The Core Trio: Court Positioning, Ready Position and Strike Zone

If you’ve ever watched high-level pickleball and wondered how they make it look so easy, the answer almost always comes back to three core fundamentals:

1. Court Positioning

2. Ready Position

3. Strike Zone Awareness

These concepts may sound basic, but when applied together, they make the game feel slower, simpler, and more controllable—even in fast-paced, high-pressure moments.

Most players think they need better hands or quicker reactions. But the truth is, your ability to consistently play in balance, hit from your strike zone, and be in the right place at the right time is what makes great play possible.

Mastering this trio doesn’t just help you win more points—it makes the game a lot more fun.

Ready Position: The Launchpad of Every Shot

Before your feet move or your paddle swings, your body needs to be in a solid ready position. This is your athletic starting point for every shot, giving you the foundation to move quickly and stay balanced.

Here’s what it looks like:

• Feet wider than your shoulders for stability.

• Knees bent over your toes.

• Chest slightly forward, stacked above your knees.

• Weight on the balls of your feet.

• Paddle up in front, hands relaxed and alert.

This position allows you to react fast and move efficiently. From here, you can explode in any direction without losing balance. It’s your reset between every shot.

Understanding the Strike Zone: Picture a “V” in Front of You

Your strike zone is the space in front of your body where you can comfortably contact the ball while staying balanced and in control.

Imagine a “V” shape that starts between your knees and extends out in front of you. At the top of that “V,” picture a semicircle based on your natural reach. That’s your ideal contact zone.

Use your knees and reach as reference points.

• If the ball is outside your knees, you’re likely reaching too far.

• If the ball is too close, almost under your body, it’s also outside your strike zone.

• You want to make contact comfortably in front of you, within that “V,” where your paddle can swing freely without strain.

Most players get jammed or overreach—both cause weak, off-balance shots.

Rebalancing Steps: The Key to Staying in Your Zone

One of the biggest mistakes recreational players make is not taking enough small steps. Instead, they lunge or reach for balls, which throws them off-balance and shrinks their strike zone.

Start using rebalancing steps—small, purposeful movements that allow you to adjust your body to the ball while staying grounded and athletic.

Instead of one big step, take three to five smaller steps to get into position. This keeps your chest forward, knees bent, and paddle in the right spot.

“Play the ball—don’t let the ball play you.”

Move First, Then Be Still at Contact

A critical concept: You want to move early and be still when you hit.

• If you’re swinging while still moving, your balance is compromised.

• If you move first, center the ball in your strike zone, and stay grounded through contact, you’ll hit cleaner and more consistently.

The best players look still at contact because they’ve done the work before they hit the ball.

Court Positioning: Move With Purpose

Your court position determines how well you can attack or defend. From the first ball to the last, your job is to stay in the right relationship with the ball, your partner, and your opponents.

Move Together as a Team

Good teams move as a unit—generally about 6 feet apart, staying connected and supportive.

• When one of you hits a solid shot, use that moment to advance together, not just forward but toward the direction of the ball.

• Stay in your ready position while moving.

• Adjust laterally, diagonally, or vertically depending on the ball’s location and your partner’s position.

Think of it like a dance—always in motion, always aware of each other.

Example: Third Shot Movement

Let’s say you’re the server and the return comes to you. You hit a third-shot drop crosscourt. Many players run straight toward the net. Instead, move diagonally toward the ball. You’re not just advancing, you’re cutting off angles, closing the court with your partner, and getting involved in the next shot.

This diagonal movement puts pressure on your opponents and creates a stronger attacking position.

“Don’t just move forward—move with purpose, pressure, and precision.”

Defensive Strike Zone: Know Your Area of Responsibility

Defending is easier when you stop trying to cover the entire court. Your job is to cover a realistic zone, not everything.

For example, when you’re defending at the kitchen, think of your defensive strike zone as a slightly wider “V” than your normal contact zone—centered in front of your body and based on your natural reach while maintaining balance.

• Reach left and right within reason, but don’t stretch too far.

• Let balls go that are out of reach, especially if they’re high.

• Trust your partner to cover their side.

Your job is to protect a rectangle about 6 feet wide and 2 feet high in front of your chest. That’s it.

Most players get beat because:

1. They’re out of position to begin with.

2. They try to cover too much.

When you shrink your zone and trust your teammate, defending becomes easier and more effective.

Bringing it All Together: Simplify Your Game

When you focus on the core trio—ready position, strike zone, and court positioning—everything starts to click.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Start every shot in a strong ready position.

2. Use rebalancing steps to move early and get centered.

3. Be still at contact.

4. Only hit balls in your strike zone. Let others go.

5. Move with purpose and in sync with your partner.

6. Know your role when defending. Just cover your zone.

The result?

More balance, more control, better consistency—and more fun.

The game slows down when your body is in the right place, your paddle is in the right spot, and your mind knows what to focus on. When you master the trio, you’ll stop scrambling and start commanding the court. •

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Kyle McMakin is a touring pickleball professional, former Division I tennis player (UC Davis) and head pro for LevelUp Pickleball Camps. Kyle is a two-time Triple Crown winner. His DUPR is above 6.0 in both singles and doubles.

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