Whether you are new to the game of pickleball or already a seasoned pro, these pickleball singles tips will help you improve your singles game.
Pickleball singles strategy is different from playing doubles. You are alone on your side of the court, giving you the advantage of movement, momentum, range, and strategy. Use your opponent’s weaker hand and distance from the net to gain control of the game.
Playing singles pickleball is a whole new ball game – literally.
But don’t worry! While it can look a little intimidating when you first see a pickleball singles game, it’s surprisingly easy to pick up.
In this article, we’ll share tips to master your singles game and dominate your opponent with pickleball singles strategies that both experienced and new players can use.
Learn the correct way to serve, return, and work against your opponent’s momentum as we take a journey onto the singles pickleball court.
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Pickleball Singles Strategy Overview
Before you consider your pickleball strategy for singles, it’s a good idea to get clear on the singles pickleball game as a whole.
First of all, make sure you are clear on the pickleball singles rules (and know the difference between a regular pickleball singles game and skinny singles)!
As opposed to doubles games, when you play singles, the power is yours.
You – and only you – get to visualize and play out your strategy for the game.
That’s because, in singles games, you have your entire courtside to yourself.
This can be simultaneously a blessing and a curse.
While you can manoeuvre yourself and push your opponent to move farther, they can also manipulate the game to make you run farther for your return shots.
When playing singles pickleball, be sure to dominate the game from the first serve.
Serve deep, aim for your opponent’s backhand, and get as close to the net as possible whenever the opportunity arises.
Pickleball Strategy Singles Tips
So, now that you know what you’re playing and are (hopefully) ready to take on the challenge, let’s take a look at some of the top pickleball singles tips.
Having a few insider tips in any sport can help elevate your performance, and that’s no different in pickleball.
No matter what your skill level, these singles strategy tips will put you in a better position when taking on a single opponent.
Here are our five most vital pickleball tips for singles players wanting to improve their pickleball strategy.
Pickleball Singles Tip #1: Serve Deep
When you serve in singles pickleball, it is a great idea to serve deep.
Serving deep forces your opponent to take action to meet the ball for the return of serve.
Your serve is your initial statement about the point.
It is how you set the tone for the rest of the game.
Take control with a deep serve and aim to put your opponent under pressure.
Aim to push your opponent beyond the back line as you serve the pickleball ball deep.
Be cautious to keep the ball within bounds.
Giving yourself a little room to play is always a good idea.
Pickleball Singles Tip #2: The Return
Your return is vital to the rest of the point if your opponent is serving, especially since you cannot score during the opponent’s service.
Do not make their game easy with an easy return!
No matter how your opponent has served, provide a deep return and get them running for the ball.
In much the same way as a deep serve, a deep return of serve puts pressure on your opponent, giving you control.
Another essential tip for a great return is to aim the ball to the opposite side of where your opponent is standing.
Doing this forces them to move farther into the open space for the next shot.
You take their focus from making a good shot to reaching the ball in time.
Remember to allow some room for error.
Do not aim for the very edge of the court. Instead, give yourself a little space. Your opponent will be pressured to get the shot even with the wiggle room.
Pickleball Singles Tip #3: Use Momentum
We hear of the use of momentum in martial arts, but did you know you can use it against your opponent in pickleball, too?
As your opponent moves to make a shot, they naturally run in a specific direction.
As you make your return, aim to make them change direction. You can send the ball to the opposite side from where they are headed.
The effort of stopping the momentum, reversing it, and reaching the shot will be enormous.
It will likely slow them down and give you the upper hand.
Pickleball Singles Tip #4: Come In Close
One way to pressure your opponent is to come close to the pickleball net whenever possible.
It is not always an easy feat, but it will elevate your pickleball game when you can.
This strategy is used by professional pickleball players.
After a deep serve and return, run towards the net and make your shot from there.
By closing the distance, you provide more power to your shot and put even more pressure on your opponent.
When your distance from the net is great, your opponent has more time to assess what type of shot you are making and in which direction.
When the space is small, they have much less time to make judgments and may make a vital mistake that could win the point.
Keeping close to the net keeps your opponent stuck at the baseline.
This is an excellent strategy for both doubles pickleball and singles, as it keeps you in control and your opponent on the back foot.
Pickleball Singles Tip #5: The Backhand
Every pickleball player has a more dominant hand.
For the majority, it is their forehand.
When making a shot, aim to get your opponent to use their weaker hand – likely a weak backhand.
As always, allow for a little room in case of mistakes.
Your ball should not go out of bounds.
It is almost always possible to aim for your opponent’s weaker side while remaining safe.
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Pickleball Singles: Additional Tips & FAQs
So, now that you know our top tips for improving your pickleball singles strategy, it’s time to put it into practice.
Before you do that, though, here are some of the questions we get asked most to help you feel extra prepared.
How Do You Train For Pickleball Singles?
Singles pickleball is much more like high-intensity interval training than pickleball doubles.
The sport requires a slightly higher fitness level, stamina, and fast and slow twitch responses from your muscles.
Add to that a quick reaction time and outstanding hand-eye coordination.
Training for pickleball singles should include a variety of exercises and drills.
One thing is for sure: playing pickleball singles will help you become a good player for doubles too.
Here are some more tips for training pickleball singles:
1. Warm Up
Warm up with a partner. Begin at the net and gently hit the ball to each other.
With each return, move a step or two back. Keep it gentle, pleasant, and easy.
You are warming up your arms, legs, and body for the intense training to follow.
When you reach the baseline, your returns are deep, and you make more significant movements.
This exercise should increase your heart rate and loosen up your muscles.
2. Crosscourt Forehand And Backhand Training
Serve from the middle of the court, aiming for the corner. Your partner returns and recovers with each shot.
Continue this practice on both sides. Do not remain in one corner. After each shot, return to the middle of the baseline.
Use only forehand shots at first. Aim to do this exercise for at least five minutes. Your heart rate should be well elevated.
Once you have completed your forehand practice, move on to backhand training. Execute the backhand training the same way as the forehand you have just done.
Backhand training is vital for singles pickleball.
A primary strategy of the game is to get your opponent to play backhand. If your backhand is strong, you will not be at a disadvantage when your opponent tries this on you.
This practice works stamina, footwork, arms, forehand, backhand, legs, and aim.
3. Practice Your Aim
When working on your aim, one partner practices sending the ball to the back corners, and the other runs to reach it.
This practice is vital for both partners. It works on aiming, and understanding your limits and strengths.
Critical footwork, stamina, recovery, and overall fitness are worked on for the runner.
4. T-Work
In this exercise, one partner stands on the T (close to the net in the middle of the court). The other partner is a distance away.
Practice serving and returning. Keep the ball up and going for as long as possible.
Swap positions, allowing the other partner to stand on the T. Again, keep the ball in motion for as long as possible.
Work in this way on both sides.
5. Play A Few Points
At the end of every training session, play a few singles points.
This is a great way to practice everything you have worked on.
How Do You Keep Score In Pickleball Singles?
Keeping score for singles is similar to that of doubles.
- Only the server can score points.
- The server continues to serve until they make a mistake. The receiver then serves.
- When your score is an even number, you serve from the right service court. If your score is an odd number, you score from the left service court.
- In singles, the score is called first for the server and then for the receiver.
Read up on more singles pickleball rules here.
What Is Skinny Singles Pickleball Strategy?
Skinny pickleball is similar to regular singles pickleball.
The main difference with skinny pickleball is that you only use half of the court, meaning the width of the court is smaller.
You may play crosscourt or straight-on.
It is advisable to practice both to get the most out of your training and be ready for games.
There are a few critical elements to a tremendous skinny pickleball strategy:
- Deep serves
- Serve to your opponent’s backhand
- Push your opponent to the baseline or beyond
- Give deep returns, keeping your accuracy
- Avoid hitting your serve or return out of bounds
- Get into the kitchen line (also called the non-volley line) and maintain your position
- Get your opponent to run in different directions, going against their momentum
Conclusion
There are a few vital elements to a good pickleball singles strategy.
Keep control over the game by having a robust and deep serve and return.
Then, make your way to the non-volley zone and maintain your position there.
Keep your opponent moving by aiming for crosscourt shots, against their momentum and, whenever possible, for their backhand.
Train for pickleball singles by drilling crosscourt forehand and backhand technique, stamina, footwork, and aim.