Advanced Pickleball Shots, Techniques, and Strategies

Pickleball's rapid growth has transformed it from a social pastime into a fiercely competitive sport. As professional tours and leagues draw global talent, mastering advanced shots, techniques, and strategies can help experienced players become more adaptable and deliberate on the court. The goal is not to collect flashy shots for a highlight reel. It is to build a versatile set of repeatable options that can solve the problems an opponent creates during a rally.

Some of the most brutally effective shots in pickleball are quiet, compact, and easy to overlook. A soft reset, a disguised dink fake, or a calm block shot may do more damage than smashing ball after ball. The sneakiest and slyest shots often begin with the same preparation as an ordinary dink, then change pace, direction, or spin at the last moment. Those changes keep opponents guessing and make the entire game more difficult to read.

This guide breaks down advanced shots such as the third-shot drop, third shot drive, topspin lob, backhand spin dink, Erne, around-the-post shot, cross-court dink volley, forehand roll volley, backhand punch, and defensive block. It also covers spin, placement, footwork, court coverage, drills, and practical pickleball tips for using those tools under pressure.

Key Takeaways

• Advanced play depends on control, disguise, placement, and sound decisions rather than raw power alone.
• The third shot is a very important shot because it determines whether the serving team can move forward or remains under pressure.
• Dink shots become more dangerous when players can vary spin, depth, angle, and tempo without changing their preparation.
• An Erne or ATP can be such a fun shot, but neither should be attempted without the correct ball, balance, and court position.
• A backhand punch and a steady block shot can surprise an opponent at the net without requiring a large swing.
• Cross-court dinks offer a longer path, a lower section of the net, and more room for a soft landing.
• Limiting unforced errors is more important than chasing the most flashy shots on every rally.
• Practice with a friend or pickleball buddy, then test the same skills against stronger players who expose weaknesses faster.

The Evolution of Competitive Pickleball

Pickleball's compact 20-by-44-foot court and low net reward strategy over brute force. Unlike sports in which power can dominate from long range, pickleball places four doubles players in a small space where reaction time, placement, and teamwork matter on almost every contact. Advanced players must blend offense with defense, exploit weaknesses, and still protect themselves from unnecessary errors.

Modern pickleball paddles can make drives faster and spin more pronounced, but equipment does not replace technique. Upper body strength can help generate pace, yet compact preparation, balance, timing, and contact in front of the body usually matter more. A player who can hit hard but cannot reset, dink, or defend will eventually run into an opponent who refuses to cooperate with a power-only plan.

The strongest advanced players treat every stroke as part of a sequence. A serve influences the return, the return shapes the third shot, and the quality of the third shot affects the fourth shot. The point is not a collection of isolated swings. It is a chain of decisions designed to create a better next ball.

Advanced Pickleball Shots

Advanced shots require precision, timing, and tactical intent. A difficult shot is useful only when it can be selected for the correct situation and repeated with reasonable consistency.

Third-Shot Drop and Third Shot Drive

The third-shot drop is played by the serving team after the serve and return. The shot typically lands softly in the opponent's non-volley zone, neutralizing the returning team's position at the kitchen line and giving the servers time to move forward. A well-placed drop has a low arc and soft landing. A poor drop sits up and invites an attack.

• Execution: Use a relaxed grip, a short upward swing, and a slightly open paddle face. Contact the ball in front of the body and guide it toward the kitchen rather than trying to manufacture heavy spin with wrist action.
• Placement: Target the middle or an opponent's backhand. A ball that lands near the feet can make the next attack more difficult and may create a weaker fourth shot.
• Decision: Use a third shot drive when the return is shorter, higher, or easier to contact aggressively. A low return is generally a better candidate for a drop.

A shot drive is not automatically the aggressive choice and a drop is not automatically the safe choice. The best decision depends on contact height, balance, opponent position, and what your team can do after the ball crosses the net. The objective is to create a manageable next shot, not to win the rally with one swing.

Topspin Lob and Defensive Lob

A lob shot can be offensive or defensive. An offensive topspin lob is used from a stable position to push opponents away from the non-volley zone. A defensive lob is hit under pressure to buy time and recover. The two shots may look similar, but their purpose and trajectory are different.

• Execution: For topspin, brush upward on the back of the ball with a controlled low-to-high path. Aim high enough to clear an extended paddle and deep enough to threaten the opponent's baseline.
• Disguise: Use preparation that resembles a dink stroke. A late change from dink to lob can create opponent panic, especially when both players are leaning forward.
• Recovery: Do not admire the shot. Move into a better position and prepare for an overhead, a scrambled reset, or a short reply.

A successful lob does not need to win the point outright. It can force a retreat, open the kitchen, or produce a semi high ball that becomes an opportunity shot. When a disguised lob sends both opponents running in opposite directions, the scramble can look absolutely hilarious, but the tactical value is serious.

Topspin, Slice, and Backhand Spin Dinks

Dinks are soft shots intended to land in the opponent's kitchen. They are among the most frustrating shots for aggressive players because a good dink remains below attack height and forces patience. Dink shots become even more effective when the same compact motion can produce different spins and directions.

• Topspin dink: Brush upward with a slightly closed paddle face so the ball clears the net and dips into the kitchen.
• Slice dink: Move the paddle gently from high to low with an open face. Do not slice straight downward or chop at the ball, because that often produces a floating contact with poor depth control.
• Backhand spin dink: Use a compact backhand motion to send the ball downward after it crosses the net, then recover the paddle in front. You do not need as much wrist action as many players assume.

A normal cross court dink travels diagonally to the opposite side and crosses near the lower middle of the net. A cross court dink shot has a longer path than a dink hit straight ahead, so it may need slightly more power or pace to reach the target. That extra distance also creates more margin and more time for the ball to drop.

Spin should change the bounce, not destroy control. When the pickleball ball bounces after a slice or sidespin dink, do not expect it to bounce straight. The variation can make an opponent mess up their timing, but the shot still needs to land low and inside the court.

Passing Shot

A passing shot is common in singles and useful whenever an opponent leaves open space near the sideline. From the baseline or midcourt, a flat or topspin drive can be directed wide or down the line before the opponent closes the gap.

• Execution: Use quick footwork, contact in front, and a compact follow-through. A powerful cross court shot can pull the opponent outside the sideline, while a down-the-line ball can punish a player who leans toward the middle.
• Deception: Prepare as though you are hitting a drop, then accelerate through the ball. The disguise matters only if the stroke remains balanced.
• Recovery: Expect the opponent to reach the ball. Return toward a useful court position instead of watching the result.

Erne and Around-the-Post Shot

The Erne and around-the-post shot are among the sport's most flashy shots. They are also situational. A player should not chase either one simply because it would look good on video.

• Erne: Move outside the sideline and volley near the net while staying clear of the non-volley zone. This can attack a cross-court dink before the opponent has time to recover.
• Around-the-post shot: When a wide ball travels outside the net post, return it around the outside of the post into the opponent's court. The ball does not need to pass over the net.

The standard ATP is usually neither a volley nor an overhead because the ball bounces wide before it is struck. It is a rare but brutally effective shot when the angle is available. It is not a shot to force from an ordinary ball. Wait until the bounce carries the ball far enough outside the sideline to create a clean path around the post.

The ATP is a cool little shot because it looks impossible until the geometry opens. It can be such a fun shot to practice with a friend or pickleball buddy, but safe footwork and awareness of posts, barriers, and nearby courts matter more than the highlight.

Cross-Court Dink Volley

A cross-court dink volley takes the ball out of the air and sends it softly toward the opposite kitchen. Taking the ball early can reduce an opponent's recovery time and preserve your position near the non-volley line.

• Execution: Use a short, controlled swing with a stable paddle face. Let the incoming ball provide much of the pace.
• Placement: Aim toward the outside foot or open kitchen space. The goal is controlled angle, not maximum speed.
• Variation: From the same setup, use a dink fake and redirect the ball toward the middle or at the opponent's body.

This is a focused shot that depends on touch. If the paddle swings too far, the ball may travel beyond the kitchen. If the face opens too much, the ball can float high enough for an opponent's pop-up attack.

Forehand Roll Volley

A forehand roll volley adds topspin to a ball contacted before it bounces. It is often used against a drop or soft transition ball to keep the serving team from moving comfortably to the kitchen.

• Execution: Contact in front, brush upward, and keep the swing compact. The paddle path sends the ball forward while topspin pulls the ball downward.
• Target: Aim at the feet, backhand hip, or open space. A hard shot directly into a comfortable strike zone may be easier to counter than a controlled ball at the feet.
• Disguise: Show the same preparation as a dink volley, then accelerate only when the ball is high enough to attack.

Backhand Punch and Block Shot

The backhand punch is a compact counter used when the ball arrives quickly near the body. Instead of taking a large backswing, the paddle shoots straight through the incoming ball with a short, firm motion. This can surprise an opponent during fast returns at the net and redirect pace before the other team can recover.

• Backhand punch: Keep the paddle in front, stabilize the wrist, and direct the ball toward a gap, the feet, or the middle. The stroke needs timing and placement more than upper body strength.
• Block shot: Soften the grip and absorb pace when the opponent hits a drive. A quiet paddle can drop the ball into the kitchen and neutralize the attack.

The backhand punch is an attacking counter; the block shot is a defensive reset. Both use compact preparation. Trying to add a full swing when the ball hits quickly often produces late contact and an unnecessary error.

Advanced Pickleball Techniques

Technique supports every advanced shot. The player who controls spin, placement, footwork, and spacing can choose from more options without turning each rally into a gamble.

Spin Mastery

Topspin, backspin, and sidespin change trajectory and bounce. Topspin helps the ball dip, backspin can slow the ball and keep it low, and sidespin can pull the bounce away from the expected path.

• For topspin: Brush upward with a slightly closed face and finish in the direction of the target.
• For backspin: Use a controlled high-to-low path with an open face. Avoid excessive wrist action and maintain a stable contact point.
• For sidespin: Contact the side of the ball with a lateral component while still swinging through the target.

Spin should support placement rather than replace it. A heavy-spin ball that misses the court is less useful than a moderate-spin ball that repeatedly reaches the intended target.

Shot Placement

Precise placement exploits gaps and weak contact zones. In doubles, the middle can create hesitation. Cross-court placement creates angles. A ball behind a moving player can force an awkward change of direction.

• Read positioning: A player leaning forward may be vulnerable to a lob. A player crowding the middle may leave the sideline open.
• Attack the correct ball: A high or semi high ball can be an opportunity shot. A low ball is usually a reason to stay patient.
• Use margin: Aim inside the lines and below attack height instead of trying to paint the boundary on every contact.

Footwork

Advanced shots fall apart when the feet arrive late. Split-step just before the opponent hits, then use short shuffles to stay balanced. Pivot and turn when retrieving a lob instead of backpedaling.

• Keep the paddle up and the body centered while moving laterally.
• Stop or stabilize before contact whenever possible. Hitting while drifting reduces accuracy.
• Recover after each shot so the next ball does not expose an unnecessary gap.

Court Coverage

Doubles partners should move as a connected unit. When one player is pulled wide, the other should slide toward the middle rather than remaining frozen. Large front-to-back gaps give opponents easy targets and make resets harder.

• Communicate with short calls such as 'mine,' 'yours,' 'switch,' and 'bounce.'
• Protect the middle while respecting the sideline angle created by the ball's location.
• After a deep return, the returning team should move forward and become balanced before the serving team contacts the third shot.

Advanced Pickleball Strategies

Strategy connects individual strokes into a game plan. The best tactics create predictable advantages without requiring perfect execution on every ball.

Offensive Strategies

• Poaching: Cross toward your partner's side to intercept a weak dink or volley. Communicate clearly and attack a ball that is high enough to handle.
• Attacking weak returns: When an opponent's pop-up sits above the net, use controlled pace toward the feet, middle, or open court. Do not swing harder than the situation requires.
• Transitioning forward: Use a drop, drive, or deep lob to create time, then advance together and split-step before the next contact.
• Pattern pressure: Repeat a dependable pattern until the opponent adjusts, then change direction or pace to exploit the response.

Defensive Strategies

• Defensive lob: Use a high, deep ball when under pressure, then turn and recover. The purpose is time, not immediate offense.
• Deep return: Keep the serving team farther from the kitchen and give the returner time to move forward.
• Block and reset: Absorb the pace of a drive and place the ball in the kitchen. This is one of the slyest shots because the opponent supplies the speed while you change the rally's tempo.
• Close gaps: Move with your partner and protect the most dangerous open space instead of defending separate halves of the court.

Cerebral Strategies

• Systematic adaptation: Change tactics based on opponent tendencies. Use dinks against players who want speed and controlled drives against players who struggle with pace.
• Deceptive speed-ups: Begin with a normal dink stroke, then use a dink fake or compact acceleration when the ball is attackable.
• Error management: Limit unforced errors and make the opponent play another ball. Consistency often wins more points than forcing low-percentage winners.
• Observation: Track which serves, returns, dinks, and body positions produce weak replies. Use that information instead of repeating a favorite shot regardless of the situation.

Advanced Drills to Hone Skills

Consistent practice turns advanced ideas into dependable habits. Each drill should have a focused shot, target, and decision instead of becoming random hitting.

• Third-Shot Decision Drill: Have a partner vary the depth and height of returns. Choose a drop for low balls and a third shot drive for attackable balls, then move according to the quality of the shot.
• Spin Dink Drill: Hit 20 topspin dinks, 20 slice dinks, and 20 backhand spin dinks. Alternate cross-court and straight ahead targets while keeping the same preparation.
• Lob Drill: Begin a dink rally, then use a disguised lob toward the opponent's baseline after five to ten exchanges. Practice recovering immediately after the lob.
• Backhand Punch and Block Drill: Have a partner feed firm balls toward the backhand side. Alternate between punching attackable balls and blocking lower, faster balls into the kitchen.
• ATP Drill: Start with wide cross-court dinks that pull the receiver beyond the sideline. Attempt the around-the-post shot only when the ball bounces far enough outside the net post.
• Footwork Drill: Shuffle laterally, split-step before an imaginary opponent contact, and recover to a balanced position after every swing.

Practice one or two skills at a time. Adding every advanced move in one session creates noise instead of learning. Once the stroke is stable, play pickleball against different opponents and test whether the decision holds up under pressure.

Key Considerations for Advanced Play

• Consistency: The most effective advanced player is not the one who attempts the hardest shot. It is the one who can repeat a useful shot and limit unforced errors.
• Pace and placement: Vary speed, spin, height, and direction so opponents cannot settle into one rhythm.
• Decision quality: Recognize the difference between a neutral ball, a defensive ball, and an opportunity shot.
• Mental resilience: Reset after errors and return attention to the next rally instead of allowing one miss to change several decisions.
• Practice quality: Seek stronger players, coaches, and competitive games that expose weaknesses and force strategic adaptation.

Final Thoughts: Elevating Your Game

Advanced pickleball is not defined by how many trick shots a player can name. It is defined by how well the player selects, executes, and connects shots under pressure. The third-shot drop, third shot drive, topspin lob, spin dink, passing shot, Erne, ATP, cross-court dink volley, roll volley, backhand punch, and block all solve different problems.

Build the fundamentals first, then add disguise and variety. Use the sport's fun shot options selectively, and treat the less dramatic resets, dinks, and blocks with equal respect. Those quiet shots are often the most brutally effective shots because they remove an opponent's preferred attack and create a better ball for your team.

Choose one skill, practice it with a clear target, and track whether it improves real points. A cool little shot is only valuable when it makes your game more reliable.

FAQs About Advanced Pickleball Shots and Strategies

Why Does Playing Against Stronger Players Improve Your Game?

Playing against stronger players accelerates skill development because better opponents punish weak placement, slow recovery, predictable patterns, and poor decisions more consistently. They also force you to develop strategy instead of relying on the same comfortable shot. Practice with players who are challenging but still willing to sustain useful rallies.

When Should You Use a Backhand Punch?

Use a backhand punch when a fast ball arrives near the body or backhand side and there is not enough time for a full swing. It is especially effective during quick exchanges and returns at the net because the compact motion can surprise the opponent and redirect existing pace. Keep the paddle in front and aim for a gap, the feet, or the middle.

What Is an Around-the-Post Shot?

An around-the-post shot, or ATP, is a legal return that travels around the outside of the net post and lands in the opponent's court. It is rare because the ball must first create a wide enough angle. When that angle appears, the shot can be extremely effective because the ball may travel low and sharply away from the defenders.

Can a Topspin Serve Produce an Ace Down the Centerline?

Yes, a legal topspin serve directed near the centerline can occasionally produce an ace or a weak return, especially when the receiver expects a wider serve. The result comes from pace, spin, placement, and disguise together. The server must still follow the applicable service-motion rules, and the ball must land in the correct diagonal service court.

Why Is the Middle of a Pickleball Net Important?

The official net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. That two-inch difference gives a cross-court dink more vertical margin when it passes near the middle. It is one reason cross-court dinking is often safer than trying to send every ball straight over the higher part of the net.

Does a Cross-Court Dink Require More Power?

A cross-court dink travels a longer diagonal path than a dink hit straight ahead, so it often needs slightly more pace to reach the target. 'More power' does not mean a hard swing. Use a smooth, controlled motion and enough energy to carry the ball across the longer distance while preserving a soft landing.

Why Is Limiting Unforced Errors So Important?

Unforced errors end points without requiring the opponent to create a winner. Limiting them is critical because it forces the other team to execute one more shot and prevents flashy attempts from giving away easy points. The most frustrating shots are often the ones that simply come back low, deep, and under control.

How Much Wrist Action Should Advanced Shots Use?

Most advanced shots use less wrist action than many players expect. The wrist can contribute to spin and acceleration, but excessive movement makes paddle angle and contact less predictable. Build the stroke with the shoulder, forearm, and body position first, then add only the wrist action you can control.

What Should You Do After the Return of Serve?

After hitting a deep return, the returner should move toward the non-volley line while the partner is normally already near that position. The returning team should become balanced before the serving team hits the third shot. That position creates a huge advantage because the servers must hit up from farther back while the returners can volley or block the next ball.

Are Advanced Shots More Important Than Fundamentals?

No. Advanced shots expand your options, but fundamentals determine whether those options work. Reliable contact, balance, footwork, court position, communication, and error control matter throughout the entire game. The hardest shot is useless when the player cannot reach the ball in balance or select the correct target.