Pickleball is more than just quick hands and fun rallies, it’s also about smart strategy. Two of the most important concepts to master early on are return and run and keeping the ball low. These strategies can give you a huge advantage on the court, whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your competitive edge.

Tip 1: Return and Run

One of the first strategies new players learn in pickleball is to “return and run.” This tactic takes advantage of the returning team’s natural opportunity to move forward first.

Here’s why it works:

• The two-bounce rule requires the serve and return to bounce before anyone can volley.
• After returning the serve, you can move quickly up to the Kitchen line, while the serving team must remain at the baseline to allow the third shot to bounce.

Pickleball is all about court positioning, and the Kitchen line is where rallies are often won. If your team is set at the Kitchen while your opponents are stuck at the baseline, you hold a major advantage. That’s why you should train yourself to return the ball and immediately move forward—it gives you the best chance of winning the rally and earning a side out.

Tip 2: Keep the Ball Low

Another universally effective strategy in pickleball is keeping your shots low. No matter where you are on the court—baseline, transition zone, or Kitchen—keeping the ball low keeps you in control of the rally.

Here’s what happens when opponents try to attack a low ball:

• If they hit it hard and straight, the ball goes into the net.
• If they hit it hard and high, the ball sails out.
• If they hit it soft and high, you’ll have an easy counterattack.

Even at advanced levels of play, players often get impatient when forced to handle low shots. This leads to unforced errors or weak attacks you can capitalize on. By staying disciplined and keeping the ball low, you limit your opponents’ offensive options and create more opportunities to win points.

Mastering just these two strategies, return and run and keeping the ball low, can dramatically improve your pickleball game. They’re simple to learn, effective at every skill level, and give you the positioning and control you need to win more rallies.

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