Own the Court: Positioning and Shot Strategy for Smarter Play

Great players don’t just hit great shots—they know where to be and when to be there. Court positioning is one of the most underrated aspects of winning pickleball.

Why Positioning Matters Knowing when to stay back and when to move up helps you control the tempo of the match. The kitchen line, or non-volley zone, is especially important—most points are won or lost here.

Shot Selection Strategy Smart shot selection minimizes unforced errors. Use high-percentage shots like cross-court dinks or third-shot drops to maintain consistency.

Quick Tips:

• After serving, transition quickly to the net.

• Stay balanced and ready at the NVZ line.

• Anticipate your opponent’s next shot based on paddle angle and footwork.

Position + precision = power on the court.