- Keep serves deep with good pace. Vary direction, but make sure they’re in bounds.
- Serve from near the centerline so you can get at most returns more easily.
- Try to keep returns deep and to the corners.
- Generally, stay near the back third of the court.
- Try to force opponents to use their backhand; most players’ backhands are weaker.
- Whenever you can, hit a deep forcing shot into the corners, where your opponent doesn’t have time to set up for their shot. That gives you a chance to come to the non-volley line and hit a passing shot.
- Face your opponent. This puts you in a better position to return a shot to either side.
- Never hit a drop shot when your opponent is deep. Good players will get to it quickly and be in position to hit a passing shot.
- Vary your shots so opponents can’t anticipate you. Occasionally try to make them think you’re doing one shot, but hit another.
- Generally, move left or right as your opponent moves, but stay closer to the center line.
- Use lobs only when necessary and your opponent is at the non-volley line.
- If your opponent has managed to get to the non-volley line and you are still back, you have 3 choices:
- A hard passing shot.
- A drop shot that hits the ground at your opponent’s feet.
- A lob.
- The right choice depends upon your skill level with each type of shot. The best players rarely lob because it’s a difficult shot to hit deep enough to keep a good player from putting it away.
Pickleball Channel Winning Tip: Insight Into the Strategy of Singles Pickleball (Kyle Yates)