When I first stepped onto a pickleball court, it felt like the “Wild West.” There was a lot of energy, plenty of “pock” sounds, but very little clear information on how to improve pickleball skills effectively. Many players start by aimlessly hitting the ball, only to realize later that they are losing games they could have easily won.
If you feel like your progress has plateaued, don’t worry. Whether you are looking for pickleball tips for beginners or advanced pickleball strategy tips, this guide covers the top 10 things I wish I knew when I started. By mastering these, you won’t just play; you will dominate.
1. Conquer the ATP (Around the Post) Shot
The Around the Post (ATP) shot is often viewed as a “pro-only” move, but it’s actually much more achievable than it looks. An ATP opportunity arises when your opponent hits a sharp, angled dink that travels outside the net post.
Instead of trying to dink it back over the net (which leaves the entire court open for your opponent), you can hit the ball around the post. As long as you can draw a straight line from your paddle to the opponent’s court without hitting the post, go for it! It might feel intimidating at first, but practicing this will give your game a massive psychological and tactical boost.
2. Target the Backhand (The Weak Link)
One of the most effective pickleball dinking tips is to have a specific target. Most players are naturally stronger and more aggressive on their forehand side. They use it for speed-ups and powerful drives.
To neutralize an aggressive opponent, aim your dinks toward their backhand. By keeping the ball on their weaker side, you reduce their offensive options and increase the likelihood of a “pop-up,” which you can then capitalize on. Whether you are dinking cross-court or down the line, always keep the backhand in your sights.
3. Refine Your Pickleball Serving Strategy
I spent a lot of time wondering: should I go for a massive, high-speed serve or a safe, consistent one? The answer lies in your pickleball serving strategy.
•Test the Opponent: Early in the game, try a few big, hard serves. If your opponent struggles with the return, keep the pressure on.
•Consistency is Key: If you are playing a high-level player who returns everything, switch to a conservative, deep serve.
The goal of a pickleball serve tip isn’t always an ace; it’s about making the return as difficult as possible while ensuring you don’t give away free points by hitting into the net.
4. The Art of the Cross-Court to Down-the-Line Attack
A brilliant play to run at the kitchen is the “Switch.” If you are in a cross-court dinking rally, your opponent gets into a rhythm. Meanwhile, their partner might be standing still, losing focus.
If you get a slightly high ball (a floater), instead of going back cross-court, accelerate the ball down the line to your partner. Because you were dinking cross-court, the down-the-line opponent has less time to react to your sudden speed-up. This element of surprise is a hallmark of elite pickleball strategy tips.
5. Patience: The Silent Winner
If you take two players with the exact same skill set, the more patient one will almost always win. It’s tempting to try to “win” the point on every shot, but pickleball for beginners is often about waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.
Force your opponents to hit the “dumb shots.” By staying patient in the dink rally and refusing to attack unattackable balls, you frustrate your opponent into overreaching. Remember: you don’t have to win the point; you have to lose it.
6. Capitalize on the “Pop-Up.”
While patience is vital, you must be ready to strike when the opportunity arises. Whenever you are in the kitchen and receive a ball that is higher and slower, that is your green light.
Don’t just hit it back into the kitchen. Go big! However, “going big” doesn’t just mean hitting it hard. You need to aim. Aim for your opponent’s feet or the open gaps on the court. A hard shot hit directly at an opponent’s chest is often returned; a shot at their feet is a point won.
7. Master the Poach and Cross
This is a “bulletproof” play for the 3.0 to 4.0 level. If you are in the kitchen and your partner is stuck at the baseline, your opponents will likely target your partner because it’s harder to hit a good drop from deep.
Anticipate this. Before they even hit the ball, you can “poach”, cross over and intercept that ball at the net. This aggressive move catches opponents off guard and ends the point instantly.
8. The Mental Hack: Expect the Speed-Up
This is a game-changing mental tip: Expect a speed-up on every single shot.
When you are dinking, your brain should be ready for the ball to come fast. If it comes as a slow dink, you have plenty of time to react because dinks are slow. But if you are expecting a dink and they hit a speed-up, you won’t have time to move your paddle.
•Paddle Position: Keep your paddle at chest height, with the tip near eye level.
•Watch the Backswing: If you see your opponent take their paddle back further than usual, that’s your cue that a speed-up is coming.
9. Know When to Use the Pickleball Third Shot Drive
You’ve probably heard that you should “drop” every third shot. While the third-shot drop is essential, the pickleball third-shot drive is a powerful tool when used correctly.
Don’t drive just because you are “trigger happy.” Look for a return that is higher, slower, or shorter. A drive on a short return gives your opponent less time to react and often leads to an easy fifth-shot drop or a direct winner. If the return is deep and hard, stick to the drop.
10. Stop Aimless Play: Study the Game
The final tip on how to improve pickleball skills is about your mindset. If you play games every week without a plan, your progress will plateau.
To reach the next level, you must be a student of the game. Watch professional matches, record your own play to spot errors, and practice specific drills. Consistency in study leads to consistency on the court.
Conclusion: Your Journey to 5.0 Starts Now
Pickleball is a beautiful blend of physical agility and chess-like strategy. By implementing these pickleball strategy tips, from the pickleball third shot drive to the patient dink rally, you are setting yourself apart from the average recreational player.
Don’t try to master all ten at once. Pick two or three tips to focus on during your next session. As those become second nature, come back to this guide and layer on the next set of skills. The court is waiting—go out there and play to your fullest potential!