Holiday gift guide: paddle picks, gift cards and stocking stuffers $50 and under

Woman hitting a forehand on an indoor court

Shot Library

Every shot. Cues, mistakes, drills.

Serve & return

Player in a ready position waiting for the serve

Serve

Deep, consistent, and in. Nothing else matters until that is automatic.

Woman hitting a forehand on an indoor court

Return of serve

Hit it deep, then get to the kitchen line.

Soft game

Woman in a visor and sunglasses reaching for a forehand

Dink

The shot that separates pickleball from every other racket sport.

Player focused on a forehand at the kitchen line

Third-shot drop

The shot that gets you to the net.

Attacking

Pickleball player lunging for a low ball on a sunlit outdoor court

Drive

Pace with a purpose: set up the next ball.

Woman hitting a forehand during a doubles rally

Volley

Compact, in front, ready for the next one.

Player focused on a forehand at the kitchen line

Counter-attack

When they speed it up, speed it up harder.

Smiling player driving a backhand at the net

Lob

Rare, disguised, and devastating when it works.

Woman playing pickleball outdoors on a sunny day

Overhead smash

Punish the short lob. Set up the next shot on the long one.

Player lunging for a low volley in front of a Just Pickle Me banner

Erne

The highlight-reel shot that is legal only if your feet cooperate.

Paddle and pickleball resting on a court line at sunset, palms behind the net

Around the post (ATP)

A wide dink is an invitation.

Defending

Player in a ready position waiting for the serve

Reset

Turn a losing rally into a neutral one.

Two paddles meeting over the net with a ball in the air

Block

Let their power be your problem solved.

Movement & positioning

Player in a ready position waiting for the serve

Footwork & the split step

Every good shot starts with your feet in the right place.

Four players mid-rally on an outdoor court, laughing

Court positioning

Move together, cover the middle, own the line.

Four players chatting over the net after a game

Doubles communication

Loud partners lose fewer points.