9 Pickleball Habits That Separate Good Players From Great Ones
Elite pickleball players do more than just keep the ball in play—they manage every shot with purpose, precision, and positioning. The game starts with something many ignore: returning to a ready position immediately after each shot. Staying square, paddle up, and eyes forward drastically improves reaction time and keeps players from getting caught flat-footed in hands battles. Combine that with consistent contact points—always out in front and between the hips and shoulders—and you’re suddenly turning neutral rallies into pressure situations for your opponents. None of that happens, of course, without proper footwork. The best players are constantly adjusting their position with short, efficient steps that support balance and shot control.
When defending against power, backswing is the silent killer. Big wind-ups are best left to baseball. Instead, smart players keep their paddle movements compact and forward, using their opponent’s pace against them. Another secret to stability at the net: avoid rotating the shoulders during lateral movement. Staying square to the court allows for quicker recovery and better hands in fast exchanges. Speaking of quickness, there’s a golden rule on volleys—if you can take the ball out of the air, do it. It robs opponents of time and momentum. Letting everything bounce is a fast track to giving away control.
In the gray zones—like awkward transition balls or low shots—smart players know when to stay patient. When the ball is low, keep it slow. Speeding up from defensive positions only invites counters. On the other hand, when a weak return floats into the strike zone, don’t waste time thinking drop—drive it. And when all else fails? Aim for the feet. Hitting to the feet forces uncomfortable shots from every position on the court. Combine these habits with a working knowledge of how to angle your paddle for spin—closed for topspin, open for slice—and even your so-so shots start becoming weapons. It’s not magic. It’s movement, margins, and muscle memory—and most of all, it’s doing the little things better than everyone else.
