The #1 Thing That Will Instantly Improve Your Pickleball Game (That You’re Probably Not Doing)
Ever had one of those days where your game just falls apart?
You start strong. The shots feel good. Your movement’s on point. Then out of nowhere—your returns sail long, your dinks hit the net, and suddenly it feels like you’ve never played before.
You’re not alone.
I hear this all the time from players I work with:
“Why can’t I hit the same shot twice?”
“I nail it in drills, but it all falls apart during games.”
“My timing just disappears.”
Most people think it’s a technique issue or a bad day. But very often, it comes down to one sneaky little habit:
👉 You’re not really watching the ball.
The Myth of “I’m Watching the Ball”
This one gets folks every time.
They think they’re watching the ball. But what they’re actually doing is peeking—either at the court, their opponent, or where they hope the shot will go.
I call it “playing in the future.” And when your eyes jump ahead, your body follows—and not in a good way.
This is especially common when you’re nervous or trying to play better in front of higher-level players. Your brain gets busy—”Don’t miss this return. Stay out of the net. Oh no, it’s the banger again!”—and you lose track of the most important piece of the puzzle: the pickleball itself.
If you don’t track it all the way in, everything else breaks down.
My Skiing Wipeout (And What It Taught Me)
Let me take you off the court for a second.
Years ago, I was skiing a steep run in Colorado. I’d done plenty of tougher terrain before—but this one got into my head. The moment I stopped focusing on where I wanted to go and started looking straight down? My legs stiffened. My balance shifted. And I crashed hard.
Why? I broke the first rule of skiing: Look where you want to go.
Same thing happens in pickleball. When you stop tracking the ball and start thinking ahead—or worse, worrying—you lose control of the one thing you can control: your contact point.
Why Tracking the Ball Changes Everything in Your Quest to Improve Your Game
When you focus your eyes on the ball through the entire flight—especially as it gets closer—you:
✅ Give your brain a constant stream of information
✅ Time your shot better
✅ Reduce unforced errors
✅ Make cleaner, more confident contact
✅ Stay grounded in the present instead of rushing to the next shot
Think of it like a golf swing. You don’t look up at the fairway before you make contact—you keep your eyes locked in. The better the focus, the better the shot.
It’s no different in pickleball. Your eyes are the gateway to consistency.
Drill: The “Eyes-In” Ball Challenge 👀 to Improve Your Game
(Builds tracking and contact consistency)
This is a favorite drill I use with students who struggle with timing, popups, or feeling rushed.
Here’s how it works:
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Partner up (or use a ball machine if you’ve got one).
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Stand at the kitchen line. Your partner feeds soft, slow dinks.
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As the ball comes toward you, say out loud:
👉 “In… In… In…”
Start saying it as soon as the ball leaves their paddle and continue until you make contact. -
Your goal? Keep your eyes locked on the ball all the way to your paddle. Not a glance—a full stare.
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If you catch yourself peeking up, restart the rally.
💡 Why it works:
Saying “in” out loud keeps your mind and eyes synced to the ball’s movement. You’re training your brain to stay present, and your body starts to trust the rhythm of the shot instead of anticipating or rushing.
Try it for 5–10 minutes. You’ll start feeling the ball “stick” to your paddle. That’s the contact point you want.
Bonus tip: Want to test it in a game? Pick one rally and silently say “in” on every shot. Just see what happens.
Quick Tip of the Week to Help You Keep your Eye on the Ball and Improve Your Game
Use your paddle as a tracking device.
The next time you play, make it your mission to see the ball blur into your paddle. Just once. Then again. Then again. You’ll notice your shots feel cleaner—and more in control.
Why Keeping Your Eye on the Ball Matters More Than Any Drill to Improving Your Game
You can do all the drills in the world…
You can buy the latest paddle…
You can spend hours on your footwork or dink technique…
But if your eyes aren’t doing their job, none of that matters.
Fixing this one habit unlocks the rest.
Need More Help With Consistency to Improve Your Game?
This is the kind of foundational skill we teach inside the Better Pickleball Academy—along with drills, quick wins, and technique videos you can take on the go.
Think of it like your personal coach in your pocket—ready when you are, no judgment, no pressure.
Whether you’re struggling with popups, bangers, or missed returns, you’ll find targeted help to fix the problem fast.
You don’t have to change everything about your game to get better.
Start with your eyes.
Start with the ball.
And watch your confidence grow from there.
Have fun out there
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)