Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, thanks to its simple rules and quick learning curve. But as players move beyond the basics, mastering different shot types becomes essential for strategic play, ball control, and winning more rallies.

In this guide, we break down 14 essential pickleball shots, explain when to use them, and categorize them as Beginner-Friendly, Intermediate, or Advanced.

Types Of Shots In Pickleball: From Beginner To Advanced

1. Serve

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Every rally starts with a serve, making it one of the most crucial shots. A legal pickleball serve must be hit underhand with the paddle below wrist level, landing diagonally in the opponent’s service box.

Use the serve to begin the point with control, push opponents deep with a well-placed deep serve, and set up the next shot—often the crucial third shot.

Pro Tip: Aim for deep, consistent serves to limit your opponent’s attack options.

2. Return of Serve

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

The return of serve should ideally be deep and high, giving you and your partner enough time to approach the kitchen line.

It becomes an important shot as it forces the serving team into a more difficult third-shot situation and helps your team establish control of the net early in the rally.

If you are a beginner, just focus on returning deep and in play.

More advanced players can use directional control to target the opponent’s weaker side.

3. Volley

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

A volley is any shot hit out of the air before the ball bounces. At the net, volleys are essential for maintaining offensive control. There can be several types of volley shots such as the block volley, punch volley, and drop volley. 

The key benefits of playing volley shot is that it helps maintain pressure on opponents and shorten points.

4. Smash

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

When your opponent pops the ball high, a smash is your chance to end the point. It’s a powerful overhead shot similar to tennis.

To execute a smash shot, use full extension while striking the ball, aim downward into the open court, and focus on precise placement rather than relying solely on power.

Even beginners can smash well because the mechanics are intuitive.

5. Overhead Shot

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

An overhead resembles a smash but can be used in more situations—anytime the ball rises high enough to hit with downward force.

The overhead shot is highly effective as it can help you end rallies fast or capitalize on weak lobs. It also proves especially useful in singles matches.

Beginners naturally gravitate to overheads, but accuracy comes with experience.

6. Drive

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

A drive is a hard, fast groundstroke typically used on the third or fifth shot. It forces defensive returns and can create pop-ups for put-away shots.

Popular for beginners because it’s easier to hit hard than to hit a soft, controlled drop.

Advanced usage: Mixing drives with drops keeps opponents guessing.

7. Lob Shot

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

A lob is a high, arcing shot aimed over your opponents, often used to push them back from the kitchen line. Whether it is resetting a rally or catching aggressive net players off guard, lob shot can be the trick for it.

Beginner Tip: Aim high and deep, avoiding short lobs which can be smashed back.

 

8. Dink Shot

Skill Level: Intermediate

A dink is a soft shot hit from the kitchen line that lands in your opponent’s non-volley zone, forcing a slow-paced, strategic rally. 

It is designed to neutralize power players, create openings by moving opponents laterally, and set up opportunities for winning volleys. 

It may seem simple, but consistency and precision make this an intermediate to advanced skill.

9. Drop Shot

Skill Level: Intermediate

A drop shot is a soft, controlled shot hit from mid-court or baseline that falls gently into the opponent’s kitchen.

Drop shots can help you slow down the pace and allows you to move to the net safely as you transition from defense into offense. Players often struggle with consistency, making this an intermediate skill.

10. Slice Shot

Skill Level: Intermediate

A slice applies backspin, causing the ball to stay low after bouncing. This makes returns hard to attack and often forces opponents into errors.

It is mainly used for playing defensive returns, changing the pace of the game and forcing low contact points. It requires a controlled, angled paddle and good touch.

11. Punch Volley

Skill Level: Intermediate

A punch volley is a firm, short volley used at the net to redirect fast shots without taking a full swing. 

It works especially well during fast kitchen exchanges, helping you stay dominant at the net while reducing unforced errors through compact, controlled movements that keep your shots consistent and safe. Beginners struggle with over-swinging but it becomes easier with experience.

12. Third Shot Drop

Skill Level: Advanced

One of the most talked-about shots in pickleball, the third shot drop follows the serve and return. It's a soft drop shot intended to land in the opponent’s kitchen so the serving team can advance to the net.

Why is the third shot drop an advanced shot?

It is considered advanced because it requires precise execution under pressure, is typically played when opponents are already in a strong net position, and must be performed consistently to avoid producing attackable balls.

Mastering this is essential for high-level doubles play.

13. Around-the-Post (ATP) Shot

Skill Level: Advanced

One of the flashiest shots in pickleball, ATP happens when a wide ball bounces off court, allowing you to hit around the net post without going over it.

Why is ATP an advanced shot?

The ATP is an advanced shot because it requires perfect timing, depends on precise footwork, and relies heavily on accurately reading angles and spin.

It’s a crowd-pleaser and a momentum booster.

14. Erne Shot

Skill Level: Advanced

Named after player Erne Perry, the Erne is an aggressive shot where a player jumps or runs outside the court to hit the ball near or above the net, just beside the kitchen sideline.

Why it works?

It works effectively because it catches opponents by surprise, creates steep downward attacking angles, and can quickly convert a defensive situation into an offensive opportunity.

It requires anticipation, athleticism, and legal foot placement to avoid the NVZ fault.

Bottomline

Pickleball is a game of strategy, touch, and timing. While beginners can quickly learn the basics—serves, volleys, overheads—mastering advanced shots like the Erne or Third Shot Drop can dramatically elevate your game.

Start simple, build control, and gradually introduce advanced techniques as your confidence grows.