How to Dominate Pickleball in 2025: The game of pickleball is evolving rapidly, and to stay ahead of the curve in 2025, players need to embrace a more aggressive and tactical approach to the game. In 2024, we’ve seen a massive shift away from passive strategies like dinking endlessly and towards fast-paced play with shots that consistently apply pressure. As the sport grows exponentially, especially with the influx of new players from across the globe, it’s no longer enough to just rely on basic pickleball strategies. The way you play needs to be more dynamic, precise, and aggressive. This article breaks down the key strategies to help you dominate the pickleball court in 2025.
Weaponize Your Serve
The serve is no longer just a way to start a point; it’s becoming a powerful weapon. Top players like Pran Natil have stressed the importance of serving with intention and speed, saying that if you’re not missing a few serves long, then you’re not hitting your serve hard enough. The goal is to hit serves that make your opponent struggle to return the ball effectively. We’ve already seen pro players in 2024 hitting more aces than ever before, and this trend will only intensify. You need to practice hitting powerful serves, aiming for depth and angle, to create pressure on your opponent from the start. However, don’t go overboard; consistency matters. Work on making your serves more aggressive without sacrificing accuracy.
Pro Tip: Practice a variety of serves, including topspin, slice, and flat serves. The more diverse your serve game, the harder it will be for your opponents to anticipate and react.
Master Offensive Third Shots
The third shot is a key moment in modern pickleball, and the traditional drop shot is quickly being replaced with a more aggressive third shot drive in pickleball. By driving the third shot, you’re putting your opponent on the defensive right away, making it easier to transition to the net. That being said, the traditional drop shot still has its place, especially when the return comes in low and short. The golden rule is: if the ball is low, drop it; if it’s high, drive it.
Pro Tip: If your opponent’s return is deep, hit a strong drive to put pressure on them and set up for the fifth shot. Aggressive third shots force opponents to play catch-up, increasing your chances of winning the point.
Attack from Midcourt
The midcourt area is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most crucial positions for creating offensive opportunities. Players like Quang Dang and Christian Alshon are dominating by attacking balls from midcourt, especially when the ball is above knee level. When you attack from midcourt, you combine forward momentum with the speed of the ball, which adds a lot of power to your shot. This makes it harder for your opponent to recover and reset.
Pro Tip: Attack any ball that’s above knee height from midcourt, and look to control the game from there. If the ball is low, reset it in the kitchen to maintain a safe position.
Perfect Your Midcourt Reset
While attacking from midcourt is crucial, resetting from the same position is equally important. When the ball is low, you want to reset it in the kitchen, not try to force a winner. A perfect reset gives you time to regain control of the point and move into a better position. Think of resetting as the first step toward controlling the rally and setting up for your next attack.
Pro Tip: Focus on staying patient during resets and keeping the ball low. This prevents your opponent from getting any easy attacking chances and allows you to shift the momentum in your favor.
Take Dinks Out of the Air
Taking dinks out of the air is one of the most important skills to develop for aggressive pickleball play. The quicker you can react to a dink and take it out of the air, the less time your opponent has to adjust, creating pressure and forcing them into mistakes. Dinking out of the air allows you to dictate the pace of the game and keep your opponent on the defensive.
Pro Tip: Practice taking both offensive and neutral dinks out of the air. Don’t be afraid to try a spin dink when the opportunity arises; it’ll force your opponent into uncomfortable positions, making them more likely to pop the ball up.
Learn to Dink with Topspin
Topspin dinks have become a game-changer in high-level pickleball play. While most players used to rely on one-handed backhand dinks, the top pros are now mastering the two-handed topspin dink in pickleball for both forehands and backhands. The ability to put topspin on your dink not only makes it more difficult for your opponent to return, but also opens up offensive opportunities when the ball sits up higher than usual.
Pro Tip: Start incorporating two-handed topspin dinks into your game when the ball is high enough. This will give you a more controlled, aggressive dink that can push your opponents off balance.
Speed Up from Any Position
One of the defining characteristics of modern pickleball is the ability to speed up shots from almost any position on the court. Even when the ball comes in low, pro players have developed the ability to react quickly and accelerate the ball. While you shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, learning where you can consistently speed up shots is essential for putting pressure on your opponents.
Pro Tip: Practice speeding up the ball from different positions on the court, especially when the ball is coming in at a pace that allows you to take control. The more you practice this, the more natural it will feel in live matches.
Counter with a Two-Handed Backhand
Countering shots with a two-handed backhand has become a crucial skill for players looking to defend and neutralize aggressive shots. A two-handed backhand in pickleball provides more power and control, especially when the ball is coming at you from an awkward angle. It’s essential for players who want to have a solid defense and be able to transition into offense quickly.
Pro Tip: If the ball is coming to your body, use a one-handed backhand to keep it under control. For shots to the side, use a two-handed backhand to add power and precision to your return.
Develop Mental Toughness
The mental game is often overlooked, but it’s a major factor in determining who wins under pressure. Top players don’t just rely on their skills; they also know how to handle the pressure of important points and close games. Staying calm, focused, and positive during intense moments is key to performing consistently at a high level.
Pro Tip: Read books or watch videos on mental toughness to develop strategies for staying calm and focused during tense moments. Developing a strong mental game is as important as having good skills on the court.
Focus on Intentional Drilling
Finally, if you want to improve your game for 2025, intentional practice is essential. It’s not enough to simply go through the motions; you need to focus on specific aspects of your game that will give you an edge. Using tools like the Pickleball Drills app can help you create focused practice sessions that mimic real-game situations, allowing you to develop the skills that top pros are using to dominate.
Pro Tip: Set clear goals for each training session and work on specific skills such as serves, resets, or speed-ups. The more focused your drills are, the quicker you’ll see improvement.
News in Brief: How to Dominate Pickleball in 2025
In 2025, pickleball players must embrace aggressive strategies, focusing on powerful serves, offensive third shots, and attacking from midcourt. Mastering skills like dinking out of the air, topspin dinks, and speeding up shots from any position is essential. Mental toughness and intentional drilling will also set players apart. By incorporating these tactics, players can stay ahead of the curve and dominate the court.
ALSO READ: White Bear Lake Winter Whirl Set to Revolutionize Co-ed Doubles Pickleball in 2025