The Best Way to Play Pickleball: Tips for Crafting a Smarter, Sharper Game

What is the Best Way to Play Pickleball?

Beyond the Basics: Crafting a Smarter, Sharper Game

Ask ten pickleball players what the “best way” to play the sport is, and you’ll likely hear ten different answers. Some swear by soft dinks and patient resets. Others dominate with quick reflexes and aggressive drives. Some play to win points. Others play not to lose them. What’s clear is that while there are many styles, the most effective approach combines strategy, consistency, and awareness.

Pickleball, deceptively simple on the surface, rewards players who understand both the physical mechanics and the mental nuance of the game. It’s not just about hitting the ball—it’s about knowing when, where, and why to hit it.

The best way to play pickleball, then, isn’t a single formula. It’s a framework: one that adapts to your skill level, playing style, opponents, and game situation.

1. Play Smart, Not Fast

New players often equate winning with power and speed. But in pickleball, fast hands and hard drives rarely win matches alone. The court is small. The paddle face is solid. Most points are won by controlling the pace, not by overpowering opponents.

Smart pickleball involves:

Keeping the ball low and in play.

Targeting opponents’ weaker side (usually the backhand).

Avoiding unnecessary risks, especially at critical moments.

One of the sport’s foundational strategies is to slow the game down—especially at the net. A soft dink that forces your opponent to bend, reset, or move sideways is often more effective than a flat, rushed shot.

2. Master the Soft Game

The kitchen, or non-volley zone, defines much of pickleball’s uniqueness. Success at the net doesn’t come from aggressive slams, but from controlled exchanges called dinks.

Learning to:

Dink consistently from both forehand and backhand sides.

Reset hard shots into soft landings near the net.

Outlast opponents in extended net battles.

These skills separate casual players from competitive ones. At higher levels, the soft game becomes a chess match. Players push each other wide, change speeds, and wait for the slightest error to attack.

3. Win the Net Battle

One of the clearest truths in pickleball: the team that controls the net controls the point. After the serve and return, the next priority should be getting to the kitchen line. From this position, players have better angles, faster reaction times, and a chance to dictate the rally.

Tips for effective net play:

Move up as a team in doubles—staying staggered leaves you vulnerable.

Use a split step as you approach, keeping you ready for quick reactions.

Keep your paddle high and in front—this reduces your reaction time on volleys.

Avoid hanging back. Unless you’re defending a lob or executing a third-shot drop, staying deep puts you at a disadvantage.

4. Develop a Reliable Third-Shot Drop

After the serve and return, the third shot is the most important moment of the rally. It’s your opportunity to transition from defense to offense. A well-executed third-shot drop—a soft shot that arcs into the kitchen—allows the serving team to approach the net without exposing themselves to attack.

Without this shot, you’re forced to either:

Stay back and concede net control.

Drive the ball and risk errors or counterattacks.

While driving the third shot can be effective against certain opponents, consistency in the drop is essential for long-term success. It neutralizes opponents and levels the playing field.

5. Communicate in Doubles Play

Pickleball is primarily a doubles game, and strong communication is often the deciding factor in close matches. Teams that move in sync, call shots clearly, and adjust strategy together win more rallies—even against technically stronger opponents.

Best practices:

Call “mine” or “yours” early and loud.

Establish rules for who covers the middle (usually the forehand player).

Talk between points. Discuss what’s working and what isn’t.

Avoid blaming or negative body language—doubles is a partnership, not a solo act.

Great communication makes average teams better and good teams nearly unbeatable.

6. Be Patient, Especially Under Pressure

Pickleball rewards players who stay composed. It’s easy to get frustrated after an unforced error or fall into panic mode during a long rally. But the best players know when to slow things down, reset the ball, and trust the rhythm of the game.

Patience is especially critical when facing:

Hard hitters: Let them overhit or make mistakes.

Dinkers: Wait for the opportunity before speeding up.

Lobs and resets: Don’t rush shots. Maintain balance and timing.

Keeping the ball in play, especially when tired or behind in score, is often the difference between losing and turning the game around.

7. Use Placement Over Power

A well-placed shot does more damage than a hard one. Most recreational players miss not because they’re outplayed—but because they’re outmaneuvered.

Smart placement involves:

Hitting at the opponent’s feet.

Targeting the transition zone (the area between the baseline and kitchen).

Moving opponents side to side to create openings.

Attacking seams—particularly between two doubles partners.

Precision makes power more dangerous. Without placement, power often ends up in the net or out of bounds.

8. Learn from Each Match

The best way to get better isn’t just by playing more—it’s by playing with awareness.

After games, ask:

What shots did I miss consistently?

Where did my opponents beat me?

What shot could I have used instead?

Did I rush or hesitate unnecessarily?

Use losses as data. Use wins as reinforcement. Improvement in pickleball is steady, not sudden.

9. Adapt to Your Opponent

No two games are the same. The best players adjust their approach based on who they’re facing.

Against power players: Slow the game down with drops and dinks. Let them make the errors.

Against soft players: Apply pressure. Drive the ball more and push them back.

Against lobbers: Stay back slightly and practice overheads.

Against scramblers: Be patient, hit into space, and wear them down.

Adaptability separates smart players from predictable ones.

Conclusion: Balance, Patience, and Purpose

The best way to play pickleball is not about winning every point or playing the perfect game. It’s about developing a balanced, thoughtful approach that puts you in position to succeed—physically, mentally, and strategically.

It means mastering fundamentals, respecting the value of soft shots, and knowing when to attack. It means moving with your partner, keeping your composure, and seeing the game as more than a race to 11.

Whether you’re playing to improve or simply playing for joy, the best way to play pickleball is to play with purpose. Because in a game measured in inches and moments, intention is everything.