Master Your Next Move After the Pickleball Overhead

We’ve all dreamed of that perfect moment—your opponent sends up a lob, you track it down, and boom—you smash an overhead shot with authority. Game over, right?

Not so fast.

In pickleball, even your best overheads can come back. That’s why what you do after the overhead is just as important as the shot itself. Whether you nailed it or it wasn’t quite as strong as you hoped, staying alert and ready for the next ball can make the difference between winning and losing the rally.

Don’t Stand and Admire Your Work

A common mistake after hitting an overhead is assuming the point is over. While we all hope our shot is unreturnable, your opponents may surprise you with a quick reflex or a well-placed block. So instead of watching and waiting, anticipate the return.

If You Hit a Strong Overhead:

Good news! You’ve got your opponents scrambling. Now’s your chance to capitalize:

• Close the Gap: Move aggressively to the Non-Volley Zone (also called the Kitchen Line). This puts you in the best position to finish the point if the ball comes back.
• Get in Ready Position: Paddle up, knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet.
• Perform a Split Step: Time your split step just before your opponents hit the ball. This helps you stay balanced and ready to move in any direction.

If You Hit a Weak Overhead:

Not every overhead is a winner, and that’s okay. The key here is awareness. If your overhead is a low quality shot, focus on playing defensive pickleball: 

• Stop Short of the Kitchen Line: If you know your shot was weak or mis-hit, resist the urge to charge all the way in.
• Stay in the Transition Zone: This gives you a bit more time to react to a strong return.
• Play Neutral or Defensive: Focus on control and reset the rally rather than trying to force the point.

Partner Communication After the Overhead

In doubles play, what happens after an overhead often affects both players. A strong overhead might push your team into attack mode, but it only works if you’re both on the same page.

Use these tips to stay in-sync with your partner after the overhead:

• Call it Out: Say “I’m in!” or “Hold!” to let your partner know your plan.
• Cover Gaps: If your partner is recovering from an overhead, shift slightly to cover middle and crosscourt until they’re back in position.

The Overhead Overview:

Being mentally prepared for the ball to come back does more than just keep you ready, it pressures your opponents to execute a quality return under pressure. That little edge in anticipation and positioning can often be the difference-maker.

• Hit a strong overhead? Close in to the Non-Volley Zone, get into ready position, and split step.
• Hit a weak overhead? Hang back in the Transition Zone and stay defensive until you can earn your way forward to the Non-Volley Zone Line.
• Never assume the point is over. Always prepare for the next shot.

In pickleball, the point isn’t won until it’s really over, so stay sharp, stay ready, and turn your overhead into your advantage.

WANT MORE PICKLEBALL TIPS AND STRATEGIES?

For more on mastering the overhead, check out The Pickler’s Blog, “Eliminate These 4 Mistakes to Perfect Your Overhead Shot.”

Plus, if you want more pickleball tips and strategies on every aspect of your pickleball game, check out Pickler’s online video lesson collection called My Pro Pickleball Coach. My Pro Pickleball Coach is a fraction of the price of one clinic or even one lesson, and features over 140 video lessons (over 7 hours of instruction!), as well as a corresponding e-book. These online video lessons are available on demand 24/7 and breakdown every aspect of the sport of pickleball, including pickleball drills, strategy, and advanced concepts, so you will play your best pickleball.