How to Turn Defense Into Offense With Smart Footwork and Follow-Through
Today I want to break down a concept that’s super helpful no matter your skill level: how to turn a defensive shot into an offensive opportunity—just by using your legs, footwork, and paddle follow-through. Most players miss out on easy chances to attack because they treat mid-court or off-the-bounce shots as merely survival tools. But […]
Simple Adjustments for More Spin, Power, and Consistency in Your Pickleball Game
More Spin, Less Work In today’s lesson, I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked: keeping things simple. Pickleball players tend to overcomplicate their mechanics, especially when trying to generate spin or power. The truth is, with just a few small tweaks, you can create better consistency, more spin, and more control—without working […]
Simple Tip to Stop Hitting Into the Net
If you find yourself hitting into the net a lot—whether it’s on your volleys or during dink exchanges—this one simple tip can make a big difference across your entire game. Think about where your paddle finishes after you hit the ball. I want my paddle to finish above the net. That’s it. It’s a simple […]
How to Get More Power on Your Drives
Especially if you didn’t come from a racquet sport If you’re struggling to generate power on your drives, especially if you didn’t grow up playing tennis or another racquet sport, you’re not alone. The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Power is simple when you understand where it actually comes from. Power Starts […]
Where Does Power Come From in Pickleball?
Hint: It’s Not Your Arms. Let’s clear this up right away—power doesn’t come from your hands or arms. Swinging harder doesn’t automatically mean you’re hitting faster, stronger, or better. In fact, that mindset often does more harm than good. In pickleball, we separate power and control by the body:Power comes from your lower body.Control comes […]
Disguising Your Shot: The Power of Direction Change
Last week, we talked about cutting off the corners to create a more offensive dink. Now, let’s take that concept a step further—redirecting the ball to control the point. Why Does This Matter? The more I move my opponent, rather than moving myself, the more control I have. The goal is to dictate the point, […]
High Level Offensive Dinking: Mastering Positioning on the Court
Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about offensive dinking and how better positioning can help you take control at the net. One of the biggest mistakes I see players make is getting too square to the net, which leads to poor contact points and unnecessary movement. The Problem with Squaring Up When you’re too […]
Pickleball Drill to Improve Your Forehand Drive: Spacing and Lower Body Engagement
If you’re looking to refine your forehand drive, today’s drill is all about creating a strong foundation with two key elements: spacing and lower body engagement. Mastering these will help you generate more power, spin, and control in your shots. Why This Drill? In this drill, we’re intentionally setting up on a side that would […]
Why So Defensive? Fix Your Footwork & Weight Transfer
Too many players find themselves stuck in defensive positions way more than they need to be—and most of the time, it’s not because of bad hands or slow reactions. The real problem? Positioning and weight transfer. If you’re getting caught in the midcourt, struggling to move efficiently, or feeling like you’re always reacting instead of […]
Mastering Weight Transfer for Powerful Volleys
One of the most overlooked aspects of a strong volley is weight transfer. If you’re not engaging your lower body properly, you’re missing out on power, control, and consistency. That’s why I love this drill—it helps you learn how to shift your weight efficiently through the ball, improving both your shot execution and recovery. The […]
