5 Pickleball Tactics to Instantly Improve Your Game

You must be skilled at sports if you want to do well. But a big part of that isn't just knowing technique and being able to hit hard or throw fast. Your knowledge of the game can also determine how much you win or lose. Deploying proper strategies and tactics at the right time is often the difference between a pro and an amateur.

The sport of pickleball is full of nuances, and as the game grows, we're discovering more and more of those nuances are playing a huge role in the outcomes of pickleball matches.

In pickleball, it's not just about who can hit shots, but it's about the all-around game that players bring to the courts.

In today's article, we're discussing 5 pickleball tactics that can instantly improve your game.

Tactic #5 - Mix Up Your Serve

Pickleball is ever-evolving, so the rules are constantly updated and changed. One big rule change coming in 2023 is that the spin serve is no longer legal. In the past, we’ve seen different variations of a spin serve come and go–two-handed, one hand and a paddle, and now the latest victim, the one-handed spin. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t new serves out there to explore that can be just as deadly.

Perhaps the best tactic to use when serving is to mix it up. Too many players get caught up in performing the same serve repeatedly. No matter how great your serve is, if you use it 100% of the time, your opponent will eventually figure it out. However, if you develop 2, 3, or even 4 different serves, you can keep your opponent on their toes and guessing what’s coming their way.

Consider using hard top spins, lower slices, and higher lobs. Also, mix up where you hit your serve. Aim some for their forehand and others for their backhand. If you can do these things, then there is no way your opponent will know what’s coming–which gives you an edge on the serve.

Tactic #4 - Drive Drop Combo

Regardless of your serve technique, most of the time it will be returned. And since the third and fifth shots of each match are considered two of the most critical shots in all of pickleball, it makes sense that we would focus some of our tactics on these. For many players, drop shots are a weakness. This causes them to overcompensate by hitting mostly drives on their third and fifth shots. 

However, using the same serve each time makes you predictable and gives your opponent an edge. Instead of just driving the ball, try to mix up your shot selection with this drive-drop combo.

On the third shot, go ahead and drive the ball into your opponent. The goal is to force your opponent to use a drop shot into your kitchen, which you can then run up to and volley with a drop shot of your own. Instead of using two drives, which may cause you to over-hit the ball, you’ve now put yourself in a better position on the court and provided your opponent with something else to think about. 

The key to this combo is to keep the ball low. Look, drops are not easy to learn, but by continuing to try, you’ll get better over time.

Tactic #3 - Stacking

Stacking, especially for lower-level players, can be scary. In case you’re unsure what stacking is, it’s when teammates are standing next to each other or rearranged on the court so each can stay on a particular side. Essentially, it’s deployed when one player is more dominant than one side, and the team wants to take advantage of that.

When stacking is done well, it’s a great strategy. When it’s done poorly, it can hurt you tremendously.

It’s a great strategy because you want to put yourself and your teammate in the best possible position each and every time. If one of you can’t hit a backhand dink, but the other can, then it just makes sense to allow the same player to always play that shot–which means staying in the same position regardless of the score and serve.

It’s also beneficial on a third shot. For example, if you are serving on the inside, then it’s very likely that the third shot will come to you. If you’re the stronger third-shot player, then stacking and keeping your partner on the side or just off the court allows you to play that third shot most of the time. After you accomplish the third shot, you will move into your designated positions and finish through the point.

Tactic #2 - The Lob

One of the deadliest shots in all of pickleball, when done well, is the lob. This shot can cause your opponents to have fits. But, if you don’t practice and get good at it (then use it at the right time), you can turn those fits back onto yourself instead. 

The best time to try and lob a ball over your opponent’s head is when you’re in an obvious dinking situation. You’ll want to aim your lob toward the player's backhand side. If you aim over the forehand, then this could backfire big time. 

The key is to lob it over their reach and catch them completely off guard. Become a really good dinker and you’ll be able to incorporate lobs even better.

Tactic #1 - Target the Weaker Player 

It may seem obvious, but you want to target critical shots at the weaker player on the other side of the net. But this doesn’t mean that you should hit every ball their way. Instead, you should focus some key shots on them.

You should aim at the weaker player on the third shot and on your returns. This gives you an advantage during those important moments in a match because that player is less likely to hit a good shot back, and it puts the entire team at a disadvantage. 

Try to hit 70-80% of your shots at the weaker player, especially if the gap between their skill is high.

These tactics will help you become better and better at pickleball and make the game a lot more fun in the long run.

Good luck out there! 

Learn more about Enhance PIckleball and watch the full video called 5 DEADLY Pickleball Tactics to WIN More Games here. 

And as always, stay tuned into our blog for more pickleball news and helpful articles.