Changing These 3 Little Things Will Improve Your Pickleball

Want to improve your Pickleball skills but don't know where to start? Sometimes, just changing these 3 small things will improve your Pickleball skills significantly. Join PicklePlay.Vn to discover simple tips to improve your playing skills.

Rule #1: There is only one mistake that will cost you points.

In pickleball, there are three common types of errors:

1. Hit the ball out or too long
2. High ball (creates opportunity for opponent to finish)
3. Low ball into the net

Of these three errors, there is only one that is 100% sure to cost you points, and that is the ball hitting the net.

Yes, there is another mistake you can make which is missing the ball completely, but we won't discuss that here.

If you hit the ball too high or out of bounds, your opponent can still make a mistake in returning or mishitting the ball, giving you another chance to play. However, if the ball hits the net and lands back on you, the game is over and you lose the point.

No matter what style you prefer to play – soft drop or hard hit – your top priority is always to get the ball over the net.

It sounds simple, but so many players are trying to hit hard or hit the perfect smash that they forget this basic thing. If you find yourself struggling to drop the ball, aim higher instead of trying to hit it perfectly. Just get the ball over the net and you have a chance to keep going.

Rule #2: Don't Play by Routine

Players today are much better at dealing with the acceleration shot – at least the first shot. However, many amateurs still struggle with the second, third, or fourth return.

The reason is that after returning the first acceleration shot, many people have the habit of lowering the racket as if that shot will end the play. When the ball comes back, the incorrect grip makes it difficult for them to handle, leading to missed or slow shots.

We should always be mentally prepared that the ball will come back after every shot.

Changing this way of thinking will help us to be ready for every next shot, shorten our strokes and execute more effective volleys.

Rule #3: Be Better Prepared

We're not talking about waking up at 4am and having a full breakfast before hitting the field.

Still, that's not a bad idea.

Good preparation in pickleball means:

• Place the racket in the correct position
• Move your legs more flexibly
• Polishing with a clear goal

Now, we will go through each of these points.

Prepare the racket early

Preparing your racket early means placing your racket in position before you think the ball will come, rather than waiting for the ball to come and then moving your racket.

Many people often prepare their racket too late, causing inaccurate ball contact.

Move your feet before using your hands.

Always move your feet first before using your arms to grab the ball. If you just reach out or lunge, you may cause the ball to bounce and be easily returned by your opponent. Instead, focus on moving your feet first to get into position.

The best starting position is to be on your toes and slightly bent at the knees, ready to move back and forth or side to side. Even if you’re not very agile, try to take an extra step to get closer to the ball. Moving properly will help you stay balanced and hit the ball more reliably.

Think about where you want to hit the ball before you hit it.

Before you start a match, think about where you want to hit the ball when you enter the match. Even if you don't know your opponent, there are some areas where people often have trouble.

For example, you can try to hit the ball to the opponent's left side, hit it deep into the court, or aim for the inside foot of the right fielder.

If you focus on just these three spots and try to hit about 75% of your shots in those areas, you will play well on a regular basis.

You can also adjust your strategy as you learn more about your competitors or if you know their strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusion

With just these 3 small changes , you can significantly improve your Pickleball level. Practice persistently to see a clear difference.