Have you ever wondered what it is that makes the good players so, well, good? We’ve compiled a quick little list to help you out. Have something you’d like to add? Leave it in the comments below!
Playing Percentages. One of the things that separates levels of player is their ability to be consistent — to keep the ball in play. And while it’s true that increased consistency can be a result of good technique, it’s also true that consistency will go up when you make a smart choice about where you hit the ball. Strong players understand the geometry of the court as well as where they and their opponents are at any given time. This allows them to make good choices about where they hit the ball.
As an example, when in a dinking situation up near the kitchen, players will hit far more crosscourt dinks than down the line. This is because when you hit diagonally you’re heading over the lower part of the net and you give yourself a bigger target to hit to. This doesn’t mean they never dink down the line, of course, but all things being equal strong players will hit crosscourt as this gives them more margin for error and increases the likelihood that they’ll be successful.
Finishing Points. The best players are good at taking advantage of opportunities to end the point. When they receive balls above net height, they tend to be very good at hitting hard and on a downward trajectory (the latter being more important than the former). The ability to finish points is a critical skill since failing to do so allows your opponents back in the play and makes it more likely they can turn the tables on you. Advanced players see their opportunity and do something with it!
Advanced players are great at seeing an opportunity to end a point.
Defending with Drops. When beginning and novice players find themselves in trouble, they typically try to defend with a lob. They hit the ball high in the air believing that it will give them time to get back in the play and knowing that it’ll keep the ball far away from the net. Intermediate players recognize the trouble with this and the likelihood the opponents we had a smash and keep the pressure going. They will tend to try to hit a lower ball like a drive. Pros, on the other hand, understand that to really relieve the pressure they’re going to need to force their opponents to hit up on the ball. This will prevent them from being able to hit hard and still keep the ball and play. This is why when you see advanced players in trouble, they are typically looking to play a drop to reset the point and even out the playing field.
When in trouble, pros will try to use drops to reset the point.
Making a Plan (and sticking to it). Playing competitive Pickleball is like constantly trying to solve different problems. Your opponents are a problem / puzzle that you need to solve…but not all puzzles get solved the same way. Advanced players talk about their strategy for solving their different opponents and they stick to the plan — at least until they see it’s not working, at which point they need a new one.
Solid Decision-Making. Pickleball is considered an open-skilled sport because there are constantly decisions that need to be made. Every time you receive a ball the height, speed, spin, distance and direction is different from the ball before. Less skilled players struggle to make good decisions. This leads to them attempting low percentage shots, moving to the wrong place on the court or going for the wrong shot at the wrong time. Advanced players have a superior decision-making skills when it comes to where they are moving, where they’re hitting and the type of shot they will send.
Crosscourt dinks are more likely to be effective than down-the-line. Pros understand this and use them most of the time.
Efficient Movement. The limiting factor for most pickleball players is how well they move. You can have the nicest swing in the world but if you can’t get to the ball then you can’t use it. A good athletic look and the ability to recognize where they need to get to is a hallmark of advanced players. Not only are they quick when moving around the court, but they are efficient with their movement. This means moving as much as they need to without overdoing it. Less skilled players will often find themselves reaching for the ball or moving more than is necessary as they try to chase it down.
Expect the Attack. Pickleball is getting faster and this is evident anytime you watch strong players play. As a result, advanced players need to constantly be expecting a fast ball from their opponents. If you’re expecting the other team to hit a slow ball at you, you’ll be in for a rude surprise when all of the sudden they speed things up. Instead, expect every ball, they touch to be fast. This way, if it is fast you’ll be ready for action. And if it happens to be a slow ball, you’ll have even more time than you expected!
Think we missed something from our list? Tell us about it in the comments below!