Pickleball Fourth Shot Strategy: In a recent instructional video from Celler TV, an expert pickleball player explained why the fourth shot in pickleball is one of the most important — yet often overlooked — parts of the game. This key moment happens after the third shot and can shift control of the rally. The video was filmed on a court and included demonstrations of good and bad examples, showing viewers how to take advantage of this shot to win more points.
The fourth shot is usually the first time a player can hit the ball in the air, as the two-bounce rule has already been met. If used smartly, it can keep opponents back and off balance, giving the receiving team a major edge in the rally.
What Makes the Fourth Shot Special
Unlike other shots, the fourth shot gives the returning team a chance to control the game. One player is already at the net, and the other is coming forward. This creates a chance to pressure the opposing team before they reach the net.
“The biggest difference between the four shot and any other shot is nobody knows this answer,” said the speaker. “Usually the four shot’s the first ball you can take out of the air.”
This advantage can be wasted if the shot is too soft or defensive. Instead of simply putting the ball back in play, players should aim to make it harder for their opponents to hit a strong return.
Bad Examples Lead to Easy Rallies
To explain the problem with weak fourth shots, the player showed what not to do.
“Okay so I just nicely hit that force shot back to him. I didn’t really do anything with it. I got it in play, I got the point going, but I didn’t put him under any stress,” he said after a soft return.
In another clip, he demonstrated a similar issue. “Again I got to the line. I hit a volley. I hit it back to him. I didn’t do anything much to make him have to be struggling to hit the ball, be off balance, any of that.”
These types of shots allow the serving team to gain ground and take control.
Good Fourth Shots Win Rallies
The player then showed how aggressive fourth shots could change the outcome of the game. By hitting deep and targeting the opponent’s feet, he made them miss or stay back.
“Look at that one. I was aggressive with that one. He didn’t even move a muscle,” he said after one successful shot.
In another example, he noted, “He’s off balance. He’s off balance and there he never made it in. He never got to the net ‘cause I was a little more aggressive.”
The goal is to make it harder for the opponent to reach the net and easier for the receiving team to stay in control.
Using the Fourth Shot Against Hard Hitters
Some players, called “bangers,” try to smash the ball to end points quickly. A good fourth shot can stop them from doing this.
“If I hit that force shot, that same shot like that, now he’s banging,” the player said. “Now I hit that volley like this ‘cause he banged it at me. I want to be in control.”
He explained that by staying aggressive and keeping the ball low, it becomes much harder for bangers to play their preferred style.
“I take his advantage away and I keep mine. Don’t care if he’s a banger. He’s gonna make an error because I’m going to keep him off his balance, keep the ball by his feet. He’s not going to be able to attack me with good solid shots.”
Learning from Videos
At the end of the video, the player encouraged viewers to keep learning by watching more content.
“This is another thing that you can learn by subscribing to Celler TV. Evolve your game. Watch videos, watch podcasts,” he said.
He shared a personal story as well: “A lot of people can even just learn how to play the game by watching videos. That’s how I learned how to play golf. I was holding the club wrong until I watched golf on TV lessons.”
By studying the game and understanding how key shots work, players can improve quickly and avoid common mistakes.
News in Brief: Pickleball Fourth Shot Strategy
A Celler TV video highlights the often-overlooked fourth shot in pickleball. The video shows how an aggressive fourth shot can shift control of the rally, especially against hard hitters. It encourages players to attack early and keep opponents off balance to win more points and improve their strategy.
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