Master Pickleball with Jordan Briones: Many pickleball players find themselves struggling against experienced opponents who seem to control the game with ease. Jordan Briones of Briones Pickleball shares three key strategies that can help players at any level improve their performance and win more points.
Briones emphasizes the importance of shot placement, court positioning, and teamwork. His strategies focus on targeting opponents’ feet, aiming for the middle of the court, and using movement techniques to stay in control.
Aim for the Opponent’s Feet
Briones highlights the advantage of directing shots toward an opponent’s feet, regardless of their position on the court.
“Whether your opponent is at the non-volley zone, the transition zone, or the baseline, hitting near their feet will win you a lot of points and force a lot of errors.” – (Jordan Briones)
Many players tend to hit dinks toward the middle of the non-volley zone, giving opponents more time to react. Instead, Briones advises pushing dinks deeper toward the toes. This forces difficult returns, either requiring a low volley or causing opponents to step back, moving them out of position.
“A lot of players like to aim their dinks in the middle of the non-volley zone, which actually gives your opponent a lot of time space so that they can hit the ball wherever they want. Instead, push your dinks further and roll your dinks towards your opponent’s toes to make it more difficult and force them to make a tough decision.” – (Jordan Briones)
At the baseline, directing shots deep can push opponents further back, allowing for better offensive positioning. Keeping them on defense creates more opportunities to score.
Use the Middle of the Court
Briones explains that hitting shots toward the middle offers three major benefits:
- The lowest part of the net is in the center, reducing errors.
- It limits the opponent’s ability to attack from sharp angles.
- It increases shot consistency by creating a larger margin for error.
By playing toward the middle, players can neutralize aggressive opponents while keeping control of rallies.
Follow the Ball to Stay in Position
Briones stresses the importance of court positioning, using a method called shading.
“If your feet follow the ball, you’re going to be in a really strong position.” – (Jordan Briones)
He explains that if a player is on the left side and the ball is hit down the line, they must move to cover that area. Their partner should shift accordingly to maintain coverage of the middle.
“If I’m playing on the left side and the ball is in front of me down the line in the corner, I have to make sure that I come over, follow the ball, and make sure I have this down the line covered. My partner is going to slide over and cover the middle as they follow the ball and move their feet as well.” – (Jordan Briones)
Shading allows teams to counterattack more effectively and prevents confusion about who should take shots in the middle of the court.
With these strategies in mind, players can step onto the court with greater confidence. Focusing on shot placement, strategic movement, and effective teamwork can lead to formidable performances and more victories.
News in Brief: Master Pickleball with Jordan Briones
Jordan Briones of Briones Pickleball shares three key strategies to improve pickleball performance: aiming shots at opponents’ feet, hitting toward the middle for consistency, and following the ball to stay in position. These techniques help players control rallies, force errors, and work more effectively with their partners.
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