Pickleball Strategies for Singles Play: Controlling the Court

Playing singles in pickleball is a completely different experience than doubles. With only one person on each side, the game becomes faster, more intense, and demands greater control of the court. To succeed in singles play, it’s essential to develop strategies that maximize your strengths and exploit your opponent’s weaknesses.

In this post, we’ll explore the top strategies to help you control the court, outmaneuver your opponent, and dominate your next singles match.

1. Master Your Serve Placement

In singles pickleball, your serve is your first opportunity to dictate the pace and put pressure on your opponent. Rather than just getting the ball over the net, focus on precise placement:

Serve Deep: A deep serve pushes your opponent back toward the baseline, giving you more time to prepare for their return. This can also force them into defensive positions, especially if they struggle with deeper shots.
Vary Your Placement: Mix up your serve by aiming for different parts of the court—serve wide to pull your opponent off the court, then serve to the centerline to keep them guessing.
Use Spin: Adding topspin or slice to your serve can make it harder for your opponent to return with control, helping you set up the next shot.

Pro tip: Practice serving both deep and with spin so you can maintain variety in your serves and keep your opponent on their toes.

2. Dominate the Center of the Court

Controlling the center of the court is crucial in singles pickleball. By positioning yourself near the middle, you can cut off angles and make it harder for your opponent to hit past you. Here’s how to own the center:

Stay Mobile: After each shot, return to the middle of the court in a ready position. This allows you to cover more ground and respond quickly to shots on either side.
Watch for Angles: Be mindful of sharp angles that your opponent may use to force you out wide. Position yourself slightly closer to the sideline when your opponent is hitting from a wide position.
Anticipate Your Opponent’s Next Shot: By reading your opponent’s body language and positioning, you can anticipate where their next shot is likely to go, helping you maintain court control.

Pro tip: Keep your paddle up and your feet moving when returning to the center. Being ready and balanced will help you react to fast shots and sharp angles.

3. Hit Deep to Keep Your Opponent Back

Keeping your opponent near the baseline can significantly limit their options and give you more control of the court. Deep shots force your opponent to hit more defensive returns, making it easier for you to attack:

Drive the Ball Deep: Use deep forehands and backhands to push your opponent to the back of the court. This opens up opportunities to drop the ball short or hit angled winners.
Mix Up Your Depth: While deep shots are essential, mix in occasional short shots to throw off your opponent’s rhythm. A well-placed drop shot can lure your opponent to the net, allowing you to hit past them.

Pro tip: Work on your deep groundstrokes during practice sessions. A consistent deep shot will allow you to dictate the rally and put your opponent on the defensive.

4. Utilize the Dink in Singles

Although the dink is more commonly associated with doubles, it can be a valuable weapon in singles as well. Dinking forces your opponent to come up to the net, where they may be more vulnerable to a passing shot or lob:

Dink with Purpose: Use the dink to slow down the pace of the game and force your opponent to play a more controlled shot. If they rush the net, you can use this to set up a winning shot.
Follow the Dink with a Passing Shot: After a successful dink, be ready to hit a passing shot if your opponent rushes forward. A well-placed dink can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and create an opportunity for a winning angle.

Pro tip: Practice dinking with different amounts of spin and control so you can adjust based on your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

5. Mix Up Your Shots

One of the best ways to control the court in singles is to keep your opponent guessing by varying your shots:

Change the Pace: Alternate between fast drives and slower, softer shots. This forces your opponent to adjust and prevents them from getting comfortable with one style of play.
Use Angles: Hit sharp crosscourt angles to make your opponent chase the ball. This not only tires them out but also opens up space on the opposite side of the court for your next shot.
Lob When Appropriate: A well-timed lob can catch your opponent off guard, especially if they’re standing close to the net. Be sure to aim high and deep to make it harder for them to smash it back.

Pro tip: The more variety you introduce into your game, the harder it becomes for your opponent to predict your next move. This puts you in control of the match.

6. Work on Your Footwork

Footwork is everything in singles play. Unlike doubles, where you can rely on a partner, you’re responsible for covering the entire court. Having quick and efficient footwork will allow you to stay in control:

Stay Light on Your Feet: Move quickly between shots, staying balanced and ready to change direction. Avoid planting your feet too early, as this can leave you vulnerable to fast-paced shots.
Recover to the Middle: After every shot, return to the middle of the court to prepare for your opponent’s return. Good court positioning allows you to cover more ground efficiently.

Pro tip: Incorporate footwork drills into your practice sessions to improve your speed and agility. This will make it easier to react quickly to your opponent’s shots.

7. Maintain Mental Toughness

In singles play, mental toughness is just as important as physical skill. Without a partner to rely on, staying focused and confident can make the difference between winning and losing:

Stay Positive: Even if you make a mistake or lose a point, keep a positive attitude. Dwelling on errors can cause you to lose focus and make more mistakes.
Be Patient: Singles matches can be more physically demanding, so be prepared for longer rallies. Patience is key—wait for the right moment to strike rather than trying to force a winner too early.

Pro tip: Develop a routine to help you reset mentally between points, whether it’s taking a deep breath or visualizing your next shot.

Final Thoughts

Controlling the court in singles pickleball is all about using smart strategies, mastering your footwork, and varying your shots. By focusing on deep serves, dominating the center, and mixing up your pace, you can keep your opponent off-balance and in defensive positions. Combine these strategies with mental toughness and good court positioning, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering singles play.