7 Best Pickleball Tips From a 6.0 Pro to Win More Points and Improve Faster

Main Points

• Time is the true currency of pickleball; take time away from opponents and give yourself more time.
• Use a wide, stable base and hit volleys with the shoulder, not the wrist.
• Favor the backhand at the kitchen line to avoid getting jammed.
• Improve ready position by lowering the paddle as you move back on the court.
• Dodge out balls by reading pre-shot cues rather than reacting after contact.
• Generate more serve power with body rotation, leg drive, and proper contact point.
• After a wide ball following a third-shot drop, reset softly to the middle instead of attacking.
• Change direction in dink rallies only when you need to regain neutrality.
• Aim third-shot drops toward the middle for higher margin and fewer opponent angles.
• Add deception by briefly holding the dink before deciding to dink or speed up.

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Summary

This video shares seven of the most valuable pickleball lessons learned during four years of playing professionally. The central concept is that time is the currency of pickleball. Players who take balls out of the air at the kitchen line steal time from their opponents while giving themselves more control. The video emphasizes using a stable stance, keeping the wrist locked, and driving the volley with the shoulder rather than flicking with the hand. It also explains why many advanced players rely heavily on the backhand during fast exchanges to avoid getting jammed.

A major section focuses on defending against speed-ups and recognizing out balls. The key is not lightning-fast reactions, but proper positioning and anticipation. The paddle should be held high at the kitchen line and gradually lowered as you move deeper on the court. Instead of trying to react to a speeding ball, players should watch for pre-shot cues such as a large backswing or aggressive body language, which often reveals that a speed-up is coming.

The video also breaks down common serve mistakes that limit power. Many players serve with their shoulders turned away from the court and remain stationary, forcing the arm to do all the work. Better serves come from using the entire body, especially driving off the back leg and making contact at a natural extension point in front of the body. These adjustments can turn the serve from a simple starter shot into a more effective weapon.

Another important lesson is how to handle the ball that comes after a crosscourt third-shot drop. Rather than attempting a sharp, aggressive angle, the higher-percentage play is to reset softly to the middle or to the player directly in front. The same idea of neutrality appears in dink rallies: when you are losing the exchange, do not try to jump directly from defense to offense. First regain a neutral position, then look for opportunities to attack.

Finally, the video covers third-shot drop targeting and deception at the kitchen line. Instead of aiming for the corners, the recommended target is slightly toward the middle of the court, which increases margin for error and reduces the opponent’s available angles. The closing tip is to “hold” the dink for a split second before hitting. This brief pause disguises whether the next shot will be a soft dink or a speed-up, making counters much more difficult and adding a powerful layer of deception to your game.

Source: tanner.pickleball | YouTube

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Tags: 3rd Shot Drop | pickleball dinking tips | pickleball strategy | Serve | tanner.pickleball