The Foundation: What Makes a Pickleball Player “Good”?
Improving your game isn’t just about hitting harder or buying a fancier paddle. Great players have:
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Consistency: Fewer unforced errors = more wins
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Control: Soft touch at the kitchen line
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Court awareness: Strategic movement and partner coordination
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Shot variety: Dinks, drives, drops, lobs, and resets
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Gear setup: Optimized paddle weight, grip, and balance
If you improve each of these areas step-by-step, you’ll beat players who are stronger, younger, or more athletic.
Tip #1: Develop a Reliable Soft Game
Most rallies in doubles are won with finesse — not power. That’s why the best players have excellent touch.
Master These Soft Skills:
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Dinks: Practice low, short shots into the kitchen
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Resets: Use soft hands to neutralize fastballs
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Third Shot Drops: Transition to the net by dropping the ball gently into the NVZ
Drills to Try:
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Dink cross-court with a partner (goal: 20 in a row)
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Third shot drop target practice (cones or towel in kitchen)
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Block-and-reset drills near the kitchen
🎾 Want better touch? Add lead tape to your paddle for weight stability and use a custom paddle band to reinforce consistent grip pressure.
Tip #2: Upgrade Your Footwork and Court Positioning
Good players glide, recover, and stay balanced — bad players reach and lunge.
Focus On:
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Split step before every volley
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Stay low (knees bent) in ready position
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Always move in sync with your doubles partner
Try This Drill:
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Shadow move from baseline to kitchen and back, maintaining athletic posture
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Practice lateral steps along the kitchen line with paddle in ready position
🏓 A grippy paddle handle helps you stay controlled — don’t overlook your grip quality.
Tip #3: Improve Shot Selection and Strategy
Smart play beats aggressive play — especially at the intermediate and advanced levels.
Situational Awareness:
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Don’t drive every return — learn to reset
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Don’t stay back after returning serve
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Know when to lob, dink, or speed it up
🎯 Tip: Use a custom paddle band to remind your hand how to orient the paddle face — that way, you stay in control even during fast exchanges.
Tip #4: Serve and Return With Purpose
Don’t just get the ball in — use your serve and return to set up points.
Serve Tips:
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Add spin or aim deep into the backhand corner
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Try a drop serve or topspin slice
Return Tips:
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Aim for depth and height to give yourself time
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Move forward immediately after returning
🎾 Use lead tape to increase paddle momentum and serve power.
Tip #5: Play With Better Players
It’s cliché — but it works. The best way to level up is to get out of your comfort zone.
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Watch higher-rated players closely
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Join local leagues or ladder matches
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Don’t be afraid to lose — just ask for feedback
Want to feel more confident when playing up? Install grip-enhancing wraps so your paddle never slips under pressure.
How Paddle Customization Helps You Improve
Your paddle is your tool — and a well-optimized tool makes every rep more effective.
🎯 Add Lead Tape:
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More weight = more paddle stability and power
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Ideal for players transitioning from finesse to power
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Use at 3/9 for balance or 12 o’clock for drive force
🧤 Upgrade Your Grips:
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Tacky grips for spin and fast hands
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Cushioned grips for long sessions and injury prevention
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Replace monthly for peak consistency
🎾 Use Custom Paddle Bands:
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Lock in grip orientation and wrist control
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Reinforce repeatable swing mechanics
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Customize your paddle’s look + feel
Bonus: Mental Tips to Get Better Faster
Pickleball is 50% physical and 50% mental.
Top Mindset Tricks:
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Focus on your next shot — not your last mistake
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Visualize successful drops and dinks before playing
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Use self-talk between points (“soft hands, soft feet”)
🎾 Even practicing with a custom paddle band during drills can help reinforce confidence through repetition.
Sample Weekly Pickleball Improvement Plan
| Day | Focus | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Dinks + Drops | Kitchen drills, soft game work (30 mins) |
| Tuesday | Serve/Return | Serve targets, return deep (30 mins) |
| Wednesday | Strategy + Play | Rec game with better players |
| Thursday | Court Movement | Footwork drills + paddle orientation |
| Friday | Free Play | Mix of drills and casual match play |
| Saturday | Tournament or Ladder | Challenge play / track mistakes |
| Sunday | Rest or light dinking | Light reset drills with grip upgrades |
Final Takeaway: Get Better the Smart Way
Improving at pickleball isn’t about buying a $250 paddle or swinging harder. It’s about:
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Practicing purposefully
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Learning from losses
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Customizing your gear to match your game
Whether you're trying to improve your resets, add topspin, or dominate at the net — you can gain a serious edge by tuning your paddle setup with:
Train with intention. Upgrade your paddle. Win more in 2025.