Watch This to See the Game Like a Pro

I'm spilling the beans on four game-changers that 4.0 players often overlook. From sneaky positioning tricks to killer shot strategies, get ready to see the court like never before. Don't stay in the dark - watch now and step up your pickleball game!
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Timestamps:
00:00

[@TheDogsSide]

I was a high performance coach for the UTSA for over 20 years. We had a saying as coaches..you learn the game with your hands, feet, and eyes but you play it the opposite. Great insight Kyle into where new players attention can be. When a player can see moments with their eyes, they know how to respond with their feet and hands.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Well said!! Thanks for watching.

[@TheDogsSide]

@@thatpickleballguy its Fun watching well thought out content. If you guys ever need any ideas feel free to reach out. I’ve been coaching pickleball the last two and half years. It’s been a fun new puzzle to solve. I’ve taught a few clinics out by you. We met briefly at tues night picklball earlier this year. I was talking to your buddy who was housing candy 🤣.

[@markmaffei1127]

I watch a lot of instructional video's, and this one is phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great job Kyle!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful!

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

How did you get an apostrophe in the word “videos” though? 😭

[@michaelboano7183]

@@douglasmurdoch7247unless an adult does professional writing as part of their job, my guess is most people forgot the distinction and understandably so.

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

@@michaelboano7183 you really don’t need to be a professional writer to know your own native language. I think most adults know that an apostrophe means either a contraction, or indicating possession. Although it is worrying how many people seem to think that every word that ends in S gets an apostrophe…

[@michaelboano7183]

@@douglasmurdoch7247 respect your opinion but believe otherwise. Moreover, why be needlessly cruel and point out such insignificant mistakes

[@juanavaldezacevedo2403]

This is without a doubt the best not only the best instructional pickleball video but also one pf the best instructional videos ever.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Woah! Thank you

[@BenRiveraTeam]

Kyle, please make this a series. This was such great content!!!!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

more coming! Actually doing a deep dive into The "3rd shot drop strategy" right now. Prob will come out in about 6 weeks.

[@RobShaffer]

Wow. This was excellent! More strategy videos, please! Also, maybe with some left-handed players (me)?

[@thatpickleballguy]

More coming!!

[@kadendominus123]

My man! Excellent video. Too many little things to point out because you went into such good examples/detail but most excellent. This is going to help so much. Thanks!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RCodyWanner]

the glasses cam is so money -- love that first person pov really makes what you're saying click! I've got league tonight, will implement these

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks man!!

[@gregoryhall3958]

Thanks Kyle. Fun to watch and easy to understand and follow. Great info!!!!

[@dianallamas7135]

This is awesome. Love the graphics because it's absolutely so easy to visualize what you're teaching. Woo! Thank you and looking forward to learning more ans getting better.

[@thatpickleballguy]

I have some great editors :)

[@loispeterson9930]

Great Video... As my experience level increases I realize more and more how strategy is increasingly important. It's made me a much better player. Thanks Kyle -- you're the best!

[@thatpickleballguy]

For sure! Its true. Nuances everywhere!

[@JonBLodi]

OK. I'm saving this one to watch over again a few times. I really need to be thinking about where to place the ball better and these are very good "rules". Thank you!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Absolutely! Glad it helped!

[@thanhthi398]

Highlights 01:20 🎯 Serve strategy: Look at where the opponent is standing to inform your serve placement and create movement. 03:15 🔄 Recognizing spin: Pay attention to the opponent’s swing path to determine the type of spin you will receive. 07:50 🎾 Drop shot placement: Aim for the person running in to create challenge and miscommunication. 12:05 ⚡ Transitioning from defense to offense: See opportunities to move forward and attack when the ball gets popped up. Key Insights 🎯 Serve strategy: By observing the opponent’s positioning, you can strategically place your serve to create movement and gain an advantage. 🔄 Recognizing spin: Understanding the opponent’s swing path helps anticipate the type of spin you will receive, allowing you to respond appropriately. 🎾 Drop shot placement: Consider the opponent’s ability to Ernie and their weaker side when deciding where to place your drop shot. ⚡ Transitioning from defense to offense: Instead of panicking when the ball gets popped up, see it as an opportunity to move forward and take control of the game.

[@kimleith1378]

Super solid content Kyle. Getting a 2nd it looks like. Reading opponents is where I need to focus more.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlesmuller120]

Very well done video! As a 4.0 player, I feel that I'm in tune with those 4 strategies. I think it would be more of the 3.0-3.5 players that need to master those.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevesheppard5076]

Really good video Kyle. I especially loved the stuff at the end about recognition and flipping defense into offense. (I will be adopting that into our drill sessions)

[@thatpickleballguy]

Its tough!! No ones better at this than anna leigh waters. Something i add into my drilling as well

[@QuiltTale]

This was one of the best and most helpful Pickleball videos I’ve watched. I need practice in “seeing” and recognizing moments and reacting to what I see. I certainly know that PANIC feeling when a ball is popped up. So helpful to have something to try instead of turning and running away!

[@thatpickleballguy]

We all know the panic feeling :) And thank you for the kind words

[@alohaleslie9407]

Like many others, I've watched lots of tutorials. Yours are absolutely the best. Why? Because you are very specific and you address issues that no other pro/coach does. Thanks so much! Great info here. One observation. As a 4.0 player, I often play other 4.0's or those of lesser skill levels, who have no ball control when they smash their overhead. Yes, I panic because I have gotten hit in the face/neck by hard hitters (Samoan guy I play with). I'd rather give up the point then suffer the consequences. However, that being said, playing with those who have more control, I will look for that advantage now. Again, thanks so much for a fun and informational lesson.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@thegerry]

This may be the best, most comprehensive, insightful, and readily-applicable strategy video I’ve seen to date!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Woah! Thanks for the kind words

[@markuspotter42]

You are a PHENOMENAL coach! Your videos ROCK, keep up the amazing work brotha!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you!

[@lperryma]

Kyle- fantastic video! I can’t wait to deploy these new tools on the court!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Awesome!! Thanks for watching. Glad it helped

[@picklingaround]

Seriously some of the best content when it comes to instructional pickleball videos. Not only are you helping me become a better player but also a better coach. Love it! 🙏🏽

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thats amazing! Thanks for sharing

[@Newsfodder1994]

Absolutely loved this as an instructional video. More please. Subscribed.

[@thatpickleballguy]

More coming :)

[@nadzoll]

As usual, excellent! I'm sure these types of videos take a long time to realize the final product, so you are greatly appreciated in your time! Wish you didn't live so far from Green Valley!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@barbaraburica765]

Always great content & clear explanations!! Thanks! Loved the shirt colors too, really easy to identify players, looks cool 😎 too!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Awesome :) Thanks for the feedback

[@annie808286]

Very educational! Made me aware of situations I never thought of before! Great video!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ginjaninja3627]

Excellent video. I’m doing a 4.0 tournament tomorrow and will use this!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Good luck!

[@angelomazzuca6244]

Yes, same as everyone else, playing 4.0 but getting pummeled at times and this will help with visual cues. Your the man!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ViewsandLikes-xb4mk]

Good video. I needed to hear this

[@vincevita6872]

Kyle,,, just starting the game, but i have learned more about my mistakes from your videos, [due to the simplistic approach you take along with realistic examples]... more than any others i have seen. keep up the great content! [ at least now i have an idea why team mates yell move up or stay back...lol ] ] it is all starting to make sense lol Vince

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad it was helpful!

[@horhay1981]

Great job. Really enjoyed this

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you!

[@NeilPopowitz]

Excellent video!

Thoughts on hitting a speed-up (on a step back with a thigh-high bounce) directly at a player rapidly moving towards the NVZ line? Seems to work well at the 3.5 - 4.5 level against most opponents is my experience (more movement causes more errors, right?). Nice production, Kyle. Thanks!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yep. I like that. Keep hitting that shot

[@mariGentle]

Loving this, great vid ❤

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@JeffreyHallin-dq8bv]

One of your best videos recently.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Wow thank you!

[@Steve_K2]

Kyle's videos have always been good, but now he's added the best visuals anywhere. I just wish I could hit the ball to that ideal place.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you!!

[@kcarwen5262]

Great Detailed strategy ❤

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you liked it!

[@GhillieFrog]

Phenomenal video Kyle and friends! Really good stuff here. Thanks for making these.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Absolutely! Glad it was helpful!

[@maryleatucker5232]

This was excellent!

[@davidbasinski2634]

Thank you for all of your videos. This one is especially good.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thank you!

[@courvilleg1]

Awsome knowledge! Thanks

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@rockerobertson4002]

Love your content. Great stuff. Maybe a video about positional denfensive play, defending high percentage shots. I've done this at a clinc. Love to know your opinion on this important topic. Tks

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for the kind words. And can you give a little more detail on what you mean by positional defense and defending high % shots?

[@rockerobertson4002]

@@thatpickleballguy this is the drill that I learned when I attended a colin johns clinic in Costa Rica. Too hot for pb to be honest. Regardless, learned so much. This is harder to explain, than show. Depending on where the ball is, the defending team has to be ready for the highest percentage shot for a speedup. its where you should be %95 sitting on, say, your backhand to cover the middle. The coach moves the ball around, and you have to reposition, showing with your bracket what you are covering. Hope that makes sense. The most valuable drill lesson I ever had. This is purely a defensive drill. Covers neutral zone up to kitchen. Lemme know what's missing. And I'll try and re explain it.

[@blessonvarghese8213]

One of the best videos out there . Keep this up .

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! Glad it helped

[@courvilleg1]

Just started playing and 3.5 and 4.0 players don’t use serve as a weapon. Great instruction.

[@sbinsdca]

Disagree on this point. Many 4.0 players, especially with tennis backgrounds, have really good serves because they understand a good serve (hard, deep and/or spinny) produces a shallow return which make the 3rd shot drive an option or a drop much easier. Many advanced club players are now focusing on deeper and harder serves and returns rather than just putting the ball in play mid-court.

[@RunningManOH]

Great video. I see a lot of attacks (vs dinks) when the person steps back at the kitchen; it's good to learn that I should be in attack mode. Need to practice that. Super stoked you are coming to Cincinnati! I'll be serving beer two days and hope to spot you! Good luck . . .

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed! Hope to see you there!

[@natehendricksen3338]

Great stuff!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JimSoderborg]

One of the best videos I have studied as a coach. Paddle Ready Pickleball

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@hollymurray3566]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you liked it!

[@ddsosman]

One of your best videos, love it

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@toninorcross2611]

You’re the best! Love your videos!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!!

[@beastmode3333]

Really well made video. Much appreciated

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@globalnewsnow266]

I saw you play APP men’s doubles in Cincinnati. The way you picked up your partner was great. He’s a really good player just had some tough points. Nothing he can’t fix.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! And Hes fantastic! tough loss. Good learning :)

[@raymondayeung]

#2 spin strategy is easier said than done. It's easier to return a slice with a slice because the backspin will pull the ball down and a slice counter shot keeps the paddle in an open face giving the ball more loft. Likewise, it's easier to return a top spin shot with another top spin shot. Top spin has a tendency to pop the ball up off the paddle so the closed face of a top spin shot will keep the ball low. If you plan to return a slice with top spin, then you have to account for the tendency for the ball to drop down heavily by keeping your paddle slightly more open so it goes over the net. Similarly, if you plan to return a top spin shot with a slice, you better close your paddle slightly more than usual to prevent it from popping up.

[@twobehappy67]

Loved yoiur swimming performance!! :-)

[@jimzimmerman5288]

Great video.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@greggunther]

Very informative

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you think so!

[@Bee-of5xz]

Good job Kyle! I like your shirt!😉

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!

[@afterthesmash]

This is the content I wanted when I started to play seriously, two years ago.

[@thatpickleballguy]

No time like the present

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

I noticed then when the opposing team is attacking "you" in this video that you are holding onto the paddle with both hands. Is that the best practice to follow through on the shot, with both hands being used? Forehand and/or backhand two handed returns? I may be doing this when I back up, but I'm not sure. I enjoy using a two-handed backhand with an excessive top spin. It's my favorite attack shot!

[@thatpickleballguy]

I like going to the two handed backhand when I'm in defensive mode to reset.

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

Thanks!

[@GuruChaz]

I hear there's a lot of ACL injuries and so forth from people playing Pickleball. What are the common mistakes that cause these injuries? How can they be avoided, especially by rookie players?

[@mooremathewj]

I suggest pliability training. Improving mobility and flexibility will decrease the chances of injury.

[@TheJellitin]

Idk about at our level, but for professionals fatigue is the usual cause of ACL injuries

[@GuruChaz]

@@mooremathewj That may work for me after about 2 years. lol

[@thatpickleballguy]

Strength work + stretching. I do all the stuff from KneesOverToes Guy. Truthfully, I've never felt better. His stuff is fantastic. kzbin.info

[@mooremathewj]

@@thatpickleballguy that dude is like a professional squatter.

[@test1234hvrkhgkrgh]

You rock!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!

[@kehr1spy]

Brilliant again

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks!!

[@JoseGarcia-qi8bm]

I saw you at Picklemall on Monday. Wanted to go say hi, but I was busy getting my butt handed to me on the Open Play courts. ;-D

[@thatpickleballguy]

I was probably over there getting my butt kicked too :)

[@jimmychang457]

Hey Kyle love the content. Question- wouldn’t saying stuff like “attack” or “go” while your opponent is about to hit the ball be considered hindrance? I know you’re communicating to your partner but if I was the opponent I might find it distracting.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Im suggesting saying it while the ball is still on your side of the net. So youd have to get good at recognizing the quality of reset or drop.. For the step back read. Yes if you see that and yell go, youll probably get called for a hindrance if you say it too loud.

[@masteringr6714]

Interesting that you suggest top spin on a ball that’s coming at you with back spin. That almost always leads to dumping into the net from what I’ve seen. This is especially the case in ping pong. You have to return with back spin in that case. Pickleball is obviously different but I still observe similar things but less extreme (i.e. you can return top spin but you have to be less aggressive).

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes a lot of people dump it into the net. Gotta accelerate through and lift the ball and honestly just make one more. Nothing fancy there

[@sbinsdca]

Great suggestions. Another huge opportunity to move forward is when an opponent fails to smash a reachable overhead and instead let's the ball float just over their head and bounce. They then have to run behind it and execute a perfect drop just to stay in the point. I'd prefer my partner try for the overhead and miss then let it bounce.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Yes, good addition!

[@MikeS-uh9mq]

So I have a question. I have been playing for 6 months. I came from tennis but have not played in 10 years. To hard on this 70 year old. When I see someone stand that far back when I serve, I serve soft and short. Am I wrong?

[@sbinsdca]

@@MikeS-uh9mqShort serves work well as a change up.

[@satchel_o-richards]

Just like any sport, SEEING the game is huge. Once you have vision, the rest comes together pretty quickly.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Amen

[@danj3464]

Awesome video! Great insights and breakdown. I want to know if any of your neighbors have issued a cease and desist? 😂 The pickleball pops would drive mine insane!

[@thatpickleballguy]

Thanks! And nope :)

[@bellalinda9972]

If I can give a two thumb up I would. Thanks for this content! 👍👍👍

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad it helped!!

[@littlebigwanders]

Great video! Now please make a video on how we counter all these strategies. 😅

[@thatpickleballguy]

I will keep that idea in mind!

[@robertkribs9513]

lol what is the over / under on how many times I have to watch this to absorb all of the information?

[@thatpickleballguy]

Over 73 times :) BUT, you dont need to absorb all the information. Pick one or two things and apply those. With yt content, i never know where people are at in their game. So i make videos with more info so people can take what they see as useful to them. On instagram, i do short 60-90 second teachings with one takeaway! Thats my approach right now anyway! Always trying to improve it! And always open to feedback!

[@imnotjoken]

Good video, but couldn't focus at all on your instruction. Was too busy laughing at how many times you switched who was wearing the black glasses! 😂

[@thatpickleballguy]

Few will catch that 😉

[@robertwray6004]

Always dig your videos. However, when you slice a ball, putting backspin on it, while it does go in the direction of your opponent's topspin in the air, it doesn't behave that way once it bounces. The ball stops short, even dies sometimes rather than bounces forward with a normal topspin. Hope this makes sense. Hard to explain in words. But in short, a slice shot isn't spinning in a forward topspinning direction anymore after it BOUNCES. So hitting it with topspin isn't doing your return any favors. Something to study further.

[@26realmc]

Exactly. Almost always backspin turns into topspin in the opposite direction once it bounces unless it's on a timber floor and skids. I had this explained to me by a top PB coach who was previously the head coach of a Tennis academy owned by a Grand Slam winner.

[@BasedLars]

If a sliced ball hits an angle that “catches”the court it will lose some forward momentum and hang in the air, with a slight topspin. If it skids it will remain heavy slice. The key is it’s way easier to put your own topspin when receiving a ball with slight, very low rpm. Compared to trying to put your own topspin against a heavy topspin ball

[@26realmc]

I agree to an extent.. if the backspin causes it to sit up and not come on to the paddle of the receiver it's actually harder to hit with topsin. Tennis these days is predominantly topspin in both directions so always hitting against the spin. Ok tennis strings are different but even in Pickleball hitting a heavy topsin ball back with heavy topspin is not that difficult. When the backspin is combined with side spin that's maybe more difficult and you often see 3.5 and lower hit these into the net. Physics says as soon as a ball bounces with backspin, as long as it doesn't skid ( not that common on a non timber court) it will rotate in the opposite direction.

[@thatpickleballguy]

@@26realmc Yes!

[@ernmnster]

$250 for a paddle is nuts

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Conclusion just hit the ball anywhere; in the corner, in the middle, towards the body

[@thatpickleballguy]

Incorrect.

[@JoonieThinx]

I understand benefit of topspin off of Slice but why don’t players then slice off of topspin ?

[@MrPolaske]

they do, love a good slice return off a heavy topspin serve

[@jaylundgreen]

Because topspin helps the ball travel downwards and the harder you hit it with an increasing amount of topspin, the more aggressively it dives. With backspin the ball tends to float or even take off in an upwards direction. I've seen this work but only when a relatively high ball is hit from the baseline, and even then, it's not hard to defend from the kitchen line. Those shots are also easier to counter.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Well said. It does happen often. For example, if someone hits me a topspin return to my backhand, i often hit a slice drop. But also yes, in the game, you wanna get the ball down and dipping as much as possible

[@dwolfcoach]

Yes, you can't ALWAYS run up to offense. I wish more of you pros would say this.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Bowman15]

Let me know if you need a 4.5 for a video! Great stuff!!!!!

[@thatpickleballguy]

I'll let you know :)

[@Bowman15]

@@thatpickleballguy cool! I learn a lot watching you play at picklemall

[@mikeCavalle]

ahhhh.... respond to reverse english with reverse english.

[@brycehuff]

I don’t get it. Can you step into the kitchen or not?

[@thatpickleballguy]

You can be in the kitchen. You can also hit from the kitchen, so long as the ball hits the ground first.

[@brycehuff]

@@thatpickleballguy Thanks! I was taught wrong. I had to read the rule on this a few times, but I understand it now.

[@chrisrobbins2632]

Pickleball: the game for people who suck at tennis, have the stamina of your granny and are really terrible at table tennis.

[@thatpickleballguy]

Its a tough life for us out on the courts. The small courts that is. Always wish i coulda make it in tennis 😒 thanks for rubbing it in. And did you really have to go the table tennis route? I suck at that too.. way to get a guy down this morning 😏

[@thatpickleballguy]

And please dont bring my grandmother into this

[@ljbar2015]

Trolling again?

[@michaelboano7183]

🥱