The 5 Essential Shots Every Beginner Must Master

Welcome to the court! If you're new to pickleball, trying to hit every ball hard is the fastest way to lose. To win consistently, you need to master a few fundamental shots that allow you to start and control a rally.

These 5 essential shots are the building blocks of every competitive player. Master these basics, and you will dramatically accelerate your progress from beginner to confident intermediate.

 

1. The Deep Serve (The Rally Starter)

Your serve is your first chance to control the point. Don't worry about spin or power yet—just focus on depth.

• The Goal: Hit the serve as deep into the receiving service box as possible without hitting the baseline.

• Why It Works: A deep serve forces your opponent to take an extra step back and hit a more difficult, defensive shot. This slows down their return, giving you (the serving team) more time to prepare for your all-important third shot.

• Drill It: Place a line or a towel 2 feet inside the receiving baseline. Practice landing 8 out of 10 serves behind that marker.

 

2. The Deep Return of Serve (The Kitchen Run Pass)

The return of serve (the second shot) is arguably the most important shot in pickleball. It determines whether you, the receiving team, can get to the net.

• The Goal: Hit a controlled shot that lands deep into the serving team's court, near their baseline.

• Why It Works: The serving team is stuck behind the baseline, and a deep, low return forces them to take a step back and hit a weak third shot, giving you time to move to the Kitchen line before the ball comes back.

• Movement Tip: Hit your return, then immediately move forward. Don't watch the shot; commit to getting to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ).

 

3. The Third Shot Drop (The Transition Key)

This is the hardest shot for beginners, but it's the most crucial for the serving team to safely move forward.

• The Goal: Hit a soft shot immediately after the return of serve bounces, designed to land gently in the opponent’s Kitchen (NVZ).

• Why It Works: It neutralizes the opponent's deep return. By hitting a soft shot that bounces in the Kitchen, you force your opponents to hit up, giving you the time needed to join your partner at the NVZ line and end the positional disadvantage.

• Key Technique: Use a Continental Grip (hammer grip) and a short, upward "cradle" motion to lift the ball over the net with touch, not power.

 

4. The Cross-Court Dink (The Safest Weapon)

Once you reach the Kitchen, the dink becomes the most frequent shot. Start with the cross-court dink.

• The Goal: Hit a soft shot that lands just over the net and travels diagonally toward your opponent's side of the Kitchen.

• Why It Works: The cross-court shot is inherently the safest dink for two reasons:

  1. The net is lowest at its center, giving you the most clearance.

  2. The diagonal distance is the longest possible shot on the court, providing the largest margin of error.

• Drill It: Focus on consistency. Practice hitting 10 cross-court dinks in a row without hitting the net or hitting the ball out.

 

5. The Defensive Reset (The Rally Saver)

Aggressive opponents will try to speed the ball up and make you panic. The defensive reset is your emergency button.

• The Goal: When an opponent hits a fast, hard shot at you while you are near the NVZ line or in transition, hit a soft, arching shot that drops back into their Kitchen.

• Why It Works: A hard shot coming at you has a lot of energy. Instead of trying to power it back, the reset requires you to absorb that pace and lift the ball high and soft. This instantly slows the pace of the rally, takes the pressure off you, and forces your opponents to hit the ball a second time.

• Key Tip: Use a control-focused paddle to soften the impact. A clean reset buys you and your partner time to recover your position.

 

Master These Five, Master the Game

These 5 shots are the foundation of winning pickleball. They are high-percentage, low-risk, and essential for managing the flow of the game. Commit to mastering them, and you will see your results improve immediately.

Ready to start putting this strategy into practice? A paddle with superior control and a forgiving sweet spot will help you execute these essential shots consistently.

[Shop FLiK Pickleball Paddles Now to Master Your Basics!] (Link to your product page)

~Joann Nicodemus, COO FLiK Pickleball

I write for beginners, with easy and practical explanations about rules and skills.  Pickleball can be overwhelming for those new to the game.  I hope to take away the confusion and ease the intimidation, with practical guides and tips for practicing and drilling.  

We all have to start somewhere.  I want to provide information for those just starting out - whether you come from another racquet sport or just want to be active and have fun.  Pickleball is made to be social and fun. Improving strokes and learning skills enables you to join open plays and not be intimidated.  

Take your time.  Enjoy the journey!