7 Simple Pickleball Tips That Will Actually Change Your Game

Here's a little knowledge nugget: just because you know how to hit an ATP doesn't mean you should go for one every wide dink you get

You know that feeling when you're stuck at a certain level and can't seem to break through? Yeah, we've all been there.

The truth is, sometimes it's not about advanced strategy; the truth lies somewhere in knowing the right fundamentals that separate the 3.5s from the 5.0s.

That's exactly what the team at Cracked Pickleball figured out after more than a decade on the court. In a recent video, they broke down seven game-changing tips they wish they'd known earlier in their pickleball journey.

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1. Aim for Your Opponent's Feet (Not the Net)

Here's the thing about pickleball: most players overthink their shot placement. You're either hitting too hard and sending the ball sailing over the net, or you're hitting too soft and watching it drop into the net. It's this constant battle between power and control that drives people crazy.

Instead, try this simple mental shift: stop thinking about where you want the ball to go and start thinking about where you want your opponent to be.

Specifically, aim for their feet.

This works in different situations.

During dinking rallies, hitting at your opponent's feet forces them into a decision. They either take the ball out of the air or step back and let it bounce. Either way, they're uncomfortable. The team calls this the "pressurized zone" because it puts real pressure on your opponent while taking all the guesswork out of your own shot selection.
The same principle applies to drop shots from the baseline and rolls at the kitchen line. When you're rolling the ball to a defender at midcourt, landing it near their feet makes them reach down and move awkwardly. Most players aren't low enough anyway, so you're basically punishing their laziness.

2. The Lob Defense Rule That Changes Everything

Getting lobbed is part of pickleball. It happens. But here's where most teams mess up: they argue about who should go back and retrieve it.

Cracked Pickleball has a simple rule that eliminates all that confusion. The player opposite the ball should be the one who goes back. Not the player the ball is coming toward. The opposite player.

Why? Because the player opposite the ball can see it the entire way through.

They can track it
Visualize where it's going
A move with natural momentum

The player the ball is coming toward has to turn their back to the ball and run, which means they lose sight of it in space. That's a recipe for a weak return or a miss entirely.

But here's the bonus part: once your partner goes back to retrieve the lob, you don't just stand there. You actively move to the opposite side of the court to cover as much ground as possible. You're preparing for an overhead or a smash because, let's be honest, you're probably not hitting a perfect shot off that lob return.

3. Always Aim for the Middle (Seriously, Always)

The net is lower in the middle than on the sides. That's just geometry. But more importantly, when your opponent gets a ball in the middle of the court, their attacking angles shrink dramatically.

Think about it.

If you're pulled wide and you hit a shot to the sideline, your opponent can attack crosscourt or down the line with plenty of room
But if you hit that same shot to the middle, they've got way fewer options. Plus, you get time to reset and get back into position

If you don't see a clear opening or a specific reason to go somewhere else, hit it to the middle.

It's not flashy, but it works.

4. Focus on Making Your Return First, Everything Else Second

Here's a controversial take: you're probably rushing your return of serve. You're so focused on getting to the kitchen line that you're hitting a mediocre return just to move forward.

The problem is that serves and returns lose more points in pickleball than any other shots. So if you're going to focus on one thing, make it this:

Hit a solid return first
Get to the kitchen line second

The Cracked Pickleball team recommends standing back off the baseline to give yourself more time. When better serves come your way (and they will as you improve), you'll already be prepared. Plus, if the serve is short, you can use your forward momentum to get up to the kitchen line anyway.

And when you do hit that return, aim deep and toward the middle. It creates confusion between your opponents about who should take the ball, and it gives you the biggest margin for error on the court.

5. Master the Split Step and Stay Balanced

Moving forward to the kitchen line is a marathon, not a sprint. But most players sprint up there, and then they can't control their shots because they've got too much momentum.

The solution is the split step, a tennis concept that translates perfectly to pickleball. Right before your opponent hits the ball, you want your feet spread out in an athletic position with your knees bent. This lets you move in any direction without wasting time.

The key is timing. You need to start your split step before your opponent makes contact, not after. That gives you time to get into position and be ready to move.

Once you're at the kitchen line, stay balanced when you move laterally. Take your outside foot toward you first to stay centered, then step out. Watch any pro player and you'll see this difference immediately. Amateurs move one way, then gather. Pros stay balanced the entire time.

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6. Not Every Wide Dink Is an Around-the-Post Opportunity

Around-the-post shots (ATPs) are flashy and fun. They're also really easy to miss if you're going for them at the wrong time.

Here's a little knowledge nugget: just because you know how to hit an ATP doesn't mean you should go for one every wide dink you get. Most intermediate players miss way more ATPs than they complete, which is a problem.

Look for three specific things before you commit to an ATP.

First, the ball needs to be shallow in the kitchen, not deep. When the ball lands deep, your angle shrinks substantially
Second, you want topspin. Flat balls don't bounce out as wide after they hit the ground
Third, the dink needs to be out wide. Never try an ATP on a middle dink (duh)

When all three conditions are met, go for it. When they're not, hit it back to the middle and reset the point. You'll win way more points being selective about your ATPs than trying to hit them constantly.

7. Keep Your Paddle in Front of You

This is simple but effective. When your paddle is in front of you, you can see both the ball and your paddle at the same time. You make better contact. You also prevent yourself from taking big strokes, which means you can react faster to what comes back.

Keeping your paddle up also keeps you engaged in the rally. It's easy to get lazy during dinking exchanges, but having your paddle out in front makes your whole body more aware of what's happening.

Plus, it takes time away from your opponent. If they hit a ball to you and your paddle is already up front, you can take it in front instead of having to step back. That means they have less time to react to your shot.

The Bigger Picture

These tips are so effective because they're about knowing when to be aggressive and when to reset. They're about positioning and anticipation. Playing smarter not flashier.

The bottom line? You don't need to reinvent your game to get better. Sometimes you just need to know what the pros already figured out.