How to Control Your Pickleball Paddle: Tips for Better Precision and Power

Gaining control over your pickleball paddle can mean the difference between frustrating losses and winning games on a regular basis. Paddle control is one of the most important skills to master, regardless of your level of experience.

We'll go over the methods, grip modifications, paddle kinds, and drills in this blog post so you can fully master your paddle and your performance.

Why Paddle Control Matters in a Pickleball Match?

Control in pickleball refers to more than just hitting the ball with precision. It impacts:

• Placement: Placing the ball where your opponent doesn't expect it
  

• Consistency: Reducing unintentional faults

• Power Management: Adding pace when needed without sacrificing precision
  

• Touch Shots: Executing drops, resets, and dinks with efficiency
  

Even the priciest equipment won't help you win if you don't have paddle control.

Choose the Right Paddle for Control

Some paddles are designed and built specifically for control-oriented play, where they enhance the control and spin of paddles. Here’s what to look for:

• Core Material: Polymer cores tend to offer better touch and control.
  

• Surface Texture: A textured surface helps you impart spin and control ball trajectory.
  

• Shape: Wider paddles (like the S2 or Ruby) offer a larger sweet spot, which helps with mishits.
  

• Weight: Midweight paddles (7.8–8.3 oz) offer a balance between control and power. Heavy paddles provide power but can reduce maneuverability. Check out our wide range of medium-weight paddles in 2025. 

When choosing the paddle for control, consider looking for the above feature if it is available, as it will reflect in your gameplay by improving the control during spins.

Master the Grip: The Foundation of Paddle Control

The paddle grip may seem to be very minor or irrelevant for controlled gameplay, but the reality is grip affects everything—from shot direction to paddle angle. Try these options:

• Continental Grip (Handshake Grip): Most versatile for dinks, volleys, and resets.
  

• Eastern Grip: Offers better control for topspin and groundstrokes.
  

Tips:

• Keep your grip relaxed, not tight. A death grip kills finesse.
  

• Adjust pressure based on shot type: lighter for soft shots, firmer for drives.
  

Focus on Footwork and Positioning

Your body position is crucial for pickleball paddle control; it's not just about your hands. 

• Maintain your balance by bending your knees a little.

• Always move your feet to get behind the ball.

• Keep your paddle in front of you during resets and volleys.

Practice Soft Game Techniques

The "soft game" is where paddle control really takes off. Work on:

• Dinks: Keep the paddle angle slightly open and use your shoulder, not your wrist.

• Drop Shots: Use a brushing motion for spin and placement.

• Third Shot Drops: Control the arc and depth to neutralize opponents at the net.

Use Drills to Improve Paddle Control

Getting control is not as difficult as it may look, as there are multiple drills or practicing methodologies that could enhance your control over the gameplay. When discussing paddle control, the paddle face plays a huge role in achieving the drills. Basically, carbon fiber and all composite paddles provide immense control during the gameplay. Check out our wide range of composite pickleball paddles from our collections.

Wall Control Drill

• Stand a few feet away from a wall and hit soft shots continuously towards the wall.

• Focus on keeping the ball low and controlled; this helps in controlling the ball.

Target Dinking

• Place cones or mark different zones to get control.

• Aim your dinks to land near the targets, which will improve accuracy and control.

Paddle Angle Drill

• Vary paddle angles to control ball height and spin.

• Practice both open- and closed-face hits.

Mind Your Mental Game

Controlling your paddle also involves controlling your decision-making and shot selection. As there are just seconds away to take wise decisions. Don’t force power when a soft shot would be more effective.

Mental control = paddle control.

Final Thoughts

Improving paddle control is a continuous process, but it’s what separates good players from great ones. With the right paddle, grip, footwork, and targeted practice, you’ll gain more confidence in every shot you make.