Pickleball Shots Revolution 2025: Pickleball is evolving rapidly, and top professionals are reshaping how the game is played. Roscoe Bellamy teamed up with PPA Tour competitors Hunter Johnson, ranked #2 in the world, and Yates Johnson, previously ranked #13, to highlight five key strategies that are changing modern pickleball in 2025.
The focus is on staying ahead in the game. These strategies show how pros control points, create opportunities, and apply pressure on opponents using new techniques and paddle technology.
Third Shot Driving
More players are driving the third shot instead of trying for a drop. Driving the ball helps set up easier fifth shots and allows players to reach the kitchen line faster. It also opens up offensive plays, like the “shake and bake,” where one partner sets up a poach.
Hunter Johnson explained, “Whenever there’s a deep return, I’m never trying to hit a winner off of my drive. This is a high percentage play… I keep it about 60% power… and wait for my either fifth shot or if I have to hit four, five, six drives just to get the ball that I want to make a perfect drop and get to the kitchen line, I will do that.”
Anay Patil, observing, added, “So, you’re basically using this drive to set up an easy third shot… rather than trying to hit that perfect third shot off a really good return, you’re using the drive to get that shorter reply and then you’re dropping off that, right?” Hunter Johnson confirmed, “Yes.”
Speeding Up Off the Bounce
Players now often attack off the bounce at the kitchen instead of waiting for high balls. This method allows them to set up volleys and keep opponents off balance. Pace is key—around 70% speed with spin is more effective than hitting at full power.
“The off-the-bounce speedup isn’t just a flashy play. It’s a pressure tool that keeps your opponent off balance,” Bellamy explained. “A lot of people will take that first speed up and they’ll try and hit a one-shot winner… Instead, take that first ball, hit 70% out of spot on your opponent… and then the next one is your winner.”
The Aggressive Right-Side Player
Right-side players are no longer passive. Modern pickleball encourages them to attack, take balls out of the air, and pressure opponents through the middle. Both players on a team can now create offense, rather than relying on one dominant player.
Bellamy added, “Now with modern day pickleball, we’re doing a couple things here… I’m able to speed up off the bounce more, which creates more aggression and pressure… I’m also able to take balls out of the air… Also, I’m able to hit a little bit more aggressive dinks, moving it around the court, and getting my opponents on their heels.”
Serve as a Weapon
The serve is no longer neutral; it’s a chance to control the rally. Pros use spin, power, and placement to create short returns, which set up favorable third shots. Specialty serves, like the screwball pioneered by Hunter Johnson, can confuse opponents and give early advantage.
“When I get up to the line on my serve, I like to be very aggressive… I’m trying to focus on my spin, my power, and my placement. The reason I do these things is to try to create a short ball for myself… I can drop, I can drive, I can crash… because I start the point with aggression off of my serve.”
Aggressive Dinking
Dinking is now used proactively to create pressure and opportunities. Players use variation, deception, and movement to force errors and attack. Aggressive dinking keeps opponents unsettled and allows for strategic plays from the kitchen line.
Yates Johnson explained, “Mixing up your dinks is massive… Instead of just sitting here slicing, your opponent can see that… If you’re using your roll dink and it’s kind of looking like you’re going to speed up every single ball, then it’s getting your opponents on your heels and you’re creating a lot more offense and aggression.”
Bellamy added, “Yeah… When you hold that position, I don’t know if you’re going to speed up or dink… and then you can actually roll me left and right and you caught me on my heels. You have to be able to use aggressive dinking with footwork deception and not sitting there and waiting for your opportunities. Create them.”
Impact on the Game
These five strategies—third shot driving, off-the-bounce attacks, aggressive right-side play, serve as a weapon, and proactive dinking—are transforming pickleball at the professional level. Players adopting these techniques gain a tactical advantage and control over points. The game is faster, more strategic, and more dynamic than ever.
Bellamy urged players to learn these strategies, watch pros like Hunter Johnson and Yates Johnson in action, and practice these skills to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.
News in Brief: Pickleball Shots Revolution 2025
Pickleball pros Roscoe Bellamy, Hunter Johnson (#2), and Yates Johnson (#13) reveal five strategies changing the game in 2025. These include driving third shots, speeding up off the bounce, aggressive right-side play, using the serve as a weapon, and proactive dinking. The changes make the game faster, strategic, and more competitive.
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