Expert Pickleball Tips for the New Year: If you’re looking to level up your pickleball game in 2025, the following four simple tips could help you improve significantly. These pickleball techniques focus on strengthening your swings, improving drills, positioning your paddle correctly, and using effective pickleball strategies during overheads. With consistent practice, you can elevate your skills and gain more confidence on the court.
1. Big Swings and Big Targets
When improving your swing, focus on accelerating through the ball. Unlike tennis, where larger backswings are common, pickleball requires smaller, more compact swings. The key is to avoid decelerating when hitting the ball. Instead, concentrate on speeding up your swing as you follow through. Also, aim for bigger targets on the court—try not to focus on hitting the lines. By targeting a few feet inside the line, you can improve your accuracy and reduce the risk of hitting the ball out.
2. Drill Like a Maniac
To sharpen your skills, consistent drilling is essential. Many players make the mistake of practicing with poor form or choosing drills that are too advanced for their skill level. For faster improvement, it’s crucial to practice the correct form. Professional-level drills can help, and there are tools like the Pickleball Drills app that provide hundreds of drills from top players. These drills are tailored to various skill levels, ensuring you are practicing the right techniques.
3. Paddle Positioning
When dinking crosscourt, position the tip of your paddle toward where the ball will land. This will open your paddle face and prepare you for a potential speed-up shot from your opponent. It helps you react quickly to fast returns, especially when the ball is coming down the middle. On the other hand, when dinking up the line, keep your chest aligned with the center of the ball to position yourself better for a counterattack. This positioning improves your reaction time and lets you stay prepared for any speed-up attempts.
4. Covering the Court During Overhead
In doubles play, overhead shots are key to controlling the game. When you’re positioned at the baseline and your partner is near the net, knowing who covers what is crucial. If your opponent hits an overhead down the middle, the player with the forehand should cover it. The other player should focus on the wide angles. Coordination between partners is important, especially if you and your partner are a righty-lefty combination. By communicating and covering the court effectively, you can defend overheads more efficiently.
News in Brief: Expert Pickleball Tips for the New Year
To level up your pickleball game in 2025, focus on four key tips: 1) Big Swings and Big Targets—accelerate through the ball and aim for bigger targets inside the lines to improve accuracy. 2) Drill Like a Maniac—practice correct form with appropriate drills to improve faster. 3) Paddle Positioning—align your paddle with where the ball will land to react quicker, especially for speed-ups. 4) Covering the Court—coordinate with your partner during overheads, ensuring proper court coverage and communication. With consistent practice, these pickleball techniques will enhance your skills and confidence on the court.
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