Essential Pickleball Shots Guide: Pickleball players need to master 10 key shots to succeed, Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool explained. In a new guide, he broke down the most common shots and terms players should know, including serves, returns, dinking, and the ATP. Learning these moves helps players compete and enjoy the game more.
Learning the Language of Pickleball
Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool shared that understanding key pickleball shots and terms is important for new and seasoned players alike. His guide highlighted the essential 10 moves that help players navigate games more effectively. “Good serve,” he mentioned, is often said even after a missed serve.
The first two shots explained were the serve and the return. Kyle said, “I’m hitting the serve to this person, and they’re hitting the ball back to me. That’s also called a return.” He added an extra term, “dead spot,” used when players miss a shot.
Third Shot Strategies
Kyle introduced the third shot, which comes after the serve and return. It has two main forms:
Third Shot Drive: “That’s when you try to hit the ball hard, like you’re Roger Federer or Serena Williams, right at their faces.”
Third Shot Drop: “You’re trying to hit the ball into the kitchen to give yourself time to get up to the kitchen line.”
Players who drive the third shot every time are called “bangers.”
Mastering Soft Play
Kyle described dinking as a gentle shot near the net. “That soft shot is called a dink,” he said. However, players must avoid donking: “You’re donking your dinks when you hit the ball high. That’s a big no-no.”
Dinking keeps the pace slow and controlled. Players often ask each other, “Hey, uh, you want to dink?” which simply means they want to practice soft shots together.
Changing Speeds and Court Positioning
A speed up occurs when players move from soft dinking to fast play. “The moment you do that? That’s a speed up,” Kyle said. This can happen off the bounce or in the air.
The kitchen is a no-volley zone near the net. Kyle explained, “You can’t hit the ball out of the air unless you’re behind the kitchen line.” Violating this rule results in a foot fault.
“If someone you play with constantly calls foot faults and you don’t have a ref? That’s someone you shouldn’t invite to the next game,” he joked.
Understanding Scoring and Net Play
Side out happens when serving teams lose their turn. “Side out just means the ball changes sides. You lost your serve,” Kyle said.
A net cord occurs when a ball clips the net but still goes over. Kyle advised, “You should never apologize for a net cord.”
He added humor, saying, “When I hit a net cord? I never mean it. Because I won the point.”
Advanced Shots: Erne and ATP
The Erne is a bold shot named after Erne Perry. “The Erne is when you jump through, over, or around the kitchen to get closer to the net and smash the ball,” Kyle explained.
However, players must not cross the kitchen line before contact. “You can’t jump from the line or land on or inside the line,” Kyle warned.
The ATP (Around the Post) is another exciting move. “If someone hits you a dink and it’s wide enough for you to go around the post? Do it,” Kyle encouraged.
He closed by suggesting players celebrate after successfully hitting an ATP.
Why These Pickleball Shots Matter
Understanding these 10 shots and terms can help players improve their games quickly. Mastering them allows for better rallies, smarter plays, and more fun. As pickleball continues to grow, knowing the right moves can make a big difference. Players who keep practicing these shots will be more competitive and enjoy the sport even more.
News in Brief: Essential Pickleball Shots Guide
Kyle from ThatPickleballSchool shared the top 10 pickleball shots every player must know, from serves to the ATP. His simple guide helps players improve their skills, avoid common mistakes, and understand game language better. Learning these basics is key to playing smarter and enjoying pickleball more.
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