Pickleball’s meteoric rise, with 19.8 million U.S. players in 2024 and a 311% participation surge since 2021, has transformed it from a social pastime into a fiercely competitive sport. As professional leagues like the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) draw global talent, and tournaments offer millions in prize money, mastering advanced shots, techniques, and strategies is essential for players aiming to dominate the court. Whether you’re a 4.0 player eyeing a 4.5 DUPR rating or a pro chasing a podium finish, elevating your game requires precision, adaptability, and cerebral play. This article delves into the advanced arsenal of pickleball—shots like the third-shot drop, topspin lob, and Erne; techniques such as spin mastery and footwork; and strategies including poaching and strategic lobbing—to help you outsmart opponents and thrive in 2025’s high-stakes pickleball landscape.
The Evolution of Competitive Pickleball
Pickleball’s compact 20x44-foot court and low net make it a game of strategy over brute force, akin to chess, as noted by top players. Unlike tennis, where power often prevails, pickleball rewards finesse, placement, and teamwork, especially in doubles, which dominates competitive play. Advanced players must blend offensive aggression with defensive resilience, exploiting opponents’ weaknesses while minimizing errors. In 2025, with paddle innovations like foam cores and spin-enhancing surfaces, shots are faster and spins more pronounced, demanding a versatile skill set. Mastering advanced techniques not only boosts your DUPR score but also enhances the sport’s social joy, as strategic play keeps rallies dynamic and engaging.
Advanced Pickleball Shots
Advanced shots require precision, timing, and tactical intent. Here’s a breakdown of key shots to elevate your game:
1. Third-Shot Drop
The third-shot drop, executed after the serve and return, is a cornerstone of advanced play, landing softly in the opponent’s non-volley zone (NVZ, or “kitchen”) to neutralize their net advantage. While beginners learn this shot early, mastering it demands finesse. A well-placed drop allows you to advance to the NVZ, but a poor one invites an attack.
- Execution: Use a relaxed grip and a short, upward swing, angling the paddle slightly open. Strike the ball below its peak with a gentle follow-through, aiming for a low arc over the net. Target the opponent’s backhand or middle to create confusion.
- Advanced Twist: Vary depth and spin. A topspin drop dips quickly, while a backspin drop floats, disrupting timing. Practice reading opponents’ body language—paddle tip down signals a dink return, allowing you to rush the net; paddle up means stay back.
- Drill: With a partner at the NVZ, hit 20 drops from the baseline, aiming within a foot of the kitchen line. Alternate spins and adjust based on their returns, simulating match scenarios.
2. Topspin Lob
An offensive topspin lob arcs high and deep, curving downward aggressively to push opponents back from the NVZ. It’s ideal when opponents lean forward, exposing their baseline.
- Execution: Brush upward on the ball with a semi-closed paddle face, using a forehand or backhand motion. Aim 2–3 feet above the opponent’s reach, targeting their backhand or non-dominant shoulder for a tougher overhead return.
- Advanced Twist: Disguise the lob as a dink during NVZ exchanges, catching opponents off-guard. In windy conditions, use tailwinds to carry the ball deeper.
- Drill: Practice 15 lobs from the NVZ against a partner at the net, aiming for the back third of the court. Vary height and spin, noting their reaction time.
3. Topspin and Slice Dinks
Dinks—soft shots landing in the opponent’s NVZ—are finesse weapons. Adding topspin or slice (backspin) makes them aggressive or unpredictable.
- Topspin Dink: Brush upward with a closed paddle face, popping the ball off the opponent’s paddle, forcing errors. Target cross-court or middle to exploit gaps.
- Slice Dink: Cut sideways with an open paddle face, keeping the ball low and skidding. Use when the ball bounces low to reset pace or redirect play.
- Advanced Twist: Alternate spins to confuse opponents. A topspin dink followed by a slice creates erratic bounces, disrupting their rhythm.
- Drill: Dink 25 balls with a partner, alternating topspin and slice, aiming for precision within the kitchen. Practice elbow-out balance, as pros do, for control.
4. Passing Shot
A passing shot, common in singles, zips past an opponent at the NVZ, targeting open court. It requires agility and precise placement.
- Execution: Hit a flat or topspin drive from mid-court or baseline, aiming wide or down the line. Use quick footwork to counter returns, as opponents may mirror the tactic.
- Advanced Twist: Feint a drop shot before driving, exploiting an opponent’s forward lean. In doubles, aim between partners for confusion.
- Drill: Rally with a partner at the NVZ, hitting 20 passing shots to sidelines, practicing lateral shuffles to recover position.
5. Erne and ATP (Around-the-Post)
The Erne and ATP are flashy, agile shots executed outside the court, surprising opponents with sharp angles.
- Erne: Run laterally past the NVZ sideline, volleying the ball before it bounces, avoiding the kitchen line. Named after Erne Perry, it’s ideal for cross-court dinks.
- ATP: Let the ball bounce before hitting it around the net post, exploiting wide angles. Requires balance to avoid overstepping.
- Advanced Twist: Use body feints to mask intent, drawing opponents inward before striking. In doubles, coordinate with your partner to cover the middle.
- Drill: Set up a cross-court dink rally, practicing 10 Ernes and 10 ATPs per side, focusing on footwork and paddle angle.
6. Cross-Court Dink Volley
Volleying a dink out of the air cross-court keeps you at the NVZ, taking time away from opponents.
- Execution: Use a short, controlled swing with a neutral paddle face, aiming for the opponent’s kitchen. Slide laterally to cover gaps, maintaining a backhand-ready stance.
- Advanced Twist: Add a “shove” surprise, pushing the ball straight at an opponent’s chest during a dink exchange, as seen in pro play.
- Drill: Volley 20 cross-court dinks with a partner, alternating speeds and angles, practicing lateral slides.
7. Forehand Roll Volley
A topspin forehand roll volley, hit off a drop or third-shot drop, drives opponents back with a dipping trajectory.
- Execution: Lean forward, brushing upward with a semi-closed paddle face. Target the opponent’s feet or backhand, preventing NVZ advances.
- Advanced Twist: Disguise as a dink, accelerating at the last moment for deception.
- Drill: Rally with a partner at the baseline, hitting 15 roll volleys off their drops, aiming deep.
Advanced Pickleball Techniques
Techniques underpin shot execution, enhancing control and versatility. Here are key areas to master:
1. Spin Mastery
Spins—topspin, backspin (slice), and sidespin—control ball trajectory and confound opponents. Topspin dips shots, backspin slows pace, and sidespin curves unpredictably.
- Execution: For topspin, brush upward with a closed paddle face; for backspin, cut downward or sideways with an open face; for sidespin, strike the ball’s side with a lateral swipe.
- Application: Use topspin on drives and dinks, backspin on resets and serves, and sidespin on passing shots or volleys.
- Drill: Hit 30 shots with each spin type against a wall, noting bounce patterns. Practice combining spins in rallies.
2. Shot Placement
Precise placement exploits court gaps and opponent weaknesses. Target the middle in doubles for confusion, cross-court for angles, or behind opponents to force awkward returns.
- Execution: Read opponent positioning—lean forward means lob; crowded NVZ means passing shot. Use compact strokes for accuracy.
- Drill: Place 25 shots to specific court zones (e.g., backhand corner, middle) with a partner feeding balls.
3. Footwork
Agile footwork enables court coverage and shot readiness. Split steps, shuffles, and lateral slides maintain balance.
- Execution: Split step (balanced hop) before opponent contact, shuffle for lateral moves, and pivot for lobs. Keep paddle up in a backhand-ready stance for faster reactions.
- Drill: Practice 20 shuffle drills across the court, split stepping before each imaginary shot, focusing on paddle height.
4. Court Coverage
Anticipate ball paths and share space in doubles. Move as a unit, mirroring your partner’s position, covering gaps without overstepping.
- Execution: If your partner is at the NVZ, cover the baseline; if they’re wide, shift center. Communicate calls like “Yours!” or “Switch!”
- Drill: Rally with a partner, practicing synchronized lateral moves, covering middle shots for 15 minutes.
Advanced Pickleball Strategies
Strategies blend shots and techniques into a game plan, balancing offense and defense. Here are proven tactics:
Offensive Strategies
- Poaching: Cross to your partner’s side to intercept a shot, typically a weak dink or volley. Requires clear communication to avoid collisions.
- Execution: Signal intent with a call or gesture. Move diagonally, volleying aggressively, targeting gaps or feet.
- Drill: Practice 20 poaches with a partner, alternating roles, focusing on timing and calls.
- Attacking Weak Returns: Capitalize on soft or high returns with drives or roll volleys, aiming at opponents’ feet or gaps.
- Execution: Read paddle angles—low paddle means dink, high means pop-up. Strike with 60% power to set up put-aways.
- Drill: Rally with a partner feeding soft shots, hitting 15 drives to their feet, practicing follow-up volleys.
- Transitioning to Offense: Create openings with lobs or deep returns, forcing opponents back, then advance to the NVZ.
- Execution: Hit a topspin lob to push opponents deep, then rush forward with a split step. Target their backhand for weaker returns.
- Drill: Practice 20 lobs from the baseline, advancing to the NVZ, countering partner drives.
Defensive Strategies
- Defensive Lob: A high, deep lob buys time to reset, pushing aggressive opponents back.
- Execution: Pivot forward to chase lobs, never backpedaling to avoid falls. Drop the return into the NVZ, advancing as a team.
- Drill: Practice 15 defensive lobs against a partner’s NVZ volleys, focusing on footwork and drop returns.
- Deep Returns: Return serves or drives deep to keep opponents from the NVZ, gaining recovery time.
- Execution: Use a flat, high-arcing stroke, aiming for the back third of the court. Split step after returning to prepare.
- Drill: Return 20 serves deep with a partner, alternating sides, practicing split steps.
- Minimizing Open Spaces: Cover gaps by moving with your partner, ensuring no easy targets.
- Execution: If your partner is at the net, cover the baseline; if wide, shift center. Use a “stacked” formation for weak returns.
- Drill: Rally with a partner, practicing synchronized coverage for 10 minutes, targeting middle shots.
Cerebral Strategies
- Systematic Adaptation: Switch tactics based on opponent tendencies—e.g., dinks vs. drives if they excel at baseline rallies.
- Execution: Observe paddle position and shot patterns. Target backhands or use resets to slow aggressive play.
- Drill: Play a practice game, switching strategies every 5 points, noting opponent reactions.
- Deceptive Speed-Ups: Disguise drives as dinks during NVZ exchanges, catching opponents off-guard.
- Execution: Maintain dink mechanics, subtly tightening grip for a 60% power drive. Aim down the line or at feet.
- Drill: Practice 20 speed-ups in a dink rally, alternating deception and placement.
Advanced Drills to Hone Skills
Consistent practice refines advanced skills. Here are targeted drills:
- Third-Shot Drop Drill: From the baseline, hit 20 drops to a partner at the NVZ, varying spin and depth. Run to the net or stay back based on their return, simulating match play.
- Spin Drill: Hit 30 shots each of topspin, backspin, and sidespin against a wall, aiming for specific targets. Transition to a partner rally, mixing spins.
- Footwork Drill: Shuffle across the court for 20 reps, split stepping before imaginary shots. Practice paddle-up, backhand-ready stance.
- Poaching Drill: In a doubles rally, poach 20 shots, alternating with your partner, practicing calls and middle coverage.
- Reset Drill: From the transition zone, block 20 aggressive shots from a partner at the NVZ into the kitchen, split stepping before each.
Key Considerations for Advanced Play
- Consistency: Execute shots with 80%+ accuracy, minimizing unforced errors, per a 2023 DUPR study showing 4.5+ players average 90% rally success.
- Pace and Placement Control: Vary shot speed (e.g., 60% speed-ups) and target gaps, exploiting angles, as pros do in PPA matches.
- Strategic Thinking: Read opponents’ body language—leaning forward signals dink, paddle up means attack. Adjust tactics mid-rally, targeting weaknesses.
- Mental Resilience: Use resets (deep breaths, paddle taps) after errors, as advised by Ben Johns, to stay focused, reducing error chains by 20%, per mental training studies.
Elevating Your Game in 2025
In 2025, pickleball’s competitive landscape, with 68,458 U.S. courts and global tournaments, demands advanced mastery. Shots like the topspin lob and Erne, techniques like spin and footwork, and strategies like poaching and lobbing form a versatile arsenal. For 4.0 players aiming for 4.5, diversifying attacks (e.g., two-handed backhand), mastering topspin rolls, and perfecting resets are critical, per expert coaches. Drills build muscle memory, while cerebral play—adapting, deceiving, neutralizing—wins rallies.
Whether competing in the Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships or local leagues, these skills elevate performance and enjoyment. Practice one or two techniques at a time, as suggested by coaches, to avoid overload. Join clubs, take lessons, and analyze pro matches on ESPN to refine your game. With dedication, you’ll rule the court, blending strategy, finesse, and respect for pickleball’s vibrant community.
