Is The Game Getting Faster?

What to Watch For in Pickleball

One trend that is clearly happening in the game is that it is getting faster at the higher levels. Harder drives, quicker paced rallies, and more players pushing hard to establish position at the NVZ — not to mention a wave of younger talent taking over the courts. That said, the soft game isn't going anywhere; it's still essential to controlling the net. What matters most is knowing who's on the other side of the net — are they fast or slow, agile or not, paddle-skilled or still developing?

It's easy to want to emulate the top players, especially as an aging athlete watching the young guns fly around the court. But trying to play like a 30-year-old in a 68-year-old body with a double knee and double hip replacements is a tall order. The good news: you can still win by playing smarter, not harder.

As you watch matches this year, study the second shot — the return of serve. Is it hit long, low, and fast? Or slow, lofted, and controlled? How quickly is the returner getting to the net afterward? Where's the ball going — middle, backhand, or a specific target? Be a student of the game. Try to figure out the purpose behind each second shot. And don't just study the pros — find matches featuring players closer to your own age group, since most of us aren't 20-something athletes anymore. (If you are, though — go enjoy the ride while you can!)

Here's why this matters: if you return the ball with speed and pace but can't get to the net quickly yourself — say, because of a slower-moving body — you risk getting stuck in "no man's land," the mid-court zone, without enough time to recover. If you're not at the net in time to block a hard third-shot drive, the serving team can pin you in the mid-to-back court, especially if that third shot comes back low and fast.

There are countless scenarios, but let's simplify: assuming no one's poaching, and you're stuck as the returner — a slower, well-placed lofted second shot buys you the time you need to get to the net and establish position. If speed isn't an issue for you, you've got more options. Either way, the goal is the same: get to the net, but make sure your second-shot placement gets you there safely and with control.

Now think about the third shot coming back. Was the return deep, to the baseline (Zone A), or short, into mid-court (Zone B)? Against a solid 3.5-plus player, a deep Zone A return often sets up a drop shot — helping the serving team gain net control too. A hard-hit return from deep Zone A can actually backfire, setting up the returning team for the opposite.

As the defending team builds their "wall" at the NVZ, they can either keep the serving team pinned back with strong blocks and drives — opening up the serving team's court for attack — or, if the second shot lands short in Zone B (mid-court), watch out: a hard drive may be coming, and even a solid wall might not hold up. Step back, get your paddle ready, and prepare to defend.

That's it for now — enjoy watching the Nationals, stay a student of the game, and you'll find your own play improving just by observing.