Pickleball is booming across the USA, especially among adults over 40.

In fact, more than half of all regular pickleball players are aged 45 or older, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

And it’s no mystery why — the game is fast, social, competitive, and surprisingly strategic.

Whether you’re new to the game or making a comeback from your tennis days, here are 10 essential pickleball strategies every player over 40 should master to:

• Play smarter
• Stay competitive,
• Enjoy the game
  …and win more.

Pickleball combines the strategic depth of chess with the energy of tennis — without the physical toll.

That’s why it’s exploding in popularity among players aged 40–65.

We’ve got the life experience, mental discipline, and still have that competitive fire!

Pickleball gives us the perfect outlet, plus it has huge physical and mental health benefits for players over forty.

We just have to learn how to turn our advantages into wins!

That’s why we’ve created the top 10 Smart Pickleball Strategies & hot tips for players over 40…

Let the younger players chase the highlight reel.

Your edge?

Out-thinking your opponents.

Learn to anticipate their shots, control the pace, and place the ball where they aren’t — not where they are.

The dink shot is your best friend.

Soft, low shots over the net that drop into the kitchen are deadly — especially when executed with control and patience.

Dinking neutralizes power and rewards precision, making it one of the smartest pickleball strategies for players over 40.

Always aim to control the non-volley zone line (aka the kitchen line).

After the serve and return, move up quickly — but together with your partner — and take command of the net.

From here, you can cut off angles and apply pressure.

As your reaction times shift with age, staying on the same page with your partner becomes even more important.

Call shots early, switch sides decisively, and keep your formations tight.

Got a killer forehand?

Excellent control?

Use it.

There’s no need to reinvent your game — just refine it.

Stick to your natural talents and build a strategy around consistency and confidence.

One of the most important pickleball strategies is the third shot drop — a soft, arcing shot that lands in the kitchen after the serve and return.

It allows you time to move up and reset the point.

Over-40 players often excel here thanks to a more measured tempo and shot selection.

Not a strong point of your game?

Watch the video below and learn from the best as World #1 Ben Johns walks you through the perfect Third Shot Drop!👇🏼

Watch World #1 Ben Johns Teach How to Execute a Third Shot Drop!

You don’t need to win every point in a marathon exchange.

Use strategic timeouts, aim for high-percentage shots, and don’t chase every impossible ball.

Remember – Efficiency beats endurance.

Many over-40 players have great court awareness, especially Pickleball players with tennis experience.

Use that!

Watch your opponents closely — do they avoid backhands? Struggle with overheads? Overrule their partner?

Make them uncomfortable by targeting their weak zones.

Let’s face it: bodies over 40 don’t quite bounce back like they used to.

Regular strength, balance, and mobility training will keep you sharp and injury-free.

A better body supports a smarter game.

One of the best pickleball strategies for players over 40 is to recognise that the mental game becomes your biggest weapon.

Watch videos, drill with purpose, and keep refining your approach.

Experience, not youth, wins in the long run.

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