Here's a quick guide to improve your pickleball game and gear up for 2024:

1. Master your serve
2. Perfect the third shot drop
3. Improve positioning and movement
4. Communicate well in doubles
5. Use varied shot selection
6. Choose a high-performance paddle
7. Wear specialized pickleball shoes
8. Use protective eyewear
9. Wear performance apparel
10. Use training aids and accessories

Tip	Gear
Serving technique	Graphite/carbon fiber paddles
Third shot drop	Pickleball-specific shoes
Court positioning	ASTM F803 certified eyewear
Doubles communication	Breathable, moisture-wicking clothes
Shot variety	Ball machines, training tools

This guide covers key skills to practice and essential gear to use. Whether you're new to pickleball or an experienced player, these tips and gear recommendations will help you play better in 2024.

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1. Mastering the Serve

A good serve is key in pickleball. It can put pressure on your opponents and give you an edge. Here are some tips to help you serve better:

How to Improve Your Technique

To serve well:

• Use your whole body, not just your arm
• Start with a closed stance
• Push off your back foot
• Move your weight forward

This helps you hit with more power and control.

Different Types of Serves

There are many ways to serve in pickleball:

Serve Type	Description
Power serve	A fast, strong serve
Lob serve	A high, arching serve
Short angled serve	A serve that lands close to the net
Sidespin serve	A serve with sideways spin
Topspin serve	A serve with forward spin

Try these out to see what works best for you.

Staying Safe

When you serve:

• Keep your eyes on the ball
• Don't hit too hard or too soft
• Watch where your opponents are standing
• Try to serve to their weaker side

Getting Comfortable

To serve comfortably:

• Hold your paddle the right way
• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart
• Bend your knees a little
• Keep your weight even on both feet

This helps you stay balanced and hit with power.

2. Perfecting the Third Shot Drop

The third shot drop is a key move in pickleball. It helps you switch from defense to offense. Here's how to do it well:

How to Get Better

To improve your third shot drop:

Tip	Why It Matters
Hit softly	Makes it hard for opponents to attack
Aim well	Target corners or sidelines to challenge opponents
Stand right	Good footwork helps you control the shot

Staying Safe

When you do the third shot drop:

• Watch where your opponents are
• Keep your eyes on the ball

These tips help you avoid accidents and play better.

3. Positioning and Movement

How to Get Better

Good positioning and movement help you play pickleball well. Here's how to improve:

Skill	What to Do
Ready position	Stand in the middle of the court, feet apart, weight even
Moving around	Practice side-to-side steps, slides, and lunges
Quick reactions	Try the "split-step" drill: jump and land with feet apart

Staying Safe

When you move on the court:

• Watch the ball and what's around you
• Talk to your partner about where you're going
• Drink water and rest often

These tips will help you play better and avoid getting hurt.

4. Communication in Doubles

Talking with your partner is very important in pickleball doubles. It helps you work together better and play smarter. Here's how to do it well:

How to Get Better

Before you play:

• Talk about how you both like to play
• Decide who will cover which parts of the court
• Plan how you'll handle different shots

During the game:

• Use simple words like "mine!" or "yours!" to avoid mix-ups
• Tell your partner what you're going to do

What to Say	When to Say It
"Mine!"	When you're going to hit the ball
"Yours!"	When your partner should hit the ball
"Switch!"	When you want to change sides
"Back!"	When you're moving to the back of the court

Staying Safe

Good talking helps keep you safe too:

• Say what you're doing to avoid bumping into each other
• Let your partner know where you're moving on the court
• Warn your partner if the ball is coming their way

5. Shot Selection and Variety

Choosing different shots and using many types of shots can help you play pickleball better. When you mix up your shots, it's harder for the other team to guess what you'll do next. Here's how to get better at picking and using different shots:

How to Improve Your Shots

To use more types of shots:

• Practice your forehand, backhand, volley, and groundstroke a lot
• Try to hit the ball at different angles
• Change how fast or slow you hit the ball
• Add spin to your shots

Doing these things will help you hit the ball better and in more ways.

Types of Shots to Use

Using different shots can make you harder to play against. Here are some shots to try:

Shot Type	What It Does	When to Use It
Lob	High shot that goes over opponents	When opponents are close to the net
Drive	Fast, low shot	To push opponents back or to the sides
Drop	Soft shot that lands close to the net	To make opponents move forward

Try using these shots in your games. A good lob can make the other team run back. A drive can push them to the sides. Drops can help you take control of the point.

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6. High-Performance Paddles

Good paddles can help you play pickleball better. Here's what to look for in a paddle:

Better Playing

A good paddle can help you:

• Hit the ball more the same way each time
• Move your feet better
• Feel more sure of yourself when you play

Comfort

A paddle that feels good in your hand is important. Look for:

• A grip that fits your hand well
• A paddle that's not too heavy or light

Long-Lasting

You want a paddle that will last a long time. Look for:

• Paddles made of strong materials like graphite or mixed materials
• A tough outside layer that won't wear out quickly

When picking a paddle, think about these things:

What to Look For	Why It Matters
Material	Different materials can make the paddle strong and help you play well
Weight	A paddle that's not too heavy or light helps you move it easily
Grip size	A grip that fits your hand helps you play longer without getting tired
Surface	A rough surface can help you spin the ball more

7. Specialized Pickleball Shoes

Picking the right shoes for pickleball is important. Here's what to look for:

Better Play

Good pickleball shoes can help you:

• Move quickly and change direction easily
• Stay stable when you hit the ball
• Play for longer without getting tired

Staying Safe

The right shoes can help prevent injuries by:

• Giving you good grip on the court
• Supporting your feet and ankles
• Reducing stress on your knees and other joints

Comfort

Comfortable shoes are key. Look for:

• Soft padding inside
• Materials that let your feet breathe
• A fit that's not too tight or loose

Long-Lasting

You want shoes that will last. Choose ones with:

• Strong materials that won't wear out quickly
• Good build quality to handle lots of play

When picking pickleball shoes, think about these things:

Feature	Why It's Important
Side support	Helps stop ankle twists and keeps you steady
Padding	Makes playing easier on your feet and legs
Breathable	Keeps your feet cool and dry
Good grip	Stops you from slipping on the court
Strong build	Makes sure your shoes last a long time

8. Protective Eyewear

Wearing eye protection is important in pickleball. It helps keep your eyes safe from fast-moving balls and accidental hits. Good eyewear can make you feel more confident when you play.

Safety

Protective eyewear keeps your eyes safe on the court. Look for:

• ASTM F803 certified glasses
• Impact-resistant lenses
• Strong frames that can handle hard hits

Comfort

Comfortable eyewear helps you play better. Choose glasses or sunglasses with:

• Soft padding
• Materials that let air through
• A fit that's not too tight or loose

This helps you wear them for a long time without feeling uncomfortable.

Long-Lasting

Pick eyewear that will last. Look for:

• Strong materials
• Well-made frames and lenses
• Lenses that don't scratch or crack easily

This means your eyewear will work well for many games.

Feature	Why It's Important
ASTM F803 certified	Meets safety standards for sports
Impact-resistant lenses	Protects eyes from fast balls
Soft padding	Makes glasses comfortable to wear
Breathable materials	Keeps your face cool
Scratch-resistant lenses	Stays clear after many uses

Some good choices for pickleball eyewear are the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL and Wiley X Gamer. These glasses are safe, comfortable, and last a long time. If you need glasses with your prescription, you can find them at SportRx online. They have videos and tips to help you pick the right pair.

9. Performance Apparel

What you wear when playing pickleball can help you play better and feel more comfortable. Good clothes for pickleball keep you cool, dry, and able to move easily.

Comfort

Pick clothes made from materials that:

• Let air through
• Pull sweat away from your skin
• Stretch easily

These help you stay cool and dry, even when playing hard. Look for clothes made from nylon, polyester, or spandex.

Long-Lasting

Choose clothes that won't wear out quickly. Look for:

• Strong stitching
• Tough fabrics

This helps your clothes last for many games.

Feature	Why It's Good
Breathable fabric	Keeps you cool
Moisture-wicking	Keeps you dry
Stretchy material	Lets you move easily
Strong stitching	Makes clothes last longer

Some good choices for pickleball clothes are:

• Women's shorts with pockets
• Tops that pull sweat away from your skin
• Leggings that stretch easily

When you pick your pickleball clothes, make sure they:

• Feel good to wear
• Let air through
• Last a long time

This will help you play your best and enjoy the game more.

10. Training Aids and Accessories

To get better at pickleball, you can use special tools. These tools help you practice and improve your game. Here are some useful items:

Getting Better at Playing

Ball machines are great for practice. They can throw balls at you in different ways, helping you:

• Practice your shots
• Move your feet better
• React faster

Some good ball machines are:

• Lobster Pickle Ball Machine
• Slinger Pickleball Machine
• Pickleball Tutor Plus

Easy to Use and Long-Lasting

Other tools can help too:

• Dink Pad: Helps you practice soft shots
• Pickleball Eye Coach: Helps you hit the ball more accurately

These tools are made to last and feel good to use. You can practice with them for a long time without getting tired.

When picking training tools, look for these things:

What to Look For	Why It's Good
Can change speed and spin	Makes practice more like real games
Strong build	Lasts longer
Easy to move	You can take it anywhere
Feels good to hold	Easier to use for a long time

Using these tools can help you play better pickleball.

Must-Have Pickleball Gear for 2024

Having the right gear can help you play pickleball better. Here are some things you should have:

Good Paddles

A good paddle helps you hit the ball better. Look for paddles made from strong materials like graphite or carbon fiber. Some good paddles are:

Brand	Model
Play Henry	The Hank in White
Play Henry	The Morning Dip
Play Henry	The Hoo

Special Pickleball Shoes

Pickleball shoes help you move better on the court. They're lighter than tennis shoes and give you more support. Good brands include:

• JOOLA
• GAMMA
• Onix

Eye Protection

Wearing eye protection keeps your eyes safe from balls and paddles. Look for glasses that:

• Don't fog up
• Don't scratch easily

HEAD is a good brand for pickleball eye protection.

Bags and Other Gear

A good bag helps you carry all your stuff. Look for bags with:

• Many pockets
• Soft padding
• Strong materials

Other helpful things:

• Ball picker-uppers
• Machines that throw balls for practice
• Tools to help you train

These items can help you get better at pickleball.

Wrap-Up

We've talked about how to play pickleball better in 2024. To get good at pickleball, you need to:

• Know how to play well
• Use smart moves
• Have the right gear

If you use the tips and gear we talked about, you can play better. This is true if you've played for a long time or just started.

To get better at pickleball:

• Practice a lot
• Keep trying
• Be open to new ways to play and new gear

Here's a quick look at what we covered:

Topic	What We Learned
Serving	How to serve better
Third shot drop	Why it's important and how to do it
Moving on the court	How to stand and move the right way
Talking in doubles	How to work well with your partner
Different shots	Types of shots and when to use them
Paddles	What to look for in a good paddle
Shoes	How to pick the best shoes for pickleball
Eye protection	Why it's important and what to choose
Clothes	What to wear to play well
Practice tools	Things that can help you get better

Now it's time to play! Get your paddle, put on your shoes, and have fun playing pickleball in 2024!

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