The best position in pickleball is right at the kitchen line. It puts pressure on opponents and opens up shot angles. Get there quickly and safely.

We've all been there, sprinting up to the kitchen only to have a ball come barreling towards us. Make sure to keep an eye on the ball's trajectory and your opponent's positions as you move forward.

When you notice your opponent is about to hit while you’re moving towards the kitchen, pause your forward movement and get ready to return their shot. It’s much simpler to return a shot like this than to try to place a shot accurately while on the move. After returning the ball, continue to advance quickly.

This is known as a split step.