Shot guide
Pickleball shots: dinks, drives, volleys and drops
This guide explains the shots players hear about most often, what each shot does, when to use it, and how difficult it is to learn.
soft - difficulty 1/3
Dink
A soft shot that arcs gently into the opponent's kitchen.
Slow the game down at the net — force opponents into errors.
power - difficulty 1/3
Drive
Hard, low groundstroke that skims the net.
Push opponents off the kitchen line, create pop-ups.
power - difficulty 1/3
Volley
Hit the ball out of the air — no bounce first.
After the two-bounce rule, from outside the kitchen.
soft - difficulty 3/3
Third Shot Drop
Soft, arcing shot from the baseline that lands in the kitchen.
Right after the return — neutralize and rush the net.
specialty - difficulty 2/3
Lob
A high arcing shot over opponents at the net.
When opponents crowd the kitchen line — push them back.
specialty - difficulty 3/3
Around The Post
A shot that travels AROUND the side of the net post.
When pulled wide — legal even if it never crosses over the net.
specialty - difficulty 3/3
Erne
A volley taken next to the net post by jumping or stepping around the kitchen.
Surprise attack at the net — cut off a predictable dink.
power - difficulty 2/3
Smash
Overhead slam — the put-away of a high ball.
When opponent lobs short — drive it straight down at their feet.