4 Simple Pickleball Playing Tips to Improve your Game

Pickleball (a combination of ping pong, tennis and badminton), is one of the many racquet sports that Superstition Mountain club members are able to enjoy when taking a break from our private golf course in Arizona. Played on a tennis court, the fun pastime is great for competitors of any skill level. 

Here are four simple pickleball tips to improve your game: 

1. Serve in the Middle
With a small court, players have three available areas to serve: the middle, cross court and directly in front of you. With the center of the net being lower, serving here is easier and more consistent, and if playing doubles, playing the middle can cause confusion between opposing teams.

2. Be Patient
As tempting as it is to hit each ball as hard as possible just to return the ball over the net, being calm, cool and collected during play will pay huge dividends. A tactful and patient approach will help you outmaneuver the opposition.

3. Utilize the “Dink” Shot
Often referred to as a drop shot, the “dink” shot should be a part of every pickleball player’s arsenal. The soft shot and barely clears the net is a great way to change the pace of a game and capitalize on an opponent who is too far away from the ball.

4. Communicate
This only applies when playing doubles pickelball, but effective communication can make or break a match with your teammate. In any double racquet sport, interactions with your teammate can be used to call-out your shot by using “mine” or “yours” (this comes in handy when the ball plays towards the middle and both players are nearby) and help with line calls and yelling “in” or “out” depending on where the ball is projected to land. This can help your teammate disregard a play if the ball is going out of bounds or set them up for their next shot.

Pickleball is a fun game that is easily accessible to anyone who can hold a racquet. Test out these tips on during your next match and you might be on your way to becoming a pickleball pro!