Fake ATP
Also known as: fake around-the-post, ATP fake
A fake ATP is a deceptive shot where the player winds up as if going around the post, drawing the opponent wide, then redirects the ball crosscourt or down the line.
The around-the-post (ATP) shot is one of pickleball's most spectacular legal plays. The fake ATP exploits the fact that opponents must respect its threat — if an opponent sees you move wide and steps to cover the ATP angle, you redirect the ball the other way to the now-open court. Executing a convincing fake requires moving wide enough and raising the paddle in a believable ATP motion while maintaining the balance and control to redirect. At elite levels, both the real ATP and the fake ATP coexist in a read-and-react game.
Example
A player sprints wide as if to go around the post; the opponent shifts to cover the ATP angle; the player redirects crosscourt into the vacated space.
Why it matters
The fake ATP wins points through deception, not just skill. SwingVantage tracks wide-court movement patterns so you learn when the real ATP sets up versus when the fake pays off.
Related terms
- ErneAn Erne is an aggressive shot where a player jumps or runs around the outside of the kitchen to volley a ball near the net, legally taking it out of the air beside the non-volley zone.
- Around-the-Post (ATP)An around-the-post is a legal shot hit around the outside of the net post — below net height — when a wide-angled ball pulls you off the court. There’s no rule the ball must travel over the net.
- Court PositioningCourt positioning is the ongoing management of where you stand relative to the net, your partner, and the ball — the foundation of all tactical decision-making in pickleball.
- Golden Position at KitchenThe golden position is the optimal stance at the kitchen line — approximately one foot behind the NVZ line, balanced and paddle-ready — from which a player can cover the widest range of shots without sacrificing dink quality.
Related guides & benchmarks
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