4 High-Risk, Low-Reward Shots to Avoid in Pickleball (and Smarter Moves to Try Instead)

In pickleball, consistency is key. While some shots may seem like a great way to end a rally, they’re often high-risk, low-reward and can quickly turn into points for your opponents. Avoiding these risky moves can elevate your game and keep you in control. Here are four shots you’re better off skipping—and what to do instead for more consistent success on the court.

1. The Off-Balance Crosscourt Drive

Why It’s Risky: Taking a hard, off-balance crosscourt drive can be tempting, but it’s difficult to control and often leads to errors. This shot has a high chance of either hitting the net or going wide, and if it doesn’t catch your opponent off guard, you’ve just given them an easy ball to attack.

What to Do Instead: Go for a steady, controlled down-the-line shot. By keeping your shot on a straight line, you reduce the chance of an error and keep the pressure on your opponent. A solid down-the-line shot is easier to control, keeps you balanced, and helps you get back into position quickly.

2. The Baseline Drop Shot Attempt

Why It’s Risky: Trying a soft drop shot from deep in the court is difficult to pull off and has little payoff. If it falls short, you’ve set your opponents up for an easy put-away, and if it’s too high, they’ll attack it. The baseline drop is often a desperate shot and doesn’t pay off as much as it might seem.

What to Do Instead: Aim for a deep return that pins your opponents to the baseline. A consistent deep shot allows you time to advance to the net or find a better position, and it keeps your opponents back, forcing them to hit a low-percentage third shot instead of letting them take control at the net.

3. The Down-the-Line Passing Shot Against a Net Player

Why It’s Risky: Attempting to pass a skilled net player with a low-margin down-the-line shot is tough, especially when they’re anticipating it. This shot has little room for error and often ends up wide, out, or easily intercepted by your opponent for a winning volley.

What to Do Instead: Play a high-percentage crosscourt shot that pulls the net player off-center. A crosscourt angle gives you a larger margin for error and makes it tougher for them to reach. It also helps open up the court and sets you up for a more advantageous position in the rally.

4. The “Fancy” Spin Shot

Why It’s Risky: Spin shots may look impressive, but if you don’t have complete control over them, they’re more likely to backfire. Whether it’s a slice, a heavy topspin, or a side-spin, fancy spin shots can easily miss the mark and rarely give you enough of an advantage to justify the risk.

What to Do Instead: Prioritize a clean, solid shot over excessive spin. A well-executed, straightforward shot allows you to stay in control of the rally and keeps the ball in play, especially under pressure. A consistent shot keeps your opponents guessing and doesn’t give them easy points off unforced errors.

By avoiding these high-risk, low-reward shots, you’re setting yourself up for more control, fewer errors, and greater consistency in your pickleball game. Patience and smart shot selection are keys to winning in pickleball, and by choosing higher-percentage options, you’ll keep the pressure on your opponents and find yourself on the winning side of more rallies.