What I’ve come to appreciate most about pickleball isn’t necessarily the hardest shot or the fastest hands. It’s the smaller moments within a rally - the setup before an attack, the communication between partners, the pressure that slowly builds over the course of a point, or the split-second decision that changes momentum entirely.
The more I’ve played, coached, and watched the game, the more I’ve realized that some of pickleball’s best moments happen before the point is actually won. A well-constructed rally, an unexpected speed-up, a perfectly timed movement across the kitchen, or two partners working seamlessly together can be just as satisfying as the final put-away itself.
These are some of the parts of the game that I keep coming back to, and some of the little things that make pickleball so enjoyable to play and watch.
Building a point from start to finish is one of the most satisfying feelings in pickleball, and easily one of my favourite aspects of the game.
When I first started playing, the common advice was: “keep the ball low until someone pops it up.” Points often turned into extended dink rallies, waiting for an error. While that’s still true to an extent, the modern version of that idea has evolved into something more proactive: create the pop-up.
“Create” is the key word. Players are now using more intentional shots - rolling the ball down to an opponent’s feet, targeting the backhand hip, or forcing contact from uncomfortable positions.
The goal isn’t just to wait for a mistake, but to apply pressure that causes one. When done well, this often leads to a ball that rises just enough to attack.
Some players prefer not to dink and instead rely on pace and power. If they can consistently hit a ball too hard and fast to handle, they’ll usually have success.
But if you can neutralize that pace, the advantage can shift quickly.
Power-based players often give away small cues. Generating pace typically requires a bit more of a wind-up, and attacks often come off a bounce, giving them extra time to prepare.
While their shots can still be well placed - into open space or directly at an opponent - there’s usually a moment where you can read what’s coming. If your hands are quick and you’re ready for it, you can absorb or redirect that pace and turn defence into offence.
Being unpredictable doesn’t mean playing recklessly - it means mixing speeds, locations, and patterns just enough to keep your opponents guessing.
Some of the strongest partnerships in pickleball are obvious before the point even starts.
You can usually tell when two players understand each other well. Movement feels connected. Decisions happen quickly.
There’s less hesitation over middle balls, switches, or coverage because both players already know what the other is expecting.
That chemistry doesn’t always come from playing together for years, either. Often it comes from clear communication and shared intentions.
Calling out attacks, recognizing patterns, or simply knowing when your partner wants to speed the ball up can make a huge difference.
It’s one of the reasons doubles pickleball is so compelling. Even though individual skill matters, the best teams often look like they’re solving problems together in real time.
The shake and bake is a classic team play, and one of the most fun to both execute and watch.
In simple terms, one player (the “shake”) hits a drive, while their partner (the “bake”) moves in looking to finish the point off a weak reply.
For this to work, the drive needs to be effective - hard, low, and ideally directed at the opponent’s body or feet. The goal is to force a rushed or uncomfortable contact, which often results in a pop-up.
From there, the partner is ready to step in and put the ball away.
What I enjoy most about this play is that even when the opposing team knows it’s coming, executing it well still puts them under serious pressure.
It’s a great example of how coordination and timing between partners can create immediate opportunities.
Not all speed-ups are created equal.
One of the more enjoyable parts of high-level pickleball is recognizing the difference between attacking just to attack and speeding the ball up with purpose. The best speed-ups usually come after a player has earned them through pressure, positioning, or disguise.
Sometimes it’s a sudden acceleration off a dink that had looked identical three shots in a row. Other times it’s a counter off an opponent leaning too far one direction. What makes these exchanges exciting isn’t just the pace - it’s the timing.
At higher levels, players are constantly looking for small advantages in hand battles. A slightly high contact point, an opponent reaching across their body, or even a moment of hesitation can be enough to trigger an attack.
And when both teams have quick hands, those exchanges can become some of the fastest and most entertaining points in the game.
What makes it even better is that these moments rarely happen in isolation. They’re usually the result of patient setup beforehand. The firefight at the end is often just the payoff.
Few plays in pickleball are as satisfying as a well-executed erne - especially when it’s been set up with intention.
A great example of this came at the PPA Austin Open Mixed Doubles Final, where Andrei Daescu was part of a championship point that showcased exactly this idea.
Through smart positioning and subtle movement, the opportunity was created before the final shot was even hit.
Whether you’re directly involved in setting it up or simply recognizing it as it unfolds, there’s something especially rewarding about seeing the play develop.
The key is often sustained pressure toward the sideline - forcing opponents into difficult positions and opening up space at the right moment.
It’s a reminder that some of the best points in pickleball are won a shot or two before the ball is put away. What makes pickleball so enjoyable, for me, is how much of it goes beyond just hitting the ball.
The strategy, the patterns, and especially the teamwork all come together to create a game that’s constantly evolving. And the more you play, the more you start to recognize - and appreciate - these moments as they happen.
Another underrated part of pickleball is the constant adjustment that happens during a game.
Good players are always gathering information. Maybe one opponent struggles with balls at their backhand shoulder.
Maybe another likes to counter crosscourt but rarely down the line. Sometimes a team starts attacking too early, or becomes too predictable with serves and returns.
The ability to notice these patterns - and adapt to them - adds another layer to the sport that isn’t always obvious from the outside.
Some matches are won not because one team hits better shots, but because they make better adjustments over time.
What keeps me coming back to pickleball is that the game rewards so many different skills at once.
Athleticism matters, but so does awareness. Technique matters, but so does decision-making. And almost everything becomes more effective when two players are working together with a clear purpose.
The more you play and watch, the more you start noticing the layers within each rally: the setup before the attack, the movement behind the opening, the reset that changes momentum, or the communication that prevents confusion.
Those small moments are easy to miss at first, but they’re often what make the sport so enjoyable to play - and so interesting to keep learning.
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