The Power of Hitting Down the Middle in Pickleball: A Strategy Guide

Hitting the ball down the middle of the court in pickleball is generally a good strategy because it can help to reduce the angle of the opponent’s return shot and limit their options for where to hit the ball. Here are a few reasons why hitting down the middle can be effective:

1. It creates confusion for your opponents: When you hit the ball down the middle of the court, your opponents may hesitate or not know who should take the shot. This can create a split-second delay that gives you an advantage.
2. It limits your opponent’s angles: Hitting the ball down the middle can limit the angles your opponent has to work with, making it harder for them to hit the ball past you or into an open area of the court.
3. It reduces the risk of hitting out of bounds: When you hit the ball down the middle, you are less likely to hit the ball out of bounds on the sidelines. This can help you to keep the ball in play and avoid giving your opponents free points.
4. It sets you up for an aggressive shot: Hitting the ball down the middle can set you up for a follow-up shot that is more aggressive, such as a smash or a drop shot. By hitting the ball down the middle, you can force your opponents to hit a defensive shot that you can then capitalize on.

Of course, there are situations where hitting the ball to the sidelines or other areas of the court may be more effective, depending on the specific circumstances of the game. However, hitting down the middle is generally a solid strategy to keep in mind during your matches.

When is it more effective not to hit the ball down the middle of the court in pickleball?

While hitting the ball down the middle of the court is generally a sound strategy, there are times when hitting the ball away from the middle can be more effective. Here are a few situations where hitting the ball away from the middle might be a good choice:

1. When your opponent is out of position: If your opponent is not positioned well to cover one side of the court, hitting the ball to that side can force them to move quickly and may give you an advantage.
2. When you have a clear opening: If you see an opportunity to hit the ball into an open area of the court, away from your opponents, it can be a smart move to take that shot.
3. When you want to force an error: If you can hit the ball to a spot where your opponent is likely to make an error, such as hitting the ball into the net or hitting it out of bounds, it can be a good strategy to take that shot.
4. When you want to change up your strategy: If you’ve been hitting the ball down the middle consistently, your opponent may be expecting it. Hitting the ball away from the middle can help you to change your strategy and keep your opponent guessing.

There is a terrific article on hitting down the middle in The Pickleball Guru, called “Hit to the Middle: Secrets Every Pickleball Player Should Know.” In this article, Prem Carnot explains: “Hitting down the middle is often an excellent strategy, but it’s also frequently misunderstood and incorrectly implemented.” In this article, he covers some of the “lesser-understood strategies and nuances” tied up in this oft-repeated phrase.

A good video to watch on hitting down in the middle is “Pickleball 411 – Hitting Down the Middle With Coach Mo.” In this episode, Coach Mo (a popular pickleball coach from The Villages in Florida) introduces the idea of playing in the middle of the court and why it will instantly improve your game.

Another good video on hitting down the middle is Matty Klein’s “Why hit down the Middle – Pickleball Minute.” In this episode of Pickleball Minute, Coach Matty explains “why hitting down the middle causes confusion between your opponents and reduces your unforced errors.” 

Ultimately, the decision of whether to hit the ball down the middle or away from the middle will depend on the specific circumstances of the game. It’s important to be aware of your opponent’s positioning and to look for opportunities to hit the ball where they are not expecting it.

The information in this blog post comes from my research and experience playing pickleball and can be found in my books — HOW TO GET STARTED PLAYING and HOW TO IMPROVE FROM BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE IN PICKLEBALL — both are available on Amazon. I hope you learn something from this post that you can take onto the courts to help you improve your game. Be sure to check out a somewhat humorous article on doubles communication that I wrote: “What are some specific phrases to use when giving constructive feedback to your partner after a missed shot in doubles pickleball?”