Pickleball instruction: Why paddle positioning matters
Last Edited
Apr 18 2025
Category
Instruction
One of the first things people hear when they start playing pickleball is, “Keep your paddle up.”
Good advice — but incomplete.
Here’s the tricky part: One of the hardest lessons to learn in pickleball is to do something consciously until it becomes subconscious. Sounds weird, but it makes more sense the more it’s practiced.
Pickleball is, more often than not, a reaction game.
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Success depends on being ready to respond to what the opponents throw across the net — and to jump on any openings that show up. That moment to strike doesn’t come with a heads-up. It just shows up, and the ones who are ready take it.
So … what’s this got to do with paddle positioning?
Everything. From the kitchen line all the way back to the baseline, where that paddle sits between shots matters way more than most people realize.
In the early stages, it’s common for players to stand at the kitchen line with the paddle hanging by the side — just kind of vibing, not really looking engaged. Then people see someone doing it the right way and next thing you know they have their paddle up and are in a ready position with their knees bent. That’s progress.
Phase One complete.
Now the real work begins. As competition improves and the pace picks up, paddle positioning starts to separate good players from great ones.
Starting at the kitchen line
Most players who’ve been on the court for a bit feel confident in their paddle readiness up at the kitchen. But even there, little habits creep in — especially during long dink rallies.
Ever seen someone get less of the action in a rally and slowly let the paddle drift lower and lower? Happens all the time. Why?
Focus. Well, a lack of focus actually. When the ball isn’t coming their way, people tend to check out — even just a little. And in pickleball, even a little lapse can cost the point.
Think about it the next time you're in a longer rally, and make the correction if necessary.
Transition zone and at the baseline
There’s no perfect, always-right paddle position in these areas. There’s just too much going on — more angles, more options, more unpredictability.
Rather than focusing on where the paddle is, start thinking about what kind of shot might be coming next. Is the opponent going to attack the next ball? Will they hit it out of the air or off the bounce?
These are fast decisions, but important ones.
The key is simple: Keep the paddle in a spot that’s ready for the next ball. Whether that’s out in front, low, high, or somewhere in between, readiness is the name of the game.
Easy ways to improve paddle positioning
1. Record Games
Seriously — this might be the best tip of all.
Set up a phone, press record and just play. Watching the footage back makes it so much easier to spot habits that need work — especially paddle positioning.
Look for those moments at the kitchen, mid-court and baseline. Are balls being missed that would have been reachable if the paddle was in the right spot? Was there hesitation during a speed up? Are the shots consistently hitting the sweet spot?
Most of those issues have a fix — and it starts with awareness.
2. Ask a Partner
This might feel a little awkward at first, but getting feedback from people who’ve seen it from a different perspective can make a big difference.
Others can often spot patterns that go unnoticed to players themselves. Whether it’s a tendency to drop the paddle or a habit of falling out of position in certain areas, a fresh perspective can be a game-changer.
And it doesn’t take much — just a simple, “Hey, do you notice anything off with my paddle positioning?”
That’s how better habits start.
Wrapping up
Start thinking about paddle positioning in real time.
It’s going to feel unnatural at first. Awkward even. That’s fine — that’s where the growth happens. The key is to stay mindful of where the paddle is and adjusting when it’s not quite right.
Over time, that awareness becomes automatic. Balls that used to feel out of reach aren’t anymore. Hand speed increases. The win column grows.
Where that paddle lives between shots matters. A lot. So treat it like it does.
Frank Hines loves the game of pickleball and sharing that passion with as many people as possible. He found the game over two years ago and hasn't let up since. Follow Frank on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
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