100 Pickleball Tips from Coach Brett Noel

Practical reminders that actually change how you play
Built to Compete. Designed to Connect.

Coach Brett Noel | DadGum Paddles® | 3x National Gold Medalist | PPR Certified

Welcome to the DadGum Minute

These 100 tips come straight from Coach Brett Noel. They are not complicated theory. They are simple, high-ROI habits he has taught to thousands of players - the kind of reminders that separate players who improve from players who stay stuck.

We are building out a full deep-dive article for each tip. The ones that are linked are live now - check back as we publish more.

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The Foundation

Building Your Game

Serve deep - the purpose of the serve is to set up your third shot
Return deep - the purpose of the return of serve is to get to the line and join your partner
When dinking, irritate your opponent - move the ball around
When at the kitchen line and your opponent drives from the baseline - drop volley
When at the kitchen line and your opponent drives from the center - punch volley
It is ok to step back from the kitchen when dealing with a banger and punch volley
If a banger drives hard from the center, it will likely go out - duck, don't hit out balls
When retrieving a lob from the baseline and not balanced, do a Hail Mary lob back
If balanced after retrieving a lob, the best return is a drop shot
If you are lobbed, it is your partner's responsibility to go after the ball
If your partner is going after a lob, it is your responsibility to say "Switch"
When you are lobbed and yell switch, move to the transition area
When you get a red ball (below your knees) - it's a lift, just get it back over the net
When you get a yellow ball (between your chest and knees) - you can push or reset
When you get a green ball (above the chest) - put it away
Aim for empty spaces on the court, not necessarily the players
When your partner is returning the 3rd shot, be a few steps ahead watching the ball
When serving, stay behind the baseline for the return of serve

Competing Smarter

Notice patterns in your opponents' play
Don't defend something your opponent has not done
Mix up your serves - don't let them get used to your pace
Stop hitting every ball at its apex - let it drop
Let the ball come to you
Relax and breathe (especially when serving)
Establish a pre-serve ritual
Hit to the better player in recreational play
Hit to the weaker player in tournament play
Don't play to win - play to improve
Decide to work on a specific skill set each game
Ask your partner what skill set they want to work on each game (allow each other to fail)
Tap paddles often - especially after an unforced error
Have fun - life is too short
Find drill partners
Stop saying "I'm sorry" - it puts pressure on you and your partner
Change strategies if things are not working
Do not change strategies if things are working
Keep attacking a compromised player
Call time out when your opponent wins three points in a row
Hydrate
Stretch
Warm up at least 15 minutes before playing a game
Speed up the ball at the kitchen (attack)
Wear proper clothing - dress for success
When dinking, do not bring your paddle behind you (that is acceleration)
Move your paddle to prep position as soon as possible
Create a cadence (1, 2, 3) when hitting the ball for better timing
Use distance as a weapon

The Mental Edge

Keep an open mind - a mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open
Ask "why" - coach yourself, why did that happen and correct it mentally
After making a technical mistake, correct it with proper ghost movements
Challenge concepts - don't accept a strategy just because someone said so
Be aware of pickleball lawyers - players who give free advice on the court (usually wrong)
Drive most third shots - break away from the myth that the third shot must be a drop
Move away from the kitchen line when you are in danger or need time
If you give your opponent a red ball, that is green for you (go)
If you give your opponent a green ball, that is red for you (back up)
If you give your opponent a yellow ball, be cautious and ready for an attack
Be aware of the color of ball you are receiving and the color you are giving your opponent
Break the court into sections (Office / RV / Vacation)
After losing a game, ask opponents what their strategy was - learn from it
After losing a game, ask opponents what they think you need to improve on
Play with a proper paddle - the paddle can make a difference in your game
Don't play with a paddle too light - it forces you to overpower
Less is more in pickleball
Know and understand court positioning (all of it)
If you are covering the sideline, your partner needs to cover the middle and everything else
If your partner is covering the sideline, you need to cover the middle and everything else
Respect the "X" - that determines who is responsible for the ball
Just because your partner is responsible for the ball doesn't mean you can't hit it
If the ball is coming straight down the middle, both players are responsible to hit it
It is better to have two players clash paddles going for the ball than to watch it pass by
The forehand gets the middle concept is wrong
Stay positive
Know the rules of the game
Know how to stack
Learn how to become an alpha on the court
If you're at the net and your partner returns serve, squeeze the middle of the court
Return serves down the line or in the middle so your partner can squeeze the middle
Know the distances of the court (20x44, kitchen straight 14ft, cross court 24ft)
Understand angles on the court - angles create angles
There are only four shots in pickleball: dinks, groundstrokes, volleys, overhead
Learn proper follow through - hit and freeze
Use swing speed as a tool - slow or increase your speed
Use swing extension as a tool - short or long
Understand arcs in pickleball (McDonald's, St. Louis, Pickleball)
When dinking, aim for their feet
Understand the difference between paddle face neutral, open, or closed