How the mechanics of pickleball changed this year
Last Edited
Dec 27 2024
Category
News
Hey everyone, pro Jack Munro here. As 2024 comes to a close, I wanted to share some of the biggest evolutions I’ve noticed in pickleball this year.
I recently had the chance to sit down with Pro Player and co-founder of The Lab in Austin, Carlos Delora, and we dove into how much has changed over the past twelve months.
Here’s a rundown of the strategic shifts on court we've seen over the past year.
Evolving strategies for right-side players
One of the first points we covered was the shift in strategy from 2023 to 2024—especially the role of the right-side player.
Traditionally, the right-sider was seen as a “steady Eddie,” content to play defense and keep the ball in play. But 2024 showed us that right-side players have to be ready to attack, too.
Related: Deciding Who Should Play Left vs. Right Side in Doubles Pickleball
We’re seeing more right-side guys like Alshon Tardio and Dylan Frasier step up and become offensive threats.
Key takeaway: Don’t box yourself in. Whether you’re on the right or left side, be prepared to seize the offensive moment when the pattern favors you.
More forehands, more roll
Two years ago, a lot of players would stick to safe, sliced dinks off the bounce—particularly on the backhand side.
Now, more and more players (Gabe Joseph, Thomas Wilson, etc.) run around the ball to take a forehand dink, adding topspin to stay aggressive. We’re also seeing two-handed backhands and a “roll-first” mentality to keep opponents guessing.
Key takeaway: Rolling dinks can seamlessly blend into a speed-up. If every forehand dink looks like a potential attack, your opponents have to stay on their toes.
Poppier paddles = quicker points
Paddle technology took a huge jump this year. Control paddles are being overshadowed by “pop” or “power” paddles, and the game has sped up noticeably.
We discussed how that affects one-two-three strategies (serve, return, drive) and how it can feel unfair when a ball that “shouldn’t” be attackable gets punished anyway.
Key takeaway: If you don’t have a poppy or power-oriented paddle, consider trying one. The pro game especially demands the ability to hit penetrating drives and fast counters.
2024 has been a whirlwind year for pickleball. As we continue to push the envelope—both on the court and in how we build and manage our facilities—our sport is growing more dynamic by the day.
Watch the full conversation:
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