Pickleball ATP

Post #7 of 8 in All Dinking Posts

AI image of a pickleball player hitting an ATP

The Pickleball ATP (Around the Post) is an advanced play that usually happens during a dinking rally.

As you advance to the 3.5+ skill level you will understand the ATP well and will likely have hit a few of them.

In pickleball you can hit a shot that doesn’t go over the net but lands in your opponent’s court. The illustration below shows an “Around the Post” shot.

This shot is made on the side of the net and the ball goes “Around the Post”.

pickleball court illustration of an ATP shot

Around-The-Post (ATP)

The Around-The-Post (ATP) shot is one of the most thrilling plays in pickleball—it’s like the fireworks finale of a rally. Even your opponents might applaud (before secretly trying to figure out how to prevent it the next time).

The opportunity often arises in a cross-court dinking rally. If your opponent’s dink lands close to the sideline and bounces outside the net post, it’s your moment. Let the ball travel outside the post, and as it starts to fall, strike it cleanly down the line. Done right, it’s equal parts skill and showmanship.

Key to Success:

Patience is everything—wait for the ball to travel outside the post and hit it just before it lands.
Timing and precision are non-negotiable; you don’t want your highlight-reel moment ending in a whiff.

Sometimes, the ATP isn’t just your best option—it’s your only good one. A well-placed cross-court dink can leave you with no angle to hit back over the net without risking a pop-up or an error. The ATP lets you flip the script with style.

Be Prepared:
Savvy players might anticipate your ATP attempt and cover the line. But here’s the beauty: they’re usually bracing for a traditional return over the net. Surprise them with your ATP, and they’ll be left scratching their heads, wondering how you managed to pull off such a clever shot.

The ATP isn’t just a shot—it’s a moment. Master it, and you’ll not only score points but leave everyone on the court talking about that play.

Summary

As you gain experience, your court vision will improve, and you’ll realize you have more time to execute your shots. When this happens, you will pause as you watch the ball dropping, knowing you still have time to hit it. You’ll start to notice when the ball is heading outside the post, allowing you to patiently let it drop to the perfect height just above the ground. That’s when it happens—you’ll nail your first ATP, and trust me, it’s a moment you’ll never forget!