Strengthen Your Pickle

Popping up balls in the transition zone? 👀

You’re probably making one of these 2 mistakes:

❌ Making contact BEHIND your body

When contact happens late, you get off-balance and lose control of your swing path… which usually leads to pop-ups.

❌ Using too much wrist at contact

Your wrist is less stable, harder to repeat consistently, and can take away your feel for the ball.

✅ Instead, focus on:

• Making contact OUT IN FRONT

• Using your SHOULDER as the main driver of the shot

Why? Because your shoulder is more stable, more repeatable, and helps create cleaner, more consistent resets under pressure 💪🏓

Consistency in the transition zone is what separates solid players from players constantly getting attacked.

Save this reel for your next session and send it to your doubles partner 👇

Follow for more tips to level up your game!

Your drops might be popping up because your follow through is TOO long 🎯

A lot of players think they need a bigger swing to create a softer shot… but in reality, the longer your paddle continues after contact, the farther the ball will travel.

✅ Compact motion = more control

❌ Long follow through = higher, floaty drops

The key is learning how to absorb the pace and keep the swing minimal after contact so the ball stays low and unattackable.

Less is more when it comes to great drops 👊

Follow for more tips that help you play smarter, cleaner pickleball 🏓🔥

If you keep losing hands battles at the kitchen… your paddle position might be the reason 👀

One of the biggest mistakes players make is starting with their paddle too low. When your paddle drops below the level of the net, it forces you to hit UP on the ball — which causes pop ups and gives your opponent an easy attack.

Instead, keep your paddle higher and ready in front of your body so that contact happens ABOVE the level of the net. This allows you to stay compact, attack downward, and keep the ball at your opponent’s feet 🔥

Higher paddle position = faster hands, better counters, and more control in firefights at the kitchen.

Save this for your next session and send it to your doubles partner 👊

Follow for more tips to level up your game 🏓

One of the biggest reasons players pop up their backhand flicks? Your paddle prep 👀

If your paddle starts too far out in front, you’re forced to rely mostly on your wrist for power and control — which often leads to lifting the ball instead of staying on top of it.

Instead, bring the paddle slightly inward toward your body and lead with your elbow. This allows you to use your shoulder and larger muscles to stay connected through the shot, cover the ball better, and create a more controlled backhand flick.

Small adjustment. Huge difference.

Try this the next time you’re on court and let me know if you feel the difference 👇

Follow Strengthen Your Pickle for more pickleball tips that actually help you win more points.

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🔄 Reset or attack — the key to dominating the kitchen line in pickleball!

Knowing when the ball is below the net is your cue to reset and keep the rally alive, setting up for a better shot.

But when the ball is above the net, that’s your moment to attack. Go for the aggressive shot and put pressure on your opponents.

Be aware, stay composed, and play smart! Recognize the ball’s height, choose the right move, and take control of the point. 🔥

Forehand Counter 🔥

This shot isn’t about power — it’s about precision 💥

✅ Contact out in front
✅ Pull the butt cap toward your belly button
✅ Do not punch at the ball
✅ Keep it compact and controlled

Master the counter and start winning those kitchen battles 🧱🎾

💡 Let’s talk about the best grip to use at the kitchen: the Eastern Grip.

If you start by holding your paddle like a hammer — that’s the Continental Grip. Now, shift your hand one bevel to the right (for right-handers)… and boom — you’ve got the Eastern Grip ✅

This grip is your all-in-one weapon at the kitchen — perfect for d***s, rolls, counters, and overheads.

There’s no reason to switch grips mid-rally.

Every time you change grips, you’re taking time away from yourself and putting your position in jeopardy ⏱️

Stay simple. Stay ready. Stay in Eastern. 💪

Follow for more pro pickleball tips 👇

TWO-HANDED BACKHAND COUNTER 💥

The main difference between a one-handed and two-handed backhand counter comes down to the contact point 👇

👉 One-handed: contact way out in front — all about timing ⏱️

👉 Two-handed: contact more to the side of your body, using your arms + core for stability and control 💪

❌ Don’t take a big backswing — that’ll mess up your timing and contact.

✅ Use the kitchen line as your guide — once your paddle lines up with it, that’s as far back as you need to go.

Stay linear, make clean contact, and finish with your follow-through pointing at your opponent 👀

No topspin. Just a solid, pro-level counter ready for the next ball.

Send this to a partner who needs to learn a proper two-handed backhand counter 🔥
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