Pickleball Shot Placement Strategies: Pickleball players looking to win more points can learn where to aim each shot thanks to a new instructional video. The video explains in detail how to target serves, returns, drops, drives, and lobs to gain an edge over opponents on the court.
The lesson starts by describing how the serve sets up the point. Players are advised to serve deep into the back fourth of the court. Aiming for the corners or the body of the opponent is suggested to force errors.
“Assuming you can consistently hit the ball into this back quarter of the court, where exactly should you aim?” the instructor said. “If I’m playing somebody, what I often try to do is hit away from their paddle side.”
Return Shots and Third Shots
The video moves on to the return shot, which is key to making the serving team’s third shot harder. Players should again aim deep. Watching if the other team favors forehand or backhand can help decide where to return the ball.
“You can immediately see what shot they want to hit,” the instructor said.
Third shots can be either drops or drives. For drops, aiming to the middle is safest. This avoids strong angles and the risk of the other team jumping over the sideline. For drives, players can target the opponent’s body or the player running forward.
“The best and most high percentage place to aim your drop is to the middle,” the instructor explained.
Fourth Shots and Dinking
On the fourth shot, hitting to the back of the court or at the feet keeps the serving team from moving up easily. Angles can also create gaps to attack.
Dinks are used to put the opponent on defense. Targeting backhands or hitting away from where a player is leaning can cause mistakes.
“Your goal should be making your opponents feel uncomfortable,” the instructor said.
If players are forced onto defense, they should reset dinks to the middle to avoid getting attacked.
Speed-Ups and Lobs
Speeding up the ball off a high dink can be effective. The best place to aim is between the paddle-side hip and shoulder or right at the body.
“This is typically going to get you the best results,” the instructor said.
Finally, the video discusses lobs. Lobs work best when opponents are already at the kitchen line. Aiming deep cross-court into the corners keeps opponents guessing.
“A really safe place to aim the lob is actually going crosscourt into the corners,” the instructor added.
These shot placement tips can help players improve and gain more control over points. By practicing each strategy, players at all levels can feel more confident in matches.
News in Brief: Pickleball Shot Placement Strategies
A new pickleball video explains where to aim serves, returns, drops, drives, dinks, and lobs to win more points. The lesson guides players to hit deep, target the middle or the body, and use angles wisely. Aiming smart helps control points and beat strong opponents.
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