Want to stay in control and make your opponents second-guess their next move? Learning how to hit a solid low shot in pickleball can be a real game-changer. This shot helps you stay in the strike zone, mix up your pace, and pressure opponents near the kitchen line.

Whether you're working on baseline shots or dialing in your placement, these tips will help you stay low, improve your overall performance, and sharpen your game through regular practice.

Let’s break down how to make those low shots count.

Understanding Contact Zones Before We Get Into the Pickleball Tips

There’s no one-size-fits-all trick to keeping the ball low in pickleball. Every shot changes depending on where the ball connects with your paddle. But there’s one thing that makes a big difference across the board and that’s your strike zone.

Think of your strike zone as the space from your waist to just above your shoulders. That’s where you’ll have the most control and the best chance to hit a solid, clean shot. That’s where you’ve got the best chance to strike or keep the rally going strong.

Now, when the ball drops below your waist, things change. You’ll want to focus on two main areas when the ball drops below your strike zone:

• Knee zone: From your knees up to your waist. Still manageable, but it takes more control to keep the ball low without popping it up.
• Toe zone: From your toes to your knees. This is the toughest area to hit from, and most of the time, your goal should be to reset the point and just get it back over the net.

Knowing where the ball is in relation to your body helps you adjust your paddle face, grip, and footwork.

Pickleball Tips to Help You Keep the Ball Low & in Control

We already discussed the contact points above. Whether the ball is in your strike zone, near your knees, or closer to your toes, each one needs a slightly different approach. These pickleball tips will help you keep the ball low and make your shots tougher to return, no matter where you're hitting from.

1. Bend Your Knees 

If you want to hit the ball low, it starts with keeping your body low too. Bending your knees and keeping your body grounded helps you aim better and adds more control to your shots. Think of it like getting into a defensive stance in basketball. You need to be ready to move, react, and strike from a balanced position.

When you're low, you stay within your strike zone and maintain better paddle face control. That helps you send the ball just over the net and keeps your opponent guessing on the next move. It also helps with quick footwork around the non volley line and gives you more stability when aiming baseline shots.

Think about the court in zones. When the ball drops below your knees, you’re no longer in your strike zone—you’re in what many players call the "toe zone". These are tough shots to control, so staying low with bent knees helps you meet the ball earlier, keeping it in your strike zone where your paddle face can do its job.

Don’t just drop your knees once and call it good. Keep them bent throughout the point, especially when preparing to hit.

2. Shorten Your Swing

If you want to keep the ball low, a shorter swing is your best friend. Big, dramatic movements might work in tennis, but in pickleball, they usually send the ball sailing too high. A compact swing helps you stay in control and keeps the bounce low on the other side of the net.

Think of it like tossing a Frisbee—smooth and controlled, not wild and forceful. Focus on using your forehand with a relaxed continental grip, and aim to strike the ball out in front of your body. This gives you better feel through the paddle face and helps you guide your shot rather than muscle it.

The goal here isn’t power. It’s precision, pace, and consistency. Shortening your swing will help you stay low, hit cleaner shots, and control the speed of the game, especially during fast exchanges near the kitchen line.

3. Aim for the Sweet Spot

Every paddle has a sweet spot, and once you find it, you’ll want to hit it every time. Connecting with that center area gives you cleaner contact, better control, and just the right pace on your shot. It’s the kind of feeling that makes your forehand or drop shot feel effortless.

To hit that sweet spot more often, make sure you’re in a solid ready position. Keep your paddle up, elbows relaxed, and your eyes focused on the ball. This puts you in the perfect place to strike from your ideal strike zone. It also helps with consistency, especially when placing low shots near the net or aiming for your opponent’s feet.

With regular practice, you’ll start to feel the difference between a particular shot that glances off the edge of your paddle and one that lands perfectly in the center.

4. Use Soft Hands

Sometimes, a gentle shot does more than a powerful one. In fact, when you’re trying to keep the ball low, soft hands are key. Instead of hitting with force, give the ball a gentle push—just enough to guide it over the net and into a tough spot for your opponent.

Using a light continental grip helps you stay relaxed and keep control over the paddle face. It's similar to a gentle volleyball pass or a controlled slice in tennis. Just aim for clean contact and let the ball carry through on its own.

Your grip pressure might shift depending on where you are on the court:

• Near the kitchen line: A lighter grip with your thumb and index finger helps you stay soft and precise.
• Back at the baseline: Add light support from your middle and ring fingers for more paddle control without losing finesse.

This technique really shines when you're near the non volley line. A soft, controlled shot with the right touch can drop just over the net, limiting the bounce and forcing your opponent to reach or pop it up.

Mastering soft hands takes regular practice, but once it clicks, your touch game will go to a whole new level.

5. Practice Precision Placement

In pickleball, control beats power almost every time. Instead of focusing on how hard you can hit, aim to place the ball where your opponent doesn’t want it. That usually means going for their feet, the edges of the court, or their weaker side, especially if their backhand is shaky.

When you’re at the baseline, try returning shots toward the center line to stay safe but effective. It helps your team regroup and move forward together with better positioning. As you work your way to the non-volley line, placement becomes even more important. A well-placed dink or drop shot just over the net with the right pace can completely shift momentum in your favor.

This is one of the best strategies to throw off your opponent’s rhythm. The more you practice, the easier it gets to place your shots exactly where you want.

6. Smart Shots to Keep the Ball Low

When you’re trying to keep your shots low, some specific techniques come in handy. A few go-to options are:

1. Crosscourt Dinks: These travel diagonally across the court, clearing the net at its lowest point (34 inches in the center). With soft hands and the right paddle face angle, you can keep the bounce low and make it hard for your opponent to attack.
2. Topspin Drops: A touch of topspin makes the ball curve and drop quicker on the other side. It helps the shot dip over the net quickly and bounce lower on your opponent’s side. Just don’t overdo it—it's all about control, not speed.
3. Third Shot Drops: Right after the serve and return, a third shot drop sets you up to move toward the non-volley line. Keeping this shot low is key to staying in control and limiting high shots your opponent can smash.

Each of these shots uses soft hands, smart timing, and a paddle face angle that just clears the net. With regular practice, they’ll become part of your best strategies on court.

7. Experiment with Angles

Switching up your angles is a great way to keep your opponent guessing what’s coming next. Mix in a straight shot one point, then surprise them with a sharp cross-court dink the next. That kind of variety makes you unpredictable and hard to beat.

Use your forehand to mix in drives, drops, and even a sneaky slice when the opportunity shows up. Try adjusting the paddle face slightly to change direction without telegraphing your shot. This helps keep the bounce low and the pace controlled, especially when you're near the non volley line.

The more you play with angles, the more you’ll see how positioning and creativity can outsmart even the fastest pickleball players. Think of it like playing a clever game of chess—you're not just hitting, you're setting up your next move.

8. Stay Relaxed and Fluid

Tension is the enemy of control, especially when you're trying to manage a tricky low-ball. Many players struggle with staying loose during pressure points, but that calm mindset can make all the difference, especially when you're setting up for a third shot drop or defending a fast return.

Keeping your body relaxed gives you better control, quicker reactions, and more stable footwork. When your body isn’t stiff, you can adjust your paddle face more easily and meet the ball at the right contact point.

Think of it like dancing—fluid movement helps you stay in rhythm with the rally. A tight grip or locked shoulders can mess with your timing and cause you to pop the ball up, which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to keep it low near the kitchen line.

Keep your paddle high in a strong ready position, close to your chest, with your elbows slightly forward. Whether you’re blocking a fast volley or placing a soft dink, staying relaxed is key to consistent shots and better overall performance.

 

Importance of Choosing a Quality Paddle That Feels Right for You

Before you can master a low shot or any shot, you’ve got to feel good with the paddle in your hand. Technique matters, but if your paddle feels off, so will your serve, third shot, and everything in between.

It’s no surprise that paddle shopping can feel overwhelming with all the choices out there. But understanding technology and types of pickleball paddles can help you choose one that fits your game and saves you a lot of guesswork.

Here are a few features to look for when picking the right paddle:

• Weight: Lighter paddles offer more speed and control, while heavier ones give you power. Try different weights to find what matches your playing style.
• Grip Size: Your grip should feel secure, not too bulky or too loose. A good grip helps with control, especially for low shots and quick reactions at the net.
• Material: Composite, graphite, and carbon fiber paddles each offer a different feel and touch. Some paddles are built for control, while others are all about power.
• Core Type: Paddle cores (polymer, aluminum, or Nomex) affect how the ball bounces off the paddle. Some absorb impact better; others create more power.
• Shape and Face: A wider face can give you more forgiveness, while an elongated shape adds reach. Find what fits your game.

Aside from paddles, apparel and equipment for pickleball also play a big role in your comfort and performance. The right gear helps you move better, stay focused, and play your best from start to finish.

Shop Pickleball Paddles and Gear in California to Elevate Your Game

From staying low and shortening your swing to using soft hands and smart placement, these pickleball tips give you the advantage on the court. Whether you're trying to control high shots, sharpen your third shot, or time your attack, it all starts with the right skills and the right paddle in your hand.

At Get2Eleven, we carry premium paddles from some of the most trusted names in pickleball. These are just a few of the brands we offer:

• Selkirk pickleball paddles
• Gearbox pickleball paddles
• Diadem pickleball paddles
• GRUVN, CRBN, JOOLA, and more

If you're in California, stop by our physical store at 875 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas, CA. Our friendly staff will help you find a paddle that feels right for your game—and yes, you can try it out before you buy. Our sponsors are also active in the pickleball community, hosting tournaments and teaming up with local clubs to help grow the sport.

Check out the video link below for even more pickleball tips to help you master low shots, build better court control, and attack with confidence.

The Break Through - Episode 1 // Leveling Up With Pro Advice