• Work with Us
  • Blog
  • PokerMAX – 3rd Shot Drop Clinic
  • Pickleball Lessons & Clinics

PickleballMAX

Maximize your Pickleball Potential

  • Home
  • Pickleball 101
    • Pickleball Rules
  • Strategy
  • Shots
  • Tournaments
  • Wellness
  • Gear
    • Pickleball Accessories
    • Pickleball Bags
    • Pickleball Glasses
    • Pickleball Machines
    • Pickleball Paddles
    • Pickleball Sets
    • Pickleball Shoes
    • Portable Nets
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
You are here: Home / Strategies & Tips / Pickleball Singles Strategy – Hit Behind your Opponent & Wrong Foot ‘Em!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Pickleball Singles Strategy – Hit Behind your Opponent & Wrong Foot ‘Em!

Playing singles in pickleball is, unquestionably, a different animal than the traditional doubles game.  Singles requires physical stamina, anticipation and a different strategy than that in doubles.  Be prepared to sprint, split step, stop, change directions – and do it all over again. And again.  And again.  Not that doubles doesn’t have it, but singles has a seemingly never-end supply of it!  And if you’re playing a really quick and fast person it can be demoralizing to see them race from one side of the court to the other and return all your shots that have been made to the once “open court.”

Pickleball Singles Strategy - Hit behind your Opponent

Use your Opponent’s Speed & Quickness Against Them by Hitting Behind Them!

While the speedy player may have an inherent advantage during the course of a match, there is a strategy that you can exploit from time-to-time to end the point more quickly – and in your favor!  And if properly executed (that’s always the caveat), it’ll work brilliantly.

When you hit a groundstroke or volley with a sharp angle out wide to your opponent, he (or she) will likely race back to the center of the court to anticipate your next shot into the “open” court.

Instead of hitting that shot into the “open” court, a more effective pickleball strategy is to hit “behind” your opponent and wrong-foot them.
Tweet This

They will likely be unable to overcome their momentum (law of physics, I think!) generated from attempting to cover the “open” court.  The ball will go whizzing behind them – and a point for you!  Score!

Obviously, this strategy can’t be used all the time.  Your opponent will catch on.  But it can work several times a match.  It’s all about being unpredictable.

Late in the Match?  Hitting to the Open Court is Likely the Better Strategy!

I do recommend ditching that strategy, however, late in the match if your opponent is tiring and is physically exhausted from the grind of the long match.  In this case, I recommend always hitting your next shot to the “open” court.  Don’t hit behind them.  Make them run some more!  You’ve got them on the ropes!

Chances are your opponent isn’t interested in chasing the ball into the open court because of the fatigue and exhaustion.  And if your opponent is tired, gassed and has, in essence, “given up” on a point because you have a wide open court to hit into, hitting behind them will simply result in hitting the ball right to them because they haven’t moved to cover that open court.

Additional Strategies

We would love to hear from you.  If you have additional pickleball strategies when playing singles, please comment below.  You can also subscribe to our newsletter where we help you maximize your picklebility with additional pickleball singles strategies, rules interpretations, and more.  See you on the court!

>>READ NEXT: Top 10 Singles Strategies to Up Your Game<<

Article by PickleballMAX / Filed Under: Strategies & Tips Leave a Comment

Strategy Tips and More!

Enhance YOUR Game Today!

Pickleball Tips Bundle

  • Downloadable PDF compilation of pickleball strategy, technique & practice, etiquette, and tournament tips.
  • Perfect to put in your pickleball bag or on the refrigerator.

Get it Now for just $9.99!

Performance Eyewear (Sunglasses & Eye Protection)

pickleball glasses

 

It’s Fun to Feel Good!

Jigsaw Health – Coupon Code!
Use Code “PickleballMAX10” at Checkout for $10 off your Jigsaw Order.

Jigsaw Health

  • Relax your legs, muscles, and brain for better sleep with Jigsaw MagSoothe™ — a premium, fast-acting, calming Magnesium Glycinate powder supplement.
  • Stay hydrated and energized with Jigsaw Electrolyte Supreme™ — a sugar-free electrolyte powder that tastes great, and is Keto-friendly!
  • Prevent muscle cramping with Pickleball Cocktail® — a sugar-free beverage with as much potassium as 2 bananas that you should drink at 7am.

Order your Jigsaw Health today

Product Recommendations for the Pickleball Addict!



For additional product recommendations for the pickleball addict, please check out Product Recommendations for the Pickleball Addict.

About PickleballMAX

Tennis player turned pickleball player. I blog about how one maximizes their picklebility. Picklebility is simply defined as an embodiment of one's passion, ability and addiction to #pickleball. See you on the courts!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search this website

Guides

  • Pickleball for Beginners
  • Pickleball Court
  • Pickleball Equipment
  • Pickleball Net
  • Pickleball Paddles
  • Pickleball Ratings
  • Pickleball Rules
  • Pickleball Shoes
  • Pickleballs
  • Tournament Pickleball
  • What is Pickleball

Online Store

  • Accessories
  • Bags
  • Ball Machines
  • Balls
  • Eyewear
  • Hydration & Recovery
  • Nets
  • Paddles
  • Pickleball Planner & Calendar
  • Printables
  • Shoes
  • Video Analysis
  • Home
  • Pickleball 101
  • Strategy
  • Shots
  • Tournaments
  • Wellness
  • Gear
  • Shop

PickleballMAX | PO Box 813| Mason, OH 45040
PickleballMAX participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program
Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Disclosure