Different Pickleball Shots Explained

Jun 26, 2025

The Complete Guide to Pickleball Shots: Every Shot You Need to Know

Whether you're a pickleball newbie or you're looking to level up your game, understanding the variety of shots available is key to becoming a more strategic and well-rounded player. In this post, we’ll break down all the essential pickleball shots, when to use them, and why they matter.

1. Serve

The serve starts every rally and sets the tone for the point.

How it works: The ball must be hit underhand and cross-court into the opposite service box.
Goal: Get the ball in play with depth and consistency.
Variants:
- Power serve: Fast and deep, ideal for pushing your opponent back.
- Lob serve: High and slow, great for disrupting timing.
- Topspin serve: Adds bounce and movement.

2. Return of Serve

The return should ideally be deep and controlled to give you time to approach the net.

Tip: Aim for depth to keep the serving team back and prevent them from charging the kitchen line too quickly.

3. Drive

A drive is a low, fast shot that’s hit with pace.

When to use: After a bounce or from mid-court to apply pressure.
Goal: Force an error or weak pop-up.
Style: Often hit with topspin for control and speed.

4. Drop Shot (Third Shot Drop)

This is one of the most important shots in pickleball.

When to use: Typically the third shot after the return.
Goal: Land the ball softly in the kitchen (non-volley zone) to neutralize aggressive opponents at the net.
Skill: Requires finesse and touch, not power.

5. Dink

A dink is a soft shot that’s hit from or near the kitchen line and lands just over the net into the opponent’s kitchen.

Why dink? It neutralizes power and sets up opportunities for attack.
Cross-court dink: Gives more margin for error and keeps your opponent moving.
Straight-on dink: Useful for quick changes in direction.

6. Volley

A volley is any shot hit before the ball bounces, usually near the net.

Punch volley: Compact, firm shot to block or redirect pace.
Drop volley: A soft touch volley that dies in the kitchen.
Roll volley: Adds topspin to dip the ball into the court.

7. Lob

A high, arcing shot hit over the opponent’s head, typically from the kitchen line.

Offensive lob: Catches opponents off guard during dink rallies.
Defensive lob: Used when you're out of position and need time to reset.

Use with caution against fast or athletic opponents!

8. Smash

Think of it like a tennis overhead. It's a hard-hit shot off a high bounce or lob.

Goal: Finish the point with power.
Tip: Aim deep and into open court; don’t just hit hard—be smart.

9. Block Shot

Used when defending against a hard drive or volley.

How: Short, controlled motion with a firm paddle face.
Goal: Let the opponent’s power do the work and absorb the impact.

10. Erne

A specialty shot involving a leap over the corner of the kitchen to volley the ball near the net.

When to use: To surprise an opponent during a dink rally.
Risky but effective: It requires excellent timing and footwork.

11. ATP (Around-the-Post)

An advanced, crowd-pleasing shot that’s hit outside the net post.

When to use: When a wide dink or drive pulls you off the court.
Legal and powerful: As long as it doesn’t go over the net and still lands in.

Conclusion

Mastering all these shots can elevate your pickleball game from casual to competitive. The key is knowing not just how to hit each shot, but when and why. Pickleball is a game of strategy and positioning as much as technique.

Practice these shots regularly, play with intention, and mix things up to keep your opponents guessing. Whether you're driving, dinking, or smashing, there's a perfect shot for every moment.

Want More Pickleball Tips?

Subscribe to our newsletter or check out our gear reviews and drills to take your skills even further. See you on the court!