Ten Essential Tips to Elevate Your Game and Dominate the Court
Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has been gaining popularity rapidly in recent years. While mastering the basic techniques is crucial, understanding and implementing smart strategies can truly elevate your game, especially in doubles play. This comprehensive guide delves into the fundamental strategies that separate intermediate players from advanced ones, focusing on the concept of "high-percentage pickleball." (NOTE: This 2015 Instructional YouTube Video Has Over 1.2M Views)
The cornerstone of successful doubles pickleball lies in a simple yet powerful objective: getting your team to the net as quickly as possible while keeping your opponents at bay. This strategy mirrors doubles tennis, where controlling the net provides a significant advantage. Throughout this guide, we'll explore ten key tips that will help you achieve this goal, covering everything from serve and return strategies to smart shot selection and court positioning.
Whether you're a beginner looking to improve or an intermediate player aiming to break through to the next level, these insights will help you play smarter, more effective pickleball. By understanding and applying these principles, you'll be well on your way to outmaneuvering your opponents and dominating the court. Let's dive into the world of strategic pickleball and unlock your potential for success. (Joe Baker's Pickleball Strategy Playlist)
1. Smart Serving Strategy [1:12]
The serve is the first opportunity to set the tone for each point. While it might be tempting to try for a powerful or tricky serve, the smartest strategy is often the simplest:
- Aim for the center of the service box
- Focus on consistency rather than power
- Minimize service faults
By aiming for the middle of the box, you increase your margin for error. Your serve doesn't need to be fast or extremely low over the net. The primary goal is to get the ball in play consistently.
Player positioning during the serve is crucial:
- Both members of the serving team should be behind the baseline
- The service receiver should be behind the baseline
- The partner of the service receiver should be at the no-volley zone line (kitchen line)
This initial setup creates a 3-1 formation, with three players behind the baseline and one at the net. By following this serving strategy, you'll start each point on solid footing, ready to implement the subsequent tactical moves.
2. Effective Return of Serve [2:27]
The return of serve is a critical shot that can set the tone for the entire point. Here's how to make it count:
- Aim for the middle of the court, between your opponents
- Target the backhand of a right-handed opponent
- Avoid short returns that allow opponents easy access to the net
Aiming for the middle offers several advantages:
- It forces right-handed players to hit a backhand
- The net is lowest at the center, reducing the chance of error
- It can cause confusion between opponents
The return doesn't need to be fast or extremely low, but it should be deep enough to prevent your opponents from easily reaching the net. If you consistently aim for the suggested target area, your returns will likely fall within an effective pattern, making it challenging for your opponents to attack.
Remember, the service receiver should start behind the baseline, while their partner should be at the no-volley zone line. This positioning allows for an immediate charge to the net after the return, which is crucial for gaining court control.
3. Advancing to the Net After Return [3:56]
One of the most critical moves in doubles pickleball is the quick advance to the net after returning serve. This strategy is non-negotiable for successful play:
- Immediately after hitting the return, charge to the no-volley zone line
- Be fully ready and in position to receive your opponent's third shot
- Get to the line every time, without exception
The importance of this move cannot be overstated. The team at the net has a significant advantage over opponents deep in the court. By establishing control of the net upon hitting the return of serve, you put immediate pressure on your opponents.
If you struggle with mobility:
- Consider using a lob return to give yourself more time to reach the net
- Practice your footwork and court movement to improve your speed
Failing to get to the net quickly is a common and serious mistake among intermediate players. It often leads to losing control of the point and allows the opposing team to dominate the net instead. Remember, getting to the net quickly not only improves your offensive possibilities but also makes your opponent's next shot (the third shot) more challenging to execute.
4. Smart Partner Positioning [6:02]
Effective court coverage in doubles pickleball goes beyond simply dividing the court in half. Intelligent positioning and movement as a team are crucial:
- Avoid the "this is my side, that is your side" mentality
- Stay linked with your partner, moving as a cohesive unit
- Position yourselves based on the ball's location, not fixed court areas
Instead of each player defending a static half of the court, good players form a "wall" that moves in relation to the ball's position. This strategy eliminates the vulnerable gap in the middle that often occurs with rigid side-by-side positioning.
Key points for smart positioning:
- Stay linked with your partner, no more than 8 feet apart
- Move as a unit, sliding left or right based on the ball's position
- Protect the most important two-thirds of the court width
- Constantly reposition after each hit
Communication is vital in this approach. Use clear calls like "mine" or "yours" for shots that aren't obvious, and alert your partner if a shot is going out of bounds.
By adopting this fluid, coordinated positioning strategy, you'll cover the court more effectively and make it much harder for your opponents to find gaps in your defense.
5. The Critical Third Shot [8:40]
The third shot in pickleball often determines who will control the net, making it a pivotal moment in each rally. Here's how to play it intelligently:
- Aim for a drop shot into the no-volley zone (kitchen)
- Target the backhand side of your opponent
- Use the slow pace of the drop shot to give you time to advance to the net
If you're not confident in your drop shot:
- Hit the ball down the center as softly and low as possible
- Follow your shot to make as much forward progress as possible
If your opponents haven't reached the net after their return:
- Aim for a low shot to the feet of the player furthest from the net
- Target their backhand side if possible
The third shot is your opportunity to neutralize your opponents' net advantage and begin your own advance. A well-executed drop shot forces your opponents to hit up on the ball, giving you a better chance to attack in subsequent shots.
Remember, regardless of the type of shot you choose, you and your partner should be moving toward the net immediately after the third shot is hit. This forward progress is crucial in establishing court control and putting pressure on your opponents.
6. Fourth Shot Strategy [11:27]
The fourth shot presents different strategic options depending on your opponents' positions:
If opponents are still approaching the net:
- Aim for a low shot to the feet of the player furthest back
- Target their backhand side to make the return more difficult
- Use this shot to hinder their forward progress
If opponents have reached the net:
- Transition to a dinking game (soft, controlled shots into the kitchen)
- Avoid giving your opponents any high balls they can attack
The goal of the fourth shot, when opponents are still approaching, is to keep them back and prevent them from establishing net control. A low shot to the feet is difficult to attack and often results in a weak return, giving you more time to solidify your net position.
If all players have reached the net by the fourth shot, the rally typically transitions into a dinking game. In this scenario, patience and control become key, as you wait for an opportunity to attack or for your opponents to make an error.
Remember, the fourth shot is often your last chance to prevent your opponents from establishing themselves at the net. Use it wisely to maintain or gain the upper hand in the point.
7. Mastering the Net Game [12:37]
Once all players are at the net, the game often transitions into a dinking battle. Here's how to play smart at the net:
- For beginners and intermediates, dink conservatively and wait for errors
- Aim your dinks to land in the no-volley zone, forcing opponents to hit up
- Target your opponent's backhand for safer shots
- Avoid giving opponents high balls they can attack
- Seize opportunities to smash or make body shots when given a high ball
Advanced net play:
- Use dink placement to move opponents and create gaps in their coverage
- Mix up your dinks to keep opponents off-balance
The net game in pickleball is often compared to a "Mexican standoff," where patience and control are key. The player who can maintain composure and avoid mistakes often comes out on top. Remember, the goal is to create difficult shots for your opponents while avoiding giving them any easy attacking opportunities.
Practice your dinking skills regularly, focusing on control and placement rather than power. As you become more comfortable with net play, you can start to incorporate more advanced strategies to outmaneuver your opponents.
8. Shot Selection Based on Ball Height [15:48]
Proper shot selection is crucial in pickleball, especially when considering the height of the ball:
When hitting up on the ball:
- Play soft shots when opponents are at the net
- Keep the ball low to prevent easy attacks
When hitting down on the ball:
- Take advantage of the opportunity to hit harder
- Aim for your opponents' feet or open court areas
The key principle here is to minimize risk when you're in a defensive position (hitting up) and to capitalize on offensive opportunities when they arise (hitting down). This strategy helps maintain control of the point and prevents giving your opponents easy put-away shots.
Remember:
- Avoid hitting high shots to players at the net
- Capitalize on high shots when they come to you
- When not at the net, focus on getting there safely
By adhering to these principles, you'll reduce unforced errors and create more attacking opportunities for yourself and your partner.
9. Keeping Opponents Back [16:34]
A crucial strategy in pickleball is to keep your opponents away from the net while establishing your own net position. Here's how to achieve this:
When one opponent is at the net and one is back:
- Target the feet of the back player
- Aim for open spaces they can't easily reach
- Continuously pressure the back player to prevent their advance
Specific targets based on opponent position:
- If opponent is deep in the court, aim for their feet
- If opponent is mid-court, aim just in front of their feet
- If opponent is moving forward, aim behind them
This strategy effectively creates a 2-on-1 situation at the net, giving your team a significant advantage. By consistently keeping one opponent back, you limit their offensive options and increase the pressure on their partner at the net.
Practice this technique to develop accuracy in your shots. The ability to consistently hit these targets will greatly enhance your control over the pace and flow of the game.
10. Avoiding Low Percentage Shots [18:12]
To play smart pickleball, it's crucial to avoid low percentage shots that often lead to unforced errors:
Avoid from the baseline or deep court:
- Going down the line or alley
- Lobbing over opponents at the net
These shots might occasionally win points, but they often result in errors or easy put-aways for your opponents. Instead:
- Focus on getting to the net by following slow, controlled shots
- Use drop shots or dinks to advance rather than risky power shots
- Save lobs for when you're at the net and can disguise them better
Remember, the goal is to play high percentage pickleball. This means choosing shots that have a higher likelihood of staying in play and putting pressure on your opponents, rather than going for flashy winners that often lead to errors.
By avoiding these low percentage shots, you'll maintain better control of the point and give yourself more opportunities to win through consistent, smart play rather than relying on risky shots.
Guide Summary:
Mastering doubles pickleball strategy involves a combination of smart shot selection, effective court positioning, and tactical decision-making. The overarching goal is to establish and maintain control of the net while keeping your opponents back. This guide has outlined ten essential tips to achieve this:
- Serve strategically to the middle of the service box
- Return serves effectively, aiming for the middle of the court
- Advance quickly to the net after returning serve
- Position intelligently with your partner, moving as a unit
- Execute the critical third shot, often as a drop shot
- Play the fourth shot to hinder opponent progress or start dinking
- Master the net game through patient and controlled dinking
- Select shots based on ball height, playing soft when hitting up
- Keep opponents back by targeting their feet and open court areas
- Avoid low percentage shots, especially from deep in the court
By implementing these strategies, players can significantly improve their doubles pickleball game. Remember, the key to success lies in consistent execution of high-percentage plays rather than relying on risky shots. Practice these principles regularly, and you'll soon find yourself outmaneuvering opponents and dominating the pickleball court.
Mastering Doubles Pickleball: Strategic Play Quiz
1. What is the main strategy objective in doubles pickleball? a) Hitting powerful shots b) Getting your team to the net quickly c) Staying at the baseline d) Lobbing over opponents
2. Where should you aim your serve in pickleball? a) Deep into the corner b) Directly at your opponent c) The center of the service box d) High over the net
3. How many players should be behind the baseline at the moment of serve? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
4. What is the best strategy for returning serve? a) Hit as hard as possible b) Aim for the sidelines c) Lob over opponents d) Aim for the middle, between opponents
5. What should the service receiver do immediately after hitting the return? a) Stay at the baseline b) Move to the middle of the court c) Charge to the no-volley zone line d) Switch positions with their partner
6. How should partners position themselves on the court? a) Each defending a fixed half of the court b) One at the net, one at the baseline c) Linked together, moving as a unit d) Randomly to confuse opponents
7. What is the ideal third shot in pickleball? a) A powerful smash b) A drop shot into the no-volley zone c) A lob over opponents d) A fast, low shot
8. When all players are at the net, what type of game typically ensues? a) Smashing game b) Lobbing game c) Dinking game d) Serving game
9. How far apart should partners typically stay when linked together? a) No more than 8 feet b) At least 15 feet c) The full width of the court d) It doesn't matter
10. What should you do if you can't execute a drop shot on the third shot? a) Hit as hard as possible b) Lob over opponents c) Hit softly down the center d) Aim for the sidelines
11. When is it generally acceptable to hit down the sidelines or alley? a) From the baseline b) From deep in the court c) From the net d) Never
12. What should you do if your opponents fail to reach the net after their return of serve? a) Lob over them b) Hit a drop shot c) Smash the ball d) Hit low to their feet
13. How should you play when you must hit up on the ball and opponents are at the net? a) Hit hard b) Hit softly c) Lob d) Smash
14. What is a common mistake when returning serve? a) Hitting too softly b) Aiming for the middle c) Failing to get to the net quickly d) Hitting a drop shot
15. When should you consider using a lob return of serve? a) When you have poor mobility b) When opponents are at the net c) When you want to surprise opponents d) When the serve is very fast
16. What should you do if given a high ball at the net? a) Dink it softly b) Hit it out of bounds c) Seize the opportunity to smash d) Let your partner take it
17. How should advanced players use dink shots? a) To hit winners b) To move opponents and create gaps c) To rest between points d) To practice their technique
18. What is the primary goal when one opponent is at the net and one is back? a) Hit to the player at the net b) Lob over both players c) Keep the back player from advancing d) Switch positions with your partner
19. Why is it important to avoid hitting high shots to players at the net? a) It's against the rules b) It gives them an easy attacking opportunity c) It's considered unsportsmanlike d) It makes the game less interesting
20. What is the key to success in doubles pickleball according to this guide? a) Hitting powerful shots b) Playing risky, unpredictable shots c) Consistent execution of high-percentage plays d) Focusing solely on defensive strategies
Answer Key:
- b
- c
- c
- d
- c
- c
- b
- c
- a
- c
- c
- d
- b
- c
- a
- c
- b
- c
- b
- c
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