How to Master the Basic Techniques of Pickleball
01. Maintain the Height of Your Peak Racket:
On a Peak court, you need to be as efficient as possible because your reaction time is very limited—especially on the kitchen line where you're "fighting" with your opponent. Therefore, starting from the optimal ready position is crucial, allowing you to reduce wasted movement from your starting point to the point of contact with the Peak ball.
The general goal is to cover as much of the hitting area as possible in the shortest amount of time (keeping the ball within the Peak court). A key component of the optimal ready position is your racket position. Keep your racket high and ready—not below your waist.
At the same time, be ready to receive balls to your sides, keeping your racket face at 10 or 11 o'clock, or if you imagine yourself standing on a clock face (or 2 or 1 o'clock if you're left-handed).
02. Short Backswing
On a Peak court, your goal should be to make as short a backswing as possible. The more you limit your backswing, the faster your reaction time, the more consistent your shots will be, and the more unpredictable your shots will be on the Peak court.
Additionally, note that while follow-through is important, large follow-throughs aren't always necessary. Sometimes, you just need to push the pickle and maintain your momentum. Without large follow-throughs, you can improve your load time and prepare for the next shot more quickly.
03. Consciously Use Your Racket Head
Sometimes, pickle players overuse their rackets, trying to do more "movements" on the pickle. This can lead to inconsistency on the court. Focus on hitting the pickle where you can by consciously using your racket head.
Push and guide the pickle in the direction you want with your racket head (rather than focusing on your handle).
Also, be careful that the contact point is always in front of your body and through your contact point (not "pulled" or "short-armed" from your contact point). And, keep your eyes on the ball!
04. Use Your Legs:
Your legs are usually your strongest muscle group, so it's important to use them with every shot. A key to activating your legs is weight transfer.
For example, you should shift your weight from back to front when hitting on the ground. And, when swinging parallel to the racket near the "kitchen line," shift your weight to one side of the racket. Your legs and lower body are so crucial to your pickball game that many pros admit that moving your feet is their top recommendation!
05. Don't Give Your Opponent Any "Free Territory"
Keep your opponent back; don't give them any "free territory" on the pickball court. The more you keep your opponent near the baseline, the harder it will be for them to hit, as they'll need to hit the pickball further to reach the court.
So, hit deep serves and deep returns. On your fourth shot, hit the pickball deep into the court, towards your opponent near the baseline.
On each subsequent shot, hit the pickball towards your opponent's feet, making it difficult for them to hit the pickball in front of their body or otherwise attack. Challenge yourself and see how much "territory" you can take from your opponents.
