One of the most important concepts in pickleball, which is not taught or discussed enough, is the proper ready position on the pickleball court. There are essentially two types of ready positions, which include (1) “Tennis Ready”; and (2) “Pickleball Ready.”

Tennis Ready

Tennis Ready is the ready position when you are at the baseline of the pickleball court. Tennis Ready consists of the following:

1. Feet shoulder width apart;

2. Knees bent with your weight on the balls of your feet;

3. Paddle facing forward or facing 12 o’clock if you imagine that you are standing on a clock face; and
4. Paddle forward and paddle head up.

The reason for this positioning—including the paddle position—is that the majority of shots that you want to hit from the baseline are forehands, as forehands are usually stronger than backhands for most players. You should run around shots or go after shots using your forehand. As a result, the Tennis Ready position—and 12 o’clock paddle position—is the most effective starting point from the baseline.

Pickleball Ready

As you start transitioning up the pickleball court and entering into the “No-Man’s or No-Lady’s Land” or the “Transition Area,” you should start changing your ready position from Tennis Ready to Pickleball Ready. Pickleball Ready consists of the following:

1. Feet shoulder width apart;

2. Knees bent and compress your body with your weight on the balls of your feet;

3. Paddle facing forward or facing 10 or 11 o’clock if you imagine that you are standing on a clock face (or 2 or 1 o’clock position if you are a lefty); and

4.
Paddle forward and paddle head up.

The key difference between Tennis Ready and Pickleball Ready is your paddle position. In Pickleball Ready, you want your paddle face to be at 10 or 11 o’clock (or 2 or 1 o’clock position if you are a lefty). Your opponent should be able to read the face of your paddle, as you should be in a semi-backhand position. The reason for this paddle positioning is that, as you get closer to the net and your opponent, you will have less time to react to the pickleball. As a result, this semi-backhand position will give you faster reaction time for shots, while also still giving you a chance to flip your paddle and hit a forehand. However, try not to over-rotate to the 9 o’clock position (or 3 o’clock position if you are a lefty) because you will be too committed to only backhands. Stay in the 10 or 11 o’clock position (or 2 or 1 o’clock position if you are a lefty) with your paddle face.

This is the same ready position that you should be in at the “Non-Volley-Zone Line” or “Kitchen Line.” It is imperative that you be in the Pickleball Ready position at the net. Always go back to Pickleball Ready after each and every shot.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be in Tennis Ready with your paddle at 12 o’clock when you are at the baseline.
2. Be in Pickleball Ready with your paddle at 10 o’clock (or 2 o’clock if you are a lefty) when you are in the Transition Area or at the Non-Volley Zone or Kitchen Line.
3. Always immediately get back to the proper ready position after each shot.