5 Pickleball Techniques to Help You Improve Your Skills Quickly

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Why do these 5 techniques help you "transform"?

In Pickleball, progress is not only based on physical strength but also on controlling tempo, ball landing and position . The following 5 techniques are the foundation for intermediate to advanced players: if mastered, you will reduce unforced errors, put your opponents at a disadvantage and win with strategy, not just strength.

1) Dink – Control the Kitchen, force the opponent to make mistakes

Dink is a soft touch that sends the ball into the opponent's No-Volley Zone (Kitchen) , flying low over the net, making it impossible for them to attack.
Quick How-To:

The racket face is slightly open , the wrist is relaxed ; the movement is short from the arm instead of the wrist.
Hit the ball lightly up (from low to high), the target falls close to the net .
Drill 5 minutes: Dink cross court 50 balls, keeping the ball ~20–30 cm below the net .
Common mistakes: hitting the dink too hard, jerking the wrist; standing too close to the net makes it easy to hit the Kitchen when volleying.
Tip: Aim for the left leg /shoulder (if your opponent is right-handed) to make it difficult.
5 Pickleball techniques to help you improve your skills quickly (Illustration photo)

2) Third Shot Drop – Regain the game after the return

The third shot drop (after the serve—return—to you) is usually when you are at the back of the court. The Third Shot Drop is a soft drop into the Kitchen, giving you time to move up and get into position near the net.
Perform:

Step into the ball, open racket face, soft motion – longer than dink , finish the racket up and forward .
High priority just enough to clear the net and fall down the slope to the Kitchen.
Drill: 30 drops from the back of the court into the Kitchen, each one 1–2 steps up to the net.
Mistake: Too low, the ball goes into the net; or too high, the opponent hits.
Tip: When pushed, accept a higher drop but go deep into the Kitchen to give yourself time to position.

3) Deep Serve & Deep Return – Create an advantage right from phase 1–2

Many losses stem from soft serves and short returns . Deep serves/returns force the opponent to retreat , reducing the angle of attack and the time to approach the net.
Deep serve (Serve):

Underhand hit, under hip contact; aim for the end of the baseline .
Add a little spin to keep the ball from going out.
Deep Return:
High and deep backcourt, can be aimed at the server to cut the angle of movement.
After returning, quickly advance to the net (split-step at NVZ).
Drill: 20 deep serves into 2 corners; 20 deep high returns + into the net.
Mistakes: Rushing into the net early when the return is short; serving too hard but without control .

4) Kitchen Control & Volleys – Courage in the decisive area

Most of the points were decided when both sides were close to NVZ . Kitchen control and smart volleys (air ball reception) decided the rhythm of the ball exchange .
Golden rule:

Split-step before the opponent touches the ball to be ready to change direction.
Keep the racket head high , elbow bent ~90°, volley short – put the ball in space, rather than “smashing” it uncontrollably.
When pressed, block (reduce force) and return the ball low over the net to re-establish defense.
Drill: 40 volleys to 2 Kitchen corners; 20 blocks to save the game.
Mistake: Standing close to the net (easy to commit Kitchen), swinging long when volleying, opening the ball high to create opportunities for the opponent to attack.
Tip: Aim for the middle ground between two people in doubles—the “everyone wants it, everyone is afraid” zone.

5) Reset & Block – “Slow down” when attacked by opponents

When being hit with a fast drive, instead of hitting back hard (easy to out/error), reset : use a soft racket face to let the ball fall low into the Kitchen, pulling the opponent from attack to defense .
Making:

Loosen your grip , meet the ball early, open the racket face slightly—cushion the ball to lose power .
Lower your center of gravity, don't swing your arms too far; let the ball hit the racket and fall over the net.
Drill: Person A drives hard; person B resets 30 consecutive balls into the Kitchen.
Mistake: Tightening the arm and returning the “opposite force” causes the ball to bounce deep; tilting the racket face up too much causes the ball to go high.
Tip: Prioritize stability over direction; just drop into the Kitchen and you'll get the rhythm going.

15 Minute Workout (When Busy)

3' Cross Dink (low target – steady).
4' Third Shot Drop from the end of the field + up to the net.
3' Deep pass + deep return (2 corners).
3' Volley to place the ball + block to save.
2' Reset continuously into Kitchen.

Tactical errors that keep you from improving

Hitting too hard in slow rally → self-increasing error.
Leave Kitchen position after scoring → lose initiative.
Short returns make it easy for opponents to reach the net.
Don't reset when forced , try to "race strength" with strong opponents.

Suggested tools for effective exercise

Racket : 16mm polymer core, weight 7.8–8.2 oz , graphite/carbon face for good control (limits vibration when reset/drop).
Outdoor ball if practicing outdoors (stabilizes flight); court shoes for safe direction changes.
Overgrip increases friction & adjusts grip size.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1) Which technique should I learn first?
Start with Dink and Deep Return , then learn Third Shot Drop to get into the net safely.

2) How long does it take to see progress?
Practice regularly 2-3 sessions/week , after 4-6 weeks you will be stable, know how to drop and reset basically.

3) I often hit out at the end of the court, how can I fix this?
Reduce power, increase spin and curve amplitude , aim at the baseline but keep the trajectory low - safe .

4) How is double content different from single content?
Doubles emphasize Kitchen control, position coordination, hitting the gaps between two people ; singles need more stamina & deep shots .

If you want to improve quickly , focus on 5 core techniques : Dink – Third Shot Drop – Deep Serve/Return – Kitchen Control & Volleys – Reset & Block. They will not only help you reduce errors, control your rhythm but also unlock victories against stronger opponents. Start today with a 15-minute drill and you will find your matches “easier” next week.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/5-ky-thuat-pickleball-len-trinh-nhanh-2433624.html