If you’re serious about getting better at pickleball, it takes more than just showing up to the court. You need smart techniques, strategic thinking, and the right gear to stand out. In case you’re brand new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, this article covers how to get better at pickleball with practical, intermediate-friendly tips that actually work.
In my personal experience, these hacks work so well. First of all, practicing and experience are crucial to play amazing, but the hacks I am telling you are for all beginners as well as pros and age-friendly.
1. Exhale As You Hit: Improve Control and Timing
Many players think that if they hold their bodies tight and have a tighter grip, they will have more control over the ball, but no, this is not the case. The important way to make your pickleball better is to exhale while hitting the ball instead of grunting. It will help to lose your body, which is essential for a fluid motion. Lose your body and attain more control over the ball.
If you hold your breath while hitting, it will make your stroke a lot more rigid and actually reduce your control over your accuracy. Slightly inhale when the ball comes to you and exhale when giving a response to the ball. Try to match your consistency with timing and this is what all the best players apply in their games.
2. Guessing & Retreating: Smart Pickleball Strategies
Focus on two tactics to make your game better. Force your opponents to hit more balls when are trying to end the point, this is called “Guessing and Retreating”.
Guessing is when you throw super easy shots to your opponent, and their goal is to hit in a way where you can not hit in response.
In this case, you will guess and localize where the ball comes in response, and slightly shift to a location where you think the ball comes.
Guessing can help you a lot to win more shots. Your guess will be dependent on the opponent’s angle and the ball’s position. Recognize the ball well, and use your intuition in an appropriate manner.
Now what is retreating? A new sports terminology, right? Retreating is when you throw a high shot and know that the opponent will hit the shot smartly, you will step back and take enough time to respond. Many players think stepping back is not useful, but actually, it’s an innovation to play smart.
3. Simple Gear Fixes
One of the best ways to make your game better is, of course, to modify your paddle and invest in quality gear. There are three important ways to adjust your paddle for an effective game.
- Grip: Every paddle comes with a replacement grip. After using it consistently, the replacement grip gets slippery and moist, which then decreases your performance as you are unable to hit any shot. If this happens to you, it’s time to add an overgrip. Overgrip adds more tack so that your hand doesn’t slip on the paddle. They are easy to put on, they are budget-friendly, and you can customize your greasy paddle without investing too much. No need to squeeze your paddle as tight in order to keep it steady so overgrips are mandatory in such cases.
- Adding weights: The next thing you can do to your paddle is weighting the perimeter. Add some little weights on the corners of your paddle and it will repercussed in an unshakiness paddle. This makes your paddle less likely to shake when you hit the ball. Reducing tremors in your paddle is equal to maximizing your shots successfully.
- Don’t play with a bad paddle: The last thing is very obvious. Don’t play with cheap or low-quality paddles. Remember, never sacrifice the quality of any sports gear. Invest in a good wooden paddle that has consistency and accuracy to hit the ball sharply. Buy a material that has better manufacturing and better features. Invest safely and one time.
Need help finding the right one? Check out our reviews of the best pickleball paddles for beginners and top-rated paddles and accessories reviews.
4. Master the Third Shot
Understanding ball timing is crucial in pickleball — especially when it comes to the third shot. The first two shots in a rally are often high and bouncy, gives you a prime opportunity to take control. To make the most of this, aim to strike the ball at the peak of its bounce, when it’s easiest to control and requires less effort to return with precision.
Avoid hitting the ball as it drops or “falls,” as that demands more force and compromises your positioning and timing. Instead, stay alert, keep your paddle up, and prepare to return with balance and readiness. This simple adjustment can drastically improve your third-shot execution and keep you on the offensive.
5. Train Your Mind and Body for Better Pickleball
Success in pickleball isn’t just about skill — it’s a blend of physical strength and mental sharpness. To truly elevate your game, you need to build muscular endurance, mental focus, and a resilient mindset.
Pickleball demands quick reactions, smart decision-making, and the ability to stay energized throughout a match. Strengthening your core, legs, and joints helps prevent fatigue and injury, allowing you to maintain peak performance longer.
Equally important is your mental game. Developing a combat mindset—the ability to read your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, stay composed under pressure, and respond with clarity—gives you a serious edge. Channel your energy positively, stay present during every rally, and use each point as an opportunity to reset and refocus.
6. Improve Your Footwork and Positioning
Effective footwork and balanced positioning help in a successful game. Manage your foot according to the shot helping to reduce foot injuries.
Move your body accordingly as the shot begins. Anticipates your opponent’s shot and analyzes their mindset, afterward maintains the ready position with slightly bent knees, exerts pressure on the balls of your feet equally, and maintains your equilibrium through effective positioning.
Additional Tips to Get Better at Pickleball
Practice regularly: Remember the saying, “Practice makes a man perfect”. Don’t feel exhausted or overwhelmed, as it will create a hindrance in your consistency as well as performance.
Consider pickleball as a therapy: Consider your passion as indirect therapy; it will help you to master your skills and achieve expertise. Think of the bigger picture and never lower yourself down if you get into any disaster. Indirect therapies always worked a lot.
Boost self-esteem and self-efficacy: To make your game better, the best possible psychological concept is to feel confident when you step onto the court. Your self-esteem and efficacy will be threatening to your opponent and making your opponent feel weak and suppressed, boosting your confidence and being masculine.
Final Thoughts: Bring Strategy, Confidence, and Control to the Court
Improving your pickleball game comes down to a mix of confidence, effective strategies, and strong positioning. The more aware you are of your opponent’s tendencies — their strengths, weaknesses, and shot patterns — the better you can respond with intention.
These six important ways of ameliorating your game will be turning points once you apply them.
