If you've ever played or watched a competitive pickleball match, you may have heard players or commentators mention an "ATP" shot. But what exactly is an ATP in pickleball—and how can it improve your game and your pickleball ratings?

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What does ATP stand for in pickleball?

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ATP stands for Around The Post, one of the most exciting and skillful shots in pickleball. Unlike most shots that travel over the net, an ATP travels around the net post—completely outside the boundary of the net—and still lands inbounds on your opponent’s side.

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Is the ATP Legal?

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Yes! According to official pickleball rules, a ball does not need to go over the net, as long as:

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• It crosses to the opponent’s side,
  
  
• Lands within the court boundaries, and
  
  
• The player does not touch the net or opponent’s court..
  
  

When to Hit an ATP Shot

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ATP opportunities usually happen when your opponent hits a sharp-angled dink or drive that pulls you far off the court. If that ball bounces near the sideline, you may have a clean angle to hit an ATP.

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Key tip from the pros: Be patient and wait as long as you can to hit the shot.  The longer you wait, the better angle you have to hit the ball around the post.

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The ATP and Competitive Pickleball Tournaments

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In high-level pickleball tournaments, the ATP isn’t just a flashy shot—it can be a momentum-shifting tactic. Players who master it can surprise opponents, win crowd-pleasing points, and show off a deep understanding of pickleball strategy.

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Key Pickleball Rules for ATP Shots

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• You can go around the net post, but cannot touch the net, posts, or your opponent’s court while the ball is live.
  
  
• The ball must land in bounds, even though it travels around the net.
  
  
• If your momentum carries you onto the opponent’s court—or if anything you’re wearing or holding (like a paddle or hat) crosses the line before your shot—it’s a fault.
  
  
• You can’t cross the imaginary extension of the net unless you’ve already made contact with the ball (unless the ball has already bounced on your end of the court and has bounced back to the opponent’s end. Yeah, it gets complicated!)
  
  

How to Practice the ATP

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Want to add the ATP to your game? Try this:

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• Drill wide-angle dinks with a partner to simulate real ATP scenarios.
  
  
• Focus on footwork—positioning early is everything.
  
  
• Work on paddle angle and follow-through to keep your shot low and in bounds.

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The ATP is more than just a flashy highlight—it’s a powerful, legal weapon when executed correctly. Whether you're chasing higher DUPR ratings or just want to win more games, learning to hit the Around The Post shot gives you a serious edge.

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