5 Pickleball Tips to Help You Play Like a Pro

Playing pickleball frequently and with different players is a great way to improve your game. Aim to play at least a few times a week to develop your technique, footwork, and reflexes. Maintain a ready position and return to that stance between shots. This will help you be ready for a dink, volley, or overhead. You can also run different drills such as cross court forehand dinks, backhand dinks, down the line forehands, and game scenarios that will help you develop a response you can rely on.

The third shot is one of the most critical for gaining control and dictating the point. Practice keeping your opponents on the baseline by hitting deep in the court. If both opponents are already at the kitchen, try dinking the ball. This will restrict their options and keep them from spiking the ball. Whether you’re playing defensively or aggressively, developing a consistent and accurate third shot will give you a serious advantage.

Footwork is essential in any sport, but it’s particularly valuable in pickleball. Good footwork means moving from side to side and covering the court. It also means being able to react quickly to your opponent's shots. Work on using the kitchen area to your advantage by practicing the short shots and not being afraid to step into the kitchen, once the ball bounces. Always wear proper pickleball shoes designed for your court surface. This will give you better stability, agility, and balance, not to mention, prevent injuries.

In pickleball, serve placement is key. Practice serving to different areas of the court which will keep your opponents guessing what type of serve you might send their way, including a hard serve, flat, soft, or a spin serve. Make note of your opponents' strengths and weaknesses and change your serve strategy accordingly. Practice your serve several times a week, before you play and even go out with a basket of balls - it’s how you get better.

Clear and effective communication in pickleball is imperative. Pick a few basic words to say, such as: you, me, and watch, then coordinate your movements with your partners. Decide beforehand if you’ll both play net or if one will stay back and the other play up. Naturally, the more you play with the same partner, the more you can anticipate each other's actions and the stronger team you’ll be. Don’t be afraid to discuss strategies and adapt your play to capitalize on any strengths and weaknesses you see in your opponents game. Regardless if you're playing singles or doubles, communicating line calls immediately will ensure a smooth flow of play.