Universal Rackets Weekly Update!

Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game

1 Strategy For the Serve, the Kitchen, and the Return To Use In Your Next Competitive Match

Do you feel like you drill and practice better than you play? You hit the practice courts and play “amazing,” but when it comes to matches, you play “horribly.” Why is this? Because in competitive pickleball, there are NERVES! So, how do you maximize your performance in competitive play and be the best you can? YOU PLAY WITH STRATEGY! Should I drive or drop? Should I hit to the left or right? What should my partner do? All these problems, indecisions, and nerves are solved by having a set strategy. Here are 3 strategies for you to use in your next competitive pickleball match.

Strategy #1: FOR SERVE: Out Wide Serve & Forehand Drive Plus 1

If you are a righty, this will work on the left side serving to the right. If you are a lefty, this will work on the right side serving to the left. Maybe your forehand is your favorite shot, or maybe your partner prefers you to take the 3rd shot. If you want the 3rd shot to go to your forehand, use this strategy! By pulling your opponent out wide with the serve, the only high-percentage play they have is to hit it to the middle or back cross court. A down-the-line return is an extremely low percentage play. Additionally, if your opponent is moving out wide to return, they are not advancing, forcing them to take their 4th shot in the transition zone. Try this and win more points!

Strategy #2: FOR THE KITCHEN: 2 Out Wide Dinks, 1 in the Middle

If you get nervous in long dinking rallies or speed up at the wrong time, try this strategy! When in a cross-court dinking rally, dink two shots out wide, then one in the middle. This will likely create an aggressive opportunity. In a cross-court dinking rally, the smart shot is to dink back cross-court. Taking a dink up the line risks your opponent hitting it out of the air. If your opponent speeds the ball up down the line, your partner will have an easy out ball or put away. In short: 9 out of 10 times, a cross-court dink will come back cross-court. Instead of forcing a speed-up at the wrong time, take your 3rd dink in the middle to catch your opponents off guard and create a pop-up. If they don’t pop it up, reset the pattern: two dinks out wide, one in the middle, and try again.

Strategy #3: FOR THE RETURN: The Backhand Speed-Up Combo

When your opponent hits their 3rd shot and runs to the kitchen, and you are already at the kitchen, take the 4th shot to their backhand, then speed up! If you’re playing a righty, do this on the right side; if you’re playing a lefty, do this on the left side. It’s more difficult to hit a backhand while moving forward than a forehand. 90% of players favor their forehand over their backhand. Aim for your opponent’s non-dominant side on the run, and then speed up the next ball. After hitting their 3rd shot, your opponent is likely running forward to get a middle forehand. This will pull them to the opposite side, forcing their momentum sideways. They’ll likely give you an attackable ball, and you can speed it up before they get their feet set. If they return the speed-up, it will likely be a block, giving you an easy put-away to win the point! Want to elevate this strategy? Start taking your 4th shot in the middle to keep your opponents honest after using this tactic.

Click here for a full video explaining these 3 strategies!

PA & New Jersey October Programs Start Next Week!

Universal Rackets is thrilled to offer programming at 27+ locations across the PA and Jersey Shore areas, including youth clinics, camps, adult clinics, social tournaments, Picklepaloozas, fundraising events, and more. As your all-in-one, inclusive pickleball and tennis community provider, we are proud to offer opportunities for all ages and skill levels, with flexible scheduling that includes weekends, weekdays, mornings, and evenings!

Click here to view all of our programs!

New Pickleball Programs Alert!!!

We are excited to offer 5 new types of pickleball programs for you this October Season!

#1: Timed Tournament Round Robins: Most tournaments start at 9a and last all day. Players end up getting their match times pushed back, waiting for hours to play, or playing matches back to back to back with no rest. When you sign up for a tournament you are basically allotting your whole day for it. In our timed round robins you play within a set time frame, have a set number of matches, and have an equal wait time and rest time. This is the perfect format for your next Fundraiser/Corporate Event!! Click here to book your next corporate event with us!

#2: Pee Wee Pickleball: Pickleball for 3 to 5 year olds! This 30 minute program is the perfect way to start your little ones pickleball journey! Parents can join in. Click here to join our first pee wee pickleball clinic!

#3: Cardio Pickleball: Music pumping, non stop continuous movement: come raise that heart rate with us! Click here to join our cardio pickleball pickleball clinic

#4: Intermediate/Advanced Guided Drilling Session: Once you understand the game and play competitively, there is only one way to take your game to the next level and that is DRILL!! Click here to join our drilling session

#5: Pickleball Frenzy: King/Queen of the court, offense defense, games and more games! Click here to join our pickleball frenzy

Return Tip: If You Play With Height It’ll Be Alright

If your return goes into the net, what is the probability of you winning the point? ZERO! Do not hit your returns into the net! Too many players try to go for the “perfect return” down the middle, low and fast, and they end up giving their opponent free points. Even if you do make that low, “perfect” return, if your opponent gets their paddle on it, it will come back fast! Remember: in pickleball, the faster you hit, the faster you should expect the ball to come back. The faster the ball comes back, the further away you will be from the kitchen. The closer you are, the better.

Next time you are on the court, give yourself some margin for error. Remember: after the serve, your opponent must let the ball bounce. If you play with height, 1) you will have a higher percentage shot of getting the return in (gravity and topspin will bring the ball down into the court), 2) you will be able to get closer to the kitchen, and 3) your opponent will be pinned back at the baseline if you can hit the ball high and deep. Remember, DEPTH IS GREATER THAN POWER.

The Importance Of Consistency In Pickleball

One of the most valuable traits a pickleball player can develop is consistency. While flashy shots and big wins may grab attention, it’s the players who maintain steady, reliable gameplay that often come out on top. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, focusing on consistency can elevate your performance and make you a more formidable opponent. Here’s why consistency matters and how you can develop it in your game:

1. Control the Game:

Consistency allows you to take control of the flow of the game. By keeping the ball in play and making fewer unforced errors, you force your opponent to work harder. You don’t need to hit the hardest shots or go for risky winners to gain the upper hand—simply keeping the ball in play with reliable shots puts pressure on your opponent to make the mistake.

2. Build Confidence:

When you know you can consistently hit accurate shots, your confidence on the court grows. Consistency in your serve, return, and groundstrokes means you can trust your abilities and focus on strategy rather than worrying about whether you’ll make the next shot. Confidence builds momentum, and momentum can quickly lead to victory.

3. Minimize Unforced Errors:

In pickleball, many points are lost due to unforced errors—shots that go into the net, out of bounds, or fall short. These mistakes often come from trying to do too much with the ball. Instead of going for a high-risk shot, focus on making smart, controlled plays. Over time, reducing unforced errors will make a huge difference in your overall success.

4. Improve Your Footwork:

Consistency is not just about your shots; it’s also about being in the right place at the right time. Proper footwork ensures you’re always in position to hit a balanced, controlled shot. Practice moving efficiently on the court, keeping your weight balanced and your stance prepared for whatever shot comes your way.

5. Focus on Placement, Not Power:

While power is important, placement often wins points. Consistently hitting the ball to your opponent’s weaker side or positioning it deep into the court will wear them down over time. Players who focus on placement and control rather than hitting every ball hard tend to have more consistent success.

6. Use Drills to Build Consistency:

Practice makes perfect, and drills designed to enhance consistency are crucial. Spend time practicing repetitive shots, whether it’s dinking at the net, hitting cross-court groundstrokes, or working on your serve. The more you practice hitting the same shot under different conditions, the more consistent you’ll become during real games.

7. Mental Toughness and Focus:

Staying consistent requires mental toughness. Pickleball is a fast-paced game, and it’s easy to lose focus after a missed shot or a frustrating rally. However, the ability to reset your mind after each point and maintain focus is a hallmark of a consistent player. Train yourself to focus on each shot, and don’t dwell on mistakes—move forward to the next point.

8. Play Smart, Not Flashy:

Consistency doesn’t always mean playing conservatively, but it does mean playing smart. Avoid going for the hero shot every time. Instead, focus on building rallies and waiting for the right moment to make a move. A player who can stay consistent, outlast their opponent, and strike when the time is right is often the one who comes out on top.

By focusing on consistency, you’ll see improvement in all areas of your pickleball game. Whether it’s making fewer errors, maintaining better control over the ball, or staying mentally tough during long rallies, consistency is key to becoming a stronger player. Remember, it’s not always about the biggest or most powerful shots—it’s about who can keep playing their best, point after point.

Lesson of the Week: Pickleball Warmup & Stretch Routine, No More Tightness On Court!

Click here to view this week’s lesson

Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!

-Universal Rackets