If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while, you’ve probably had this happen: you get the perfect high ball, swing hard… and somehow the point keeps going.

That’s because putaway shots aren’t about power. They’re about placement.

Knowing where to aim your putaways is one of the fastest ways to win more points, especially against better players who can block and reset surprisingly well.

Let’s break it down.

First Rule of Putaways: Don’t Aim at the Paddle

This sounds obvious, but it’s the most common mistake.

When players see a high ball, they panic and hit it straight at the opponent, usually chest-high. At slower levels, that might work. Against decent players, it almost never does.

Pickleball balls don’t travel that fast, and paddles are big. If you hit it right at someone, you’re basically helping them.

Instead, every putaway should answer one simple question:

Where can they NOT get their paddle?

The Best Target: The Feet

If you remember one thing from this blog, remember this: 

Feet are your safest, highest-percentage target.

A ball aimed at the feet:

• Forces an awkward half-volley
• Makes it hard to reset cleanly
• Often results in a pop-up or outright miss

This works whether your opponent is:

• At the kitchen
• Transitioning forward
• Slightly off-balance

You don’t need to hit it hard. A controlled shot dipping down at the feet is far more effective than a flat blast.

Pro tip: Think “down,” not “through.”

Second Best Target: The Open Court

Once you’re comfortable aiming low, start lifting your eyes.

If one opponent:

• Is leaning toward the middle
• Is shading crosscourt
• Just moved to cover their partner

That’s your cue.

Aim for the open space, not the person.

This is especially effective when:

• Both opponents are stacked
• One player is clearly late recovering
• You’ve pulled someone wide with a dink or speed-up
  
  

If the court is open, take it, but commit to the shot. Hesitation leads to balls drifting back toward defenders.

When to Go Middle (And When Not To)

The middle can be a great target, but only in the right situation.

Go middle when:

• Both players are moving in opposite directions
• There’s clear confusion about who should take the ball
• One player is backing up while the other is stepping in

Avoid the middle when:

• Both players are set and balanced
• Both paddles are up and ready

A hard ball down the middle to two prepared players usually comes back faster than it went in.

Adjust Your Target Based on Where They Are

This is where smarter players separate themselves.

If your opponent is at the kitchen:

• Aim low at the feet
• Avoid shoulder-height shots

If your opponent is back:

• Hit away from them, not at them
• Use angles
• Don’t rush; take the extra half-second to place the ball

If one player is up and one is back:

• Attack the player at the kitchen
• Their partner can’t help much from behind

Power Is Optional. Placement Is Not.

One of the biggest myths in pickleball is that you need to swing harder to finish points.

You don’t.

A 70% swing with the right target beats a 100% swing to the wrong place every time.

If you’re missing putaways, don’t tell yourself to “hit it harder.”
Ask yourself: Did I pick the right spot?

The Simple Checklist Before Every Putaway

Next time you get a high ball, pause for half a second and run through this:

1. Where are my opponents standing?
2. Whose feet are most exposed?
3. Is there open court I can safely hit into?

Then swing with control and conviction.

Great pickleball players don’t win points because they hit the ball harder. They win because they know where to aim.

Stop thinking that you need to hit a winner and start thinking of putaways as shots you place, not shots you smash, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your finishing improves.

Looking to keep improving? Head to the Pickleball Tips section of our blog for more advice to level up your game and DUPR rating.

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