Pickleball is gaining popularity because it’s a great sport for people of all ages. It is not very difficult to learn, nor does it take long to get started. However, to get really good at pickleball, you must play it regularly.
Most people can pick up the basic rules of pickleball fairly quickly. However, it takes time and practice to become a pro at it. If you follow a strict routine and learn to play strategically, you can become a pro in about a month.
You can start playing with a practice machine to get good at pickleball. It is also possible to keep hitting the ball against the wall, or use a Training Paddle if you want to practice by yourself. This way, you will be able to learn how much force you need to exert on the ball and how to volley.
But there is much more to the sport of pickleball than this. To become a pro, you will need to learn the winning strategies and techniques that work in your favor. Keep reading on if you wish to learn how to get better at playing pickleball.
How Can I Get Better at Pickleball Fast?
Pickleball might seem easy to learn, but it’s difficult to master. You must practice and play against better players to get good at it. With enough practice and dedication, you can become a great player yourself.
When you play against better players, you will be forced to improve your own skills. These players will also be able to teach you some new techniques and strategies.
There is no shortcut to becoming a pro at pickleball. While every player will learn it at their own pace, you can’t expect to master it overnight or even in a few days.
If you want to learn the game fast, you must stick to a daily routine and follow it straight for at least two weeks. In the next section, we will discuss four steps you must follow to become good at pickleball.
How to Become a Pro at Pickleball?
The best way to become a pro at pickleball is to join a club and start practicing with a coach. On average, pickleball coaching lessons cost around $30 to $50 per hour. Once you have completed your lessons, you can start playing tournaments to hone your skills.
Here are the four steps to becoming a pro at pickleball the less time you spend at each step, the quicker you will be able to get good at this sport.
1. Learn the Basics
Learning the basic rules of the game and how to keep score is the first step in becoming good at pickleball. The rules of this sport are relatively simple to learn. It is played on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court and a net similar to tennis.
Read more on the rules here: What Are the 5 Rules of Pickleball?
The sport is played both indoors and outdoors and as singles or doubles. The point is scored when the opposing player does not succeed in returning the ball, hits it out of bounds, or hits it into the net. The game is played to 11 points, and the player who leads by 2 points wins.
Read more in this article: How to Play Pickleball.
2. Practice Your Strokes and Footwork
Pickleball has four main strokes: the volley, the forehand, the overhead, and the backhand. You need to practice all of these strokes so that you can hit the ball in any situation.
You also need to practice your footwork to hit the ball in front of you. It is also good to bend your knees and get in a low position, so you can hit the ball low. By bending your knees, you can also make your leg muscles get engaged.
3. Learn How to Serve and Return Serves
This is probably the most important step because if you don’t have high accuracy on the serve, you won’t be able to become a pro.
In pickleball, it is encouraged to serve first because it is one shot you have complete control over. Moreover, you can set up your shots and take advantage of your opponent’s mistakes.
Read more on why here: Is it Better to Serve First in Pickleball?
You must stand behind the baseline and hit the ball into the service box to serve the ball. The service box is different for singles and doubles. To return a serve, you must be quick and hit the ball back over the net. If you can master these skills, you will be well on your way to becoming a pro at pickleball.
Pro pickleball players target the opponent’s backend on their serve because the backend is usually any player’s weak side. It is recommended to hit the serve deep into the service box because it will force the opponent to move to their backend.
Returning a serve is equally important, and the player must try to hit it close to the baseline. This will force the serving player to move to their backend, giving you more time to react and prepare for the next shot.
4. Learn How to Play Strategically
Learning to play strategically involves knowing where most points in pickleball are scored. One of these areas is the no-volley zone line or the kitchen line. It is recommended to move closer to this line as soon as you can.
Related article: What is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
Your opponent will try to keep you away from this line, but as a pro player, this is what you need to overcome. If your opponent is very good at pickleball, you should try to return their serve with a high arc. This is also known as a “lob return” of the serve.
It is also recommended to put some spin on your ball when you’re returning the serve. Pro players return the serve with a backspin to make it more difficult for the opponent to return.
Your focus is very important in playing pickleball. Don’t get distracted; keep your eyes on the ball as it hits the paddle. This way, you will be able to keep your swing compact. These techniques prepare you for the next shot, make fewer errors, and keep moving forward on the court.
Also, check out this article: What Pickleball Paddles Do The Pros Use?
