take the ball out in front of your body, and 3) watch the ball make contact with the center of the paddle.

Spend time practicing dinks to both sides of the court, and work on varying the depth and angle of your dinks to keep your opponent uncertain.

6. Communicate with Your Partner

In doubles play, communication is crucial. Clear and consistent communication with your partner helps avoid confusion and keeps you both on the same page. Call out who will take each shot, especially when the ball is headed down the middle of the court.

Developing a solid partnership on the court can lead to better coordination, fewer unforced errors, and more wins.

7. Keep Your Eye on the Ball: Anticipation Gives You an Edge

One of the most common mistakes in pickleball is taking your eyes off the ball. Always keep your eyes on the ball, from the moment it leaves your opponent’s paddle until you make contact. This focus will improve your timing, allowing you to react more quickly and set up your shots for maximum impact.

Anticipating your opponent’s shots gives you a split-second advantage, which is often the difference between winning and losing a point.

8. Mix Up Your Shots: Keep Opponents Guessing

Variety is the spice of life—and pickleball. If you repeatedly play the same shot, your opponent will quickly adapt. Mix up your shots by modifying your speed, spin, and placement from shot to shot. Use a combination of dinks, drives, lobs, and drops to keep your opponents guessing.

The more unpredictable you are, the harder it will be for your opponents to develop a rhythm and counter your game.

9. Stay Patient: Pickleball is a Game of Strategy

Like most sports, pickleball has a mental dimension in addition to a physical one. Keeping your cool and thinking strategically are as essential to becoming a top player as physical dexterity. Stay patient, and don’t rush your shots. Often, the best strategy is to wait for your opponent to make a mistake rather than trying to force a winner. Patience allows you to stay focused and maintain control of the game.

A simple but helpful rule of thumb is to react based on how high the ball is when you make contact with it. If it’s below net height, drop it into your opponent’s kitchen. If it’s above the net, look for an opening to go on the offense.

Making a winning shot is satisfying, but wait for your moment. The best players know how to keep the rally going until their opponent makes an error.

10. Keep Practicing: Repetition Builds Mastery

Finally, the best way to improve your pickleball game is through consistent practice. Regularly practicing your serves, volleys, and footwork will build your muscle memory and improve your overall game. Join clinics, take lessons, or simply play more games to refine your skills.

At Power Pickleball Club, we offer a range of opportunities to practice and play, from open play sessions to skill-specific clinics. Members can take full advantage of our top-notch facilities and expert coaching to keep honing their game.

Improving your pickleball game is a rewarding goal that requires dedication, practice, and a love for the sport. By focusing on these top 10 tips, you’ll see progress on the court and enjoy the game even more. At Power Pickleball Club, we’re here to support your growth, offering everything you need to take your game to the next level. So grab your paddle, hit the court, and start implementing these tips today!