By Nat Boughton

Where You Stand Determines What You Can Do. One of the biggest differences between recreational players and advanced players isn’t how hard they hit the ball—it’s where they stand.

Court position is the foundation of every successful point. Great players are constantly moving to the highest percentage position on the court. Poor positioning forces difficult shots. Good positioning creates easy ones.

Here’s a simple truth:

The best shot in pickleball is often the one your positioning allows you to hit—not the one you want to hit.

Get to the Kitchen—But Earn It

Every player knows they want to get to the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), but too many players rush forward at the wrong time.

The goal isn’t simply to reach the kitchen.

The goal is to arrive balanced, together with your partner, and in control of the point.

Move forward behind quality shots. If your return or third shot forces your opponents to hit up, that’s your invitation to advance.

Stop!  Wherever you are on the court when your opponent is about to strike the ball.

Stay Connected with Your Partner

Think of you and your partner as being connected by an invisible rope.

When one player moves, the other moves.

When one slides left, the other slides left.

When one moves forward, the other follows.

Nothing creates openings faster than partners separated by six or eight feet.

Good teams protect space together.

Great teams almost move as one player.

The Middle Wins Matches

Many players worry too much about the sidelines.

The highest percentage area to defend—and attack—is the middle.

By staying close enough together to protect the center, you eliminate easy opportunities while forcing your opponents into lower-percentage angles.

Remember:

Protect the middle first. Everything else becomes easier.

Recover Every Time

Every shot should be followed by a recovery step.

Hit.

Recover.

Reset your balance.

Prepare for the next ball.

Too many players admire their shot instead of preparing for the next one.

The point isn’t over until someone misses.

Court Position Creates Options

When you’re in the correct position:

• You volley more balls instead of half-volleys. 
• You attack higher balls. 
• You defend less. 
• You move less while covering more court. 
• You force your opponents to attempt lower-percentage shots.

Position creates opportunity.

Your Challenge This Week

During your next time on the court, don’t worry about winning games.

Instead, ask yourself after every rally:

• Was I balanced before my opponent hit? 
• Was I connected with my partner? 
• Did I recover after every shot? 
• Was I at the highest percentage position available?

You’ll quickly discover that many “shot problems” are actuallyposition problems.

Great decisions begin with great positioning.