Pickleball Advanced Shots: Elevate Your Game with These Killer Techniques

Ready to up your pickleball game? Let’s talk about some cool advanced shots that’ll make you a force on the court.

Pickleball isn’t just about basic hits. You can master 14 different types of pickleball shots to improve your game and keep your opponents guessing. These range from tricky serves to sneaky dinks and powerful smashes.

Want to really surprise your rivals? Try mixing things up with some specialty shots. A well-placed dink or a high lob can throw off even skilled players. With practice, you’ll be pulling off these moves like a pro in no time.

Fundamentals of Pickleball Shots

Mastering basic pickleball shots is key to improving your game. These core techniques form the foundation for more advanced plays and strategies.

The Serve

The serve starts every point in pickleball. You must hit the ball diagonally across the court, clearing the non-volley zone. A good serve can set you up for success.

Stand behind the baseline with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the paddle in front of your body. Then, toss the ball up slightly and hit it with an upward motion.

Aim for depth in your serve. Try to land the ball close to your opponent’s baseline. This makes it harder for them to attack.

Different types of serves include the basic serve, power serve, and lob serve. Practice each to add variety to your game.

The Return of Serve

Returning serve is crucial in pickleball. A solid return can neutralize your opponent’s advantage and put you in control.

Be ready in an athletic stance. Then, watch the server closely and move your feet to get in position early.

Try to hit your return deep. This pushes your opponents back and gives you time to move forward.

Avoid hitting the ball too high. A high return is easy for your opponents to attack.

Mix up your returns. Sometimes hit deep, sometimes short. This keeps your opponents guessing.

The Dink

The dink is a soft shot that just clears the net and lands in the kitchen. It’s a key shot in pickleball strategy.

To dink, use a loose grip and a gentle motion. Let the paddle face guide the ball over the net.

Aim to land your dinks close to the net. This makes it hard for your opponents to attack.

Stay low when dinking. This helps you react quickly to your opponent’s shots.

Practice dinking from different spots on the court. You’ll need to dink from various positions during a game.

The Volley

Volleying means hitting the ball out of the air before it bounces. It’s a fast-paced shot that can catch your opponents off guard.

Keep your paddle up and in front of you. This helps you react quickly to incoming shots.

Use a short, punchy motion for volleys. You don’t need a big backswing.

Aim your volleys down into your opponents’ court. This makes it harder for them to return the ball.

Practice both forehand and backhand volleys. You’ll need both during a game. Also, remember that you can’t volley in the kitchen, so always be aware of where you’re standing on the court.

Defensive Shots Mastery

Mastering defensive shots in pickleball can help you turn the tables on your opponents. These shots allow you to regain control of rallies and set up winning opportunities.

The Lob

The lob is a key defensive shot in pickleball. You use it to buy time when you’re out of position or to push your opponents back from the kitchen line.

To hit an effective lob, do the following:

1. Get low and use an underhand swing
2. Aim high over your opponents’ heads
3. Try to land the ball deep in the court

Practice lobs with a partner to improve your accuracy. A good lob can frustrate aggressive players and force errors.

Be careful not to overuse lobs. Mix them in with other shots to keep your opponents guessing.

The Overhead Smash

When your opponents lob the ball, you can counter with an overhead smash. This powerful shot can end points quickly.

To execute a strong overhead:

• Track the ball as it rises
• Position yourself under it
• Use a throwing motion with your paddle

Timing is crucial. Wait for the ball to drop to a comfortable height before striking. Then, aim for open court areas or your opponents’ feet.

Practice overhead smashes regularly to build confidence. A well-placed smash can be a game-changer.

Third Shot Drop vs Drive

The third shot is critical in pickleball. You have two main options: the drop or the drive.

The drop shot is softer and lands in the kitchen. It helps you:

• Move forward to the net
• Reset fast-paced rallies
• Avoid giving your opponents attacking chances

The drive is a harder, flatter shot. Use it when:

• Your opponents are out of position
• You spot an opening in the court
• You want to keep your opponents back

Choose between drops and drives based on the situation. Mixing up your third shots keeps your opponents off balance.

Practice both options to improve your versatility. Good third shots set you up for success in the rest of the rally.

Offensive Strategies

Attacking effectively in pickleball requires skill and strategy. By creating angles, targeting weaknesses, and using smart positioning, you can put pressure on your opponents and win more points.

Creating Angles

Advanced dink strategies help you create tricky angles. Mix up your shots to keep opponents guessing. Use cross-court shots to open up the court. This gives you more room to work with.

Try these angle-creating tips:
• Hit the ball just over the net at sharp angles
• Use side spin to make the ball curve
• Aim for the corners to pull opponents out of position

Practice hitting to different spots on the court. This will improve your accuracy and make your shots less predictable.

Targeting Weaknesses

Watch your opponents closely to spot their weak points. Then exploit those weaknesses with your shots.

Common weaknesses to target:
• Backhand side (for most players)
• Low shots (if they struggle to get down)
• High balls (if they have trouble overhead)

Short returns give you a chance to be aggressive. When you get a weak return, attack it hard. Hit drive shots to push opponents back. Then follow up with a quick volley to win the point.

Stacking and Switching

Stacking means lining up on one side of the court at the start of a point. This lets you and your partner play your stronger sides more often.

To stack:

1. Both start on the same side
2. One player crosses over after serving/returning
3. You end up covering your better sides

Switching involves changing positions during a point. This can confuse opponents and let you cover weaknesses.

Practice these moves with your partner. Good teamwork is key for stacking and switching to work well. Use hand signals to communicate your plans quickly during a game.

Shot Selection

Picking the right shot at the right time can give you an edge in pickleball. Two advanced shots that can throw off your opponents are the Erne and the Around-the-Post shot. These shots require practice but can be game-changers when used well.

The Erne

The Erne is a surprise move where you step around the non-volley zone to hit the ball in the air. It’s named after Erne Perry, who made this shot famous. To do an Erne:

1. Watch for a shot that’s going to bounce near the kitchen line.
2. Move quickly to the side of the court.
3. Step around the non-volley zone.
4. Volley the ball before it bounces.

This shot can catch your opponents off guard. It’s great for putting away weak returns. But be careful – if you miss, you might end up in the kitchen.

Practice timing your Erne shots to improve your success rate. Start slowly and build up speed as you get more comfortable.

The Around-the-Post Shot

The Around-the-Post (ATP) shot is a clever way to win a point when the ball is wide. You hit the ball around the net post instead of over the net. To nail this shot:

1. Move quickly to the sideline.
2. Keep your paddle face open.
3. Use a smooth, controlled motion.
4. Guide the ball around the post.

Don’t try to hit the ATP too hard. Control is more important than power for this shot. It’s a great option when you’re pulled wide and can’t hit over the net.

Practice this shot from different angles. It can be a real game-changer when used at the right moment.

Advanced Techniques

Mastering advanced pickleball techniques can take your game to the next level. These skills will help you outsmart opponents and gain a competitive edge on the court.

Spin Shots

Spin shots add complexity to your game and can throw off your opponents. You can add topspin by brushing up on the ball, or backspin by brushing down.

To execute a topspin shot, angle your paddle slightly upward and brush the ball from low to high. This makes the ball dip faster after crossing the net.

For backspin, angle your paddle downward and brush the ball from high to low. This creates a floating effect and can make the ball stop short.

Practice spin shots during drills to improve your control and accuracy. Start with gentle spins and gradually increase the intensity as you get better.

Disguising Shots

Disguising your shots keeps your opponents guessing and off-balance. You can fake one shot and hit another to catch them off guard.

One effective technique is the fake dink. Set up as if you’re going to dink, but at the last moment, pop the ball over your opponent’s head.

Another trick is changing your paddle angle just before contact. This can alter the direction of your shot unexpectedly.

You can also use your body positioning to mislead. Face one direction but hit the ball to another spot on the court.

Practice these deceptive moves regularly to make them smooth and convincing. Remember, the key is to make your fake look as real as possible.

Conditioning for Shot Execution

Want to nail those advanced pickleball shots? You’ll need to work on your physical conditioning.

Focus on exercises that boost your agility, strength, and endurance.

Start with footwork drills. Practice quick side-to-side movements and forward-backward sprints. This will help you get into position faster for those tricky shots.

Don’t forget about your core! A strong core is key for balance and power. Try planks, Russian twists, and medicine ball rotations.

Arm and shoulder exercises are crucial too. Use resistance bands to mimic pickleball strokes. This builds muscle memory and strength for consistent shot execution.

Key areas to target:

• Legs (for quick movements)
• Core (for stability)
• Arms and shoulders (for power and control)

Incorporate plyometric exercises like jump squats and burpees. These explosive movements translate well to pickleball’s fast-paced nature.

Remember to practice specific shot drills too. Set up targets on the court and work on hitting them consistently. This combines physical conditioning with skill development.

Stay hydrated and listen to your body. Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts to avoid injury.

Drills for Shot Improvement

Want to take your pickleball game up a notch? Try these drills to improve your advanced shots.

For the third shot drop, practice the Charmin Drill. Have a partner at the kitchen line while you’re at the baseline. Hit controlled drops to soften the pace and approach the net.

To master the around the post (ATP) shot, try these drills:

1. Wide Shot Recovery: Get a partner to hit wide shots to both sides. Move quickly to the sideline and position yourself for an ATP.
2. Target Practice: Set up cones along the sideline and aim for specific angles.
3. Footwork Agility: Work on quick side-to-side movements to reach those tricky shots.

For overhead smashes, practice at the kitchen line. Extend your paddle over your head and hit hard towards the ground on the opposite side.

To improve your spin shots, start with stationary practice. Once you’re comfortable, add movement to challenge yourself further.

Mental Game and Shot Confidence

Your mental game is key to success in pickleball. When you step on the court, you need to be ready both physically and mentally.

Confidence in your shots is crucial. Trust your skills and the hours you’ve put into practice. Even pros miss shots sometimes, but don’t let mistakes shake your confidence.

Emotional investment in each point can boost your performance. Get engaged in the game, but stay focused on what you can control.

Try these mental game tips:

• Take deep breaths between points
• Visualize successful shots
• Use positive self-talk
• Focus on the present, not past mistakes

Balance aggression and patience in your play. Wait for the right moment to attack. Construct points carefully instead of going for winners too early.

Practice aggressive third-shot drops to surprise opponents. This shot combines control and attack, giving you an edge.

Remember, your mental game is just as important as your physical skills. Work on both to become a more complete player.