The Ultimate Around-the-Post (ATP) Pickleball Guide: Rules, Strategy, Drills, and Pro Tips

If you’ve ever watched a pickleball rally end with the ball zipping past the net post and somehow landing in, you’ve seen the around-the-post—better known as the ATP. It’s the shot that makes crowds gasp and opponents groan. And yes, it’s 100% legal when done correctly.

Whether you’re just getting comfortable at the kitchen or you’re an intermediate player hunting for a new weapon, this guide will walk you through everything ATP: the official rules (including the “no need to clear the net” shocker), when to try it, how to execute it, practice drills, and how to defend it—plus pro examples and fun trivia to keep you inspired.

Let’s turn that sharp crosscourt dink against your team into your next highlight.

What Is an Around-the-Post (ATP) in Pickleball?

Definition: An ATP is a shot struck outside the singles or doubles sideline that travels around (or occasionally under) the net post, touches no permanent object, and lands anywhere in the opponent’s court—the kitchen included.

Key notes:

• The ball can be struck above, level with, or below the top of the net.
• You can hit it with slice, topspin, or flat.
• It can be a volley or off a bounce.

Not to be confused with:

• Erne: Player jumps or steps over/around the NVZ corner to volley before the ball crosses the sideline.
• Inside-out crosscourt dink: Still travels over the net.
• “Through-the-net”: Illegal because the ball passes through the mesh.

The Official ATP Rules (USA Pickleball 2025)

Exact rule language:

• 11.M Around-the-Post (ATP) Shot
• 11.M.1 A player may return the ball around the outside of either net post.
• 11.M.2 The ball is not required to travel back over the net.
• 11.M.3 There is no restriction on the height of the return.
• 11.M.4 After striking the ball, a player may cross the plane of the net outside the posts, provided neither the player nor anything he/she is wearing or carrying touches the opponent’s court.

Helpful related rules:

• 11.I Plane of the Net: You may not cross the plane of the net inside the posts until after striking the ball.
• 11.L Net Contact: You (or anything you wear/carry) may not touch the net system when the ball is live.
• 7.L Ball contacting permanent objects: If your shot touches the net post or fencing before landing in, it’s your fault.
• 3.A.32 Imaginary Net Extension: The net is considered to extend infinitely upward and sideways.

Good to know:

• IFP and World Pickleball Federation use identical language—ATP is legal worldwide in sanctioned play.
• You cannot hit an ATP serve. Rule 4.A.1 requires serves to pass over the net; the ATP is legal only during a rally.

When to Go for an ATP (and When to Hold Back)

High-percentage scenarios

• Sharp-angle crosscourt dink drags you outside the sideline.
• Opponent poaches and redirects the ball off-court.
• Wind blowing from outside-in helps curve it back in.
• Singles: A deep, wide topspin passing shot sets up a running ATP.

Think twice if…

• The ball still has serious pace—control and placement get tough.
• Your partner is set in the middle—resetting may be safer.
• Opponent is hugging the sideline—the ball may come right back at you.

Coaching tip: In doubles, call “ATP!” early so your partner knows to cover middle if your shot returns.

How to Hit an ATP: Mechanics, Footwork, and Spin

Follow this simple sequence:

1. Recognition
   See the ball curling outside the post? Open your hips and shoulders down the sideline immediately.

2. Move your feet
   Use a crossover or quick shuffle while staying low. Pivot your outside foot (closest to the fence) to create space between you and the ball.

3. Contact zone

• Strike the ball out in front with a slightly open paddle face.
• Right-handed forehand ATP on the right sideline is generally the easiest—your paddle naturally “wraps” the post.
• Backhand ATPs or opposite-side ATPs often rely on slice for control.

4. Follow-through and balance
   Finish the paddle toward your target. Decelerate your body so you don’t step into the net post or opponent’s court.

5. Recover
   Expect a possible return. Re-establish position quickly.

Spin options:

• Slice/underspin: Keeps the ball skidding low and tough to lift.
• Topspin: Brush up the outside half of the ball to bend it back in—great when you’re way outside the sideline.
• Flat: Fastest but lowest margin for error.

Targeting and Angles That Raise Your Success Rate

Primary targets:

• Safest: 2–3 feet inside the opponent’s sideline, halfway between the NVZ line and baseline.
• For winners: The back corner of the kitchen—about 1 foot inside the sideline and 2–3 feet inside the baseline.
• Singles: Aim deep into the corner opposite where your opponent’s momentum is taking them.

The farther outside the post you are, the more you should aim inside the lines to allow for curve and skid.

Drills to Master the ATP

• Solo wall drill
  Set tape on a wall for “sideline” and “net height.” Feed yourself sharp angles and rehearse ATP swings with different spins.

• Partner feed drill
  Partner stands at the opposite NVZ and feeds extreme crosscourt dinks. You decide “dink, reset, or ATP.” Increase speed and difficulty gradually.

• Cone target ladder
  Place four cones in the opposite court: short sideline, kitchen corner, mid-court, deep corner. Score 1 point for each ATP that tags a cone. Race to 10.

• Transition drill
  From the baseline, partner lobs a high topspin crosscourt. Sprint, play an ATP off the bounce, and recover to mid-court. Builds balance and cardio under fatigue.

How to Defend the ATP

• Protect the sideline: Outside foot near or behind the NVZ line; keep your paddle low.
• Read the spin: Expect slice—get under the ball early with a soft wrist.
• Use the geometry: A simple block volley back to middle often works—the attacker is usually off the court.
• Communicate: In doubles, the inside player frequently has a better angle to retrieve an ATP that drifts toward center.

Referee and Line-Call Essentials (What Players Should Know)

• Ball path doesn’t matter—landing spot does. The ball can pass several feet outside the sideline and still be legal if it lands in.
• Momentum faults: If, after contact, your foot or body crosses into the opponent’s court, it’s a fault.
• Net/post contact: If you or your partner’s paddle, clothing, or gear touches the net system or post while the ball is live, it’s a fault.
• Positioning: Referees often step toward the NVZ to avoid the post blocking their view during potential ATPs.

Gear and Court Factors That Affect ATP Success

• Paddle shape: A wider 16″ x 8″ paddle gives a larger strike zone; elongated 16.5″ x 7.5″ offers extra reach outside the line.
• Edge-guard vs. edgeless: Edgeless designs can save mishits on stretched ATP contacts.
• Net posts: Temporary systems usually have smaller-diameter posts, creating a slightly larger “window” for ATPs.
• Surface: Gritty courts grab underspin; slick acrylic can make skidding balls harder to handle and create more ATP chances.

Pro ATP Highlights to Study

• Ben Johns vs. Matt Wright, 2021 Texas Open (men’s doubles final): Three straight ATP winners in one rally.
• Anna Leigh Waters, 2022 Cincinnati Open (mixed semi): Backhand ATP selected as PPA “Shot of the Year.”
• JW Johnson, 2023 US Nationals singles quarterfinal: Running forehand ATP made ESPN’s Top 10.
• ALW/Parris Todd vs. Catherine Parenteau/Lea Jansen, 2024 PPA Desert Ridge: Back-to-back ATPs in the same rally.

Watch these (YouTube searches):

Ben Johns ATP Texas Open 2021

Leigh Waters ATP Cincinnati Open 2022

JW Johnson vs. Julian Arnold – Gold Medal Match Highlights – PPA Peachtree Classic

Study what sets up the ATP (sharp angles, poaches), their first step, contact point, and recovery.

Fun Facts and Trivia

• The “ATP” name was borrowed from tennis highlight reels in the 1970s.
• Fastest recorded ATP winner in pro pickleball: 63 mph off the paddle (Dekel Bar, 2023 Denver Open; Hawkeye data).
• Longest recorded “ATP rally”: A 43-shot dink exchange ending in an ATP by Callie Smith (2019 Tournament of Champions).
• Youngest sanctioned ATP: Camden Davis, age 9 (Utah Junior Circuit, 2022).

ATP FAQs

Q: Is the ATP legal in pickleball?
A: Yes. USA Pickleball Rule 11.M explicitly allows it. The ball can go around the outside of the post and does not have to pass over the net.

Q: Can I hit an ATP from the kitchen (NVZ)?
A: Yes. The ball can land anywhere in the opponent’s court, including the kitchen. Just avoid touching the net or stepping into the opponent’s court after contact.

Q: Do I have to keep the ATP below the net height?
A: No. There’s no height restriction (Rule 11.M.3). You can hit it above, level with, or below the net.

Q: Can I serve around the post?
A: No. All serves must pass over the net (Rule 4.A.1). ATPs are rally-only shots.

Q: What’s the difference between an Erne and an ATP?
A: An Erne is a volley taken by stepping/jumping outside the NVZ near the sideline before the ball crosses the line—over the net. An ATP travels around the post outside the sideline and doesn’t have to go over the net.

Final Takeaway: Add the ATP to Your Toolkit

The around-the-post is more than a highlight; it’s a high-IQ counter to sharp angles and poaches. Start by recognizing the setup, get your hips turned, create space with your feet, and aim safely 2–3 feet inside the sideline. Layer in slice for control and topspin when you’re farther outside the post.

Your next steps:

• Run the cone ladder and partner feed drills this week.
• Watch the pro clips and mirror their footwork.
• In your next match, call “ATP!” early—take your shot, then recover to the middle.

Have a favorite ATP moment or a question about execution? Share it with your doubles partner—your future highlight reel awaits.