Pickleball Tips

These are tips for every level of pickleball play.  I'm not saying I do all of these things all of the time. I'm working on them!

1. Ready position should be with the paddle pointing toward the ball as opponents play it. This is called "tracking the ball." The opposite hand should not touch the paddle.
2. Serves should be deep.  Try to aim for the back third of the court.
3. After serving, stay back -- behind the baseline -- ready for the return.  It's easier to step forward than to backpedal.
4. Returns should be deep (to the back third) to keep the serving team back.
5. Move to the NVZ line after return. The receiving team starts with one player at the non-volley zone (NVZ, or kitchen.)  The other player should move toward the kitchen line after returning serve.  Don't need to run, but make your way to the line after one or two shots.  BOTH players should be at the NVZ. 
6. Servers' second shot (the third shot of the rally) should be soft into the kitchen.  This is called a "third shot drop."  The serving team should then move toward the kitchen line.  A hard shot will be easily handled by the opponents if THEY are at the NVZ.
7. Hit softly when hitting upward below the net tape.  Hit hard only when hitting downward, and then only with 70% of full power.   MOST shots should be SOFT.  Better to keep the ball in play.  "Dinking" is a weapon!
8. Hit with LESS power and more CONTROL.  Best shots are placed in opponents' feet rather than simply hit hard. 
9. "Shade" toward the side of the court where the ball is being played.  Protect the sideline on that side of the court.  Do not stand in the middle of your half of the court all of the time!
10. Poaching your partner's forehand should be RARE.  Exceptions are your team shading to the left, anticipating a shot down the left court's sideline.  A ball may be hit toward the center and then the RIGHT side player has a better shot with a backhand.  
11. Backhand shot from the baseline should be made stepping forward with the paddle-side foot and swinging from the shoulder, not facing the net and swinging with the elbow ("chicken wing.")
12. Make "out" calls immediately and clearly.  Hesitation or uncertainty indicates the ball should be called "IN."  For example, if a player turns to partner and says, "I think it was out," that means the call should be "IN."  It's OK to turn to your partner and say, "I didn't see it," and then depend on partner's call, which will be "OUT" only if the ball was seen as clearly out. It's OK to ask your opponents if neither you nor your partner saw the ball hit the court and to ask if they can call it, but then you have to accept their call.