10 Pickleball Tips I WISH I Knew Earlier...

 

Mastering Pickleball: The Top 10 Tips for Rapid Improvement Key techniques and strategies to boost your game

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in America, loved for its fun and friendly nature. However, when starting out it can feel overwhelming, with little quality information available on how to improve. This guide condenses top player Connor Hance's 10 best tips for rapidly enhancing your pickleball game. From foundational techniques like the around-the-post shot, to advanced strategy around targeting weaknesses, poaching balls and more, these bitesize tips aim to shortcut your learning curve. With video timestamps included under each header, it's easy to cross-reference back to Connor's accompanying YouTube tutorial. So whether you're just starting out or looking to step up to the next level, this guide has practical advice to put you on the path to pickleball success.

#1: Mastering the Around-the-Post Shot (0:13) The around-the-post (ATP) shot seems intimidating but is very achievable. Take the chance to try it when your opponent hits a sharp, sideways dink outside the net post. All you need is to visualize a line from your paddle, around the pole, to inside the court. ATPs are extremely tough to return and learnt quickly with practice. Don't be afraid to try them - missing helps you improve! #2: Targeting Your Opponent's Backhand (1:27) Most players favor forehand drives and smashes. Tactically targeting their backhand with middle or sideways dinks can limit their attacking chances for easy mistakes. Keeping the ball on their backhand disrupts rhythm, causing weaker returns and pop-ups to then smash. #3: Smart Serving Strategies (2:26) Vary your serve style based on the opponent's ability. Test big, aggressive serves early on. If they struggle returning them, keep using that style for free points. However, if they handle pace well, switch to accurate, deep serves to stay consistent. Either way, make data-driven decisions to optimize your service strategy. #4: Kitchen Aggression Through Player Switching (3:21) When dinking at the net, suddenly hit down-the-line smashes at the opponent's partner standing farther back. This surprises them since they get drawn out of the point's rhythm. Often aiming cross court then accelerating down line works best as it targets their closer, less prepared backhand. #5: The Virtue of Patience (4:16) Remaining patient wins games between equally skilled players. Avoid overly ambitious shots without clear opportunities. However, temper this patience with aggression when chances arise. Let your opponent make mistakes first while capitalizing on any balls popped up or hit short. #6 Taking Advantage of Attack Opportunities (4:52) Punish higher, slower balls by zipping them into open spaces rather than directly at the opponent. Pickleballs lack pace, so placing them wide or at feet gives fewer comeback chances than hitting hard right at them. Make smart shot choices based on positioning.

#7 Pick Good Targets For Putaways (5:34)

Hance suggests a seemingly straightforward but crucial principle: when presented with an opportunity, ensure that the ball is placed in a spot where it becomes challenging for the opponent to make a return. While this advice may appear simplistic, he notes that the key lies in the strategic placement of the ball based on the opponents' positioning on the court.

Connor breaks down the strategy further, explaining that, depending on the opponent's location, the optimal choice may be to aim at their feet or towards the open court. He provides a visual example, illustrating that if the opponent is at the kitchen, a shot aimed at their feet might be effective. Alternatively, if they are farther back, the strategic choice depends on their court positioning, whether towards the middle, sideline, or an identified gap.

#8: Mastering the Poach and Crossover Play (6:26) When your partner is deep and you're up, expect shots to go their way. Anticipate this by poaching - crossing to intercept it for a winner. This extremely effective play at 3.0-4.0 catches opponents by surprise through awareness and anticipation. #9: Always Expecting Speed Up Shots (7:15) Mentally prepare for speed up attacks on every net volley by holding your paddle high and watching your opponent’s preparation. Prioritizing reaction time lets you better respond to sudden smashed drives. If it stays a gentle dink, no problem, but this strategy prevents getting caught off guard. #10: Picking Your Spots for Third Shot Drives (8:09) Don't blindly drive every third return. Instead, selectively smash back higher, slower balls landed short in court allowing better net approach shots after. Don’t drive fast, deep returns as they set up poor attacking positions. Strategic shot choice optimization is key here. The Magic Is in the Preparation Implementing even one or two of these tips can vastly accelerate your competitive pickleball development. But don’t stop here – let this be the start of a lifelong journey mastering technique and strategy. Continued learning differentiation is what separates good players from truly great ones over time. Summary From foundational skills like the ATP to advanced gameplay tactics and mental approaches, applying Connor Hance’s top 10 pickleball tips builds a solid framework for rapid, measurable improvement. Use the specific timestamps to revisit his accompanying YouTube video for visual demonstrations of each lesson. With quality information hard to find as a beginner, this guide condenses the key techniques and competitive wisdom all in one place to shortcut your success. Now grab your paddle and start dominating on court!