Learning the ATP Shot: Four Steps to Perfection

(Picture Kerry Pittenger)

Hey, it’s Kyle from ThatPickleballGuy. Imagine this: instead of being late and off balance when you take your shot, the next time you hit based on the four tips I’m about to give you, you’ll successfully convert one of the most satisfying shots in pickleball – the ATP (Around the Post) shot. This shot is not just dramatic; it’s thrilling when executed correctly.

ATP shot, ball is hit wide of the net post, outside the court boundaries, and lands back in the opponent’s court.

So, you’re going to learn how to hit the ATP. Here’s the problem: most players don’t convert on the ATP, not because they aren’t capable. I’d say most players, from beginners to pros, have the capability. The issue is they don’t anticipate the ATP, meaning they’re not in the right position and have the wrong technique.

Before I give you the four technique principles for a successful ATP, let’s discuss when you would hit an ATP.

When you’re dinking close to the net, and a player hits the ball wide (Figure 1), and you believe you can hit it around the post, making it a very difficult shot for them to defend, that’s when you go for an ATP.

Figure 1

The question is, how do you hit an ATP with a high success rate?

Let’s break it down with four key steps. The moment I see a ball going wide, I anticipate and execute these four things to get in the right position for the shot. First, when I see the ball is dinked wide, that’s my trigger to:

1. Move quickly. Many players wait too long, end up off balance, and lose control of the ball. When the ball is dinked wide, move quickly.
2. Get balanced. Balance is crucial to control the shot.
3. Wait for the ball to get as low to the ground as possible.
4. Hit the shot as low as you can.

These are the four things to consider when hitting an ATP: move quickly, get balanced, wait, and hit.

To get more specific about the technique: move quickly but not hurrying, as John Wooden once said. Move to a spot, get balanced, and lunge low. Allow the ball to get lower before hitting because waiting longer allows the ball to travel further outside the net, giving you a better angle to hit around the post.

For instance, imagine four balls lined up to show different angles. As you move to the left, the angle improves, making it easier to hit an ATP.

(Picture ThatPickleballGuy)

(Picture ThatPickleballGuy)

There will be times when you can’t hit the ATP due to a bad angle or wide ball. It’s okay; just stick to the four principles: move quickly, get balanced, wait, and hit.

For the backhand side, instead of lunging side to side, use a cross-step. This helps in maintaining balance and effectively moving the ball back into the court. The cross-step allows for a better angle.

In summary, to successfully hit an ATP, move quickly, get balanced, wait for the right moment, and then hit. For the forehand side, use a lunge step; for the backhand side, use a cross-step.

If you’ve already hit an ATP, share your experience in the comments. If you haven’t, try these tips, and when you hit your first successful ATP, come back and share your success story.

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