How Often Do You Think About These Strategy Concepts During a Match?

20 Pickleball Strategy Questions

1. Do you know what defines a 3.5+ player? Can you accurately assess your current level of play?
2. Do you consistently hit deep serves and returns, and understand why they are so important?
3. Do you stack when playing with an opposite-handed partner? Do you actively assess your opponents' handedness before a game or point begins? How does this impact your strategy?
4. Do you have a plan when your opponents are stacking? How does it impact your serves, returns, and third-shot decisions?
5. Once your serves and returns are consistent, do you intentionally target them? What is your targeting strategy?
6. Do you consistently reach the NVZ (Kitchen) after returning serve, or do you find yourself caught in the transition zone when your opponent hits their third shot? Do you have a plan?
7. Do you use spin shots, and do you understand how to handle opponents who use a lot of spin? Do you understand the physics of pickleball spin and how it affects your shots?
8. Do you actively communicate on the third shot? Do you call shots and move in front of your partner to take forehands whenever possible?
9. Do you have a go-to third shot? Do you have a plan before the point even starts? Do you understand when it is better to hit a drive versus a drop shot? When driving the third shot, do you use the Shake and Bake or Drive and Reset strategies with your partner?
10. Do you poach the third shot? Do you know when it is effective, how it helps your partner, and when it should be avoided?
11. Do you have a plan when someone hits a lob? Do you use overhead smashes effectively? Do you know when to let the lob bounce and how to chase it down while switching correctly with your partner?
12. Do you use third-shot drops consistently, and do you understand why they are one of the most important shots in pickleball?
13. Do you intentionally target your third-shot drops? What is your strategy for placement?
14. Do you understand and use a split-step while moving through the transition zone?
15. After hitting a third-shot drop, do you assess its quality before moving in? What is your plan for advancing through the transition zone to reach the kitchen? Do you understand the concept of a 5th-shot or 7th-shot drop?
16. Do you understand how to defend effectively against third-shot drops? Are you simply reacting, or do you have a plan?
17. Do you understand volley placement and when to volley versus dink when defending against a third-shot drop?
18. Do you understand what a reset shot is, when to use it, and why it is one of the most important defensive shots in pickleball?
19. During a dinking rally, do you focus on pinching the middle and tethering? Do you know when to use a cross-court dink versus a forward dink?
20. Do you attack dinks at the right time? Are you patient? Do you know what a dink fake is? Do you know what a dink fake lob is? Have you ever attempted an Erne or an ATP (Around the Post)?