6 Essential Pickleball Shots to Master for 2026

By focusing on these six upgrades, you can build a game that holds up against the faster, more aggressive style of play coming in 2026

The thing we love most about pickleball is the sport is constantly evolving, especially at higher levels. And if you aren't evolving along with it, you're getting left behind.

PPA pro Roscoe Bellamy recently shared the essential shots you need to stay competitive as we head into 2026, focusing on how to handle hotter paddles and more aggressive opponents.

If you think know you what's he going to say, read on... there are a couple surprises here even we didn't see coming.

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1. The Two-Handed Backhand Dink The days of relying solely on a floating slice backhand are over. Bellamy explains that adding a second hand to your backhand dink provides the stability and deception needed at higher levels.

To master this, you need to get your outside leg behind or even around the ball . This positioning allows you to contact the ball right in front of you, making the shot much easier to control.

The secret sauce is leading with your non-dominant arm. If you're right-handed, your left arm should be doing the work to guide the ball toward your target while your wrists stay locked for maximum stability.

1. The Drip The "Drip" is a hybrid shot that sits right between a drop and a drive. It is more aggressive than a standard drop b... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/6-essential-pickleball-shots-to-master-for-2026/