8 Strategies to Improve Your Pickleball Defense
Is your defense offensive? It's okay. You're not alone. There is so much information to help pickleballers play better offense; how to make better shots, which paddles to use, and strategies to score more points.
But, to be a well-balanced pickleball player, you need to also focus on another side of the game: your defense.
What is Defense in Pickleball
In sports like football or soccer, the definition of defense is pretty simple. If your team doesn't currently possess the ball, they are on defense. In pickleball (or any racquet sport), knowing when to play defense is a bit more complicated.
In pickleball, defense can happen:
● When the other team possesses the ball
● Based on your positioning
● With specific shots you take
Offense and defense happen almost simultaneously in pickleball, and you'll need to switch your mindset as gameplay dictates.
It might sound complicated, but we have you covered! After these 8 strategies and tips to help you improve your pickleball defense, you'll soon become unstoppable on the courts.
Tip #1 - Stay in Ready Position
Have you ever seen a pickleball player hit a shot, stand there, and wait for the ball to come back, only to find themselves entirely out of position? Of course, we all have!
(Maybe we've even done it ourselves from time to time.)
The number one strategy tip for playing good defense is to be ready at all times! That means you should stand balanced, on the balls of your feet, and with your knees flexed. Also, keep your paddle up so you're ready for anything that comes your way.
Tip #2 - Protect the Middle
In a video by In2Pickle, they discuss how to defend specific angles while playing defense. It's an excellent in-depth video with visuals. (Check it out if you get the chance.) One of the first strategies they mention is guarding the middle line of the court.
The reasoning is that most shots are aimed at the middle of the court. There is less margin for error in the middle, and the net is two inches lower. Aiming for the sidelines means a player can hit the ball out of bounds, and aiming towards the center of the net allows players to drive the ball harder.
So, in a defensive mindset, your first goal should be to cover the middle line. In singles play, you'll want to align yourself along that line. But, in doubles, you and your partner should discuss beforehand whose responsibility the middle should be. This will help you both avoid the dreaded "I thought you had it." when your opponent drives the ball between the two of you.
Tip #3 - Improve Your Center Coverage by Shifting Back
When playing doubles, your teammate can be driven off the court attempting to retrieve a shot. As their partner, your natural instinct is to shift yourself into the center of the court until they can get back into position. However, it's essential to also consider the depth of your shift.
Suppose you and your partner are at the non-volley line. Suddenly, your partner goes chasing after a ball and successfully returns it. Instead of just shifting to the middle to provide extra coverage, you should shift to the center, then back a few steps toward the baseline. This can help you cover more ground and better prepare for an attacking shot that will probably come from the other team once they notice your partner isn't back in position yet.
If you stay at the kitchen line, you're less likely to have a good chance at a return shot, especially if they drive or overhead smash the ball.
Tip #4 - Work on Your Blocking
Blocking…in pickleball? That's right! It's not a misprint. Blocking a shot in pickleball means absorbing a hard drive right at you. This will often happen when you are up at the kitchen line, and your opponent tries to blast a shot by you. Instead of being offensive with your return, you simply want to absorb the ball and let it trickle over the net.
This is because it's difficult to turn a drive hit straight at you into a scoring opportunity. It's a much better play to be defensive and try to set up a shot for later. You may even get the point because the opposing player is too far back or out of position.
To "block" a shot in pickleball, you want to be in a ready position, with a light grip and stable wrist. Instead of swinging your paddle at the ball, watch the ball strike your paddle and gently push it to help it over the net. It takes a little practice, but this is a great defensive shot, especially if your opponent likes to play at the backline.
Tip #5 - Don't Chase Bad Balls
In pickleball, it's easy to fall into a habit of chasing after every ball that comes your way. But, sometimes, the best defense is to let your opponent beat themselves. If you think a ball has a chance of sailing over the backline or if your opponent really likes to work the sidelines, let a few balls go and see how it works out. You're likely going to get the point (or the serve), and it'll cause your opponent to doubt themselves next time.
Tip #6 - Hit the Reset Button
Okay, maybe it's not an actual reset button. Resetting in pickleball simply means slowing down the pace of play. This can be a great defensive strategy, especially during volleys. You can accomplish a reset by hitting an unexpected dink, lob, or letting the ball bounce during a string of volleys. Ideally, the reset catches your opponent off-guard or out of position.
It also works really well versus aggressive opponents who like action to be fast and furious.
Tip #7 - Adjust Your Grip Pressure and Shot Speed
The easiest opponent is someone predictable. Maybe they always use a third-shot drop or love driving the ball on the return of serve. These players get figured out quickly and spend much of their time on the sidelines. The most challenging opponent is an unpredictable player. This person adjusts their shot speeds, hits it to all areas of the court, and mixes their game up with drives and drops.
Be the unpredictable player. An easy way to do this is by changing your shot speed by lightening or strengthening your grip pressure. Changing your grip helps you keep the same swing on the ball you usually would, but it deceives your opponent. Instead of that big wind-up leading to a drive shot, your 1- to 2-level grip pressure drops it right in their kitchen.
Tip #8 - The Best Defense is a Good Offense
Defense is great, but winning pickleball matches is about scoring more points than your opponent. This means looking for the right opportunities to switch your game up and take advantage of your opponent's poor play. A great way to do this is to apply constant pressure and wear them down.
Imagine playing against someone who switches from offense to defense in a heartbeat and can hit the ball to all areas of the court with differing speeds. Now that's a scary pickleballer.
Be scary out there, friends.
As the old cliche goes, "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships." Next time you're on the court, try out a few of these strategies and see how many more wins you can rack up!
