At first, pickleball can seem deceptively simple. You pick up a paddle, have some laughs, get a good workout, and maybe even find a spark of competition. But, as you spend more time on the court, something shifts. You want more than just the fun of the game; you crave improvement.
You’re ready to take those skills to the next level. We have all been there, so we thought it was high time someone put together a guide, a roadmap of sorts compiled with the help of seasoned players sharing tips they wish they’d known or focused on when they were in your shoes!
Let’s Go Beyond the Basic Beginner Tips for Pickleball:
Shots That Matter:
- The Mighty Dink: Don’t underestimate the dink! It’s the heart of pickleball. Master that soft, controlled shot early on. A good dink will frustrate opponents and set you up for those winning put-away shots.
- Third Shot Drop: This is your secret weapon. That gentle drop shot after your opponent’s serve return. It forces them to the kitchen line, opening up the court for you. Practice it relentlessly.
- The Lob: When you’re in a tight spot, a well-placed lob can buy you time. It’s tricky to get right, but it’ll save your bacon in tough matches.
Fitness is Your Friend:
- Stretch like your life depends on it: We’re not getting any younger, folks! Stretching before and after play is vital. It’ll make those quick shuffles at the net much less painful – trust me.
- Pace yourself: Pickleball is deceptive. You can play all day without feeling it until the next morning. Build up your endurance gradually to avoid injuries and hitting the wall too early.
- Core Strength: Don’t neglect your core! It’s crucial for power in your shots and side-to-side movement. Throw in some simple routines a few times a week.
Defensive Strategies that Took Me Too Long To Understand:
- Footwork, footwork, footwork: It’s boring to practice, but being able to shuffle quickly and efficiently to the ball makes all the difference.
- Don’t Be a Hero: Sometimes, the best defense is letting a hard shot go if you can’t reach it comfortably. Pushing too hard will lead to more errors than winners.
- Patience at the Net: Opponents will try to bait you into mistakes. Hold your position, keep your paddle up, and wait for the right opportunity to pounce.
Communication is Key in Doubles:
- Call “mine” loud and clear: No hesitation when you’re going for the ball. This avoids those cringe-worthy collisions.
- Positivity Counts: Don’t get down on your partner. We all make flubs. Encourage them, and it’ll boost the energy for both of you.
- “Switch” is Magic: Plan for those crisscross situations at the net. Decide who takes which shot and let your partner know you’re switching to avoid double coverage and open spots.
Fueling the Pickleball Engine:
- Hydration is Queen: You’re sweating more than you think! Always have water on hand, even in cooler weather. During long matches, add electrolytes to the mix.
- Snack Smart: On multi-hour playdays, pack easily digestible snacks like fruit, nuts, or energy bars for quick fuel boosts between games.
- Hearty Recovery: After a long play session, prioritize a protein-rich meal to help with muscle repair.
Beyond these basics, let’s delve a little deeper into the advanced mindset seasoned players wished they had developed sooner:
How Do They See the Court:
- Angles and Patterns: They look beyond just hitting the ball back and forth. They’re thinking several moves ahead, analyzing angles for shots that open the court and put opponents on the defensive.
- Exploiting Weaknesses: 4.5 players have a sharp eye for any weaknesses in opponents – slow footwork, a shaky backhand, you name it. They’ll consistently target those spots to force errors.
- Anticipation: This comes with experience. They anticipate their opponent’s likely shots, positioning themselves accordingly for an effective counterattack.
Strategies at Work:
- Dictating the Pace: They won’t just react to the game; they’ll actively control it. A well-placed dink slows everything down, followed by a powerful drive to throw the opponent off balance.
- Mixing Things Up: A predictable player is an easy player to beat. 4.5 players keep the opponent guessing, switching between dinks, drives, drops, and lobs to maintain the upper hand.
- Calculated Aggression: They know when to go in for the kill shot, but it’s calculated. They’ll take calculated risks only when the odds and court positioning are in their favor.
The Power of Patience & Preparation:
- Mental Toughness: Even a 5.5 player loses points. The best of them shake it off quickly and focus on the next point. They don’t let a bad shot ruin their whole game.
- The Long Game: They know how to pace themselves throughout the match, conserving energy for later rounds. They won’t go all-out in the first games and exhaust themselves prematurely.
- Reading the Opponent: Advanced players study their opponents during those first few points. What are their strengths and weaknesses? They’ll adjust their strategy as the match progresses.
Overall, what we found over and over again as the two most important keys to improvement in these discussions were Patience and Consistency. They’ve drilled those fundamental shots so many times that they became second nature. This freed up their minds to focus on strategy. They speak of being patient, letting the game (and the ball) come to them and feeling as if the more they improve the more the game “slows down” for them as they know what to expect and how to respond.
