There’s no shortage of things you could be working on in pickleball.

But according to coach Jordan Briones, if you focus on just five key areas every time you step on the court, you’ll see improvement quickly.

Here’s what actually matters, and how to apply it.

1. Court positioning is everything

At every level, positioning and coverage should be your top priority.

The court really comes down to two responsibilities:

- Cover the line
- Cover the middle

When the ball is pulled wide, one partner takes line, the other takes middle. No exceptions. And importantly, this has nothing to do with “forehand takes middle.”

It’s about where the ball is, not which side you prefer

The middle is often the most vulnerable space, so if you’re unsure, protect that first.

2. Footwork sets up everything else

You’ve heard it before, but it’s often misunderstood.

Good footwork isn’t just moving your feet, it’s about:

- Creating space for clean contact
- Adjusting with shuffle steps and drop steps
- Staying balanced on both offense and defense

At the kitchen line, footwork becomes even more critical. It’s what allows you to attack when you can and neutralize when you can’t.

3. Your second and fourth shots matter more than you think

Most players focus on serves and third shots, but the return (second shot) and fourth shot are just as important.

The return

The goal isn’t just to get it in, it’s to:

- Hit deep, high-percentage balls
- Buy time to get to the kitchen line
- Arrive balanced and ready to counter

Short or rushed returns leave you stuck in transition and vulnerable.

The fourth shot

After your return, expect pressure.

Instead of blocking, the priority is to:

- Counterattack drives
- Keep balls deep
- Maintain pressure so opponents stay back

4. Make smarter third-shot decisions

There’s no single “right” third shot anymore.

Instead:

- Play to your strengths (drive vs. drop)
- Drive when opponents aren’t fully set
- Drop when you can move forward safely

One key insight:
If your opponent doesn’t reach the kitchen line, driving is almost always the right play.

And if you do drop?
Don’t rush forward, move up based on the quality of the shot.

5. Master the transition game

This is where points are won or lost.

Moving from the baseline to the kitchen line isn’t about speed, it’s about control.

Key priorities:

- Stay balanced with a wide split step
- Be ready on every shot (5th, 7th, 9th…)
- Focus on getting to the net safely, not quickly

It might take multiple shots to get there, and that’s okay.

Once both players are established at the kitchen, the game resets into neutral and that’s where you can take control.

Summary

Improvement in pickleball doesn’t come from doing everything.

It comes from doing the right things consistently:

- Smart positioning
- Efficient movement
- Intentional shot selection
- Controlled transition play

Nail those five areas, and everything else in your game starts to fall into place.