University of Kwazulu-Natal

Eight Ways To Improve Your Pickleball Game

Bonisiwe Shabane
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eight ways to improve your pickleball game

Pickleball is growing fast, and if you're anything like the rest of us, you want to do more than just play. You want to get better.Whether you're brand new to the sport or you’ve already been bitten by the competitive bug, there are plenty of ways to level up your game. Here are eight practical ways to improve your skills and become a more confident, consistent player on the court. Ball machines are perfect for building consistency. They feed balls to the same spot over and over, so you can isolate your volleys, dinks, drives, and drops without chasing balls all over the place. Some machines even come with oscillating features, which mimic game-like movement to help you react and adjust on the fly.

Yes, they can be expensive, but the consistent reps might just be worth the investment if you're serious about improving. To improve from a beginner to advanced level player in pickleball you need to understand the fundamental strategies that are going to help you play efficiently and effectively. Barrett and Danea Bass will take you through an entire pickleball point and give you the top secret strategies to take you from beginner to advanced pickleball player. Depth and placement are the two most important strategies to improve your pickleball serve. Depth is the most important thing to think about when you're serving in pickleball, and is created through a combination of both speed and height. When the ball is crossing over the net, you want there to be some height so that as the ball gets deeper.

It will also cause a bounce that will be more difficult to handle than if the ball is nice and flat on that trajectory. You will want to aim with some margin over the net and let that ball be dipping as it nears the baseline. A great rule of thumb for serving is to serve to your opponent's non-paddle side. When you do that, they have to decide “do I hit a backhand?” or “do I run around this ball and hit a forehand?” If you've stepped onto a pickleball court, you likely understand the craze. The game is fun, fairly simple to learn, and works up a good sweat.

Plus, it's accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. Once you've mastered basic dinks, groundstrokes, and volleys, you may find yourself seeking advice on how to take your game to the next level. Verywell Fit looked to pro-Pickleballer, Catherine Parenteau, for tips on how to level up. Currently ranked #2 in Women's Singles and #3 in Women's Doubles, the former tennis player frequently instructs pickleball players of all ages and abilities. Here are her top tips. If you're a former (or current) tennis player, adjusting to the bounce serve can be tricky.

However, the strategy to keep the ball deep (and cross-court) before approaching the kitchen remains similar on the pickleball court. "This is an important technique to consider," states Parenteau. "Hitting a deep serve makes it more challenging for your opponents to get to the kitchen after the return. It can also help make your 3rd shot easier if the opposing player returns the ball short. " It can be hard to remember to stay put after your serve, but remember that the first two shots of every point in pickleball must bounce.

"This is why it is so important to make sure you are staying back with your partner after you serve," explains Parenteau. "On the other hand, when you are returning, you want to try to get to the kitchen as quickly as possible to join your partner who should already be up at the kitchen line! " Just remember, don't volley inside the kitchen. Maintaining a ready position allows you versatility and will enable you to hit a variety of shots, depending on how your opponent returns the ball. Parenteau emphasizes the importance of keeping your pickleball paddle up and ready. "You should always be ready with your paddle up in between each shot and anticipate that a powerful shot is coming your way.

I recommend being ready for the fast shot rather than the slow shot because you never know what you are going to get." It's also important to keep your knees bent and feet moving... Have you been thinking about other ways to improve your game beyond just hitting the court? We’ve carefully selected activities that directly impact your pickleball game for the better. Each activity is specifically selected to boost your stamina, agility, strength, and overall performance. We explain exactly why these exercises are game-changers for pickleball players. Plus, if you’re over 65, you can still benefit from these activities—just remember to pace yourself and listen to your body.

Yoga is fantastic for flexibility, balance, and mental focus. It helps keep your muscles stretched and free of injury. The mindfulness aspect of yoga can also improve your mental game, helping you stay calm and focused during intense matches. Pickleball Player Endorsement: “After dealing with plantar fasciitis and a back issue, I took up yoga. The stretches are amazing for my hips and really strengthen my arches and plantar fascia. Plus, the yoga flow does wonders for my hamstrings and calves, which also benefits my plantar fascia.”

Are you ready to take your pickleball game to the next level? Whether you're a seasoned player aiming for competitive play or a beginner eager to enhance your skills, we have some tips to help you improve your game. In this blog, we will cover 8 tips that can help you boost your performance and outplay your opponents. Are you ready to elevate your game? Let’s get started! Have the right equipmentThe first step to improving your game is investing in the right equipment.

Investing in a high-quality pickleball paddle is a game-changer for players of all levels, providing superior control, power, and accuracy. High-quality paddles are designed to withstand the rigors of regular play. Investing in durable gear also means fewer replacements and repairs, which saves you money over time. Many premium paddles are engineered with ergonomic designs and advanced materials that reduce strain on your hand and arm. Comfortable grip and balanced weight distribution enhance your play and minimize the risk of injuries. Leading brands also incorporate innovative technologies into their paddles, such as advanced materials and surface textures.

These features improve ball control and power, giving you an extra edge on the court. Check out some high-quality paddles from our paddle partners, Franklin and Wild Monkeys. Don't forget to use our exclusive offer for PicklePlay members. Use code WMPLAY20 for 20% off your Wild Monkeys order! And, use code CLUBPICKLEPLAY for 15% OFF your total Franklin purchase! 📘 The Ultimate Pickleball Improvement Guide Series – By Pro-Pickleball Store

🎯 Pickleball tips for intermediate players | Accuracy • Control • Consistency Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports, and players everywhere are looking for ways to improve their skills, level up their control, and dominate on the court. Whether you're new to the game or aiming to move beyond the basics, these 8 practical tips will help you steadily improve your pickleball skills in 2025. You don’t need fancy equipment to train smarter. Use cones, discs, or even chalk to mark targets on the court. Want to sharpen your dink shots?

Set targets in the non-volley zone (kitchen). Need to master deep serves and returns? Place markers near the baseline. Visual feedback during practice helps train your muscle memory and boosts your precision. It is no surprise that pickleball, at first sight, may be a bit difficult to some. We believe that anyone can learn how to really get the hang of the sport.

There are so many pickleball tips we can tell you about in great detail to help you improve. Becoming a great pickleball player means more than just practicing all your shots, as there are little habits that you can use on and off the ball to truly become an excellent player. Here are our 25 pickleball tips for you to improve your pickleball game. To help minimize this risk of leaving too much space unprotected, always keep a constant distance away from your teammate while also moving and stopping in whichever direction they shift. For example, if your teammate decides to move exactly six steps up the court, walk exactly six steps as well as they are doing this. To truly immerse yourself in the habit of walking in sync with your teammate, practice it before games by walking and then running to areas such as the net and kitchen and back to...

The pattern caused by continually doing this exercise will help you be more alert in getting the ball. Teamwork is always important when playing pickleball, and therefore you must keep communicating with your teammate to avoid confusion that can lead to errors. Be sure to communicate both verbally and through gestures, especially when deciding who takes a shot, whether the ball is in or out of play for your teammate, and other key moments. Pickleball improvement tips and strategies are in high demand as the sport continues to grow in popularity. Whether someone is just starting or already plays regularly, there are simple and effective ways to get better. These eight tips can help players of all levels become more confident and skilled.

Using a ball machine is one of the best ways to build consistency. These machines feed the ball to the same spot repeatedly. This helps players work on their dinks, drops, volleys, and drives without chasing balls. Many machines also move the ball side to side, helping players react to game-like situations. Though they can be expensive, the steady practice they provide makes them a good option for serious players. Players don’t need expensive pickleball equipment to practice.

Simple items like cones, discs, or water bottles can be used as targets. To improve dinks, place targets near the kitchen. To work on serves or returns, aim for targets near the baseline. Practicing with targets builds better aim and focus. Pickleball is a sport that is growing in popularity all the time. If you’re looking to improve your pickleball game, here are six tips to help you get started!

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Pickleball is growing fast, and if you're anything like the rest of us, you want to do more than just play. You want to get better.Whether you're brand new to the sport or you’ve already been bitten by the competitive bug, there are plenty of ways to level up your game. Here are eight practical ways to improve your skills and become a more confident, consistent player on the court. Ball machines a...

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Yes, they can be expensive, but the consistent reps might just be worth the investment if you're serious about improving. To improve from a beginner to advanced level player in pickleball you need to understand the fundamental strategies that are going to help you play efficiently and effectively. Barrett and Danea Bass will take you through an entire pickleball point and give you the top secret s...

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It will also cause a bounce that will be more difficult to handle than if the ball is nice and flat on that trajectory. You will want to aim with some margin over the net and let that ball be dipping as it nears the baseline. A great rule of thumb for serving is to serve to your opponent's non-paddle side. When you do that, they have to decide “do I hit a backhand?” or “do I run around this ball a...

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Plus, it's accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. Once you've mastered basic dinks, groundstrokes, and volleys, you may find yourself seeking advice on how to take your game to the next level. Verywell Fit looked to pro-Pickleballer, Catherine Parenteau, for tips on how to level up. Currently ranked #2 in Women's Singles and #3 in Women's Doubles, the former tennis player frequently ins...

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However, the strategy to keep the ball deep (and cross-court) before approaching the kitchen remains similar on the pickleball court. "This is an important technique to consider," states Parenteau. "Hitting a deep serve makes it more challenging for your opponents to get to the kitchen after the return. It can also help make your 3rd shot easier if the opposing player returns the ball short. " It ...