Remember when you first started playing pickleball and learned how to hold the pickleball paddle out in front of your body, how to volley, and where to serve? Every time we learn a new skill there’s a rush and a feeling of accomplishment like nothing else. What if I said you could have fun while learning new skills and winning more pickleball games?

The following pickleball tips and game strategies will help you play better pickleball, rack up extra points, and have fun while doing it.

#1. Pickleball Positioning Drills

We all know the ready position, right? Your knees should be slightly bent, with your weight balanced on the balls of your feet, with your feet a shoulder-width apart. This position is your go-to but how often do you think about the ready position while playing?

Beginners should keep this position in mind while practicing and playing. After every shot, return to the ready position for the next shot. Once this becomes second nature, it’s time to practice positioning drills.

Not all shots should be made from the ready position. More advanced shots sometimes require a semi-closed stance, with the body positioned slightly to the side, and one foot behind the other.

As part of your pre-game warm-up routine, practice shifting from a semi-closed stance to the ready position. Simply jump and twist your body, land your feet, take a swing, then jump back into the ready position. This may feel a bit like a kid playing hopscotch, but that’s the fun of it.

Another positioning drill has to do with crossing the transition zone or “no man’s land” and getting to the non-volley zone. Start at the baseline and move quickly forward to the NVZ, plant your feet in the ready position, and then jog backward to the baseline. This is not only a great way to practice your position, moving quickly through the transition zone, but also a great cardio workout.

Pickleball players who practice their footwork and positioning have a leg up on their competition because they can more easily move around the pickleball court, get into position faster than their competition and, as a result, perform better in tournaments.

Pickleball players in the ready position

2. Master the Kitchen Line

Being comfortable at the kitchen line is one of the most important aspects of a pickleball game. Experienced players will end the game with all four players at the kitchen line. Winning shots are nearly always hit from the kitchen.

Once you hit an effective dink shot from the mid-court, move forward to the kitchen and “toe the line.” Stop when your opponent is about to hit the ball, and don’t run back to hit the ball on the bounce.

One fun way to handle a rally at the net is to alternate between speed-up shots and slower, unexpected dinks. Power shots are fun to hit, but slower hits will throw your opponents off balance and may cause unforced errors.

The best way to get better at volleying is to work on your reaction time. This can be accomplished by practicing volleys with your partner or using a training tool such as the Slam Master Pro. The faster you are at the net, the easier it is to control the game in the kitchen.

#3. Grip it Good

What paddle grip do you use? While holding your pickleball paddle like a hammer in the continental grip may feel comfortable, sometimes you need to switch it up. Mastering the eastern, western, and continental grips is vital for getting to the next level.

Certain grip types are better for different shots. If you have a powerful backhand, you should be using the continental grip. An eastern grip is best suited for neutral players who have a decent forehand and backhand. A western grip is best suited for players who have a killer forehand or who like to add spin to the ball.

Practice switching from eastern, to continental, to western grips. You can do this while practicing on the court or sitting at home in front of the TV watching Ben Johns defeat his latest opponent on ESPN +. If you watch pro pickleball players, you’ll notice that they often switch their grips depending on their shot selection and pickleball strategy.

#4. Talk the Talk

Pickleball is a social game that relies on communication on the court. If you’re playing pickleball silently, then you’re doing it wrong! This may seem counterintuitive to former tennis players used to court decorum, but pickleball gameplay is more casual, and even the best pickleball players communicate with their partners and opponents throughout the game.

Court communication is vital for becoming better players, especially for doubles games. Unless you and your partner have some Jedi-mind tricks or have practiced so much you move like a well-oiled machine, calling out who will get a shot or how to respond to a situation on the court is important and will help you win more points.

#5. When the Ball is Low, Hit it Slow

Keeping an eye on ball height will help you determine the type of shot to take. Low balls should always be hit softly. When a ball is hit high, that’s when you should use a power shot and drive it hard. Low balls are best for cross-court dink shots, while high shots are perfect for attacks at the net and overhead slams, particularly if there’s an opening or gap between your opponents.

One way to have fun while sticking to this strategy is to occasionally do something completely unexpected. When presented with an opportunity to hit a hard drive - lob the ball instead. Watching your opponents react to moments like that is one of the best parts of the game.

Final Thoughts

As you progress in your pickleball journey and increase your skill level, you’ll find many opportunities to practice and learn from your mistakes. As you get better, you’ll win more games, and who doesn’t find winning fun? Of course - even if you don’t win, pickleball is fun. Don’t forget to have a good time on the court!

For more tips to improve your game, watch the video below from Pickleball Central: