Tony Roig is a senior pro pickleball player and well-known coach. In recent years he has dedicated thousands of hours to helping players understand the game at a deeper level instead of just collecting tips. He discusses strategy, the mental game and the decisions that decide pickleball rallies in his teaching.

In this video he shares 5 critical pieces to his game that allow him to succeed in high-level senior matches. Watch the video above or read more below about the strategies he uses in 50+ play.

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Tip No. 1: Getting to the kitchen line

A mistake Roig sees among many players is hitting a return of serve that is low to the net and hard. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to run up to the kitchen line after the return, which means you’re vulnerable to a third-shot drive or aggressive drop while on the move. As a 55-year-old player, Roig gives himself more time to get up to the kitchen line by aiming his return of serve higher over the net with moderate pace.

Tip No. 2: Always expect an attack

A lot of times players get lulled into a false sense of security during a dinking rally. After a few consecutive dinks, it’s easy to assume that the next shot will be a dink as well. If you’re not expecting an attack, you’ll get caught with your feet planted and your paddle out of position. Whereas if you’re expecting an attack and the shot ends up being a dink, you’ll have time to adjust and respond accordingly.

Tip No. 3: Get that paddle up

This builds on the last two tips. You’re up at the kitchen line and you’re expecting an attack. The question is, what is the best paddle position to have in order to be ready for that attack? A lot of younger players, particularly pro players, will have their paddle in a lower position. This works for them because they’re young and they have faster reflexes than older players. Once you’re no longer a young player, you’re better off having your paddle further up in your in the strike zone that you’re going to defend.

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Tip No. 4: Let out balls go out

This is one of the hardest things to do in pickleball because our brains are programmed to hit the ball coming toward us. If you get an attack that is anywhere around your ribs or higher, just roll out of the way and let that ball go. You can make this easier by having your paddle ready position be at this level. If you’re having to raise your paddle from here in order to hit a ball with some pace, it’s likely that ball is going to land out.

Tip No. 5: Learn how the game is constructed

The better your understand the framework of pickleball, the better you’re able to develop strategies and shots that are going to accomplish what you want when you play. The most important part of pickleball is the non-volley zone/kitchen. Most shots — drops, dinks, resets, etc. only work because the non-volley zone exists. You can use that to your advantage by simply putting the ball in the non-volley zone anytime your opponent puts you in a tough spot. Being able to neutralize a rally even when your opponent has a good opportunity to attack will win you a ton of points in the long run.

Tony Roig is a nationally-recognized coach, Sr. Pro Player, developer of “Respect the X” among other widely used strategies, and is the voice behind the weekly Pickleball Therapy podcast. To find out more about Tony and his coaching visit TonyRoigPickleball.com. You can access their 4 FREE Mini-Courses to get going.