7 Tips for Playing a Smarter Game of Pickleball

Pickleball is a popular sport that has been around for many years but has only recently exploded in popularity. The game resembles badminton, but instead of rackets and birdies, players use paddles to hit a plastic ball against the ground and over the net. 

Whether you are playing pickleball on a tennis court or one specifically made for the game, there are tricks you can use to improve your performance. If you’re interested in playing this fun new game with your friends or family members, then follow these 7 pickleball tips!

Not sure how to play the game without a specialized court? Read about How to Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court.

1: Pick your equipment carefully.

Pickleball strategy starts when you choose your equipment. There are a lot of different pickleball paddles available on the market, so you want to make sure that you’re purchasing one that is high quality and will last. If possible, try hitting with some paddles before buying them just in case they’re poorly made or uncomfortable for your hand size.

2: Comfort is key.

The next tip for playing pickleball is to make sure you are comfortable. You want to make certain that you are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes when playing pickleball so that your focus can be entirely on the game.

3: Don’t forget about eye protection!

If you’re going to be hitting balls with a lot of force, then it’s important for your eyesight to have some coverage in case something goes wrong. An essential tip for pickleball is to wear high-quality eye protection so you can easily see without worrying about an injury.

4: Watch your back!

Just like in tennis, pickleball requires you to be aware of what is going on behind you so that no one sneaks up and hits the ball over the net.  Once you are comfortable with playing pickleball, then this rule will become second nature for you.

5: Don’t forget about footwork!

This pickleball playing tip is just like in tennis; you want to be sure that your feet are moving quickly so that you can get into position and hit the ball.

6: Be an active participant in the game.

If everyone is standing around waiting for someone else to step up and play pickleball with them, then no one will have fun. Try not to be the person who is standing on the sidelines, and instead make an effort to play with everyone.

7: Follow through with your shot.

You want to make sure that you hit each pickleball cleanly so that it goes over the net and doesn’t get caught up in any branches or leaves behind. If possible, try finding a court where there is no chance of hitting anything besides the ground and net.

If you are looking to up your game, you need a pickleball court. To get yours, work with Talbot Tennis. Our tennis court contractors in South Carolina can build both pickleball and multi-purpose courts based on your specifications.

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