Best Pickleball Strategies for Winning More Matches: Play Smarter, Not Harder

Pickleball is often described as “chess with a paddle.” While athleticism and power certainly have their place, the most successful players are those who understand the strategic nuances of the game. At its core, pickleball is a game of patience, placement, and minimizing errors. Whether you’re playing doubles or singles, the goal is to force your opponents into a mistake while keeping yourself in a position of strength. This guide explores the best pickleball strategies for winning more matches in 2025 and 2026, from mastering the “soft game” to advanced tactical positioning. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be able to outthink your opponents and dominate the court, regardless of your age or physical strength.

The Foundation: Consistency and Patience

The most important strategy in pickleball is also the simplest: keep the ball in play. In most amateur matches, more points are lost through unforced errors than won through spectacular winners.

The “One More Ball” Mentality

Your primary goal should be to hit one more ball over the net than your opponent. This requires a shift in mindset from trying to “kill” the ball to focusing on high-percentage shots.

• Aim for the Middle: The middle of the court is the safest place to hit. It reduces the risk of hitting the ball out of bounds and often creates confusion between doubles partners.
• Avoid the “Hero Shot”: Don’t try to hit a winner from a defensive position. Instead, hit a safe, deep shot to reset the point and wait for a better opportunity.

The Power of Patience

Pickleball is a game of attrition. The player who can stay patient the longest during a dink rally or a baseline exchange is often the one who wins the point.

• Wait for the Mistake: Your job is to keep the ball in a difficult spot for your opponent until they give you a “pop-up” that you can easily put away.
• Don’t Rush the Net: While getting to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) is crucial, don’t sprint there blindly. Move up in a controlled manner, only when you’ve hit a shot that allows you to do so safely.

Mastering the “Third Shot”

The third shot of the game (the first shot by the serving team after the return) is widely considered the most important shot in pickleball.

The Third Shot Drop

The goal of the third shot drop is to hit a soft, arching shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen (NVZ).

• Why it Works: It forces the opponents to hit the ball upward, preventing them from attacking and allowing the serving team to move up to the kitchen line.
• When to Use it: This should be your default third shot, especially against aggressive opponents who are already at the net.

The Third Shot Drive

Sometimes, a hard, low drive is a better option than a drop.

• Why it Works: It can catch opponents off guard, force a weak return, or even win the point outright if they aren’t ready for the pace.
• The “Shake and Bake”: A common strategy where one partner drives the third shot hard, and the other partner moves up to “clean up” the weak return with a volley.

Dominating the Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

The vast majority of points in high-level pickleball are won at the kitchen line. Mastering the “soft game” is essential for success.

The Art of Dinking

Dinking is hitting a soft shot from your kitchen into your opponent’s kitchen.

• Dink with Purpose: Don’t just hit the ball back. Aim for your opponent’s feet, move them side-to-side, or try to pull them out of position.
• Keep it Low: The goal of a dink is to keep the ball below the net level, forcing your opponent to hit upward.
• Be Ready for the “Speed-Up”: While dinking, always be prepared for your opponent to suddenly hit a hard shot at your chest or shoulder.

Erne and ATP (Around the Post)

These are advanced shots that can end a point instantly.

• The Erne: Jumping over or around the kitchen corner to volley a ball out of the air. It’s a great way to pressure an opponent who is dinking too close to the sideline.
• The ATP: Hitting the ball around the net post rather than over the net. This is possible when an opponent hits a wide-angled shot that pulls you off the court.

Tactical Positioning and Communication (Doubles)

In doubles, your relationship with your partner is just as important as your individual skills.

Move as a Unit

Think of yourself and your partner as being connected by a 10-foot rope. When one moves, the other should move accordingly.

• Close the Middle: If your partner is pulled wide to the sideline, you must move toward the middle of the court to cover the gap.
• Get to the Line Together: The strongest position in doubles is when both partners are at the kitchen line. Work together to get there as quickly and safely as possible.

Effective Communication

Clear, concise communication can prevent confusion and lost points.

• “Mine” or “Yours”: Call for balls that are in the middle or overheads that both players could reach.
• “Switch”: If one player is pulled out of position and the other needs to cover their side.
• “Out”: Help your partner by calling balls that are going to land out of bounds.

Singles Strategy: A Different Game

Singles pickleball is much more physically demanding and requires a different tactical approach.

Serve and Return Depth

In singles, depth is your best friend.

• Deep Serves: Force your opponent to start the point from well behind the baseline, making it harder for them to move up.
• Deep Returns: Give yourself more time to get to the net and keep your opponent on the defensive.

Control the Center

The player who controls the middle of the court in singles usually wins the point.

• The “T” Position: Aim to stand near the center of the baseline or the kitchen line to give yourself the best chance of reaching shots on either side.
• Exploit the Angles: Once you’ve pulled your opponent out of position, use angled shots to end the point.

Conclusion: The Path to Mastery

Winning more pickleball matches isn’t about having the hardest serve or the fastest hands. It’s about making smart decisions, staying patient, and executing high-percentage shots. By mastering the third shot drop, dominating the kitchen line, and communicating effectively with your partner, you’ll find yourself winning more points and enjoying the game even more. Remember, pickleball is a journey of continuous learning. Watch the pros, record your own matches, and always look for ways to outthink your next opponent. See you at the kitchen line!