5 Advanced Strategies to Control the Point

Is your paddle shape hurting your game? One junior player's breakout performance.

Author

Empower Pickleball
March 10, 2026

It’s time to lock in for 2026. The competitive season is ramping up, and next week’s DUPR reset will reshuffle ratings for players across the country.

Fresh numbers mean new brackets, new partners, and a chance to start the year climbing. If you haven’t found a league or competitive group that fits your needs, now might be the perfect time to start your own.

Plus, we’ve got the strategies and gear you need to become a better player this year.

Inside:

  • Strategies to put you in control of the point

  • The paddle shape debate: Which shape is best for your game?

  • A junior player’s dedication lands him in rarefied air

🖐 Advanced Pickleball Strategies to Improve Your Game Fast

Photo Credit: APP

Once you’ve learned the basics of pickleball, improvement often comes less from new shots and more from smarter strategy.

One key shift is learning to build points instead of rushing attacks. Using dinks to move opponents out of position often creates better opportunities than forcing an early speed-up.

Another effective approach is making your opponent hit a difficult shot. Deep returns, low drops, and well-placed dinks force players to hit up on the ball or from uncomfortable positions, which naturally leads to mistakes.

Small Targets, Big Advantages

Advanced players also know the value of targeting the body and using the middle of the court. Attacks targeting the paddle-side hip and shoulder reduce reaction time, while well-paced shots in the middle of the kitchen leave no angle to attack.

Finally, controlling the pace of a rally by mixing soft shots with sudden acceleration keeps opponents from settling into a rhythm.

👉 Read the full article for five advanced strategies that can help improve your game fast.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

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✈️ The most iconic courts you’ve never been to
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✅ Which Paddle Shape Matches Your 2026 Goals?

As paddle engineering has evolved over the last five years, three shapes have emerged as the clear standards: elongated, widebody, and hybrid. Each has its loyalists for good reason.

Elongated paddles offer extra reach and leverage, making them popular with players who like to drive the ball and attack. The tradeoff is a slightly smaller sweet spot.

Widebody paddles go the opposite direction, offering a larger hitting surface and more forgiveness. They’re often favored by players who prioritize control, resets, and stability during fast kitchen exchanges.

Hybrid paddles sit right in the middle, blending some of the reach of elongated shapes with the forgiveness of wider designs, making them one of the most versatile options on the market.

The right shape depends on what you want to improve this year: power and reach, consistency and control, or a balanced all-court game.

Which paddle shape do you use?

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 👉 Read the full article to see which paddle shape best matches your 2026 goals.

 🏡 Turn Your Backyard Into a Court Worth Showing Off

Hot tubs are nice. Fire pits are fine. But a backyard pickleball court? That’s the upgrade people actually use.

VersaCourt’s Pickleball Performance Tiles are designed to stay cooler underfoot, cushion impact on joints, and hold up match after match without cracking or the upkeep that comes with concrete.

And it doesn’t stop at pickleball. VersaCourt surfaces can also be configured for basketball, shuffleboard, and other backyard games, turning your space into the kind of place where friends bring paddles and kids don’t want to leave.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for 10% off Pickleball Performance Tiles.

📈 One Junior’s Journey to the Triple Crown

The future of pickleball might already be here. His name is Ryder Brown.

The Texas junior phenom has quickly become one of the sport’s most exciting young players, stacking up tournament wins on the National Junior Pickleball Tour. His breakout moment came when he captured a rare Junior PPA Triple Crown, winning singles, boys doubles, and mixed doubles at the same event—something no junior had done before.

Brown’s success reflects a bigger shift happening in the sport: a fast-growing pipeline of elite junior talent that’s pushing pickleball younger, faster, and more competitive.

And if the early results are any indication, this next generation isn’t just participating—they’re already raising the level of play.

👉 Read the full story and see how juniors are creating new opportunities to compete.

🎨 Blending Style and Next-Gen Paddle Technology

Your pickleball paddle says a lot about your game. ARTI thinks it should say something about YOU, too.

Instead of the typical sea of black carbon fiber, ARTI paddles lean into bold artwork, colorful graphics, and playful designs that bring personality onto the court. They’re the kind of paddles that spark conversations before the warm-up dinks even start.

Underneath the artwork, the paddles still deliver legitimate performance with modern materials and balanced playability.

The result is gear that reminds players pickleball isn’t just about winning points—it’s also about having a little fun with the game.

👉 Explore the full story and see which paddle fits your vibe.

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