How to Play the Block Short in Pickleball: Best Drills & Tips

The block shot in pickleball is a game changer, especially when facing aggressive shots at the non-volley zone. A well executed defensive shot allows players to absorb the opponent’s power and control the ball with a softly placed return.

Whether dealing with a fierce opponent’s drive or a thunderous smash, knowing how to neutralize the attack can keep you in the rally and shift momentum. The key is staying composed and using precise placement to disrupt power players who rely on speed.

A properly timed return at the kitchen line can frustrate opponents, forcing them into the common mistake while creating an opportunity to switch from defense to offense.

Many underestimate the importance of a strong defending strategy, but learning how to control the transition from a pressured position to a dominant one is what separates top players.

How to Play the Block Short in Pickleball: The answer

Having experienced this first-hand, I know that a well placed block can completely frustrate an aggressive opponent, making them second guess their next move. The ability to stay calm and counter with precision is what helps players win more points and ultimately more games.

What is a Block Shot?

A block shot in pickleball is a highly effective defensive shot that allows players to neutralize an opponent’s power without needing a full swinging motion.

Instead of attacking, you simply block the ball, letting your paddle absorb the energy with minimal movement and guiding it back over the net in a soft, controlled manner.

This technique helps in resetting the point, slowing the pace, and removing any advantage your opponent might have had.

The key to a good block is to stay steady, keep the paddle firm, and focus on gently sending the ball where your opponent cannot easily counter.

Types of Block Shots

Defensive Block

A defensive block is a controlled soft block that absorbs the ball’s power and lands softly in the opponent’s non-volley zone.

This shot is useful when you need to slow down the rally and regain control, preventing your opponent from dictating the pace of play.

By keeping the ball low and unattackable, you can reset the point and force your opponent into a less aggressive position.

Aggressive Block

An aggressive block adds a forward push, sending the ball back with pace while still keeping low. This shot is ideal for players looking to counter fast shots and apply pressure without taking unnecessary risks.

By maintaining control and timing the shot well, you can use your opponent’s speed against them, staying in the rally while keeping them on the defensive.

How to Hit a Block Shot in Pickleball

To hit a block shot in pickleball, keep a loose but firm clean grip on the paddle to absorb the ball’s impact and control its rebound. Minimize movement let the ball come to you and avoid swinging.

Keep your best paddle face slightly angled to lift the ball gently over the net, aiming to land it near your opponent’s feet for better control.

1. Grip Technique for Blocking

One key technique in blocking is maintaining a loose grip on the paddle, allowing it to absorb the ball’s impact and gently bounce it into the kitchen.

If your grip is too tight, the power of the shot will transfer directly back towards your opponents, giving them an opportunity to counterattack or execute a put-away.

A proper grip should feel relaxed, somewhere in the middle of the scale, avoiding excessive gripping that makes your veins tense in your hand.

If the grip is too loose, the paddle might even fall from your grasp. The goal is to strike the right balance, ensuring that the ball doesn’t hit the paddle too hard while still allowing controlled play.

This is a crucial skill to remember when looking to control fast-paced exchanges and dictate the tempo of the game.

2. Your Blocking Follow-Through

When hitting a block shot, it’s important to keep in mind that the goal is to absorb the power and put down the ball near your opponent’s feet rather than going for a counterattack.

Unlike aggressive shots, a controlled block requires minimal follow-through, as too much can cause the ball to sail or pop up, giving your opponent an easy shot.

Pay attention to ball pace, as a speed-up or off-speed shot might require slight adjustments. A slower ball may need you to add a bit more push, whereas a quicker incoming shot needs less movement for a successful block.

One bonus tip to remember is that the less movement you have, the more controlled your shot will be, making it harder for your opponent to attack.

3. Pickleball Paddle Face Direction

One of the common mistakes players make when learning the block shot in pickleball is the way they position their paddle face.

The direction it’s facing is crucial, as keeping it completely flat or straight up and down with no angle can cause the ball to fall into the net instead of making it over.

To ensure better control, the paddle should have a slight loft, which helps lift the ball over the net and allows it to bounce into the kitchen.

An angled paddle face gives the right amount of height and control to keep your shot effective without sending it too high or too low.

4. Minimal Paddle Movement

A successful block shot relies on keeping your paddle steady with a soft grip and allowing the momentum of the ball to rebound naturally off the paddle face.

To avoid errors, don’t force the shot by swinging or taking a big backswing—instead, focus on staying in the right position and letting the ball come to you.

A compact motion provides better control and keeps the ball low, making it harder for your opponent to attack.

Keeping your paddle face slightly open and angled upward helps to gently lift the ball over the net, especially when dealing with an incoming shot with speed.

The key is to remain relaxed and trust your technique rather than making unnecessary movements.

5.Contact Point

Making contact with the ball at the right moment is key to a successful block shot. Aim to meet the ball in front of your body, not too far to the side or too close, as this provides better control and leads to consistent returns.

A well-timed block should drop softly onto your opponent’s side, particularly in the non-volley zone, making it difficult for them to hit an aggressive follow-up shot.

Always keep the ball low over the net to prevent your opponent from attacking, ensuring you maintain control of the rally.

Drills to Improve Your Block Shot

The Double Hit Volley Drill

Mastering the block in pickleball requires control, precision, and a solid feel for the ball. The Double Hit Volley Drill is a great way to improve your touch and develop a smooth, controlled volley.

This simple drill trains your reaction time, helping you manage fast-paced exchanges with confidence.

Step-by-Step Execution

1. Line up across from your partner in a ready position.
2. Focus on catching the ball softly on your paddle rather than hitting it immediately.
3. Allow the ball to bounce slightly before making your second hit to volley it back.
4. Keep track of how many times you can repeat this in a row and challenge yourself to beat your best in the next round.
5. By following these steps, you’ll build better control and consistency, making your shots more reliable under pressure.

This drill is an excellent way to refine your technique while improving different short reaction speed, making your double contact smoother and more efficient in actual gameplay.

The Human Wall Drill

The Human Wall Drill is perfect for improving your blocking skills in real-game scenarios.

It trains you to absorb the speed of the ball, stay steady like a wall, and control shots with your paddle instead of reacting with force.

Mastering this drill sharpens your play, helping you handle fast exchanges at the kitchen line with confidence.

Step-by-Step Execution

1. Start at the kitchen line with a partner, holding your paddle with an open face.
2. Your partner fires fast balls; focus on soft blocking instead of counter-hitting.
3. Stay balanced, avoid extra steps, and keep a strong line of defense.
4. Adjust to the speed, control placement, and mix in dinking to simulate a real-game scenario.

Pickleball Banger Drill

The Pickleball Banger Drill is a great way to train against opponents who love to hit the ball hard from the baseline.

Many players struggle when facing aggressive shots, but learning to stay calm and control your blocks is key.

This drill helps you improve your reaction time, absorb power, and redirect shots into the kitchen to force a slower game.

Step-by-Step Execution

1. Feed the ball to your partner standing at the baseline.
2. Your partner will be driving the ball, so focus on blocking instead of counter-hitting.
3. Redirect the drive softly into the kitchen and force them to step forward.
4. Stay balanced, control the line, and prepare for a short rally instead of a power battle.
5. Repeat until you can handle fast-paced shots with confidence.

In Conclusion

A strong defense in pickleball isn’t just about stopping an opponent from attacking—it’s about staying calm and finding a way to turn the rally in your favor.

The reset shot helps you regain control by softening the ball, placing it over the net, and getting back into a neutral position.

I have found that when I focus on resetting rather than reacting, my partner and I can set up a more strategic play, often leading to a winning opportunity.