7 Pickleball Tips to Improve Your Game Today

Looking to improve your pickleball game? Whether you’re a beginner or already an experienced player, these pickleball tips will help you level up your skills and start seeing results on the court today. From refining your serve to hitting the ball harder, we’ve got actionable advice to get you moving in the right direction. So, grab your pickleball paddles, and let’s dive into seven expert tips to elevate your game!

1. Master the Pickleball Serve

The serve is one of the most crucial shots in pickleball—it’s how every point begins and can set the tone for the rest of the rally. If you can’t consistently land a good serve, it’s hard to keep up with more advanced players.

Here are some key pickleball serve tips to give you a solid foundation at the start of each point:

• Grip: Use a continental grip to gain better control over the ball. This grip allows for easy wrist movement, helping you add spin or power when needed.
• Stance: Stand behind the baseline, slightly angled, to ensure you can serve the ball diagonally across the court.
• Follow-through: After striking the ball, make sure to follow through with your paddle. This adds both power and accuracy.

Remember, variety is your friend when it comes to serving. Mix up the speed and placement of your serves to keep your opponent guessing.

2. Perfect Your Dinking Technique

Dinking is one of the most important pickleball techniques to master, especially when playing close to the net. A good dink keeps the ball low, making it difficult for your opponent to return with power.

To improve your dinking game:

• Use a soft grip: Control is key when it comes to dinking. Hold your pickleball paddle gently to ensure you’re not over-hitting the ball.
• Aim low: The lower your dink, the less opportunity your opponent has to smash the ball back at you.
• Stay patient: The dink game is all about waiting for the right moment to attack. Patience is key.

If you can get a solid handle on dinking, you’ll be in control of the pace of the game, often forcing your opponent to make errors.

3. Improve Your Drop Shot Accuracy

A drop shot is another pickleball technique that can put you in control of a rally. The idea is to drop the ball softly into the kitchen (the non-volley zone), forcing your opponent to rush to the net and hit a tough return shot.

Here’s how to perfect your drop shots:

• Use a controlled stroke: Don’t overhit. You want the ball to land softly just over the net, ideally low in the kitchen.
• Target the middle of the court: This gives your opponent less angle to work with, making it more difficult for them to hit an aggressive return.
• Mix it up: Vary your drop shots to keep your opponent guessing. Sometimes aim for a short drop, other times a bit deeper.

Mastering the drop shot can make you a more versatile player. Want to take your drop shots to the next level? Try our advanced pickleball paddles to add a bit more precision and control to your game.

4. Focus on Footwork and Positioning

Even with perfect shots, poor positioning can lose you the point. Staying agile and having good court awareness can turn a good player into a great one.

Here are some tips to improve your footwork:

• Stay light on your feet: Always be ready to move. Try to stay on the balls of your feet so that you can make quick, responsive movements.
• Anticipate your opponent’s shots: Watch your opponent’s paddle and body language. Knowing where the ball is likely going before they hit it gives you more time to focus on your return.
• Take the net early: In doubles, the net is prime real estate. Moving forward to control the net will give you a big advantage during rallies.

Good footwork and positioning are the keys to controlling the game. The better you move, the more points you’ll win.

5. Learn How to Hit a Pickleball Harder

Every player wants to know how to hit a pickleball harder—because, let’s face it, power shots can end a rally quickly. However, we don’t want this to come at the cost of losing control. 

Here’s how to add more power to your shots:

• Use your entire body: Don’t rely solely on your arm. Power comes from your core and legs. Rotate your torso and shift your weight as you swing for maximum force.
• Firm grip, controlled follow-through: A firm grip on the paddle helps with control, but don’t forget to follow through fully. A complete follow-through adds extra speed to the ball.
• Focus on timing: Hitting the ball at just the right moment—before it drops too low—allows you to put more energy into the shot.

Learning how to hit harder without sacrificing accuracy will make you a more dangerous player. Looking for paddles that can help with power? Browse our selection of pickleball paddles for options designed with strength in mind and check out our Paddle Buying Guide to help pick out the perfect paddle for your game.

6. Sharpen Your Volley Skills

Volleys are some of the fastest, most exciting moments in pickleball. Taking the ball out of the air with quick volleys is key to dominating at the net.

Here’s how to sharpen your volley game:

• Stay alert: Volleying requires quick reflexes. Always be ready to move your paddle quickly to intercept shots.
• Angle the paddle down: Keep your volleys low and aimed downward. The lower the volley, the harder it is for your opponent to make a clean return.
• Use small swings: Volleys aren’t about power. Small, controlled swings will help you maintain precision and keep the ball in play.

Improving your volleying technique will make you more confident during fast-paced exchanges near the net. If you’re looking for the right equipment to help you master volleys, check out our top-rated pickleball gear.

7. Build Your Mental Game

Pickleball isn’t just a physical sport—it’s a mental game, too. The best players know how to stay calm, focused, and confident under pressure.

Here’s how to strengthen your mental game:

• Stay positive: Mistakes happen, but it’s how you recover that counts. Stay focused on the next point and let go of the last one.
• Have a game plan: Don’t just react to your opponent. Play your game and stick to your strategy.
• Visualize success: Before each match, take a few minutes to visualize yourself making great shots. It’s a simple trick, but it works!

A strong mental game will keep you composed, even during tough matches, and help you outlast your opponents.

Conclusion

There you have it, 7 pickleball tips that will improve your game today. From mastering your serve to honing your mental edge, these techniques will help you see progress in no time. And, of course, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Check out our website for any and all pickleball gear you may need.

Whether you’re focusing on improving your serve, dinks, or power shots, these tips will help you on your pickleball journey. Now, get out there and put these strategies to work. You’ve got this!