You’ve started playing pickleball, and things are looking great!

Hopefully, you’ve made many new friends on the court. You may even have new pickleball-centric friend groups! But one thing is still bothering you… How do you improve? What does it take to make that leap from casual player to serious pickleballer?

We hear your concerns, and we’re ready to answer your questions! Get in your ready position as we count down the top pickleball tips to turn those growing skills to the next level.

Know What They’re Saying

Let’s start with something you may not think about: the vocabulary.

It may be a relatively new sport, but pickleball players have created an extensive dictionary. You’ll notice odd terms bouncing around the court as you play, and it’s important to know what those words mean.

So, to help you out, we’re starting this blog post with a vocab lesson!

Dink Shot

A dink shot is a soft return of any ball that bounces in the non-volley zone (NVZ).

When performing a dink shot, players generally use a gentle pushing potion. This forces the ball in a downward arc as it crosses the net to land within the opponent’s non-volley zone. With practice, many pickleball players learn to hit the ball softly enough to make it land at the opponent’s feet.

Drop Shot

Another play — known as the drop shot — is commonly compared to the dink. In a drop shot, a team at the non-volley zone line gently returns the ball to a team at the baseline. This forces their opponents to scramble forward in a mad dash to return the hit.

Again, the focus of this play is to make the opposing player do what you want. Both dinks and drop shots are often used to set up “attacks,” wherein one team uses its opponent’s position to its advantage.

As an example, let’s say a hard-hitting team is expecting to return deep. They’ve set up shop in front of the baseline, and they’re ready for a nice shot. If, instead, the team at the NVZ line pops a drop shot, those opponents will need some good footwork to cross the court fast enough to return the ball!

Similarly, a team may use a dink as a more difficult shot against mid-court opponents.

Third Shot Drop

As the name implies, a third shot drop is a maneuver performed on the third shot.

Like dinks and drops, third-shot drops are all about control. They’re soft, low shots that go just beyond the NVZ line with a rapid drop. You’ll usually see them used when one team is close to the NVZ. They’re hard to return and tricky to master, so start practicing now!

You generally want to hit these shots with the paddle face. Aim for the opponent’s kitchen, and negate as much spin as you can. Many pros advise hitting shots with knees bent for a solid, low stance.

1. Focus on the Ball

Okay! That was the last of the vocabulary. Let’s get to what you’re here for: the tips!

We’ll start with one of the simplest ways to up your pickleball game: Keep your eye on the ball!

You’ve probably heard it before. Every sport has this rule. Coaches have been drilling the lesson into players’ heads since the dawn of sports. Whether you’re playing baseball, basketball, tennis, or — of course — pickleball, you must keep your eye on the ball.

Failing to heed this warning will make it even harder to return that difficult shot.

And, yes, you should watch your ball when you return hits, too! As silly as it sounds, we guarantee you’ll see a difference. After all, you can’t find the sweet spot on your paddle face if you’re not watching where that good shot came from.

2. Know When to Talk

While pickleball is known for being a social sport, there’s a time and place for chitchat. And the court is not your lounge area. For all its camaraderie, it’s still a competitive sport! While you may see it as a fun diversion, others are more competitive. So, practice good sportsmanship and be aware of your surroundings.

If you’re a new arrival to your local pickleball scene, spend some time watching the games.

Are people talking during matches, or are they more competitive? Some places are more inviting than others, and chatty players may need to search for a more casual court.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

However, this doesn’t mean you need to take an oath of silence!

It’s acceptable and encouraged to talk before and after matches. In fact, these downtimes are the perfect opportunity to acquaint yourself with fellow players. Use the time wisely — especially if you’re playing with an unfamiliar partner.

Get to Know Your Pickleball Partner

Teamwork is a huge factor in pickleball. (Unless, of course, you’re playing solo.) You’ll have a dismally low percentage of wins if you refuse to cooperate with your teammate. Now, that might be your thing! Some people don’t care as much about their record, and that’s fine. But competitive players must prioritize teamwork.

Most pickleball players have a “dedicated” partner. This may be your spouse, significant other, close friend, or pickleball court buddy. Together, these tag teams often formulate their own guidelines for calls and play signals.

However, if you’re a newcomer, you might not have a partner! Or, maybe, your partner is busy. Either way, you’ll eventually find yourself playing pickleball with someone new. When that happens, take some time before the game to discuss topics such as…

• Play Style: Some people prefer power hits. Others are at their best when dinking. Know how your teammate plays and complement their performance.
• Preferences: Similarly, ask how your teammate likes to play pickleball. Do they prefer a slow game or a faster match? Are they great at hitting those low balls? Again, match their performance and tailor your playing to uplift theirs.
• Signals: Most teams have hand signals or gestures to indicate their plans.
• Skill Level: Finally, one of the best tips is to be aware of their skill level. Don’t expect a new player to be as good as a pickleball veteran. Moreover, understand that some people just aren’t that competitive.

You Can Still Make Calls During the Game

At the same time, you can still talk during the game; you’re just not supposed to chitchat.

Aside from calling attention to stray balls, many casual players accept and expect basic calls during the game. In fact, you can improve your game by making these calls, as they’ll keep you and your teammate in sync. The most common shout-outs you’ll hear during a pickleball game include…

• “Bounce it,” meaning to return a tricky or risky shot.
• Encouragement and cheering when opponents score.
• “Mine” or “yours” to indicate who’s returning a shot. Using these calls will also help you avoid hitting each other as you scramble to return a skillful dink.
• “Out,” a self-explanatory indication to let a shot go.
• Scores, generally called by servers.

3. Know Where to Play Pickleball

Once you know how to call your shots, the next step is knowing where to take them.

The silly answer to this question would be, “On the court! Ha ha ha!” However, this is an actual tip. Despite its size, there’s only one “golden” zone on a pickleball court, and it’s right behind the NVZ line. Anything closer is too close; everything beyond it is too far.

Some players even call this midcourt area “No Man’s Land!”

Why?

Well, you may notice that most of the important shot plays are taken in this area. This is where most of the fast-moving action happens. After the first serve, you and your opponent are constantly moving. You’re hitting shots back and forth, and the goal is to create shots that are impossible to return.

But how does this “perfect” position work?

Eliminate the Slow Game

The design of a pickleball — with its holes and plastic surface — makes for a relatively slow game. Even the deepest of deep shots travels slower than most racket sports. This is great if you want a casual game and prefer to stay calm. However, anyone looking to score the most points needs a faster play.

Moving forward creates less distance between you and your opponents. It also forces faster play, especially when hitting drops. You have an even greater advantage if you’re against someone at the baseline. When they expect you to hit hard, returning with a soft dink ensures the ball bounces in an inopportune spot. And — unless they have some good footwork — you’re looking at an easy point!

Control the Game

While it will take time and practice to master, a close-to-the-net game gives the offensive team a massive control advantage.

Think about it this way: Let’s say both teams are up front, pushing that kitchen line. Your team decides to hit a tricky dink, aiming to bounce it at your opponent’s feet. This offensive shot gives your opponents two choices: stretch to return the shot or keep their feet moving to hit it from mid-court.

Alternatively, you can lob the ball — send it flying into that deep court area! It’s a devious, mustache-twirling play, but it’s an undeniably smart tactic. While you stay calm and collected at the kitchen line, your opponent must speed backward — into that dreaded “No Man’s Land” — to hit the ball.

4. Practice Makes Perfect

Now, like our first tip, the fourth entry on our list of pickleball tips is obvious. It’s simple enough to be part of every sport’s ABPs. Yes! A, B, and Ps. Always Be Practicing!

You’ve probably noticed that certain shots are harder to hit. Similarly, many beginners find it hard to control where they hit the ball. If you’re in the service box, a bad hit can turn a close game into a runaway loss. Similarly, a poor dink can ruin your plan of attack.

So, snag yourself a bag of pickleball balls and your trusty paddle and start practicing those pickleball drills. And don’t forget to stretch before you practice, either! Nothing ruins a calm practice session like cramping leg muscles!

Need some help? We gathered two simple drills to help you polish your pickleball skills.

The Paddle-Up

This drill is a great way for beginners to up their reaction time, control, and paddle skills. And it’s as simple as can be. All you have to do is get the ball moving — literally! Drop your ball on your paddle face, then hit it up and down over and over again. Think of it as a game of “the floor is lava” for your pickleball.

As your skills evolve, you can add additional challenges, such as:

• Controlling where the ball bounces.
• Varying the height of each hit.
• Walking as you hit the ball.

Target Practice

This drill has a few prerequisites. You’ll need a sizable, flat, sturdy wall. Brick, concrete, and hardwood work well. You’ll also need a few feet of space and a solid surface. Bring either chalk or painter’s tape, too! Then, once you find your spot, set up a few targets. You can draw them with chalk or place tape crosses on the wall.

Now, it’s time for the magic. Stand back a few feet and try to hit the target repeatedly. Count how many times in a row your shots land, and go for a personal high score!

Like the paddle-up, this drill is a delightful workout for all skill levels. In its basic form, it trains your paddle skills, control, and form. You can also mix it up and add extra challenges by…

• Adding additional targets.
• Adding distance between yourself and the wall.
• Adding targets for where the ball bounces.
• Moving as you hit the ball.
• Using different paddle grips.

5. Stay Calm

The last of our pickleball tips is to stay calm!

Outside of formal tournaments, most pickleball games are about having fun and building connections. There’s plenty of room for competition, but getting yourself worked up over missing a dink or flubbing that deep serve won’t help you. In fact, you’ll play better with a level head. Don’t sweat that lost point; you can make it up later!

So, take a deep breath.

Whether you hit the ball hard or prefer a soft cross-court shot, you’re always welcome in the pickleball community. Get in the ready position and prep for fun!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of our blog to learn even more. You’ll find plenty of tips and tricks to improve your pickleball game. We also cover breaking pickleball news.