Reviewing your pickleball game with a purpose can be a eye-opening experience. By focusing on specific aspects of your play, you can identify areas for growth and create a targeted plan to enhance your skills. Select one of the sections below, watch your game with those questions in mind, and use the provided resources to drill, play, and repeat.

General Performance

1. Am I maintaining a consistent stance and balance throughout the game?

2. How is my footwork when moving around the court?

3. Am I recovering quickly after each shot?

4. Do I anticipate my opponent's shots effectively?

5. Am I positioning myself correctly for each shot?

Movement and Positioning Resources: 

• Footwork the Pros Use + Drills

• Footwork Taking You From the Serve to the NVZ

• Pro Level Game - Footwork Breakdown

Serve

1. Is my serve landing consistently in the desired area of the service box?

2. Am I varying my serves to keep my opponent off balance?

3. How is my serve speed and spin?

4. Am I following through properly on my serve?

5. Am I ready for the return immediately after serving?

Serving Resources: 

• Beginners Guide -  Rules and Technique

• How to Hit EXPLOSIVE Serves in Pickleball (60+ MPH)

• 5 Serves to Learn (Top Spin | High Loop | Slow Lob | Short Angle | Slice)

Returns

1. Am I positioning myself correctly to return the serve?

2. How is my footwork when preparing to return the serve?

3. Am I placing my return effectively to challenge my opponent?

4. Do I have a consistent and reliable return of serve?

5. Am I varying the depth and placement of my returns?

Return Resources:

• New Best Way to Return - How the pros do it

• The 3 T’s of Service Returns

• Load and Explode Returns

• 5 Advanced Return Targeting/Positioning Strategies 

Dinking

1. Is my dinking consistent and controlled?

2. Am I placing my dinks to create opportunities?

3. How is my footwork and positioning during dinking rallies?

4. Am I varying the height and placement of my dinks?

5. Do I transition smoothly from dinking to attacking shots?

Dinking Resources: 

• Advanced Dinking Drills

• Pro Game Dinking Analysis

• Resetting the Dink Strategy + Drills
  

Volleys

1. Am I maintaining a compact swing on volleys?

2. Is my positioning and stance correct for volleys?

3. Am I placing my volleys to put pressure on my opponent?

4. How is my reaction time and anticipation for volleys?

5. Am I using the appropriate amount of force on my volleys?

Best Volley Resources: 

• Efficient Movement + Faster Hands Drills

• Pro Guide to Speedups

• Speedup Defense Strategy 

3rd Shots

1. Is my 3rd shot landing consistently in the non-volley zone (kitchen)?

2. Am I using proper technique and follow-through on my 3rd shot?

3. Am I effectively mixing up my 3rd shot drops and drives to keep my opponent guessing?

4. How is my footwork and balance when executing the 3rd shot?

5. Is my 3rd shot setting up a favorable position for the next shot?

Best 3rd Shot Resources: 

• 3rd Shot Drop Technique 

• Drive + Drop Combo Drills

• Hybrid Drive - a mix of a drop and a drive

• Strategy Drop vs. Drive

4th Shots

1. Am I effectively anticipating and positioning myself for the 4th shot?

2. Is my 4th shot landing in a challenging spot for my opponent, neutralizing their 3rd shot?

3. Am I maintaining control and using a soft touch when necessary on the 4th shot?

4. Am I making smart decisions based on the pace and spin of my opponent’s 3rd shot?

5. Is my 4th shot response helping me regain control of the rally and set up my next move?

Best 4th Shot Resources: 

• Basic 4th Shot Breakdown and Strategy

• 4 Tips for a Better  4th Shot

Strategy and Tactics

1. Am I sticking to my game plan or strategy? Do I even have one?

2. Do I adjust my strategy based on my opponent's weaknesses?

3. How is my shot selection during different phases of the game?

4. Am I playing to my strengths and minimizing my weaknesses?

5. Am I effectively using lobs and drop shots?

Doubles Strategy & Tactics Resources: 

• Basic Doubles Strategies

• Game Breakdown: Strategy & Tactics

• 5 Advanced Positioning Strategies from a Pro

• Pro Game Dinking Analysis

Mental Game

1. Am I staying focused and composed under pressure?

2. How do I respond to mistakes or errors?

3. Am I maintaining a positive attitude throughout the game?

4. Do I communicate effectively with my partner?

5. Am I keeping my energy levels up and staying motivated?

Mental Game Resources: 

• Ben Johns on Mental Toughness 

• 5 Mental Strategies for Winning

• The Mental Game with Coach Tim Buwick

• The Pickleball Mindset by Dayne Gingrich

Opponent Analysis

1. What patterns or tendencies can I identify in my opponent's game?

2. How is my opponent responding to different types of shots?

3. Are there specific areas of the court my opponent struggles with?

4. Am I exploiting my opponent's weaknesses effectively?

5. How is my opponent's positioning and movement on the court?

How Pros Breakdown Games: 

• 64 Minutes of Point-By-Point Analysis

• Pro Analysis of a Few Points

• Game Breakdown: Doubles Strategies & Tactics

Conclusion

Improving your pickleball game can be both fun and rewarding! By asking the right questions and using the resources in each section, you'll see your skills grow. So get out there, drill, play, and enjoy the process of getting better!