What the Around-the-Post Shot Is
The around the post shot, or ATP, is one of the most exciting plays in pickleball. Instead of hitting the ball back over the net, you send it around the outside of the net post, often below net height, so it curves into your opponent's court. It looks like it should be against the rules, but the around the post shot is completely legal.
New players are usually surprised by this. The ball never has to travel over the net, and there is no minimum height it must clear. According to the official USA Pickleball Rulebook, Rule 11.M states that a player may return the ball around the outside of the net post, and the return is not required to travel back over the net. The ball can pass below the height of the net and still count.
The one thing to watch is the post itself. If your ball strikes the net post on the way around, it is a fault, since the post is out of bounds. The shot only counts when the ball travels cleanly around the post and lands in the legal court.
When to Attempt an ATP
The ATP is not a shot you go looking for. It appears when your opponent gives you the right ball, and your job is to recognize the setup quickly.
The opportunity usually shows up when a ball is hit wide and angled, pulling you off the side of the court near the sideline. The wider and lower the ball travels, the better your angle around the post becomes. A sharp cross-court dink or a wide drive that drifts past the sideline is the classic ATP feeder.
Look for these signals before committing:
- The ball is traveling away from the court, outside the sideline
- The ball is at or below net height, giving you a clear path around the post
- You have time to move your feet and set your base
- A straight return over the net would be awkward or weak
If the ball is still high or floating over the court, a standard return is the safer choice. The ATP rewards patience and good reads, not forcing the spectacular option.