The essential Pickleball shots

Start the rally well

• Serve A controlled diagonal serve that clears the net and lands deep. Treat it as the start of the point, not a winner.
• Return A deep return gives you time to reach the kitchen line and makes the serving team hit their next ball under pressure.
• Third-shot drop A soft shot that arcs into the opponents’ kitchen, helping the serving team move forward safely.
• Third-shot drive A firmer ball aimed through a gap or at an opponent’s feet. It works best when it creates an easier next ball, not when it is forced.

Win the kitchen exchange

• Dink A soft, controlled shot that lands in the kitchen. Dinks keep the ball low and invite a patient, tactical rally.
• Volley A shot taken before the bounce, usually from just behind the kitchen line. Keep it compact and aim low.
• Block A short, stable response to a fast drive. Soften the paddle face rather than swinging hard back at the ball.
• Reset A neutralising soft shot that puts the ball back in the kitchen when the rally is getting too fast for you.

Change the pace with purpose

• Speed-up A surprise faster ball from a dink rally. Aim at a body, hip or open space only when you are balanced and the ball is high enough.
• Lob A high ball over opponents at the kitchen line. Use it sparingly and deep enough that it does not become an easy overhead.
• Overhead A controlled downward finish. Placement and recovery matter more than trying to hit the ball as hard as possible.
• Cross-court dink The longer diagonal path gives you more margin above the net and is a useful default when you are under pressure.

A simple practice order

1. Practise ten deep serves and returns on each side of the court.
2. Dink cross-court with a partner, aiming for height, depth and consistency before pace.
3. Add third-shot drops from the baseline and move forward behind the ball.
4. Finish with a short game where the only goal is to reach the kitchen line together.

Common questions