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The golden rules of pickleball
Paul from Pickleball Daily
January 12, 2026
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Tip of the day
Professional player John Cincola presents five fundamental principles designed to simplify the game and help players achieve better results on the court.
The first rule is to prioritize winning at the kitchen line rather than trying to end points from the baseline.
Every shot taken from the back of the court should be hit with the primary intention of helping you move forward.
When you find yourself in a difficult position, the most reliable escape is to hit a soft reset that bounces in front of your opponents.
Technical proficiency involves maintaining fast feet to reach the ball while keeping your hands calm and slow to ensure control.
Matching your paddle speed to your body's movement often leads to over-hitting, especially when you are running or stretching for a shot.
Understanding what makes your specific opponents feel uncomfortable is the key to applying pressure and winning more points.
Consistently hitting the ball back might be enough to pressure a less confident player, while a steady player might require more aggressive placement.
Protecting the middle of the court by standing closer to your partner forces opponents to take higher-risk shots toward the sidelines.
Key Points:
Focus on using baseline shots as tools to get to the kitchen rather than as immediate point-enders.
Use a soft reset into the kitchen as your go-to shot whenever you are caught out of position or in trouble.
Practice moving your feet quickly while keeping your paddle motion slow and relaxed for better shot quality.
Identify and exploit your opponent's weaknesses, such as a shaky backhand or a lack of consistency, to build pressure.
Stand close enough to your partner to touch paddles, effectively closing the easiest and safest hitting lane for your opponents.
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That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
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Happy pickling,
Paul