In the dynamic world of pickleball, achieving rapid improvement often seems like a daunting task. However, with the right guidance, significant strides can be made quickly. Jordan Briones, a seasoned coach with experience training thousands of players ranging from 3.0 to professional levels, has distilled his decade of insights into actionable strategies. The accompanying video offers a concise overview of these critical pickleball tips, and this article is designed to delve deeper into each one, providing comprehensive explanations and practical applications for players seeking to elevate their game.
By understanding and implementing these fundamental adjustments, players are often able to unlock new levels of performance. The emphasis is frequently placed on high-percentage play and strategic positioning, which are cornerstones of advanced pickleball tactics. Each point presented here is intended to refine existing skills and introduce new perspectives on game-play.
Mastering the Ideal Ready Position for Pickleball Success
A common misconception among many pickleball players involves the ideal ready position, particularly when anticipating a counterattack at the non-volley zone (NVZ) line or receiving a fast drive. It is often believed that the paddle should be held far out in front of the body to meet the ball aggressively. However, closer observation of professional players reveals a different approach, which is significantly more effective.
Elite players are typically seen adopting a more relaxed, neutral stance, with the elbow slightly bent and the paddle held considerably closer to the body, often near the belly button. This positioning is strategically advantageous because it permits a direct, powerful push into the ball upon contact, facilitating a robust counterattack. Conversely, a paddle positioned too far forward necessitates a preparatory backward movement before the forward punch, introducing a critical delay. This subtle adjustment in ready position is pivotal for maintaining quick reaction times and generating optimal force.
- **Benefit:** Faster reaction time due to eliminating a backward take-back motion.
- **Execution:** Keep the elbow slightly bent and the paddle close to the torso.
- **Outcome:** Allows for a direct, powerful push through the ball.
The Momentum-Driven Return of Serve: Gaining the Net Advantage
One small but impactful change that can revolutionize a pickleball player’s game, especially against aggressive opponents, is hitting the return of serve with forward momentum. A common pitfall for many players is hitting the return while stationary, which inevitably leaves them stuck in the transition zone, perpetually on the defensive. This static approach, regardless of a player’s natural speed, makes it incredibly challenging to advance to the non-volley zone line and establish a strong offensive position for the fourth shot.
By initiating the return of serve with a clear intention to move forward, players are afforded a valuable head start toward the NVZ. This proactive movement ensures that when the ball is contacted, the player is already halfway to their desired court position. It is particularly crucial when facing opponents who execute powerful serves and are quick to drive their third shot, as it allows for a more immediate and stable defensive or offensive posture close to the NVZ line. This fundamental shift in strategy can drastically improve a team’s ability to control the net.
Strategic Third Shot Drives: Setting Up the Fifth Shot Drop
As pickleball play ascends to higher levels, the purpose of the third shot drive evolves significantly. Many players mistakenly attempt to hit winning shots or “paint the lines” with their third shot drive, which often results in errors and loss of possession. The primary objective of the third shot drive, particularly for advanced play, is not to be a winner but to serve as a high-percentage setup for an easier fifth shot drop.
When a third shot drive is executed, the focus should be on achieving a relatively low trajectory over the net, rather than maximizing power or precision to the edges of the court. This approach allows the hitting team to buy time and create an opportunity for a well-placed fifth shot drop, which then facilitates their move to the non-volley zone. Even when pushed back and hitting off-balance, a well-placed, non-overhit drive that forces an opponent to react provides the necessary window for a subsequent, more controlled drop shot. This strategic foresight is a hallmark of consistent, high-level pickleball play.
Flawless Footwork: Mastering the Shuffle Step Technique
Exceptional footwork is indispensable for consistent play and optimal contact in pickleball. A core component of this is the correct shuffle step, a technique often misunderstood or incorrectly applied by many players. One prevalent error involves players stepping with the wrong foot or crossing over, which compromises balance and reach.
To achieve a proper contact point out in front of the body when moving laterally, the inside leg must slide in first, creating necessary space with the outside leg. For instance, when moving to the right for a forehand, the left foot should slide in, allowing the right foot to extend and create space. Conversely, when moving to the left for a backhand, the right foot leads the shuffle. Attempting to lead with the outside leg first often results in an overstretched position, limiting power and control. Observing top players confirms this technique; the inside leg always initiates the lateral movement to ensure the paddle can meet the ball optimally and with stability, even on wide shots. A dedicated practice of this shuffle step can significantly enhance court coverage and shot quality.
Effective Volleys Against Drives: Pushing Out, Not Down
A frequent challenge encountered by pickleball players at the net is receiving a fast-paced drive or a hard-hit ball, often resulting in hitting the ball into the net. This common error stems from an instinctual downward swing motion. To effectively clear the net and maintain offensive pressure, a crucial adjustment in technique is required: the paddle must always be pushed out horizontally, not swung down.
Moreover, the paddle face should be slightly open upon contact, a detail many players overlook, mistakenly believing a closed paddle face is appropriate. An open paddle face, combined with a horizontal pushing motion, ensures that the ball is lifted just enough to clear the net while still carrying good depth. This technique allows for a controlled, penetrating volley that can keep opponents on the defensive. Consistent practice of pushing out on the ball, rather than adopting a downward motion, will drastically improve a player’s ability to handle powerful shots at the net.
The Backhand as a Defensive Anchor: Stabilizing Under Pressure
For players aiming to significantly improve their defensive capabilities, especially during transitional play, a critical strategy is to default to the backhand when under pressure. In situations where players are scrambling, facing attacks, or have just hit a high ball, dropping low and defending with the backhand is a highly intelligent approach. Whether a player utilizes a one-handed or two-handed backhand, this side of the body offers superior stability for blocking and resetting difficult balls.
At the highest levels of play, the backhand is frequently employed for defense because it allows for a more compact and controlled block. Many players instinctively try to defend with their forehand, which often leads to the ball popping up, creating an easy target for opponents. By getting low and utilizing the backhand, potentially adding a second hand for extra stability, players can more effectively neutralize aggressive shots and work their way back into the point. This strategic choice often saves points and allows for regrouping.
Initiating Attack: Targeting the Dominant Side First
When initiating an attack or executing a counterattack in pickleball, a highly effective professional-level strategy is to direct the ball towards the opponent’s dominant side first. This tactic is rooted in the observation that approximately 90% of pickleball players experience issues on their dominant side due to what is commonly referred to as the “chicken wing” position, where the elbow is too close to the body, limiting extension and power.
By consistently testing an opponent’s dominant side during dink rallies or counterattacks, players can quickly assess their opponent’s defensive capabilities and exploit this common vulnerability. For instance, if a dink is lifted slightly, attacking the dominant side forces the opponent into an uncomfortable position, often leading to a weak return or an error. While this is a general strategy, it serves as an excellent starting point for any attack, allowing players to gauge their opponent’s reactions before adjusting their shot placement to other areas of the court. This initial probe can unlock subsequent offensive opportunities.
The Cross-Court Player’s Responsibility: Covering the Middle
In doubles pickleball, clear communication and understanding of court coverage are paramount. A common scenario where responsibilities can become ambiguous is when a wide dink or shot is hit cross-court. In such instances, it is imperative for the player who hit the cross-court shot to shift their mindset and prioritize covering the middle of the court.
This is because the partner, who is typically covering their respective line, expects the cross-court player to anticipate and intercept any fast balls returned down the middle. Even if the middle shot comes to the cross-court player’s backhand, it remains their responsibility to cover that zone. By adopting a proactive mindset to cover the middle first and adjusting court positioning closer to the center line, players can effectively close down this common offensive option for opponents. This coordinated defensive movement prevents easy points through the middle and reinforces team cohesion.
Mastering the Art of the Reset: Buying Crucial Time
When caught in transition, the ability to execute an effective reset is a cornerstone skill in pickleball, designed to buy time and allow both players to advance to the non-volley zone. Many players mistakenly attempt to “punch” the ball like a counter volley when trying to reset, which often results in the ball traveling too high and setting up an easy attack for the opponents. An effective reset requires a different approach.
Instead of a horizontal punch, the reset motion involves a very minimal lift, utilizing the shoulder, with an open paddle face and a light grip. The goal is to hit the ball softly enough that it lands perfectly within the non-volley zone, neutralizing the pace and allowing the hitting team to recover their position. This delicate touch, emphasizing a gentle upward motion rather than forceful pushing, is crucial for controlling the ball’s trajectory and creating a defensive advantage. Practicing this specific lifting motion from mid-court can greatly enhance a player’s ability to neutralize aggressive shots and regain control of the rally.
Boosting Serve Power with Forward Momentum
Adding significant power to one’s pickleball serve is a surprisingly simple adjustment that many players overlook. Irrespective of an individual’s specific service motion, a common observation is that serves often lack maximum power because there is no forward momentum generated through the body. The top servers in today’s game, including professional players like Ben Johns, consistently demonstrate a key technique: they finish their serve inside the court.
This forward movement allows players to transfer their full body weight into the serve, dramatically increasing power. By ensuring that body weight is actively moving forward towards the target, players can leverage their entire kinetic chain, rather than relying solely on arm strength. While finishing inside the court, it is important to be mindful of preparing for the subsequent return if it is deep. This easy-to-implement tip, focusing on weight transfer and finishing inside the court, can add a noticeable boost to serve power, making it a more potent weapon in a player’s arsenal.
Practicing Returns Effectively for Quicker Side Outs
Despite its critical importance, practicing returns of serve is a fundamental skill that most pickleball players neglect. It is a common occurrence for players to miss one, two, or even three returns per game, depending on their skill level, essentially gifting free points to opponents and hindering their team’s ability to achieve quicker side outs. A more strategic approach to return practice can drastically improve game outcomes.
Instead of merely serving and returning the ball statically, effective practice involves hitting the return with momentum moving in, as discussed previously, and then playing the point out to at least the fourth shot. This allows players to practice not only their initial return but also their transition to the non-volley zone and preparation for the third shot. Spending just five to ten minutes a day practicing returns in this comprehensive manner can lead to a substantial increase in points won and a significant reduction in unforced errors, thereby shortening rallies and gaining an advantage in games.
Aggressive Dinking: Pushing to the Non-Volley Zone Line
The concept of dinking in pickleball often conjures images of soft, precise shots dropped just over the net. However, a crucial distinction exists between “dead dinks” and “aggressive dinks.” Dead dinks, which land in the first half of the non-volley zone, are passive and invite opponents to speed up the ball, immediately putting the dinking team on the defensive. The objective, especially at higher levels, is to execute aggressive dinks that penetrate deep into the non-volley zone, pushing opponents off the NVZ line.
Even without advanced topspin techniques, dinks can be aggressive by focusing on depth. A “shovel” or “push” motion, while perhaps not generating heavy topspin, can effectively send the ball to the back of the non-volley zone. This depth forces opponents to make a difficult decision: either take the ball out of the air, which can be risky, or step back to create space, thereby relinquishing their strong net position. Observing professional play clearly demonstrates this preference; pros rarely hit dinks into the front half of the NVZ, consistently aiming to push their opponents backward and gain a positional advantage. Developing aggressive dinking is a key component for controlling rallies and creating offensive opportunities.
Aggressive Mindset in the Transition Zone: Seizing Opportunities
While resetting low balls is a critical defensive skill in the transition zone, an equally important aspect of advanced pickleball strategy is maintaining an aggressive mindset and knowing when to attack. Many players default to resetting every ball in transition, even those that present a clear opportunity for offense. The distinction lies in the ball’s height: if the ball is at knee level or below, a reset is generally the appropriate defensive play.
However, when a ball is encountered at waist level or higher, players should actively seek to transition from defense to offense by attacking. This requires a shift in mindset—from merely getting the ball over the net to looking for opportunities to put pressure on opponents. For instance, if a fifth shot comes in a little high, an aggressive attack can immediately turn the tables and regain offensive control. This proactive approach, balancing disciplined resets with opportunistic attacks in the transition zone, is increasingly prevalent in modern pickleball and is essential for gaining a competitive edge.
Serving Up Answers: Your Pickleball Questions for the Coach
What is the best way to stand in pickleball when waiting for a shot?
The ideal ready position involves standing relaxed with your elbow slightly bent and the paddle held close to your body, often near your belly button. This allows for faster reaction times and a powerful push into the ball.
How can I get to the non-volley zone line quicker after hitting a return of serve?
You should hit your return of serve with forward momentum, meaning you start moving towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) line as you hit the ball. This gives you a head start to get into a strong offensive position.
What is the correct way to move side-to-side on the pickleball court?
Use a shuffle step where the inside leg slides in first, creating space for the outside leg to extend and meet the ball. This ensures you maintain balance and optimal contact with the ball.
When an opponent hits a fast ball at me at the net, how should I volley it?
When volleying fast drives, you should push your paddle out horizontally towards the ball, rather than swinging down. Keep your paddle face slightly open to help lift the ball over the net.
What is an ‘aggressive dink’ in pickleball?
An aggressive dink is a soft shot that lands deep into the opponent’s non-volley zone, ideally pushing them off the line. It’s different from a ‘dead dink’ which lands shallow and is easier for opponents to attack.
