Ready to Step Up Your Pickleball Game. 15 Pickleball Tips To Make You A Pro

Ready to Step Up Your Pickleball Game. 15 Pickleball Tips To Make You A Pro

The Ideal Pickleball Paddle For Spin And Control

As an avid pickleballer, I’m always looking for ways to improve my game. One area I’ve been focusing on lately is developing better spin and control on my shots. The key to accomplishing this lies in having the right paddle.

Through trial and error with various paddle models, I’ve found that composite pickleball paddles tend to provide me with the best blend of touch and responsiveness. Graphite face paddles are lightweight and have a pop to them, generating good spin on serves and drop shots. Paddles with a textured hitting surface add extra bite to impart spin on the ball.

The paddle shape also affects my ability to control and shape shots. I prefer a slightly elongated head shape for a larger sweet spot and maneuverability. A wider body balances the paddle while a thinner handle promotes feel and lets me choke up on grip for more finesse shots.

It’s important not to overlook the grip and grip size, which greatly impact comfort, stability and spin capability. I choose a cushioned perforated grip which lets me apply pressure in just the right spots. Matching the grip circumference to hand size ensures proper wrist action and avoids grip slippage.

With the right paddle suited to my playing style I’m able to execute precisely placed dinks, quick reaction shots at the non-volley zone, authoritative smashes, and topspin or backspin serves that curve right over the net. A paddle optimized for control has elevated my pickleball skills and strategic court positioning.

While high-tech composite materials and design features allow today’s paddles to maximize spin and touch, proper swing mechanics and practice remain essential. No magic paddle can compensate for poor form and technique. But when the right equipment is matched with skill, a great pickleball paddle becomes an extension of your hand for outstanding control.

Essential Pickleball Gear Every Player Needs

As pickleball’s popularity has exploded, companies have responded by creating specialized equipment to enhance players’ performance. While beginners can get by with minimal gear, more advanced picklers need high-quality accessories that withstand frequent play and provide an edge on the court. Here are some essential items every serious pickleball player should have.

A high-performance paddle is the most critical piece of gear. Look for light weight, durability, control, power, and the right grip size. Advanced graphite or composite paddles allow experienced players to shape shots and impart spin effectively. Most competitive players own multiple paddles for different playing conditions.

Quality pickleball shoes designed for lateral movement and quick stops and starts are a must for competitive play. Basketball or tennis shoes work for recreational games, but court shoes built specifically for pickleball provide optimal traction and support for running and pivoting on the court.

Although not mandatory, knee pads allow players to slide smoothly on the court surface without skinning knees when volleying close to the non-volley zone. Some players also opt for elbow or wrist bands to keep joints stabilized and muscles supported.

A well-stocked gear bag should contain extra paddles, indoor and outdoor balls, overgrips, a small first aid kit, sunscreen, a towel, and water. Serious competitors traveling to tournaments will want to include a portable net and stackable pickleball rings for warming up off-site.

While not equipment per se, lessons and clinics help intermediate players refine skills. Working with a coach or taking group lessons prevents developing bad habits and provides objective feedback to reach the next level.

Ultimately finding the right pickleball gear comes down to personal preferences and playing style. But high-performance equipment allows experienced players to unleash their full potential on the court. Investing in quality bags, shoes, paddles and accessories pays dividends when competing against other top-level players.

Essential Pickleball Gear Every Player Needs

As an avid pickleball player, having the right gear can make all the difference in improving my skills and staying competitive. While beginners can get by with basic equipment, more advanced players need specialized accessories to take their game to the next level. Here are some must-have items for every serious pickler.

At the top of the list is a high-performance paddle suited to your playing style. Composite or graphite paddles offer exceptional touch and control for spin shots and strategic placement. I find it helpful to have a couple different paddle options depending on the weather conditions or opponents I’m facing.

Quality pickleball shoes are essential for quick lateral movements and fast reflexes near the net. The best shoes provide multi-directional traction, ankle support, and lightweight breathability. I prefer shoes designed specifically for the stop-and-go motions of pickleball over general court shoes.

For hard-core competitors, knee pads allow you to slide on the court surface without scraping up knees during volleys at the non-volley zone. Some players also wear elbow or wrist bands to stabilize joints and muscles during active play.

It’s smart to keep a well-stocked gear bag on hand. I make sure to pack extra paddles, indoor and outdoor balls, grips, tape, a small first aid kit, towel, sunscreen, and water. When traveling to tournaments, a portable net and stackable pickleball rings come in handy for warming up off-site.

While not gear per se, investing in lessons and clinics from a coach can provide objective feedback to improve skills and prevent ingraining bad habits. I try to take at least a few group lessons each year to work on problem areas in my game.

At the end of the day, choosing the best pickleball accessories is a personal decision based on your unique playing style and needs. But purchasing high-quality equipment allows experienced players like myself to maximize our potential during competitive play.

Of course no paddle or shoes alone can transform an average player into a champion. Proper technique and practice remain essential. But combining top-notch gear with dedicated skill development can give your game a valuable competitive edge against serious opponents.

Mastering The Serve In Pickleball

As a passionate pickleball player, I’m constantly working to improve my game. One key skill I’ve been focusing on lately is really dialing in my serve technique. Mastering the serve is so important in pickleball, since it’s the only time you fully control placement of the ball.

Over the years, I’ve experimented with different serve styles – underhand, sidearm, two bounce. Lately I’ve settled on the two bounce serve as my go-to for consistency and an added element of deception. My goal is to strategically place the serve deep in the court away from my opponents.

To accomplish this, I start with the proper paddle grip and stance aligned perpendicular to the baseline. I toss the ball out in front with spin, taking care to avoid foot faults. Timing the contact point as the ball is descending is key for control.

I’ve found the best success striking the ball with a smooth, flat paddle face on the serve. This imparts backspin and helps the ball clear the non-volley zone but then curve down into the back court. Varying placement side-to-side keeps my opponents guessing.

Some additional serve tips I follow are bending my knees for balance, accelerating the paddle head speed on contact, and finishing with a long follow through. I also visualize the ball path and target landing spot before striking the ball.

Serving smarts extend beyond just technique. I strategize before matches to exploit opponents’ weaknesses with high deep serves to the backhand or low short serves jamming the forehand. Developing multiple serve options is key.

While I’m pleased with my serve progress, I know there’s always room for improvement. I continue refining through lessons, videos, and simply consciously practicing good form on every serve. Mastering this essential shot gives me added confidence each Pickleball match.

Effective Pickleball Shot Selection Strategies

One area I constantly work on improving as a pickleball player is thinking strategically about shot selection. Mindlessly banging the ball back and forth in a rally won’t cut it against skilled opponents. Making smart shot choices is key to winning points.

Here are some of the tactics I consider when deciding which pickleball shots to use in different situations:

When my opponent hits a weak return, I go for a put-away slam or drive to end the rally decisively. I also finish the point quickly when I have a high-percentage offensive shot setup.

If trapped deep in the court on the defensive, I’ll return a soft block or lob to reset the point and buy time to get back to center court.

When the ball sits up nicely for me, I like to take advantage by hitting a third-shot drop near the non-volley zone. This limits my opponent’s options and puts me in control.

If my opponent struggles returning backhands, I’ll go crosscourt often to exploit that weakness. Or against a player with a formidable forehand, I avoid hitting to their strength.

To disrupt a strong opponent’s rhythm, throwing in some off-speed dinks, drops and lobs changes the pace and cadence of the rally.

I also consider my own strengths and weaknesses. I lean on my reliable forehand drive but use backhands only sparingly for defense until that stroke improves.

In doubles, we communicate and coordinate shot selection. If my partner is drawn out of position, I may go for a targeted poach shot at the open court space.

No single formula or sequence of shots will work in every situation. Adaptability and strategic shot choices based on court position, score, and opponents’ strengths and weaknesses help me outplay the competition.

Improving Footwork And Mobility On The Court

As an avid pickleball player, I’m constantly trying to improve my footwork and court mobility. These fundamental skills are essential for winning matches against tough opponents. Here are some of the techniques I use to boost my foot speed and agility on the court.

Footwork drills are a great way to develop muscle memory for quick, balanced movement. Lateral shuffle steps across the baseline, grapevine drills moving side to side, and short diagonal explosive sprints all keep my feet fast.

I also practice split stepping during ball exchanges to be ready to move instantly in either direction. Keeping knees bent and weight balanced on the balls of my feet allows me to react quickly.

To work on changing direction smoothly, cone drills and agility ladders are very effective. I run patterns working on stopping, pivoting and accelerating in different motions relevant to pickleball.

Focusing on small, precise adjust steps lets me dial in position precisely as a rally unfolds. I avoid overrunning shots and can handle anything hit my direction.

Physical conditioning also helps boost stamina for continual motion over long matches. Regular cardio, drills, and cross-training improve my fitness level for increased court coverage.

Proper recovery after lunging for a shot is also key. Getting back to a balanced ready position quickly prevents being caught flat-footed if the ball comes back my way.

In matches, I remind myself to stay light on my feet, keep moving, and watch my opponent and the ball. Good footwork gets me to more shots and enables better placement of my own returns.

Mastering footwork and court coverage pays huge dividends in pickleball. I’ll keep honing these athletic techniques to maintain a mobile advantage over opponents.

Communication Is Key For Doubles Pickleball

As both a singles and doubles pickleball player, I’ve learned good communication with your partner is absolutely vital in doubles matches. My doubles game has improved tremendously by focusing on active verbal and non-verbal communication.

I make sure to establish hand signals with my partner for common communications – who takes the serve, switching sides, calling for lobs, etc. Simple visual cues allow us to silently signal each other during points.

We also discuss strategy before games and briefly between points if needed. If an opponent is missing backhands, we’ll look to exploit that weakness. Recapping what’s working or adjustments needed helps us stay synchronized.

I call out “You” or “I got it” clearly on balls hit in between us to avoid confusion. Similarly, “Switch” allows us toswap sides if one player gets drawn out of position.

Being generous with encouragement helps keep energy and confidence levels high. I’ll proactively say “Great shot” or “Good hands” to motivate my partner.

With good chemistry, we instinctively understand positioning and shot patterns. But communication irons out any uncertainties about who should move up, play back, or go for a poach.

After games, my partner and I chat about what worked well and what needs improvement. Honest, constructive communication analyzes our performance.

On the court, loud clear communication without bruised egos is key. Pairs who actively talk and problem-solve together gain a huge advantage over quiet, disconnected teams.

Consistent communication, both verbal and non-verbal, has taken my doubles game to a new level. A true partnership through open communication gives me added confidence every match.

Utilizing The Non-Volley Zone To Your Advantage

As an avid pickleball player, I’m always looking for any small advantage I can find to improve my game. One area I focus on is maximizing use of the non-volley zone (NVZ) to put pressure on opponents.

By mastering control shots from within the NVZ, I can force weaker returns. My favorite is the quick dink, placing the ball just over the net. This limits opponents’ ability to attack.

I spend time practicing control and touch on rapid-fire volleys hit from close range. Keeping the ball low and aiming away from my opponents’ reach pays off.

Approaching the net quickly when the ball is in my strike zone allows me to cut off angles. I call this “taking away the court” from my opponent.

When receiving lobs, I often let the ball bounce before attacking the return. This brings me close to the NVZ for put-away options.

In doubles, communication with my partner facilitates use of the NVZ. I can poach to volley aggressive shots when opponents are both stuck deep.

I also pay close attention to foot faults, especially from the NVZ. Keeping toes behind the line avoids gifting points away.

But I’m also careful not to overplay the NVZ. If pulled too far forward, opponents can lob over my head or hit angles past me. Striking a balance is key.

With practice, the NVZ becomes my friend. I continue honing control shots and strategic net play to fully utilize this important pickleball feature.

Techniques For Returning Hard Drives

As an avid pickleball player, I often face opponents who like to crush hard drives with intense pace. Learning techniques to effectively return these blistering shots has been key for my game.

The most important element is quick reaction time. I maintain active footwork to be ready to explode in either direction. Light on my toes, I use small split steps to prepare to react.

Getting the paddle up early is also crucial. I watch my opponent’s swing to anticipate the shot, then get into position quickly. The paddle head up helps me perfectly time taking the ball early after the bounce.

Although the instinct may be to back up, I try to move forward on hard-hit balls. This reduces the ball’s pace and allows me to block the shot back deep, re-setting the point.

Keeping my eye on the ball is critical to track its speed and bounce. I don’t take my eye off the ball from contact until it has reached my paddle.

A slightly open paddle face cushions the speed somewhat while generating some backspin. This helps control the return versus a flat blocked shot.

Proper wrist strength and firm two-handed grip on the paddle resist the sheer pace. I’m careful not to grip too tight which reduces responsiveness.

Hard drives can be intimidating. But footwork, preparation, firm paddle control and some backspin allow me to stand tall against blistering shots. My defense leads to more offense during rallies.

How To Improve Your Dinking Skills

As a passionate pickleball player, I’m always working to upgrade my skills. One area I’ve been focusing on lately is improving my dinking consistency and control.

Dinking is that chess match battle of shots exchanged up close to the non-volley zone. Mastering dinks is essential for advanced pickleball.

The keys to better dinking are technique, practice and strategy. With compact swings, I keep paddle head below waist level to impart backspin with underslice motions.

I spend time at practice intentionally hitting dozens of slow, arcing shots. Focusing on touch and placement over pace grooves muscle memory.

Varying speed and trajectory purposefully prevents predictability. I’ll throw in some speed-up dinks or wide angles to create openings.

Placement is critical – targeting opponent backhand weakness or moving them side-to-side wears them down physically and mentally.

Strategic dinking also involves knowing when to stay back or advance forward. Moving forward rapidly on softer shots allows me to cut off angles.

But retreating on a hard low shot dragged me out of position. Recognizing patterns is key.

Dinking success requires technical skills plus strategy and finesse. By honing this soft shot through dedicated practice, I transform it into a go-to weapon.

Developing Consistency With Your Third Shot Drop

As an improving pickleball player, I’ve been working hard on refining my third shot drop technique and consistency. This strategic shot is a staple play for advancing your skills.

The keys to executing the third shot drop begin with proper ready positioning centered in the court after the serve return. This allows time to get to the ball.

On the forehand side, I use a fast upward stroke to impart topspin. Cross-court I favor a gentle slice drop shot letting the paddle head glide under the ball.

Getting down low with bent knees helps ensure the ball stays low after clearing the non-volley zone. This makes it harder to return.

Practicing both forehand and backhand drops during drills ingrains solid mechanics. I also vary placement – down the line or cross court.

The drop shot takes touch and finesse. Gripping the paddle lightly generates better feel. I keep wrist locked and use mostly arm motion.

Timing on the drop is also critical. Hitting it at the peak of the bounce produces the most controlled, consistent contact.

I continue working on this essential third shot both in practice and matches. Executing it reliably forces opponents on their heels and puts me in control of points.

Adept use of the third shot drop demonstrates true pickleball skill. I’m committed to honing this signature shot through diligent training.

The Importance Of Staying Centered And Balanced

As a passionate pickleball player always looking to improve, I’ve been working on maintaining better centering and balance during matches. Proper positioning and stability give me a significant advantage.

By staying centered near the midpoint of the court, I’m able to move quickly in either direction to return shots. If caught too close to the net or baseline, I’m vulnerable.

On serves, I make sure to split-step back to the center after returning to be ready for the third shot. This balanced ready position allows optimal preparation.

I also try not to overswing on shots, especially when drawn wide or on the run. Reigning in exuberance keeps me balanced and centered without overextending.

Footwork is key to staying grounded. I use small precise steps for maximum mobility while retaining stability and control.

Proper bent knee posture and weight centered over the balls of my feet helps me react to shots fluidly in any direction at a moment’s notice.

In doubles, communication with my partner prevents us from both getting caught on the same side out of position. We actively work to regain optimal court coverage.

Remaining centered, grounded and balanced improves my pickleball performance exponentially. I continue reinforcing good habits that maintain court positioning control.

Executing Half Volleys With Precision

If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while, you know that mastering the half volley can be a game-changer. This tricky shot requires impeccable timing and technique to perfectly execute. While challenging to get right, nailing the half volley allows you to aggressively take control of the point. Ready to step up your pickleball game and start hitting consistent and commanding half volleys? Follow these pro tips and you’ll be volleying with precision in no time.

Get In The Ready Position

The half volley happens fast, so getting yourself in the optimal ready position is key. When your opponent is about to hit the ball, get your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Keep your weight balanced evenly and lean your body slightly forward. Hold the paddle out in front of you, elbows bent and forearms parallel to the ground. This athletic stance will let you react and adjust instantly to make solid contact with a half volley.

Watch The Ball All The Way

This may sound obvious, but keeping your eye fixed on the ball from the instant your opponent makes contact is absolutely crucial for proper half volley execution. The second you take your eye off that little green ball to see where you’re going to hit it, you’ve lost half the battle. Keep your gaze riveted on the ball so you can make split-second adjustments to perfectly time your swing.

Cut Off The Angle

For the half volley to be effective, you’ve got to hit it decisively back to your opponents and deny them the angle. So as soon as you identify the shot as a half volley opportunity, start moving your feet to get your body in front of the ball’s path. Cut off the ball early and block it back on your opponent’s side to take command of the rally. Go on the offensive!

Get Underneath The Ball

The mechanics of the half volley require you to make contact with the ball right as it’s dropping toward the non-volley zone line. This means you must get your paddle low and underneath the ball to execute the shot properly. Keep your knees bent, torso leaning in, and paddle hand down low to set up the correct swing path for optimal half volley contact.

Use A Punching Motion

The half volley happens so quickly that you don’t have time to take a full swing. Instead, keep your paddle arm close to your body and use a short, punching stroke to pop the ball back over the net. This abbreviated swinging motion keeps things compact while still generating sufficient power.

Follow Through Low

Your follow through is just as important as your initial stroke on the half volley. Be sure to continue the punching motion all the way through the hit and follow through with your paddle finishing low near your waist. This helps impart necessary underspin to make the ball drop sharply on your opponent’s side.

Aim For The Feet

To make your half volley as tough to return as possible, aim to hit it directly at your opponent’s feet. This will force them to react quickly to avoid getting struck. Firing the ball hard and low toward their feet often results in a weak or errant return from your opponents.

Cover The Net

In doubles, it’s key for both partners to cover the net when anticipating a half volley. If your partner calls “got it!” to indicate they’ll take the shot, immediately close toward the center of the court in case the volley is mishit. That way you can back them up and try to make a play on any half volleys they don’t hit cleanly.

Communicate With Your Partner

For doubles teams, constant communication is a must for effective half volleys. Tell your partner as soon as possible if you’re going to take the half volley or if they should handle it. Clear communication ensures you don’t both leave the shot or collide going for it.

Move On Your Toes

The half volley can require some sudden changes of direction. Shift your weight onto the balls of your feet as soon as you identify the shot, keeping yourself poised on your toes to move in any direction necessary to get your paddle on the ball.

Recover Quickly

After hitting the half volley, you’ve got to be ready for your opponents’ response in an instant. Use mini-steps to quickly get back into position, keeping your feet active and your weight balanced. Getting back into the ready position immediately after the half volley lets you capitalize on any weak returns.

Practice Your Footwork

To consistently master the fast foot movements needed for half volleys, incorporate agility drills into your training. Ladder drills, shuffle drills, and jump rope routines will all help build the foot speed and coordination necessary to attack half volleys.

Play The Angles

Don’t just reflexively blast the ball back across the net. Use the half volley strategically to hit sharp crosscourt or down-the-line angles that keep your opponents off balance and open up the court for your team’s next shot.

Experiment With Paddle Grip

Try changing up your paddle grip to fine-tune control on half volleys. Some players do well with the traditional Eastern grip, while others prefer a Continental grip for more finesse. Find what gives you the best feel on reactive half volley shots.

Practice Half Volleys Every Session

Don’t just relegate half volleys to practicing them in live games. Devote time every training session to intentionally working on your half volley skills. Have a partner hit you balls just above the NVZ so you can repeatedly drill your form and technique.

With these pro pointers guiding your practice, you’ll soon be nailing screaming half volleys with ease. That pinpoint half volley precision will have your opponents shaking their heads in frustration and your partner cheering in celebration. Now get out there and start volleying like a boss!

Strategies For Poaching Effectively

As an advanced pickleball player, you know that controlling the net is essential for winning games. Poaching – quickly moving across the middle to volley shots directed at your partner – is an aggressive net play tactic that can catch opponents off guard. Master the art of smooth poaching, and you’ll be ruling the kitchen and putting away points left and right. Let’s review some pro-level poaching strategies to step up your net domination.

Read Your Opponents

The foundation of smart poaching is reading what your opponents are going to do before they even hit the ball. Pay close attention to their positioning, footwork, paddle prep and other visual cues to get a sense of their likely shot direction. Anticipating where they’ll hit it allows you to start cheating across the middle even before the ball is struck.

Communicate With Your Partner

To avoid collisions or mix-ups, use clear signals and verbal communication with your partner when poaching. A subtle head nod, direct eye contact or swift hand signal can indicate you’re about to poach across. And narrate your intentions using phrases like “I’m poaching this one!” so your partner knows to leave the ball for you.

Disguise Your Movements

If you want your poaching to really catch opponents off guard, disguise your approach across the middle so they don’t detect it early. Side-step smoothly rather than turning your shoulders initially. Drop your paddle from the ready position before sliding over so they don’t spot the movement out of the corner of their eye.

Wait For The Hit

New players often over-anticipate and poach too soon, leaving themselves out of position if the opponent alters their shot at the last second. Be patient – wait until you actually see the ball come off your opponent’s paddle before moving your feet across to poach.

Cut Off The Angle

As you poach across, get your body in the path of the ball to “cut off” its angle – don’t just reach for it from your normal position. This deeper move across the kitchen allows you to turn a down-the-line shot into a weak crosscourt return.

Keep Moving

Many players poach across but then remain stationary, simply reaching for the ball with an extended arm or lunging paddle. Instead, keep sliding or hopping laterally through the poach. Maintaining momentum adds force and directional control to your volley.

Watch For Lobs

Poaching tends to draw aggressive down-the-line shots, but savvy opponents may try to lob over your head instead. After poaching, keep your head up and eyes off the ball briefly to spot any attempted lobs you’ll need to backpedal to reach.

Hit Behind The Poacher

When your opponents start successfully poaching off you, don’t just continue hitting into their strength. Adjust your targets to hit behind the aggressive poacher, forcing them to scramble back into position from the middle.

Communicate “Stay”

If your partner calls out “Stay!” as you start to poach, abort mission and get back to cover your half of the court. They likely have an angle or play on the ball that your poach would interfere with. Trust their call.

Only Poach When Up

When your team has a solid lead, relentless poaching can help put games away in a hurry. But if games are close or you’re behind, refrain from high-risk poaching and stick to disciplined court coverage instead.

Vary Your Returns

Keep your poached volleys unpredictable – mix up angles, pace and height. Even perfectly disguised poaches become obvious if you just robotically volley every poach down-the-line.

Pick On The Weaker Link

In doubles, observe which opponent has a weaker net game and selectively poach off their side, capitalizing on their lack of quickness or volley skill to maximize your poaching effectiveness.

Cover The Middle

After you poach, your partner needs to immediately close the center gap in coverage where you were just standing. Establish cues like a paddle tap for them to slide over more decisively.

Stay Low

Execute your poaching footwork and ready position with knees bent and center of gravity dropped. This athletic poise allows you to move laterally faster and take balls off your shoelaces.

Follow Your Shot

Many times the ball comes back quickly after a poach, so don’t just stand and admire your work. Immediately follow your poached shot by getting back into ready position.

Sell Your Fake

Sometimes feigning a poach convinces opponents to hesitate or alter their shots. Sell it by dropping your paddle early or turning sideways before recovering to your position.

Up Your Agility

Drills like slide lunges and shuffle sprints will build the lateral quickness essential for effective poaching. Strengthening your core and legs also generates more explosive poaching power.

Great poaching requires reading opponents, moving with purpose and striking the ball decisively. Implement these next-level strategies in your own net play and soon you’ll have a reputation around the courts for your crafty poaching and vice-like command of the kitchen.

Managing The Pace And Tempo Of The Game

One hallmark of elite pickleball players is their ability to control the speed and rhythm of a match. Managing pace and tempo allows you to dictate points, throw opponents off balance, and optimize your own shot-making. Let’s explore some pro tips for taking command of the pace and tempo of your pickleball games.

Vary Shot Speed

Mixing up your shot pace is an easy way to keep opponents guessing. Follow some slower dinks with a blistering drive or throw in an occasional drop shot to abruptly change the rally speed. This constant variation prevents opponents from getting comfortable with any one tempo.

Change Things Up

Be unpredictable with not just your shot pace but also placement, spin, height and strategy. Hit a high looping shot then a low skimmer. Move way back then charge the kitchen. Keeping opponents off-balance with an ever-changing variety of looks is key.

Disrupt Their Timing

Notice when opponents start finding a groove and smoothly linking shots together. That’s when you intentionally disrupt their timing with a severely angled shot, higher than expected lob, or sudden drop shot. Forcing them to reset disrupts their flow.

Control The Transition

Manage pace by controlling the transition between shots. Hit a medium-paced shot but immediately spin into ready position to catch your opponents still recovering, allowing you to attack the next ball. Or follow a fast shot with slow footwork to buy extra time before their return.

Take The Pace Down

If opponents start rushing their shots, dragging the ball back with lower and slower placements can be effective. Float soft shots just over the net and watch frustrated opponents make errors trying desperately to take balls out of the air.

Speed Them Up

Some players thrive on a slower pace and can defeat you with consistency. In that case, purposefully increase the tempo. Hit faster drives deep, charge the net and poach, anything to make them play at a speed they don’t prefer.

Control The Middle

Owning the center of the court lets you better control pace and openings. Move laterally to cut off attempted passes down the line. Then use your middle position to direct the ball where you want.

Keep Them Moving

Make opponents run by sending shots wide to the sidelines or deep behind them. Their scrambling effort to extend points tires them out and prevents them from resetting into a controlled tempo.

Wrong Foot Your Opponent

Hitting behind players or wide to the opposite side they move toward makes them scramble to change direction. Their feet get crossed up and body momentum thrown backwards, disrupting timing.

Change Your Own Position

Vary your own location – sprint forward and back to throw off expected patterns. Your change of court position alters the tempo and how opponents must move and respond.

Drop Shot Off Fast Balls

After your opponent hammers a hard shot, a soft drop shot in reply changes speeds dramatically. The abrupt shift from fast to slow often leaves them flat-footed and out of position.

Jam Them Up

When opponents cheat forward or crowd the kitchen, jam them by going right at their feet. Their limited time and space hurry their movement and stroke as they awkwardly try to dig your shot off their shoelaces.

Reset After Long Rallies

Don’t just blindly keep sprinting after long, grinding rallies. Make a point to reset your position and catch your breath on the next easier shot to regain control of game flow.

Communicate With Your Partner

In doubles, explicitly discuss pace strategies with your partner between points. Coordinate together to speed up or slow down the game when it benefits your team.

Master pickleball’s rhythms and flow by intentionally speeding up, slowing down, and resetting the action. You’ll have opponents looking confused and exhausted as you artfully conduct the pace and tempo of play like a maestro.

How To Retrieve Errant Balls Quickly With A Ball Retriever

One of the minor annoyances of pickleball is having to chase down stray balls that sail out of bounds or get stuck behind the court. Constantly running after loose balls disrupts the flow of play. Luckily, using a pickleball ball retriever allows you to swiftly scoop up errant balls and get back to the action in seconds.

Invest In A Ball Retriever

A pickleball ball retriever is an indispensible piece of gear that no player should be without. Quality retrievers have an extendable aluminum shaft and deep net basket that captures loose balls with ease. Look for models that extend to 15 feet or more so you can reach far-off balls without setting foot outside the court lines.

Secure Balls During Play

Of course, the easiest way to speed up ball retrieval is avoiding chasing them down in the first place! Keep extra balls in your pocket during games and place the ball container right behind the baseline. This ensures any stray balls stay nearby and are simple to grab.

Scope Out Ball Locations

When a ball heads out of bounds, keep your eye on it so you know precisely where it ends up. Don’t take your eyes off the ball until you see it come to rest. Identifying the exact spot saves you time hunting around for it.

Move To The Ball Promptly

As soon your opponents’ return lands out, immediately hustle over to grab your ball retriever in anticipation of using it. Don’t delay getting in position to retrieve – that only extends the interruption.

Extend And Scoop In One Motion

Skilled players use a single, smooth motion to extend the retriever and scoop up the ball in one quick bend. No need to fully extend the pole before trying to capture the ball. Reach out and guide the basket below the ball for fast pickup.

Angle The Basket Underneath

Don’t just reach out parallel to the ball.angle the ball basket slightly underneath balls to better funnel them in as you collect. This prevents balls from bouncing or ricocheting off the edge of the basket.

Lean Over For Added Reach

To grab distant balls without taking steps, lean your body forward over the non-volley line while keeping feet planted. Those extra inches of forward bend extend your retrieval range so you don’t have to move feet or stretch precariously.

Use Quick Wrist Flicks

For tricky pickups of low or angled shots, quickly flick your wrist to tilt the basket for a scooping action. Small hand motions allow for precise ball capture.

Don’t Try Tricky Overhead Scoops

It may look cool to dramatically flip balls straight overhead into the basket, but it’s an unreliable technique. Keeping the ball retriever low and scooping parallel to the ground is far more effective.

Move Your Feet If Needed

Although you want to avoid excessive movement, don’t be afraid to take a step or two forward if needed to reach distant balls, especially in casual games. Just be mindful not to cross the non-volley line.

Reset Quickly For The Next Shot

Right after capturing the ball, immediately spin into ready position facing the net, light on your toes. This athletic reset prepares you for opponents’ next shot so you don’t get caught flat-footed.

Go For Multiple Balls

If several balls end up around the same spot, pick them up in quick succession rather than one at a time. Multi-scoop to maximize efficient use of your retrieval time and keep games moving.

Communicate With Your Partner

In doubles, say “I got it!” loud and early as you go for balls on your side. This avoids both partners needlessly retrieving the same ball.

With the right techniques, you’ll be snagging pickleballs in the blink of an eye and restarting play in seconds. Retaining focus between points keeps games intense. Partners and opponents will be amazed at your deft skill with the ball retriever – and relieved they don’t have to chase down shots anymore!