Keep Them Back

Pickleball seems like a very easy game to play if you and your partner are at your NVZ line and your opponents are back at their baseline. This is a scenario that should result in a won rally for you every time.

This situation can happen during a rally, but it usually happens after your opponents' serve. If you return the serve deep with maybe a little bit of height, then your opponents will be looking at a third shot with you and your partner looming large at your NVZ.

It doesn't matter if their third shot is a drive or a drop, your job is still the same - whenever possible, you need to attack their shot, hitting it low and hard to the back of the court. Your goal is to keep them there, forcing them to repeat their third shot until they hit it into the net.

Avoid stepping back to take their shot off the bounce, because in the time it takes for you to get around to hitting the ball, your opponents will be comfortably planted at their own NVZ. Instead, reach out and volley every shot that you possibly can.

A short reset just over the net is also a possibility, but be aware of your opponents' age and mobility. I generally won't try this unless they are behind their baseline. Any closer and they can probably reach your soft drop and be right back in position and in the rally.

This advantage for the receiving team is one of the things that makes pickleball unique and special, and the reason why games are typically played to 11, not 15 or 21. So be sure to take advantage of this gift and keep your opponents back.

See you on the courts.

Michael Gauthier
Rally Academy
Pickleball Strokes