Pickleball Fundamentals: Grip, Footwork & Shot Selection

Grip & Paddle Angles

1. Proper Grip

A proper grip depends on the shot and your comfort. Many players use a Continental grip because it makes it easier to move between forehand and backhand quickly, especially on volleys and resets. Other players rotate the grip more depending on the shot they are trying to hit.

The key is not forcing one grip onto every situation. If the grip makes the paddle face difficult to control for the shot you want, adjust it.

2. Paddle Angles

Your paddle face acts like a steering wheel. Small changes in angle affect the ball's direction, height, and spin. An open face generally sends the ball higher. A more closed face can help control a faster or more topspin-heavy ball.

Instead of thinking only about your swing, pay attention to where the paddle face points at contact.

Follow-Through, Balance & Using the Whole Body

3. Follow-Through

Not every pickleball shot needs a full swing. A compact volley may require only a short movement, while a drive usually needs more acceleration and follow-through. The goal is matching the size of the swing to the shot.

4. Body Positioning

Good players create space so they can hit the ball while balanced. Reaching, leaning, or getting jammed makes even a technically good stroke difficult to repeat.

5. Using the Whole Body

Power and control should come from more than the arm. Legs provide a stable base, the core and shoulders help transfer energy, and the arm guides the paddle through the ball.

Footwork & Court Coverage

Quick movement is useful, but efficient movement is even better. Use small adjustment steps so you can arrive balanced instead of lunging at the last moment.

When you practice the same shot from one spot, it often feels easy. In a real point, the ball comes at different speeds, heights, and angles. Footwork is what helps you recreate that same good contact even when the ball is not coming directly to you.

Shot Selection

Choosing the right shot can matter as much as executing it well. A dink can slow the point down, a drive can apply pressure, a drop can help you move forward, and a lob can move opponents away from the kitchen.

The smarter choice is usually the shot you can execute reliably from the position you are in—not necessarily the most impressive shot available.

Anticipation & Reading the Game

Anticipation improves with experience because you begin seeing patterns before the ball leaves the opponent's paddle. Their body position, paddle angle, balance, and contact point all give you clues.

Instead of guessing randomly, ask: If I were in that position, what shots would be easiest for me to hit? That question can help you narrow down the likely options.

Good anticipation does not mean you always know exactly where the ball is going. It means you reduce the number of surprises.

Consistency, Soft Game & Communication

9. Consistency Over Power

Power is useful, but only when you can control it. Keeping the ball in play and reducing unforced errors often produces better results than trying to end every rally quickly.

10. Soft Game Skills

Dinks, drops, and resets allow you to change the pace of the point. They can neutralize an opponent who is attacking and create opportunities to get into a better position.

11. Communication in Doubles

Call balls, decide who covers the middle, and talk through patterns between points. If both players could have reached the same ball, discuss it quickly and agree on how you want to handle that situation next time.