Strategies for pickleball

Here are a few pickleball (doubles) strategies

• Learn the third shot drop (you serve, it returned and you return the third shot)
• Get to the kitchen/ non-volley line after the third shot
• Practice to hit drop shots (hit the ball softly over the net so it lands short in the kitchen)
• Try to keep the opponents pinned to the baseline
• Serve deep (with more depth)
• Pickleball is not about power, is about placing the shot
• Move together with your partner
• Communicate with your partner
• Don’t get excited (be patient and focus on the ball and your shot)
• On backhand returns, serve deep
• Hit low (at your opponent's feet)
• Learn to keep the ball low (One of the hardest things to learn in pickleball)

---

Keeping the ball low is one of the most difficult shots in pickleball, and also one of the most effective.

The serve. The serve is where you have the most control and serving deep consistently and with accuracy will give you an edge throughout the game.

Another tip is the deep return of the second shot - the return of serve should be returned deep, just like the serve, and close to the baseline at your opponent's side of the court.

Before a game, be ready mentally and physically, remember, you are likely playing with others at your same level, so should have the mental confidence to play a good game, physically, if don't feel your best, if you are tired or dehydrated, take a step back and ask yourself if you should sit this one out?

We welcome the participation of our readers to offer comments and more strategy suggestions.

ENGAGE