Red, Yellow, Green: Coach Brett's Pickleball Ball Color System

One traffic-light system. Every ball on the court has a color.

You're in a fast exchange. The ball is coming. You have about half a second.

What do you do with it?

Coach Brett Noel, a 3x National Gold Medalist and PPR Certified Professional, teaches a simple answer: read the color.

The Three Colors

Every ball you receive is red, yellow, or green. It depends on how high it is when it gets to you.

• Red ball (below your knees): It's a lift. Just get it back over the net.
• Yellow ball (between your chest and knees): You can push or reset. Coach Brett says, "I prefer to push."
• Green ball (above your chest): Put it away.

No debate. No overthinking. Color first, decision second.

Flip It for Your Opponent

Here's where it gets good. Every ball you hit becomes a color for your opponent. And it flips for you.

• Give your opponent a red ball? That's green for you. Go.
• Give your opponent a green ball? That's red for you. Back up.
• Give your opponent a yellow ball? Be cautious and ready for an attack.

Be aware of the color you're receiving and the color you're giving.

Why It Works

Because it replaces panic with a plan. You stop asking "what should I do?" and start asking "what color is this?"

It also tells you something about your own shots. If you keep handing out green balls, you'll keep backing up.

The Bottom Line

Red: lift it. Yellow: push or reset. Green: finish it.

Then flip the colors for the ball you just hit.

Hit the ball. Read the color. Make the call.

Red and yellow balls come at you in fast exchanges where a paddle that twists is a paddle that costs you points. The DadGummies™ Adjustable Weight System lets you dial in your paddle's balance in seconds, with no lead tape or tools, so blocks and resets feel steadier.

Play smarter. Play stronger. Play DadGum. Visit DadGumPaddles.com to see the DadGummies™ system in action.

Next up: Respect the X: Who Owns That Ball in Pickleball Doubles.