How To Anticipate Opponents’ Shots Like A Pro

If you’ve ever watched high-level pickleball and wondered how the pros always seem one step ahead—it’s not luck. It’s anticipation.

The ability to predict your opponent’s next move is one of the biggest separators between recreational players and elite competitors. And the good news? It’s a skill you can develop. Just like dinking or third shot drops, anticipation takes awareness, repetition, and a little bit of strategy.

Here’s how to start reading the court like a pro.

Source: Selkirk Sport

1. Watch The Paddle, Not The Ball

One of the most common mistakes players make is tracking the ball too long, especially during fast-paced rallies. But to really anticipate a shot, your eyes need to go upstream—to the paddle.

Start reading your opponent’s paddle angle and swing path. A closed paddle face usually signals a drive. Open face? That’s a dink or a drop. A wide backswing often telegraphs power. Compact prep? Likely a soft shot.

Learning to recognize these subtle differences will give you an early read on the shot before it even leaves the paddle.

2. Pay Attention To Footwork And Body Position

Pickleball is a game of angles, and body mechanics don’t lie.

If your opponent is stretched out wide or off balance, the odds of them going crosscourt just dropped. Players tend to hit in the direction they’re facing, especially when rushed. And when someone is leaning into their toes with weight forward, expect a hard shot.

Start using their stance as a tell. It often gives away more than their paddle does.

3. Think In Patterns, Not Points

Good players fall into habits. Great players spot them.

Is your opponent always driving their return on second serves? Do they prefer dinking crosscourt? Are they more aggressive on the forehand side? These tendencies reveal themselves over a few points—if you're paying attention.

Anticipation isn’t just about reacting in the moment. It’s also about collecting information as the game goes on and using it to predict what’s next. Once you notice the pattern, you can position yourself accordingly and force them to break it.

4. Use Positioning To Shrink Their Options

You don’t have to wait for a shot to anticipate—it often starts with where you stand.

By taking away high-percentage angles with your court position, you limit your opponent’s choices. If you're hugging the sideline, they’ll avoid going wide. If you crowd the kitchen line, they’ll be forced to go over or around.

This is where anticipation becomes proactive, not reactive. You’re not just guessing the shot—you’re influencing it.

5. Slow Down To Speed Up

It sounds counterintuitive, but rushing through points kills your ability to anticipate.

Take a deep breath before the return. Reset your mind between rallies. The clearer your head, the sharper your reads. Pro players often look calm and unhurried—it’s no accident. They manage the tempo so they can stay mentally ahead of the ball.

Create that space for yourself, and the game will start to slow down around you.

Final Word: Anticipation Is A Skill, Not A Gift

Reading your opponent isn’t just about instincts—it’s about attention. Watch more. Think more. Move with intention. Over time, you’ll start noticing patterns and tells that were invisible before.

And the best part? When you begin anticipating your opponent’s next shot, you won’t just be reacting—you’ll be dictating.

That’s when the real fun begins.