The Seven Deadliest Pickleball Shots of 2025

Pickleball in 2025 is all about speed, aggression, and a ruthless shot selection that doesn’t give your opponent room to breathe. The seven “deadly shots” covered here offer a blueprint for players looking to impose their will on the game. From the dripping hybrid of a drive and a drop, to the intimidating Ernie and its high-flying glory, each tactic is built to pressure opponents from every angle. Toss in the speed up, the powerfully orchestrated shake-and-bake, and the underestimated angled overhead, and you’ve got a toolset that makes defense feel obsolete. Mastering these shots means mastering the momentum.

The “drip” is the new gold standard in transition play—combining the aggression of a drive with the finesse of a drop, it puts the ball at your opponent’s feet with vicious topspin. The Ernie, whether stepped or jumped, remains a psychological weapon as much as a physical one, keeping opponents in fear of straying too wide or too high. Meanwhile, the speed-up shot has become the staple opener of high-level exchanges, but it’s the follow-up—the anticipation and counterattack—that truly decides points. Directional paddle prep, spin control, and footwork all play roles here, separating the opportunists from the executors.

But perhaps the most lethal of all is the “mind reader” move—predicting your opponent’s next shot before they even finish their follow-through. When paired with teamwork scenarios like the shake-and-bake or the infamous “partner back” exploit, this instinctive positioning can end points before they truly begin. Throw in wrist-flexed overheads with surgical angles and you’ve essentially weaponized your entire shot selection. These aren’t just shots; they’re statements. They announce, from point one, that you’re not just there to play—you’re there to dominate.