Pickleball has rapidly gained popularity as a fun and accessible sport for players of all ages and skill levels. It offers a unique and exciting experience combining elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced player, there are always ways to elevate your game.

1. Understand The Terminology

As with any sport, knowing typical pickleball language allows you to communicate effectively. Terms such as “dink,” “drive,” “third shot drop” and “stacking” might sound foreign to beginners, but they hold the key to unlocking important tactics on the court.

Here are a few basic terms to get you started:

• Dink – A soft shot played near the net, aiming to place the ball over the net and into the opponent’s non-volley zone gently.
• Drive – A fast and flat shot, usually hit with power and speed, intended to keep opponents on the defensive.
• Third shot – The shot played after the serve and return, typically aimed at setting up a favorable position at the net for you and your partner.
• Non-volley zone or “kitchen” – The area on both sides of the net where players aren’t allowed to hit the ball in the air (volley). This zone extends 7 feet from the net on either side.
• Poach – When a player quickly moves across the court to intercept a ball intended for their partner.

2. Master The Basics

Before diving into advanced techniques, ensure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. Focus on your grip, stance, and basic strokes like the dink, drive and smash. A strong foundation will make incorporating harder maneuvers into your gameplay easier.

3. Watch And Learn

Watch professional pickleball matches or your more experienced friends to observe advanced strategies. Analyze the movements, shot selections and decision-making of experienced players to gain insights you can incorporate into your own game.

4. Develop A Consistent Serve

The serve is a crucial aspect of pickleball, setting the tone for each point. Work on developing a consistent and accurate serve to gain an early advantage in the game. Practice different types of serves — such as the underhand, topspin and slice — to keep your opponents guessing.

5. Improve Your Footwork

Efficient footwork is essential in pickleball, allowing you to reach shots more effectively and maintain better court positioning. Practice agility drills to enhance your movement on the court, enabling you to react quickly to your opponent’s shots and maintain control during rallies.

Incorporate the following drills into your warm-up routine to improve agility on the court:

• Cone weaves
• Shuttle runs
• Agility hurdles
• Box jumps
• Reaction ball training
• Crossover steps
• Quick feet drill
• Balancing exercises

6. Focus On Positioning

Understanding proper court positioning is key to gaining a strategic advantage. Learn when to move forward for an offensive shot and when to fall back for defensive plays. By mastering court positioning, you’ll be able to control the pace of the game and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses.

7. Always Communicate

If you’re playing doubles, effective communication with your partner is crucial. Develop a system of signals or calls to coordinate your movements and cover the court efficiently. Clear communication can prevent confusion and help you and your partner make split-second decisions during the match.

8. Mix Up Your Shots

Keep your opponents on their toes by incorporating a variety of shots into your game. Experiment with lobs, drops and spins to add some unpredictability to your play. A diverse shot selection can make it challenging for opponents to anticipate your next move.

9. Stay Mentally Tough

Pickleball can be as much a mental game as a physical one, but adding new activities to your routine can refresh your mind and energize you. Stay focused, remain positive and learn to bounce back from mistakes.

Developing mental resilience will improve your performance and impact your team dynamics in doubles play. While pickleball may be mentally challenging at times, it boosts mood-enhancing chemicals, elevating your mood and relieving anxiety.

Take Your Game Up A Notch

Every professional pickleball player was once a novice, but practice makes progress. Keep these tips in mind next time you’re on the court and watch your skills shine.