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Pickleball Tips to Get Better
Pickleball is a game of strategies and techniques. Therefore, the person who can master pickleball techniques will be the king/queen of the match.
You might have watched various pickleball tutorials that show how to get better at pickleball or how to improve pickleball games. But these tutorials are mostly focused on only the basic pickleball techniques.
To help you become a pro and a master at this game, we have enlisted the 10 pickleball tips and tricks. So without further ado, let’s get into the fun stuff!
Change Your Grip
The first pickleball tip we have for you is to change your grip every once in a while. This will keep you from getting into a rut, and you will be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move.
Changing your grip can also make your pickleball game more interesting, as it adds a new dimension to the game. You can also switch between backhand, forehand, and mixed grips.
Let’s take a quick look at different sorts of pickleball grips that you can try.
- Eastern Pickleball Grip – Eastern grip is a neutral grip as it can be used for both backhand and forehand shots. It is the modified version of the continental grip, so if you have previously used the continental grip, it would be easy for you to adapt to the eastern one.
- Western Pickleball Grip – Western grip is ideal for hitting a forehand shot and generating a topspin. You just have to hold the paddle like you are holding a frying pan to use this grip.
- Continental Pickleball Grip – This grip is similar to the grip that is used by tennis players. It involves placing your index fingers on top of the paddle and your thumb on the bottom. In the end, the grip should be similar to your grip on the hammer when you’re about to hit the nail. This grip is often used for the volleys and overheads.
Since all grips have different purposes and are used for different shorts, it is wise to switch between different grips while playing the game. For instance, if you are about to make a forehand stroke with a topspin, use the western grip.
Know the Scoring System
It is important to have complete knowledge of the scoring system if you don’t want to get confused by all the different numbers in your next pickleball game. It helps you to keep track of the game.
If you have previously played tennis, you need not worry much about the scoring system. However, it is not completely the same since a pickleball game ends when a team has made eleven points with a two-point score lead.
If the score is tied at 10-10, play continues until one team has a two-point lead. In doubles play, only the serving team can score points, while in singles play, either player can score points.
A point is scored when the serving team wins a rally. This usually happens when the receiving team has committed a fault.
Perfect Your Serve
This is a huge key to success in pickleball. How can you win a match if you don’t know how to serve in pickleball? It is the most important part of the game, so perfect your serve and make sure it’s hit in the direction where you want it to go.
These are a few things you can do to improve your service.
- Have a good grip: The grip you use for services can have a big impact on the speed and positioning of the ball. Experiment with different grips to find what works best for you.
- Focus on tossing the ball: A good toss is crucial for a good serve. Make sure to toss the ball up and out in front of you. This will give you more time to get into position and hit the ball properly.
- Position your wrist: To add spin to your serve, try using your wrist to flick the ball as you hit it. This can help you hit topspin or slice serves easily.
- Position your feet and legs: Your serve is powered by your legs and feet, so make sure to position them correctly when you serve. Correct positioning will help you generate more power and control.
- Practice: The best way to perfect your service is to practice as much as you can. Find a partner and take turns serving each other. This will develop perfect service and will also improve accuracy.
Dink is Your Key to Success
This is one of the most essential pickleball tricks. Dink is a soft and low shot that is hit over the net. A dink lands near the net on the opposite side. It is typically used as a defensive shot for the opponent’s offensive strategy and to keep the ball in play.
Dink shots can be effective in a variety of situations, such as when the opponent is in the non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) or when the opponent is trying to hit a powerful shot.
No doubt, dink is one of the best pickleball techniques as it helps the player to disrupt the opponent’s momentum and put them on the defensive.
To hit a dink shot, the player should hold the paddle close to the ground and make a short, chopping motion to hit the ball softly. The ball should be hit with a slight upward angle to allow it to clear the net and land near the opponent’s baseline.
Keep your eyes on the ball
This tip is essential for having a better pickleball game. As you are hitting the ball, keep your eyes on it at all times. Not only will this keep you from hitting the ball into the net accidentally, but you will also be able to anticipate your opponent’s next move.
To get a better understanding, let’s have a quick look at the reasons why you should keep your eyes on the ball;
- To improve your reaction time: By keeping your eye on the ball, you will be able to see where it is going and be ready to react when it comes your way. This can help you get to the ball faster and make better shots.
- To analyze your opponent’s shots: By analyzing your opponent’s strokes, you can get a better sense of their techniques and strategies. This can help you position yourself better on the court and make better shots.
- To avoid injury: By keeping your eye on the ball, you can also avoid hitting yourself, other players, or objects on the court. This can help prevent potential injuries and keep the game safe for everyone.
Remember, the ball doesn’t keep moving once you hit it, so you have to focus on it the entire time so that you can make a good return.
Don’t Take Everything Seriously
The next pickleball tip is to not take everything so seriously. This is a good way to stay relaxed, and you will also be able to enjoy the game more.
If you are too serious while playing, you will miss out on the fun and also lose your concentration. Try to relax and enjoy the game while staying focused, but don’t take it too seriously.
Try to look at pickleball as a form of exercise or meditation, which will help you stay relaxed while playing. If you don’t stay relaxed, you might get panicked which is never a good idea.
Learn the Pickleball Rules by Heart
Whatever game you are about to play, you need to learn the pickleball rules by heart. National and international authorities make rules for pickleball.
The national authority is known as the USAPA or USA Pickleball Association. You can download the pickleball rulebook of the USAPA from their website.
If you can’t memorize all of the pickleball rules, then at least remember these;
- The serve has to be made by the server when the server is standing on the baseline. Also, the ball has to be thrown toward the diagonal side of the court.
- The serve has to be made underhand.
- The game is played either by two or four players. The game is either called doubles or singles depending on the number of players.
- According to the double bounce rule, a player must bounce once on the server’s side of the court and once on the receiver’s side of the court before it can be hit by the receiver.
- The ball must land within the boundaries of the court on the opponent’s side for a point to be scored. If the ball goes out of bounds or is hit into the net, the other team scores a point.
- The first team to score 11 points and lead by at least two points wins the game. If the score reaches 10-10, play continues until one team leads by two points.
Keep on Experimenting
You must keep on experimenting if you want to go ahead in the world of pickleball. keep on experimenting to improve pickleball. There are many ways that you can experiment and improve your pickleball skills. Here are a few suggestions:
- Practice different types of shots: In pickleball, it is important to be able to hit a variety of shots, including lobs, drives, dinks, and volleys. Practice hitting these shots in different situations to develop your skills.
- Experiment with the different positions of footwork: Good footwork is vital to ace the pickleball. Where to stand in pickleball? Experiment with different positions for moving quickly and efficiently around the court, and focus on getting into position to hit the ball.
- Practice with different partners: Playing with different partners can help you develop your skills and improve your game. Try practicing with players of different skill levels to challenge yourself and learn new strategies.
- Use different equipment: This is an important one as different paddles and balls can affect the way the ball bounces and how it feels when you hit it. Try out different equipment to see what works best for you.
Get the Paddle that Fit Your Grip
This is again a tip that a lot of players overlook but is very much needed. The grip on the paddle is very important in pickleball.
And you can’t change it at the last moment unlike the racket to hit harder. So when you’re buying your paddle, make sure that the grip is comfortable for you.
Make sure you get a grip that feels good in your hands and gives you a firm grip. And the last thing we want you to remember is that pickleball is a game that requires a lot of physical effort.
Practice Makes Perfect
Our last pickleball tip is to practice, practice, and practice! Practice is the key to success in anything you want to do. But when it comes to pickleball, the more you practice, the better you will get at it.
Pickleball is a game of tactics that requires a lot of patience. So the more you play it, the more you will be able to identify and solve the problems that you face.
Therefore, try to practice every day or at least four days a week, and make sure you’re playing in a way that’s fun for you. You can also practice with a partner to build your communication and team-building skills.
Bottom Line
Now that you know the best pickleball tips, you can start improving your game. It might take a little time, but with patience and practice, you will become a better pickleball player.
We hope you find these tips helpful, and we would love to read your tips in the comment section.
Related Articles:
- The 15 Pickleball Tips For Intermediate Players You Need to Know
- 8 Simple Pickleball Tips For Beginners To Quickly Improve In-Game
- How To Keep The Ball Low In Pickleball: 11 Steps Low-ball Keeping
- Pickleball Ready Time: Paddle Position & Body Preparation
- How To Hit a Pickleball Harder: Topspin Hitting Technique
