Featured Pickleball Strategy
A strategy scenario as it appears in the Pickleball Strategy 3.5+ App
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Pickleball Strategy 3.5+ App
Learn to Play Smarter Pickleball
Most points aren’t lost on bad shots. They’re lost on the decisions that lead to them.
Most pickleball training focuses on drills and strokes. This app is all strategy. It walks you through 100+ real rally situations with animated court diagrams: what’s happening, what most players do, and what to do instead. Basic (2.0–3.0) and Advanced (3.5+) scenarios, so it grows with your game.
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25 scenarios free · unlock all 100+ for a one-time $9.99
Preview 3 Scenarios from the App
See Everything in the App
Tap a section below to see all 108 scenarios in 21 modules, in the same order as the app.
Serve4 modules · 21 scenarios
Serve Fundamentals
Basic- Safe Deep Serve
- Serve Mistake: Excessive Power
- Serve Mistake: Short Surprise Serve
- Serve Mistake: Targeting the Lines
- Vary Your Serve to Reduce Predictability
Serve Positioning
Basic- Offense Mistake: Partner Steps In
- Defense Setup: Starting Positions
- Defense Mistake: Returner Too Far Forward
- Defense Mistake: Not at the Kitchen Line
Advanced Serves
Advanced- Serve Targeting
- Spin Serves
- Spin Serve Technique
- The Lob Serve
Stacking
Advanced- Serve Stacking: Overview
- Serve Stacking: Setup
- Serve Stacking: Movement
- Defensive Stacking: Overview
- Defensive Stacking: Setup
- Defensive Stacking: Movement
- Defensive Stacking: Movement with Hand Signals
Serve Return3 modules · 16 scenarios
Serve Return Fundamentals: Positioning and Movement
Basic- Serve Return: Focus on Your Early Advantage
- Return Pre-Shot Thoughts
- Hitting the Return
- Serve Return Common Mistakes
- Advancing After the Return
- Defensive Mistake: Freezing After the Return
Serve Return Fundamentals: Handling Spin
Basic- Returning a Topspin Serve
- Returning a Backspin Serve
- Handling Spin on the Serve Return
Serve Return Targeting & Spin
Advanced- Two Right-Handed Opponents
- Right-Handed Pair - Server on the Opposite Side
- Mixed Pair - Two Backhands in the Middle
- Left-Handed Server with Right-Handed Partner
- Return Against Stacking - Right Handed Serving
- Return Against Stacking - Left Hand Serving
- Using Spin on the Serve Return
Third Shot7 modules · 37 scenarios
Third Shot Communication
Basic- Third Shot Setup - Recognizing the Decision Moment
- Third Shot Communication - Call the Shot Clearly
- Forehand in the Middle - Stepping In to Take the Third Shot
- Respect the X - Maintaining Natural Court Responsibility
Third Shot Basics - Drop, Drive, or Lob
Basic- Third Shot Options
- Third Shot Drive - Best Time to Use
- Third Shot Drop - Best Option Against Set Opponents
- Third Shot Drop - Target the Middle
- Third Shot Drop - Advance to the Kitchen
- Third Shot Lob - Push Opponents Off the Kitchen
- Third Shot Lob - Advance After a Successful Lob
Third Shot Drive – Advanced
Advanced- Shake and Bake
- Drive and Reset
- Blocking a Third Shot Drive
Third Shot Drop – Advanced
Advanced- Third Shot Drop - Target the Backhand Foot
- Third Shot Drop - Target the Player in Front of Your Partner
- Third Shot Drop - When Both Forehands Are in the Middle
- Third Shot Drop - No Forehand in the Middle
- The 5th and 7th Shot Drop
- Third Shot Drop - Move Forward Together
- Third Shot Drop Success - Put Away a Popup
- Third Shot Drop Mistake - Rushing In
- Third Shot Drop Mistake - Drawing Opponent Forward
Drop Shot Defense
Advanced- Drop Shot Defense - Volley
- Drop Shot Defense - Volley Decisions
- Drop Shot Defense - Dink
- Drop Shot Defensive Mistake - Backing Up
- Reset Shot
Poaching
Advanced- Poaching the Third Shot
- Poach and Switch
- Poach and Switch with Hand Signals
- Poach Mistake: Moving Too Early
Overhead Smash
Advanced- Smash Basics
- Angle Smash
- Lob Switch
Dinking3 modules · 13 scenarios
Dinking Fundamentals
Basic- Dinking Overview
- Dinking Footwork and Tethering
- Cross-Court Dink
- Forward Dink
- Attacking an Attackable Dink
Common Dinking Mistakes
Basic- Dinking Mistake - Lack of Patience
- Dinking Mistake - Broken Tether
- Dinking Mistake - Caught in the Kitchen
Advanced Dinking
Advanced- Volley Dink
- Put Away and Dink Fake
- Dink Fake Lob
- Around the Post (ATP)
- Erne
Mental Game4 modules · 21 scenarios
Patience
All levels- Rushing to End the Point
- Staying Calm as Opponents Advance
- Embracing the Soft Game
- Trusting Your Partner
- Staying Composed Through Difficult Moments
Resilience
All levels- Recovering After a Mistake
- Responding to Momentum Changes
- Competing When the Score Is Against You
- Staying Composed Under Pressure
- Learning From Difficult Matches
Partner Etiquette
All levels- Starting the Game
- Encouragement and Communication
- Helping with Calls
- Keeping the Energy Positive
- Sharing the Middle
- Offering Feedback
Opponent Etiquette
All levels- Starting the Game
- Serving and Readiness
- Recognizing Good Play
- Line Calls and Ball Handling
- Ending the Game
Strategy Articles8 articles
- 3.5 Level – How to Know if You’re There
- The Genius Behind Pickleball – How the Rules Shape the Strategy
- From Tennis to Pickleball
- The Third Shot Drop – Don’t Give Up
- Winning the Transition Zone: Why One Drop Shot Is Often Not Enough
- Seeing the Court as a 3.5 Player
- The Power Player Challenge
- Footwork – The Split Step
What Players Are Saying
★★★★★Very Helpful App
“The court diagrams and descriptions made situations easier to understand.”
CBE123NH · App Store★★★★★Great tool to advance your game
“Helpful tips and strategies for all aspects of play.”
Steve J77 · App Store★★★★★Great Pickleball Strategy Guide
“This app is excellent for any level player that wants to improve their situational awareness.”
NinjaRide · App Store
Developed by Payton Bond
Author of Pickleball Strategy: A Guide to 3.5 and Beyond and a regular contributor to The Kitchen.
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Free download with 25 scenarios. Unlock all 100+ anytime for a one-time $9.99. No subscription, no account, no email. Future updates included.
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As seen in the App
As seen in the App
This is one of 25 free scenarios in the app.Full library of 100+ for a one-time $9.99 · No subscription
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