Letting Out Balls Go
Also known as: letting the ball go out in pickleball, letting out balls go, judging out balls in pickleball, how to tell if a ball is going out, shoulder high drives, not hitting out balls, bounce it
Let hard balls go when they are still rising at your shoulders or higher, especially if they were hit from near the kitchen line or with a big swing. Those often land long. Keep your paddle low and out of the way, and have your partner call "no" or "bounce" early. If the ball touches you before it lands, you lose the rally.
A ball is out only when it lands out. Once you hit it, the rally goes on, and an out ball becomes your problem to return. If it touches your body or clothing before it lands, it is a fault against you, even if it was heading long. So the skill is reading early which balls to leave alone.
Shoulder height is a warning sign, not a final answer. Pickleball Union suggests stacking several clues. Where was it hit from? A shoulder-high ball from the kitchen has less room to land than one from the baseline. Was it hit hard from below net height? Then it had to go up, and it often sails. A big backswing near the kitchen, or a hitter who is off balance, adds to the odds. Flat and sliced balls tend to carry, while topspin can dip in late. Sharp angles and a tailwind also make out balls more likely.
Teamwork helps, because the player hitting is focused on the ball. While the ball is in the air, a partner's "no," "bounce" or "out" is just communication, not a line call. Agree on your calls before the game, and trust your partner unless you clearly see the ball dropping in. Hold your paddle a little lower as you back up, so a reflex swing does not reach balls that would go out.
Tips by skill level
If a hard ball reaches your shoulders and is still rising, lower your paddle and let it fly by. Watch where it lands to train your judgment.
Read the hitter, not just the ball. Low contact, a big backswing near the kitchen and a flat hit add up to a likely out ball. Give extra respect to topspin, which can dip in late.
Example
At the kitchen line, an opponent rips a flat speed-up from below net height. The ball is still climbing at shoulder level, so the player pulls her paddle down and lets it go. It lands a foot long.
Why it matters
Every out ball you play gives your opponent a second chance. Letting more of them go is a simple way to cut errors without changing your strokes.
Common mistakes
- Swinging at every hard ball out of reflex
- Holding the paddle high, which invites a reflex volley at shoulder-high out balls
- Letting topspin drives go when they can dip in late
- Ducking but leaving the paddle or body in the ball's path
Frequently asked questions
How do I know when to let a ball go out in pickleball?
Hard balls still rising at your shoulders or higher often land long, especially when hit from near the kitchen or with a big swing. Topspin can dip in late, so be more careful with it.
Should I let shoulder high drives go in pickleball?
Often, yes, especially if they are still rising or were hit from close to the net. Treat shoulder height as a warning sign and check other clues, like spin and where the hitter stood.
If I hit a ball that was going out, whose point is it?
Once you hit it, the ball is still in play, so you must return it legally. If your return lands out or in the net, you lose the rally. A ball that touches your body before landing is also a fault against you.
Can my partner call a ball out before it lands?
Yes, as a warning. While the ball is in the air, a partner's "out" or "bounce" counts as communication, not a line call. Agree on your calls before the game.
Sources
Related terms
- Out of Bounds CallAn out-of-bounds call means a ball landed outside the court's sideline or baseline. Any part of the ball touching a boundary line counts as in, not out.
- Ball Hits a PlayerIf a ball in play touches you or anything you wear or carry, you lose the rally. The exceptions are your paddle and your paddle hand below the wrist while it holds the paddle. This applies even if you are standing out of bounds and the ball would have landed out.
- Attackable BallAn attackable ball is any shot that sits above the net tape when the opponent contacts it. That lets them drive it or speed it up downward.
- Hands BattleA hands battle is a rapid-fire exchange of speed-ups and counters at the kitchen line. Reaction speed, paddle readiness, and placement under pressure win it.
- Partner CommunicationPartner communication in doubles pickleball is the ongoing verbal and non-verbal exchange — "mine", "yours", "switch", "bounce it" — that keeps both players coordinated and prevents errors from confusion.
- Playing Against BangersA banger is a player who drives almost every ball hard. To beat one, keep your shots low so they must hit up, block their drives softly into the kitchen, and get to the net. Let shoulder-high drives go when they look long.
Related guides & benchmarks
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