Improving at pickleball requires a combination of smart strategies, consistent play, and mastering different shots to gain an edge in matches. Whether you are getting started or striving to reach the next level, focusing on skills, tactics, and precision can make all the difference.
A strong serve can set the tone, while refining your technique and developing a wide range of movements will help you stay ahead in critical rallies. To win, you must be eager to explore new approaches, stay willing to learn, and constantly fine tune your game.
How to Get Better at Pickleball?
As America is fastest growing sport, pickleball demands agility and quick decision making. Whether you are on the court practicing or competing in high stakes points, being able to take control of the direction of the ball is key.
Smart players understand the aspect of patience, using tricks to outmaneuver opponents and perfecting their movements with every match. Focus on the key areas that need work, whether it’s a strong defensive stance or aggressive shot placement.
The best players sharpen their reflexes, improve shot accuracy, and remain adaptable to overcome any lower performance moments. If you put in the work, success in pickleball is just a matter of time.
10 ways to improve your pickleball game
To win more pickleball games, you need more than just skill you need a smart approach. A solid game plan backed by an effective set of strategic moves can give you the edge over opponents.
Fill your bag with clever tricks, build a strong foundation with basic knowledge, and sharpen your understanding of tactics.
Use these strategy tips as your roadmap to player development, refining your skills and decision-making on the court.
1- Know The Rules
To improve your pickleball game, the first step is to learn the rules, as even a simple misunderstanding can impact the outcome of a match.
For instance, knowing that you can only score points when you serve the ball or that it must bounce before you hit it can shape your playing style.
Developing a deep understanding of these intricate details allows you to make strategic choices on the court, helping you anticipate your opponent’s moves and take your game to the next level.
2- Get to the Kitchen
When playing pickleball, positioning at the kitchen line is important for controlling the court and putting pressure on your opponents.
The kitchen, also known as the non-volley zone, extends seven feet from the net toward each sideline, creating opportunities for sharp shot angles.
To gain the advantage, move quickly but safely after executing an effective dink, keeping your head up and stopping just before your rival hits the ball. Avoid stepping back to let it bounce, as winning shots are often volleys taken directly from the kitchen.
3- Targeting the Return of Serve
A smart pickleball strategy to improve your game is targeting the return of serve effectively. When facing strong opponents who can hit a quality drop or a powerful drive and quickly move to the net, you need to be strategic with your serve return.
Instead of playing it safe, aim for the better player on the court, especially if they pose a threat at the kitchen line.
This forces them to stay further back, giving your team a stronger advantage in kitchen play and keeping the pressure on your rivals. Adjusting your placement to keep back the most aggressive competitor can make all the difference in maintaining control of the match.
4- Practice Your Dink
In pickleball, mastering dinking is a game changer, helping you slow the game down and set up a winning strategy. A well-executed dink shot from the kitchen line with a low arc over the net into your opponent’s kitchen forces them to let it bounce, limiting their ability to attack.
It’s important to keep your shots low to reduce the risk of hitting it too high, as a poorly placed ball can be smashed back at you.
Unlike hard hit shots that rely on reflexes, soft dinks require patience and control. Try dinking diagonally or cross court instead of hitting directly to your opponent, as this creates better angles and advantages in a rally.
Dink Advantages
Using a dinking strategy in pickleball gives you a length advantage by hitting cross-court, which provides more court to work with and a lesser margin of error.
It also offers a height advantage, as the lowest point of the net is in the middle, making it easier for the ball to travel over while still allowing it to drop into the kitchen.
When playing directly to an opponent, a softer touch and higher arc are needed to clear the net, which can be difficult for beginners level player. Instead, hitting diagonally gives an extra 8 inches of height to increase your odds of success.
Well placed shots can move opponents wide on the court, creating an opening in the middle, which can be used for a decisive put away.
5- Progress to Deep Serves
Mastering a serve in pickleball is the foundation of a strong game, but once you’ve nailed a consistent and accurate shot, it’s time to level up. A well executed deep serve pushes your opponents back near the baseline, making it harder for them to attack.
This small difference can set apart an advance level pickleball player from a newbie. Aiming for the far end of the service box increases the return distance, forcing your rival into a disadvantage right from the start.
The best way to gain an edge is to target their backhand, as most players struggle with it compared to their best forehand short in pickleball. Mixing up speeds and angles keeps them guessing, making it a surefire way to dominate rallies.
To perfect your deep serving, dedicate time to practice before implementing it in games. In the beginning, you might struggle with power control, sending the ball out of bounds instead of keeping it within bounds.
Focus on gauging just how much force is needed to land the shot in the last 6-12” of the court without going too far.
The more you train, the better your placement and accuracy will become. Adjust your shot depth and height while staying ahead of the competition by staying unpredictable. A great strategy is to mix up your serves, keeping your opponents on their toes and ensuring they never predict your next move.
6- Play with Those in Your Skill Level or Slightly Above
Pickleball is a family-friendly sport that anyone can pick up and play, but improving requires more than just casual games. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, testing your skills against players at or slightly above your level will help you hone your technique.
USA Pickleball classifies players by skill levels, ranging from 1.0 to 5.5 and up, helping you identify fair competition. If you are new to the game and fall in the 2.0 to 2.5 range, avoid facing opponents far beyond your ability, as constant losing can hinder your learning experience rather than improve it.
Observing advanced footwork, strategies, volleys, and dinks can be overwhelming if the gap is too large, making it hard to learn from what just happened.
Having a more experienced player oversee your matches can help correct critical mistakes, such as improper scoring, positioning on the court, or misunderstanding a fault.
A monitor can mention these errors early, preventing you from internalizing incorrect rules which become harder to fix the longer you have been playing the wrong way. Addressing issues earlier ensures smoother progress and a stronger grasp of the game.
7- Monitor Your Progress
One of the best ways to improve at pickleball is by tracking your performance over time. Start by recording your wins and losses in regular games and different tournaments to see measurable progress.
Using skill assessment sheets from USA Pickleball, you can determine where you stand on the pickleball skill rating scale.
These sheets, ranging from 2.0 level to 5.0, outline the skills you should possess at each skill level. Print them out, check off your achievements, and set new goals to gain better control over your game.
Another effective approach is seeking feedback from a trusted friend, a doubles partner, or an experienced eyewitness who knows the ropes of the game.
Their opinion can help you identify strengths and areas that need improvement. To step up to the next level, focus on mastering the concepts required for each entry-level stage.
Reviewing your abilities periodically ensures steady progress, making it easier to grasp advanced techniques and refine your skills.
Once you are mastered the key skills at your current level, it’s time to step up and push yourself toward the next challenge. For example, progressing from 2.0-level play requires developing a solid grasp of fundamental concepts. To move forward, you should focus on.
- Understanding the basic rules of the game
- Accurately keeping score during matches
- Improving hand-eye coordination for better control
- Developing quickness and overall mobility on the court
- Learning how to serve and return a serve effectively
- Knowing where to stand in different game situations
- Mastering how to volley with precision
- Strengthening both forehand and backhand shots
8- Improve Your Footwork
In pickleball, footwork is key to improving your overall game. If you are constantly shuffling around the court, it will be difficult to hit a solid shot, and if you are not moving your feet, simply reaching for balls won’t cut it either.
To navigate the court effectively, you need to be in the right position for each shot. A simple drill to improve your footwork is practicing at home by hitting a ball against a wall while keeping your feet moving and staying in the direction of the ball.
Try to keep your feet parallel and your center of balance solid as you land on the balls of your feet instead of your heels. This helps with flexibility and keeps your center of gravity aligned, allowing you to move quickly in any direction.
When not hitting, maintain a stance with your feet apart, one foot slightly in front of the other, to give you better stability and balance for fast movements. Don’t let your feet be too far apart, though – it’ll be hard to move easily. Proper footwork will position you to win more often.
9- Stay Loose but Ready
When you are on the pickleball court, being alert and ready to strike the ball is essential. If you are distracted and miss the round because you didn’t realize it started, that’s a common mistake pickleball.
Inattention can lead to a fault, costing you a point while your opponent is serving. To avoid this, always keep your eyes glued to the ball, whether you are serving or reacting to their return. But being ready doesn’t mean you need to be tense.
Adopting an athletic stance, with your shoulders and knees aligned, will help you move fluidly. Lean forward without over arching your back or craning your neck, so you stay loose yet focused, which leads to quicker and more powerful movements.
This stance not only improves your agility but also protects you from injury, helping you stay at the top of your game.
10- Be Patient
In pickleball, improving your skill comes down to understanding the game at a deeper level. Instead of rushing shots, focus on controlling the rallies with smart shot placement and consistency.
Avoid giving away points through unforced errors every mistake is an opportunity for your opponent. Patience is key, as the best players wait for the right moment to attack.
Developing solid technique will help you maintain control under pressure, making it easier to outmaneuver players who rely on speed rather than strategy.
By dictating the momentum of a rally, you can force your opponents into difficult positions. Keep them moving across the court, aiming your shots toward different sides and areas to disrupt their rhythm.
Instead of always going for aggressive plays, build each point carefully and look for the perfect scoring opportunity to strike when they least expect it.
In Conclusion
Improving at pickleball is about more than just hitting the ball it is about refining your strategy, positioning, and patience to gain an edge over your opponents.
By learning the rules, mastering kitchen play, and practicing deep serves, you set a strong foundation for success.
Developing a well-rounded skill set through targeted shot placement, smart footwork, and consistent dinking helps control the pace of the game.
Tracking your progress, playing against stronger opponents, and staying mentally ready will push your abilities further. With dedication and the right approach, you’ll see noticeable improvement and more wins on the court.