Pickleball isn’t just about hitting the ball over the net – it’s about making decisions that give you the upper hand.
That’s why I created the Pickleball Strategy section on PickleTip.com. As a coach and player who has made every mistake in the book (and learned from most of them), my goal here is simple: help you win more points with smarter plays, not just faster hands.
Whether you’re stuck in a firefight at the kitchen or wondering why your drop shots fall short, this hub guides you through the tactical side of the game – high-percentage shots, partner positioning, serve placement, and when to hit soft versus hard.
Great strategy isn’t guesswork. It’s timing, pattern recognition, and trust in your choices.
With over 100 in-depth strategy articles, this hub is organized into focused topic areas so you can find exactly what you need
based on the situation you’re trying to solve on court.
Use this strategy hub to explore specific topics like third-shot decisions, dink patterns, defensive resets,
and partner positioning – all organized by how the game actually unfolds.
Every strategy here is built from real matches, real coaching, and real mistakes. The game gets easier when you know where to be, when to attack, and when to be patient.
Players with less power dominate matches every day because they understand positioning, patterns, and timing.
If you’re playing reactive instead of proactive, even a big forehand won’t save you.
This section exists to help you take control of rallies – not just survive them – using clear, practical pickleball strategy you can apply immediately.
Every article here is designed to raise your game awareness, improve your win rate, and build confidence – without needing more power or fancier gear.
This strategy hub is continuously updated as the game evolves, rules change, and new competitive patterns emerge.
Read. Apply. Win. Then come back and level up again. Strategy isn’t a one-time recipe – it’s something we keep refining.
Most players lose points before dinking even starts. This guide breaks down pickleball court positioning after the return of serve: teaching stalling, drip shots, and permission-based entry so you stop rushing the kitchen and getting attacked at the feet.
Faster pickleball punishes floaty drops and rushed decisions. Learn how the modern drop shot, the drip, and the off pace drive help you control tempo, survive the transition zone, and reach the kitchen without feeding counters. Try the “two steps of truth” drill today and track your pop ups.
Choking Up in Pickleball: Why This Shorter Grip Wins the Kitchen Every player eventually reaches a rally where their paddle suddenly feels too long for the pace of the hands battle in front of them. I remember the first time it clicked for me. I slid my hand up the handle – just an inch…
Stop hesitation over the middle shot forever. This definitive guide to Pickleball Middle Shot Strategy introduces the “Respect the X” and “Hunter vs. Anchor” systems to eliminate confusion and own the center seam. Read the guide now!
Stop playing static pickleball! Learn the advanced Kitchen Line Strategy used by pros to gain time or apply pressure. See how one player used a simple footwork shift to win a $2,000 tournament. Master the slide and stop getting jammed!
Unconventional pickleball styles don’t just look different – they disrupt rhythm, scramble timing, and challenge everything players think they know about “playing the right way.” From awkward flicks to unpredictable tempo shifts, these unorthodox tactics are reshaping the game. Discover why weird works – and why it might define the sport’s future. Read the full breakdown.
Unattackable balls in pickleball aren’t about hitting harder, they’re about patience and precision. Learn how to slow down your soft game, deny attacks, and turn rallies in your favor. Discover the drills, mindset shifts, and tactics that make patience your strongest weapon. Read the full guide now.
Top 10 Skills in Pickleball Picture this: Late match. We’re locked in a twenty-ball dink rally. My partner Patrick is jittery, his paddle twitching for a speed-up. I whisper, “Wait.” One more neutral dink. Opponent leans. Pop-up. We pounce. That point felt like power, but it was patience, footwork, and control that set the trap….
Dinking isn’t soft – it’s strategic warfare. Learn to control rallies, pressure opponents, and win the kitchen with every shot.
Are faster players running circles around you? Discover how Pickleball IQ beats pure speed. Learn the cunning tactics and mental shifts that help older, slower, or smarter players win ugly – and control every point with ruthless precision.