5 Ways to Become Unattackable in Pickleball

Main Points

• Hit deeper returns with good net clearance to prevent opponents from attacking your third shot.
• Aim returns at an opponent’s weaker side, often the backhand, or into the middle to force a tougher third shot.
• Keep your paddle up and in front, use a compact swing, and stay calm when defending hard drives at the kitchen line.
• In the midcourt, soften your grip, bend your knees, and focus on resetting the ball with good margin instead of speeding it up.
• Learn to counter pace instead of simply blocking when opponents speed the ball up at you.
• Hold the kitchen line tightly so you can take balls out of the air and avoid giving opponents easy targets at your feet.

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Summary

This video breaks down five key skills that help players become much harder to attack in pickleball. The main idea is to stay stable, neutralize pressure early, and avoid giving opponents easy chances to take control of the point.

It starts with the return of serve, where depth and net clearance are essential. A deep return aimed at an opponent’s weaker side, often the backhand, makes their third shot more difficult and gives you a better chance to move forward without being put on defense right away.

The video also covers how to handle hard drives at the kitchen line. The focus is on keeping the paddle up, using a short swing, and staying calm so pace can be absorbed and redirected instead of popping the ball up. That same calm, compact approach matters in the midcourt, where soft hands, lower body position, and strong margin help players reset instead of getting trapped in a defensive exchange.

Another major takeaway is learning to counter rather than just block. A short, controlled counter can send pace back at the opponent and make future speed-ups less effective. The final point is to hold the kitchen line aggressively, since staying tight to the line helps players take balls out of the air, reduce pressure on their feet, and keep opponents from attacking easily.

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Tags: Ashley Griffith | Backhand | Control | Counter | Defense