Tips

hot placement, and net dominance. Focus on punch volleys for offense, block volleys for defense, and drop volleys to change pace. Enhance your skills with partner drills, fast-paced volley exchanges, and accuracy-focused wall drills to improve consistency and control at the net.

A block shot in pickleball is a defensive shot used to slow down your opponent’s aggressive drive or volley. Use a block shot when your opponent hits a fast, hard shot and you need to neutralize their power while staying in the rally. It helps regain control by softly deflecting the ball back over the net with minimal force. To execute a block shot, hold your paddle steady, absorb the impact, and use soft hands to guide the ball back into play, often aiming for your opponent's feet or the kitchen area.

Dink when you want to slow down the game and force your opponent into a soft, controlled exchange, typically used when both teams are at the net. Hit hard when you see an opening or want to put pressure on your opponent, especially when they are out of position or at the baseline. Knowing when to dink versus hit hard is key to balancing strategy and control.