Once a novelty, the around the post (ATP) has become a routine shot in advanced pickleball games. And just like your drop and twoey roll dink, it’s a shot that should be drilled. When the time comes, you want to nail it.
How do you quench the firepower of an opposing team with two bangers? That was one of the many questions Zane Navratil answered in this week’s PicklePod. And his answer might surprise you: You don’t.
Just because you’re right-handed and find yourself on the right side doesn’t mean you’re in a beta position. Being aggressive from here comes down to patterns and strategy. You’ve got more weapons than you might think.
Play enough pickleball and you’ll start to develop habits. Some, like varying your serves or knowing which way to pivot to defend a lob, are good. Others, not so much. Pro Connor Garnett is here to call out four common pitfalls seen in intermediate to advanced players and, better yet, how to correct them. Sit back and take notes, the king of Twoey Nation is talking.
The poach shot in pickleball is effective because it breaks patterns and disrupts the regular flow of a point. Timed properly, it can shake your opponent’s confidence, keep them guessing and more defensive, and shrink the game at the kitchen line. (No wonder Zane Navratil is a big fan.)
Just like your thirds or dinks at the kitchen line, the foundation of winning pickleball strategy is variation. Hit the same shot over and over and any good opponent will catch on and capitalize. Mix things up, though, and you’re in the driver’s seat.
Pickleball strategy is like the weather in New England: Not a fan? Just wait five minutes.
Strategy fundamentals that were gospel when you first started probably aren’t as relevant anymore. Some, believe it or not, are totally outdated. Allow us to catch you up to speed with the help of pro Tanner Tomassi.
Like most winning shots in pickleball, effectively (and safely) chasing down a lob is all about patterns. First, you need to recognize and communicate whose ball it is, then it’s a game of footwork. Resist the urge to rush and focus on a quality return. Susannah Barr shows the way:
It’s no surprise that pros rip through paddles like crazy — some, like Quang Duong, are lucky to get a full week out of one paddle before needing a fresh replacement.
For us mere mortals, the active lifespan of a pickleball paddle is considerably longer. But at some point, old faithful will feel tired and it’ll be time for an upgrade.
Play pickleball long enough and you’ll find yourself teamed up with a considerably weaker partner. We’ve all been there, gritting our teeth as Larry dumps yet another sitter into the middle of the net.
As you become a more advanced pickleball player, details start to matter. Minor tweaks in your game can translate to noticeable performance upgrades. It’s time to sweat the small stuff.
Watch any top pro serve. Now watch them again. Notice anything? They repeat the exact same motions, down to the breath, every time. Peak performance is all about consistency. Roscoe Bellamy is no exception. The former UCLA and pro tennis player is now making his 6’ 5” presence known in pro pickleball, largely in the form of a formidable forehand and monster serve.
Augie Ge is an MLP champ known for his cerebral approach to the sport. The crafty lefty is a master at decoding when to play it safe and when to get aggressive. Here, he hits the court with fellow pro Kyle Koszuta to detail their “3-Part Kitchen Formula” for better decision-making when attacking at the kitchen line.
Advanced pickleball play is often synonymous with speed, power and aggression—the higher your DUPR, the harder you can hit the ball. But that doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of pros whose game is more defensive than offensive—think Augie Ge or Tyra Black. Their secret is knowing when to attack.
If you want to get better at pickleball, you need to start paying attention to strategy. That means recognizing and exploiting patterns that play to your strengths.
Playing in windy conditions is a frustrating but inevitable reality for any pickleballer. Mother Nature is a fickle beast, as they say—and a well-timed gust can make even the most seasoned pro look like a total noob. You can’t change the wind, but you can make some adjustments to give yourself a fighting chance. Here, pro James Ignatowich walks you through the tips he’s picked up throughout his career.
