How To Get Better At Pickleball Quickly

TL:DR:

• Learn the rules, scoring, and proper form.
• Play consistently, 3-4 times a week.
• Practice solo drills for serving, footwork, and volleys.
• Improve general fitness, flexibility, and balance.
• Get feedback from a coach to identify areas for improvement.

Swing into action! Pickleball's popularity is exploding, and for good reason. It's a fun, social sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. But even the most seasoned players can find themselves wanting to elevate their game.

We're here to equip you with practical tips and strategies to fast-track your pickleball improvement, regardless of your current skill level.

From core fundamentals to targeted exercises to improve your pickleball game, in this blog post, you'll discover several ways to dominate the court and become a pickleball pro!

How to Play Better Pickleball: 3 Tips

When it comes to athletic performance, everyone can always improve just a little. If you’re a beginner, you’ll see more marked improvements more quickly. However, that doesn’t mean if you’re a pro you can’t brush up on the basics or take more time for solo practice.

1. Understand the Basics

The first step in becoming a true master at pickleball, as with almost any sport, is to understand the basics. On a foundational level, that may mean first getting familiar with common pickleball terms to understand what you hear when you’re trying to teach yourself what the game involves.

Perhaps more importantly, it means getting yourself familiar with the rules of the game, learning the scoring system, and learning what proper form looks like.

2. Play Consistently

Once you know the basics of pickleball, it’s time to start enacting them. Playing recreationally is a good start. Just make sure you’re doing so consistently. We recommend hitting the court at least 3-4 times a week if not more.

3. Don’t Neglect Solo Practice Time

Solo practice time is as important if not arguably more important to refining your game than playing recreationally. Once you start playing and can hold your own on a court, this is the time that drills can be extremely beneficial.

So be sure to practice your serves, work on your footwork, and use a wall to improve your volleys and dinks. Solo drills and exercises can also help you build confidence.

Exercises for Improving Your Game

1. General Fitness & Conditioning

Working on your general fitness can be a great way to indirectly improve your pickleball game. While it may not help with how to improve your pickleball serve or work on your dinks, it will make you stronger and provide additional stamina.

2. Flexibility & Balance Conditioning

Flexibility and balance are often overlooked areas of fitness and health that are crucial to being able to excel at pickleball, especially at an advanced level. Engaging in exercises like yoga or Pilates is an effective way to cross-train.

3. Specific Drills

There are several specific pickleball drills you can engage in to better your game, from wall drills, two-touch drills, and skinny singles.

We recommend learning them all at “The Art of Pickleball”.

Feedback & Coaching

When it comes to becoming a true pickleball pro, especially if you’re looking to level up your game quickly, one of the most impactful steps you can take is to get a dedicated coach to provide you with feedback and help you focus on your potential areas of improvement

It’s no substitute for regular practice, but it is a fantastic supplement. It’s also often the difference between remaining in one place and actionably improving your skillset.

Learn More

Looking for more pickleball training resources? Check out our blog “10 Pickleball Tips to Take Your Game to the Next Level”.

Ready to pick up your paddle and start playing? Find a court near you today.