Why Early Preparation Leads to Big Results in Pickleball

Mary Brascia (Picture Kerry Pittenger)

The Importance of Early Preparation in Pickleball

In pickleball, every shot you make hinges on being in the right position and fully prepared as quickly as possible. Imagine you’re about to give a speech in front of hundreds of people, but you haven’t practiced. The mere thought of it can make anyone tense. The same tension can creep into your game if you’re unprepared or not in the correct position on the court. Instead of confidently executing a smooth stroke, you may find yourself scrambling to manufacture a shot on the fly, as shown in the photo below, which can be less effective and more stressful.

Minto US Open Pickleball Championships (Picture Kerry Pittenger)

Key Steps for Early Preparation

Positioning on the Court

The first key to early preparation is positioning. When receiving a serve, avoid standing right on the baseline, especially if you’re up against an opponent with a strong, deep serve. Instead, take a few steps back to give yourself space to move into the ball. This approach allows you to shift your weight forward, making it easier to advance to the kitchen line. If you stand too close to the baseline, you risk having the ball get too close to your feet, forcing you to backpedal, which might lead to a popped-up shot.

Additionally, if your forehand is stronger than your backhand, adjust your positioning slightly to cover more of the court with your forehand. Even if the ball comes down the line (Figure 1), you can step around it and use your forehand to return the shot.

Figure 1

Serving and Returning

After serving, hold your position near the baseline to prevent your opponents from attacking your feet. Serve and stay, then advance only after executing a solid third shot drop in the kitchen. When returning a serve, quickly move to the kitchen line, positioning yourself to attack a high third shot. Remember the rule: “Return and run.” However, avoid running while your opponent is about to hit. Instead, stop in a balanced, low, ready position before playing your next shot and continue moving to the non-volley zone.

If you struggle to reach the kitchen quickly enough, consider hitting your return high and deep to buy more time. Since your opponent must let the ball bounce (two-bounce rule), you can take your time to approach the net.

Dinking at the Kitchen

When you’re at the kitchen line and need to move sideways or back off the line, quickly re-establish your position instead of lingering. Watching professional players, you’ll notice how early they prepare their bodies and paddles. This early readiness gives them the luxury of time to survey the court and pick the best spot for their shot. This is a prime example of the phrase, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Fundamentals for Staying Prepared

Playing Low

One fundamental tip is to play low. Keep a bend in your knees and stay on the balls of your feet. When dinking, position your paddle below the ball, aiming to contact it below the equator. If you anticipate a shot aimed at your feet, get down low to short hop it or reset the ball as needed.

Understanding Your Happy Zone

Stand tall and extend your arms in front of you, fanning them out at a 45-degree angle. This area is your “happy zone,” where you want to make contact with every ball. All your positioning and preparation should be geared towards making contact in front of your body, where you can clearly see the ball. If you maintain contact within this zone, you’ll have a better chance of executing successful shots than if you are not ready and forced to reach out to the side.

The Role of a Prepared Mind

A prepared body works best when guided by a prepared mind. Once you’ve developed your shots, shot selection becomes crucial, and it all starts with intention. Practice committing early to the type of shot you want to hit. This early commitment signals your body to start positioning itself for the intended shot. Use your experience to choose the right shot based on factors like the ball’s height, your position on the court, and the positions of your opponents. Fully commit to your decision and practice developing this early intention as much as you practice your strokes. This approach gives you a head start in getting to the right spot, allowing you more time to execute your shot.

To Wrap Things Up

Early preparation enhances every stroke, leading to better shot selection because you have those extra moments to make the right decision. When your body and mind work together in sync, you position yourself for success, giving yourself more time to play consistently and intentionally. This results in a more conscious, controlled, and relaxed style of pickleball.

See you guys next time!

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