5 Shots To Use As An Advanced Pickleball Strategy

When it comes to playing pickleball at a higher level, strategy and shot selection go hand-in-hand. Knowing how to use different types of shots is like adding more arrows to your quiver. In order to complement the advanced pickleball strategy, here are 5 shots to learn and master.

Advanced Pickleball Strategy: 5 Must-Know Shots

In order to learn and master any shot, you will need repetition for muscle memory. Even if you advanced in your pickleball so quickly that you have gotten away without drilling, you may want to start incorporating now. A partner and a basket of balls are all you will need. Let’s get started.

Slice Return

If you come from tennis or other racket sports, you may already know how to slice return. But anyone without a racket sport can learn how to use this shot. The reason a slice return can be so effective is that it keeps the ball very low. It also makes it harder for your opponent to make a good third-shot drop.

There are many great instructional videos on proper mechanics and form. You can use a backhand slice or a forehand slice depending on your preference. However, learning how to use both is even better since you will not have to run around your backhand or forehand.

Topspin Drop

Knowing how to use topspin is important as you level up in pickleball. Topspin is useful in a lot of different shots. When used with a third shot drive, topspin allows you to hit the ball with power while keeping it inbounds of the court.

If your opponent used a slice return or a slice drop, using topspin will allow you to return the ball effectively without hitting the net. It will also keep the ball low while clearing the net. That is because the topspin will counter the backspin of the ball applied by your opponent’s slice.

Slice Drop

Like the topspin drop, a slice drop is another advanced pickleball shot to add to your arsenal. You may often see this shot being used by the pros if you watch tournaments. Slicing sends the ball with backspin, keeping the ball very low. It also keeps the ball in the air longer even if you slice the ball high.

This allows a little more time for you and your partner to move up to the kitchen. Like any third drop shot, you don’t have to use a slice drop as only a third shot or a fifth shot. You can use a slice drop to reset the ball.

You can even use a slice drop as a drop shot for a high ball if your opponents are far back in the baseline instead of smashing the ball. Drop shots can be even more effective than overheads when used this way because many high-level players can retrieve and reset overheads.

Dink Variety

Just like the drop varieties that we went over, knowing dink varieties is also important. You already know that dinking can be used defensively or offensively. You can dink with topspin, backspin, or no spin. Each type of spin should be used intentionally where you’re setting up a putaway for you or your partner.

This could be by dinking more aggressively each time with a push dink until your opponent props the ball up a little too high or with too much pace for you to be able to attack the ball. Or to bait your opponent to attack prematurely while you’re ready to react with a counter.

Misdirection

While advanced players know different types of shots and how to use them effectively, the one shot that separates them from the rest is knowing how to use misdirection. You can use misdirection in so many ways. You can be dinking crosscourt and then suddenly switch direction to speed the ball up to your opponent’s body.

Or you can lob it over their head to get them out of position. You can look like you’re ready to drive a ball across the court but go down the line instead. No matter what type of misdirection you prefer to do, learning it may be the most important advanced pickleball strategy to know.