Pickleball is full of exciting moments, but nothing grabs attention quite like an ATP shot. If you’ve ever watched a player chase down a wide shot and curve the ball around the net post for a winner, then you’ve already witnessed the magic of an ATP in pickleball.
But what exactly is it, how is it executed, and why is it even allowed? More importantly, how can you master this advanced move and avoid the mistakes that turn highlights into errors? Let’s dive into this incredible shot that adds flair, strategy, and skill to competitive pickleball.
What Does ATP Mean in Pickleball
ATP stands for Around the Post. It refers to a legal shot in pickleball where the ball travels outside the net post instead of over the net.
This happens when the ball is hit so wide that it bounces off the court near the sideline, creating an opportunity for the returning player to run outside the court boundaries and strike the ball around the post without violating any rules.
This move might seem like a trick shot, but it’s completely within the official rules of pickleball as defined by the USA Pickleball Rulebook. According to Rule 11.M a player is allowed to hit the ball around the net post without having to send it above the net height. The shot is legal as long as the ball lands inside the opponent’s court.
When Can You Hit an ATP Shot in Pickleball
An ATP shot isn’t possible in every rally. The opportunity usually arises during a wide dink shot or drive that pulls a player far off the side of the court. When the ball bounces outside the sideline near the net but does not go out of bounds, the returning player can sprint to the side and attempt to hit the ball around the net post.
This situation often comes up in dinking rallies, especially at the kitchen line. Sharp cross-court shots that land low and wide create the perfect setup. If the ball bounces once and stays in play, a quick and well-positioned player can respond with an ATP. But if the angle is shallow or the ball bounces too deep, the chance is lost.
Lobs and angled returns can also lead to ATPs if the ball redirects toward the sideline after the bounce. Reading the shot early and committing to the move are key parts of converting these rare openings into successful ATPs.
How to Hit an ATP Shot in Pickleball (Step-by-Step Guide)
Once you start recognizing when the ball travels wide and low near the sideline, the next step is learning how to execute the ATP with control and confidence. It is not just about speed, it is about balance, paddle position, and smart targeting. Here is how to develop it step by step.
1. Anticipate the Opportunity
The best ATPs begin with early awareness. When your opponent sends a sharp cross-court dink or drive that pulls you wide toward the sideline, watch how the ball bounces. If it lands close to the sideline and stays low, that is your chance.
Start moving before the bounce and commit to the shot without second-guessing. Recognizing this early makes the difference between reaching the ball in position and arriving too late.
2. Sprint to the Sideline and Stay Low
Footwork is key. As soon as you spot the opportunity, explode toward the sideline with quick, small steps. Bend your knees, keep your upper body stable, and stay low through the entire movement.
Staying low gives you better paddle control and allows you to hit the ball cleanly without lifting. Avoid crossing your feet or overstepping, as this can throw off your balance during the swing.
3. Paddle Should Move Around the Post
Make sure your paddle stays completely outside the net post. This is what makes the shot legal and effective. Keep your paddle angle neutral or slightly open, depending on your target. The more direct your swing, the faster and harder the shot will land.
Practice hitting with different paddle angles so you learn how to control the depth and direction from various court positions.
4. Use a Short Flat Swing
Avoid big swings or unnecessary spin. The best ATPs come from short, compact motions that stay controlled from start to finish. Use your wrist and forearm to guide the paddle through the contact point. Let your body momentum carry you into the swing naturally.
A clean flat shot puts pressure on your opponent and makes it harder for them to respond or block effectively.
5. Aim Where Your Opponent Isn’t
Every ATP should have a purpose. Do not just try to hit the ball back in play — place it where it forces a weak reply or ends the point. Aim down the line if your opponent is leaning middle. If they are already wide hit behind them or toward their feet. Making smart decisions with placement is what separates an average ATP from a winning one.
Bonus Practice Tip
To build consistency, have a partner feed you soft wide dinks near the sideline. Run out and simulate a real match setup and try to hit an ATP with good balance and clean contact. Repeat this drill from both forehand and backhand sides.
You can also shadow practice without the ball to train your footwork and paddle path. Over time, your reaction and timing will become automatic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Attempting an ATP in Pickleball
Even after learning the technique, many players struggle to hit a clean ATP because of avoidable errors.
Many players struggle with the ATP not because they lack skill but because of small mistakes that affect timing and control.
Rushing the shot is a common issue. Players move too fast without setting their feet, which leads to poor contact. Slow down slightly, stay balanced, and focus on hitting with control instead of speed.
Overhitting is another problem. The ATP does not need power. A short flat swing is often more effective than trying to smash the ball, which usually sends it wide or into the net.
Misjudging the angle also leads to errors. If the ball is not wide or low enough, the ATP is not the right option. Make sure the ball has bounced outside the sideline and is moving away from the net before going for it.
With consistent practice, these mistakes can be avoided, and your ATP success rate will improve naturally.
Practice Drills for Mastering the ATP Shot in Pickleball
Avoiding common mistakes is only part of the process. To consistently execute the ATP, you also need to train the right habits through focused repetition.
Focus on Footwork First
The foundation of any successful ATP is footwork. You need to be quick, but not rushed. Practice explosive movement from the kitchen line to the sideline, especially reacting to sharp cross-court dinks or wide-angle returns.
Work on staying low, planting your feet properly, and recovering balance as you move outside the court boundaries. Bad footwork is the number one reason ATPs fail, even when the angle is available.
Drill: Set up cones or markers a few feet beyond the sideline near the net. Start at the kitchen line and sprint to the cone as if chasing a wide shot. Stop at the marker, simulate the swing, then reset. Repeat this 10–15 times on both sides.
Use a Feeding Partner for Live Reps
Training with a partner is a great way to practice like you’re in a real game. Ask your partner to stand across from you at an angle near the kitchen and send you wide dink shots. Try to reach the ball after it bounces and hit it around the post. Focus on keeping your shot controlled and accurate rather than powerful.
Drill: Begin by slowing the pace and increasing the angle. Once comfortable, increase feeding speed to challenge your reaction time and foot positioning.
Try Shadow Reps Without the Ball
Even without a partner, you can rehearse ATP footwork and swing mechanics through shadow practice. This helps ingrain proper body movement and paddle positioning without pressure or fatigue from real shots.
How to do it: Start at the kitchen line and imagine the ball being hit wide near the sideline. Quickly move toward that spot as if chasing the ball, then practice your swing as if hitting an ATP shot. Go back to your starting position and repeat the drill on both your forehand and backhand sides.
Watch Pro-Level Match Footage
Observing elite players is one of the fastest ways to absorb tactical patterns and shot selection. Study players like Ben Johns, JW Johnson, Anna Leigh Waters, or Tyson McGuffin.
Notice when they go for the ATP, how early they recognize the chance, how much space they leave between themselves and the post, and how they finish the shot. You will begin to understand not just how but when to hit the ATP in different scenarios.
Build It Into Match Play Gradually
Start by looking for ATP chances during casual games or practice matches. Many players miss clear ATP opportunities simply because they are not looking for them. The more you stay alert for wide bounces, the more confident you’ll become in committing to the move.
Do not force the shot when the angle is not there. Even in practice, discipline matters. Recognizing when not to go for an ATP is just as important as knowing when to attack.
ATP vs Erne: What’s the Difference
The ATP and Erne are both advanced pickleball shots, often seen in high-level play, but they differ in setup, execution, and timing.
ATP (Around the Post) is hit after the ball bounces and travels wide past the sideline. The player moves outside the court boundaries and strikes the ball around the net post, keeping it low and flat. It relies on the ball’s angle and bounce to create an open lane beside the net.
Erne is a volley shot taken out of the air by stepping or jumping outside the kitchen. The player positions near the net, times their movement perfectly, and attacks before the ball touches the ground. It often catches opponents off guard during predictable dink patterns.
ATP depends on ball placement and bounce. Erne depends on anticipation and aggressive positioning.
FAQs
ATP shots are difficult to return because they come in from wide angles where the court is often left open. Instead of going over the net, the ball goes around the post, which lets the player hit it low and quickly. Many top players use this shot not just to impress but because it gives them a real advantage during points.
Yes, ATP shots are completely legal in pickleball. The ball is allowed to go around the net post instead of over it as long as it lands inside the opponent’s court. This is part of the official rules.
No, you don’t need a powerful shot to make the ATP work. What matters more is control angle and timing. A smooth, flat swing is often enough to place the ball where your opponent can’t reach it.
Yes, beginners can learn the ATP with proper guidance and drills. It may take time to judge angles and footwork, but with practice, it becomes a valuable shot even at the intermediate level.
Conclusion
ATP shot is one of the most exciting and strategic tools a player can add to their game. It turns defensive situations into offensive opportunities and rewards players who are alert, quick, and precise.
From understanding what it is and when to use it, to practicing the right drills and avoiding common mistakes, each step you take brings more control and confidence to your performance.
You don’t need to hit ATPs in every match to be effective. But knowing how and when to execute them gives you an edge that many opponents won’t expect.
With focused practice, smart decision-making, and a willingness to learn from each attempt, the ATP can become a reliable part of your shot selection.
Keep your footwork clean, your paddle steady, and your eyes open for the angle, and the rest will come with time.