Georgia Pickleball

How to Play Pickleball Video

New and have only minimal knowledge of the game and the rules.

Limited to some rallies.
Learning how to serve.
Developing a forehand.
Fails to return easy balls frequently and occasionally missing the ball entirely.
Played a few games and is learning the court lines, scoring, and some basic rules of the game.

Sustains a short rally with players of equal ability.
Demonstrates the basic shot strokes; forward, backhand, volley, overhead, and serve.
Familiar with court positioning in doubles play

Makes longer lasting slow-paced rallies.
Makes most easy volleys and uses some backhands, but needs more work on developing shot strokes.
Beginning to approach the non-volley zone to hit volleys.
Aware of the “soft game”.
Knowledge of the rules has improved.
Court coverage is weak but improving.

More consistent on the serve and service return and when returning medium-paced balls
Demonstrates improved skills with all the basic shot strokes and shot placement, but lacks control when trying for direction, depth, or power on their shots
Beginning to attempt lobs and dinks with little success and doesn’t fully understand when and why they should be used

Demonstrates improved stroke dependability with directional control on most medium-paved balls and some faster-paced balls
Demonstrates improved control when trying for direction, depth, and power on their shots
Needs to develop variety with their shots
Exhibits some aggressive net play
Beginning to anticipate opponent’s shots
Learning about the importance of strategy and teamwork in doubles

Consistent and dependable strokes, including directional control and depth on both forehand and backhand shots
Reliable serves, lobs, overheads, approach shots, volleys, and can use spin shots with some success
Occasionally can force errors when serving
Rallies may be lost due to impatience
Uses the dink shot and drop shots to slow down or change the pace of the game
Demonstrates 3rd shot strategies; drop shots, lobs, and fast paced ground strokes
Aggressive net play and teamwork in doubles is evident. Fully understands the rules of the game and can play by them

Beginning to master the use of power and spin, can successfully execute all shots, can control the depth of their shots, and can handle pace
Beginning to master the dink shots and drop shots and their importance to the game
Beginning to master 3rd shot choices
Displays sound footwork and moves well enough to get to the non-volley zone whenever required
Understands strategy and can adjust style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position
Serves with power and accuracy and can also vary the speed and spin of the serve
Understands the importance of “keeping the ball in play” and the effect of making errors
Making good choices in shot selection
Anticipates the opponent’s shots resulting in good court positioning

Mastered all the skills; all shot types, touch, spin, serves with control, and can use them as weapons
Excellent shot anticipation, extremely accurate shot placement and regularly hit winning shots
Forces opponents into making errors by “keeping the ball in play”
Mastered the dink and drop shots
Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies
Uses soft shots, dinks, and lobs to set up offensive situations
Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches
Dependable in stressful situations as in tournament match play
Athletic ability, quickness, agility, and raw athleticism are also qualities that are sometimes what separates the top players from those near the top