What is an ATP (around the post) shot?

In pickleball, an ATP (around the post) shot occurs when a player hits the ball to one side of the net post rather than over the net itself. The ball must still clear the net wire or boundary on the far side of the post to be legal. This means the ball travels laterally around the net's edge instead of taking a direct path over the top.

The ATP shot is completely legal under official pickleball rules. What matters for legality is whether the ball clears the net's outer boundary (marked by the post) and lands in the opponent's court. The route the ball takes to get there, whether over the net or around it, does not affect the shot's validity.

ATP shots are used tactically in pickleball to catch opponents out of position or to exploit angles from the sidelines. They require accuracy since the margin for error is smaller than conventional shots over the net. Players typically attempt ATP shots from positions near the sideline where the angle is favorable and the opponent is not covering that side of the court.

Understanding ATP shots is useful for both players learning court strategy and for those seeking coaching at Klang Valley courts where instructors can teach proper footwork and ball placement for executing these angled shots effectively.