Ready Position
Ready position is probably the most important concept in pickleball — it's where we start just about every shot. It shifts slightly depending on the shot, but the fundamentals stay the same.
The fundamentals
What I focus on for a solid, reactive base:
- Feet about shoulder-width apart
- Up on the balls of your feet (on your toes)
- Knees bent
- Paddle out in front
- Off hand on the throat of the paddle
At the net
A slightly wider stance with a deeper knee bend so you can react quicker to fast hands at the kitchen line.
Return of serve
Feet shoulder-width apart, on your toes, knees bent, paddle out in front, off hand on the throat. A common mistake is bending at the waist while flat-footed — you may feel ready, but being on your toes with bent knees is where you can actually react quickly and get into position for the next shot.
After a defensive lob (or when the opponent has an easy high volley)
Keep the paddle down low and reset — you're defending.