Top 8 Pickleball Tips To Be More Consistent
If you want to win more pickleball matches, you must learn how to bring your A-game every match. Today’s article shares eight pickleball tips to be more consistent with our play.
Let’s get right into it.
Tip #1 - Go for high-percentage shots, not perfect ones
One mistake many players make is trying to be perfect on every single shot. The truth is no one makes the perfect shot every time. Instead, good players will focus on choosing the best shot for that particular moment. Typically, in any situation, you have multiple shots you could make. For example, let’s say you’re in a rally, and you could choose to return the ball with a dink shot or you could try speeding up the ball to give your opponent a tougher shot.
In that scenario, the dink probably has an 80% chance of being a successful shot (not giving you an unforced error). While the speed-up shot has maybe a 40% chance of being successful.
Strong, consistent players will choose the 80% shot over the 40% shot most of the time. Sure, it may not be flashy, and that shot might not give them the point. But it’s an easier-to-execute shot that keeps the rally going and allows your opponent an opportunity to make a mistake instead.
Going for high-percentage shots will help you remove more unforced errors from your game and massively help your consistency.
Tip #2 - Use active patience
Patience is power in pickleball. Active patience allows you to make better decisions and eliminate some of those shots you shouldn’t take. This doesn’t mean you should play weak or passively and wait for your opponent to make the first mistake. Instead, it means that you’re waiting until a premium opportunity to take advantage of and score your point or putaway.
Here are a few ways to practice active patience:
Attack balls above your waist
Take deep breaths to relax yourself and your muscles
Give yourself some grace-nobody is perfect
Tip #3 - Watch the ball all the way to your paddle
One of the most underrated abilities in pickleball is the ability to see the ball and anticipate throughout the point. Many players who struggle with consistency do so because they break eye contact with the ball right before they strike it. Minimize your head movement and keep your head as still as possible and your eyes on the ball.
Tip #4 - Use your shoulder more in your swing
Great mechanics can help you be more consistent. Instead of having a large backswing, focus on keeping your swing smooth and controlled and use your shoulder all the way through your swing to give it more power and control.
Tip #5 - Shrink the court
Another struggle that players have is trying too hard to place their shots along the sidelines or corners of the court. Instead, it’s better to shrink the court by aiming your shots toward the middle or two to three feet in from the sides and back.
Tip #6 - Clear the net
Respect the net. There’s no bigger bummer than making great contact with the ball and having it go directly into the net. If you find yourself hitting the top of the net too often, try aiming 4-6 inches above the net to add space for error. It’s best to do this on every shot, adjusting as needed, so your opponent doesn’t get to spike you with their shot each time.
Tip #7 - Keep the ball out front
A great way to hit consistent shots is to keep the ball out in front of your body. Letting the ball get behind you or too close to your body can lead to popups and errors. Instead, try making contact with the ball with it out in front of your body. But not too far out. You shouldn’t be reaching for the shot, causing yourself to become off-balanced.
Tip #8 - Don’t run through the ball. Remember feet first, swing second
Minimize unnecessary footwork. One common error players make is they move their feet as they are swinging or they run through the ball. This causes various issues. It’s harder to hit the sweet spot of your paddle. Your eyes bounce around as you move. And it’s almost impossible to put the right touch on the ball for whatever shot you want to take.
Try this sequence instead:
Beat the ball to the spot
Establish your feet
Then swing
By completing those steps on every swing, you’ll ensure that you put your best shot on the ball and give yourself the best chance of hitting the shot you desire at that moment.
To see these eight tips in action, plus an extra bonus tip, check out this awesome video from High Five Pickleball.
And, as always, get more tips, strategies, and news about pickleball from Pickleball University.
