In pickleball, the ability to play strong defense can often be the difference between winning and losing. Finding the best pickleball defense strategies for you can both improve your game and how much fun you have with the game.
When you’re able to keep the ball in play and make your opponents work for every point, you put yourself in a position to take control of the game. But what are the best pickleball defense strategies? In this blog post, we’ll explore five of the most effective defensive techniques that will help you win more games.
So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been playing for a while, be sure to read on!
1. Get Low
One of the most important things to do when playing defense in pickleball is to stay low.
This will give you a lower center of gravity and make it easier to move around the court. It also puts you in a better position to reach low balls. So next time you’re playing, make sure to keep your knees bent and your butt down!
2. Use Your Non-Dominant Hand
Using your non-dominant hand can be a great way to improve your pickleball defense.
By keeping your dominant hand behind your back, you force yourself to move your feet more and stay light on your toes. This will help you cover more ground and be in a better position to make plays on the ball. Don’t be afraid to give it a try next time you’re on the court!
3. Stay Loose
When playing defense, it’s important to stay loose and relaxed.
If you’re tense, you’ll tire yourself out quickly and won’t be able to move as well around the court. So take some deep breaths and try to stay calm when the game is getting heated! Doing so will pay off in the long run.
Simply jumping up and down and staying on your toes is a great way to stay loose, something professional tennis players use for the extra agility.
4. Be Patient
Patience is key when playing pickleball defense.
You can’t just charge at every ball that’s hit your way—you need to wait for the right opportunity to make a play. If you’re patient and wait for your opponents to make a mistake, you’ll be in a much better position to win points. Think of it this way, defense is not about denying the opposing team from scoring, it’s about creating an opportunity for yourself to be aggressive when the opponent makes a mistake.
Trust us, it’s worth being patient!
5. Communicate With Your Partner
Finally, don’t forget to communicate with your partner when playing pickleball!
Talking or even just signaling with each other can help you both get into a better position and make plays on the ball. Be succinct, don’t blame each other, and always remember that pickleball is a fun sport.
Conclusion
Pickleball is a great sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. And while winning isn’t everything, there’s no denying that it feels good to come out on top! Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your pickleball game—including working on your defense.
So if you want to win more games, be sure to try out some of these defensive strategies next time you’re on the court! Thanks for reading!
