An interactive pickleball strategy app designed to help aspiring players reach and exceed the 3.5+ level through visual learning.
100+ interactive strategy scenarios
Animated court diagrams with detailed explanations
Progress tracking to build your game one concept at a time
Download the fully functional app and explore 25 strategy scenarios and articles for free.
Unlock the complete strategy library with a one-time $9.99 in-app purchase. No subscription.
See the App in Action
A pickleball strategy app for real-match decisions
Pickleball35 was created to help aspiring players reach and exceed the 3.5 level by playing more strategically.
Pickleball rewards smart decisions as much as athletic ability. The Pickleball Strategy App helps players improve court positioning, shot selection, partner communication, and rally decision-making through realistic, scenario-based learning and animated court diagrams.
Rather than focusing on isolated tips or stroke instruction, the app teaches how rallies develop and how stronger players think through common situations on the court.
Inside the App
20+ strategy modules covering key phases of doubles play
106 strategy scenarios and 8 strategy articles
25 strategy scenarios and articles available free after download
Animated court diagrams that simplify positioning and decision-making
Progress tracking to help organize concepts you want to apply in matches
Learn by Section or Scenario
Strategy is organized the way a rally unfolds — serve, return, third shot, transition zone, dinking, and mental game — so you can focus on the part of your game that needs attention.
Jump into a full section, browse by scenario, or use the app as a quick reference when a specific court situation comes up.
Explore the Complete App Contents
Browse every strategy section, module, scenario, and strategy article included in the Pickleball35 app.
Serve
Serve FundamentalsBasic (2.0-3.0)
Safe Deep Serve
Deep Serve Causes a Short Return
Serve Mistake: Excessive Power
Serve Mistake: Short Surprise Serve
Serve Mistake: Targeting the Lines
Vary Your Serve to Reduce Predictability
Serve PositioningBasic (2.0-3.0)
Offense Mistake: Partner Steps In
Defense Setup: Starting Positions
Defense Mistake: Returner Too Far Forward
Defense Mistake: Not at the kitchen Line
Advanced ServesAdvanced (3.5+)
Serve Targeting
Spin Serves
Spin Serve Technique
The Lob Serve
StackingAdvanced (3.5+)
Serve Stacking: Overview
Serve Stacking: Setup
Serve Stacking: Movement
Defensive Stacking: Overview
Defensive Stacking: Setup
Defensive Stacking: Movement
Serve Return
Serve Return Fundamentals: Positioning and MovementBasic (2.0-3.0)
Third Shot Setup – Recognizing the Decision Moment
Third Shot Communication – Call the Shot Clearly
Forehand in the Middle – Stepping In to Take the Third Shot
Respect the X – Maintaining Natural Court Responsibility
Third Shot Basics – Drop, Drive, or LobBasic (2.0–3.0)
Third Shot Options
Third Shot Drive – Best Time to Use
Third Shot Drop – Best Option Against Set Opponents
Third Shot Drop – Target the Middle
Third Shot Drop – Advance to the kitchen
Third Shot Lob – Push Opponents Off the Kitchen
Third Shot Lob – Advance After a Successful Lob
Third Shot Drive -AdvancedAdvanced (3.5+)
Shake and Bake
Drive and Reset
Pinching the Middle
Blocking a Third Shot Drive
Third Shot Drop -AdvancedAdvanced (3.5+)
Third Shot Drop – Target the Backhand Foot
Third Shot Drop – Target the Player in Front of Your Partner
Third Shot Drop – When Both Forehands Are in the Middle
Third Shot Drop – No Forehand in the Middle
The 5th and 7th Shot Drop
Moving in the Transition Zone
Third Shot Drop – Move Forward Together
Third Shot Drop Success – Put Away a Popup
Third Shot Drop Mistake – Rushing In
Third Shot Drop Mistake – Drawing Opponent Forward
Drop Shot DefenseAdvanced (3.5+)
Drop Shot Defense - Volley
Drop Shot Defense - Volley Decisions
Drop Shot Defense - Dink
Drop Shot Defensive Mistake - Backing Up
Reset Shot
PoachingAdvanced (3.5+)
Poaching the Third Shot
Poach and Switch
Poach Mistake: Moving Too Early
Overhead SmashAdvanced (3.5+)
Smash Basics
Angle Smash
Lob Switch
Dinking
Dinking FundamentalsBasic (2.0–3.0)
Dinking Overview
Dinking Footwork and Tethering
Cross-Court Dink
Forward Dink
Attacking an Attackable Dink
Common Dinking MistakesBasic (2.0–3.0)
Dinking Mistake – Lack of Patience
Dinking Mistake – Broken Tether
Dinking Mistake – Caught in the Kitchen
Advanced DinkingAdvanced (3.5+)
Volley Dink
Put Away and Dink Fake
Dink Fake Lob
Around the Post (ATP)
Erne
Mental Game
PatienceAll Levels
Rushing to End the Point
Staying Calm as Opponents Advance
Embracing the Soft Game
Trusting Your Partner
Staying Composed Through Difficult Moments
ResilienceAll Levels
Recovering After a Mistake
Responding to Momentum Changes
Competing When the Score Is Against You
Staying Composed Under Pressure
Learning From Difficult Matches
Partner EtiquetteAll Levels
Starting the Game
Encouragement and Communication
Helping with Calls
Keeping the Energy Positive
Sharing the Middle
Offering Feedback
Opponent EtiquetteAll Levels
Starting the Game
Serving and Readiness
Recognizing Good Play
Line Calls and Ball Handling
Ending the Game
Strategy Articles
3.5 Level – How to Know if You’re There
The Genius Behind Pickleball – How the Rules Shape the Strategy
From Tennis to Pickleball
The Third Shot Drop – Don’t Give Up
Winning the Transition Zone: Why One Drop Shot Is Often Not Enough
Seeing the Court as a 3.5 Player
The Power Player Challenge
Footwork – The Split Step
▼ Scroll for more
Track Your Progress
A simple scenario status system helps turn reading into action by organizing situations you want to review, practice, or make part of your game.
I need to review thisUnderstood, revisit later
I want to work on thisActively practicing it
Part of my gameSomething you use consistently
Explore the Strategy Library
Browse more than 100 pickleball strategy scenarios covering every phase of the game. Most feature strategy diagrams and connect back to the same complete strategy framework used in the app and book.
Developed by Payton Bond, author of Pickleball Strategy – A Guide to 3.5 and Beyond and a regular contributor to The Kitchen (thekitchenpickle.com), where he writes about strategy, positioning, shot selection, and match decision-making.
Download the Pickleball Strategy App
Download Free • 25 scenarios and articles included • One-time $9.99 unlocks the complete library • No subscription
