Know Your Opponent

Fun lesson today with some great people!

This group came ready to focus on strategy, and we dove right in. One of the biggest takeaways from the session was this: while there are traditional patterns and tactics in pickleball, real strategy comes from understanding who you're playing.

What do your opponents do well—and just as importantly, what don’t they? Do they struggle with backhands? Are they stronger in the soft game or fast exchanges? Are they quick on their feet? Would a well-placed lob be effective?

There’s no single formula for winning points in pickleball. Success comes from reading your opponents and tailoring your strategy to beat them. If you know your opponents beforehand, great—start building your game plan early. If you don’t, use the first few points to test things out:

  • Drive the third and see how they handle pace.

  • Dink to their backhand or to the middle and see how solid they are.

  • Try a lob and observe their footwork and reaction.

Every shot gives you information. Store it. Use it. Build your strategy based on what you learn in real time. 

👉 If you're in the Placerville or Folsom area and want to level up your game, book a lesson with me here: https://calendly.com/pickleballplaymaker

📘 Stay tuned for the "Playmaker Blueprint"—an exclusive, step-by-step guide to setting up points like a pro, available only to subscribers!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Small Pickleball Paddle Brands 2025

Image
In this blog, I’ll be ranking the top five small paddle companies in pickleball. These up-and-coming Brands have grown in popularity thanks to their impressive balance of affordability and performance. I’ll admit—I have strong opinions when it comes to small paddle companies, so this list might spark some disagreement. But I stand by my picks and won’t shy away from sharing my honest perspective. #5: Reload  Kicking off the list at number five is one of the most innovative brands in pickleball—Reload. Unlike traditional paddle companies, Reload markets itself as a paddle system rather than just a paddle. They’re the only brand currently offering replaceable top sheets, allowing players to restore spin performance without buying an entirely new paddle. While Reload earns points for creativity and value, it lands at number five because of its limited offerings—there's currently only one paddle shape and no Gen 3 core technology. If spin is your top priority, Reload is worth a seri...
Read more

Top 5 Paddle's the Pros Play With

Image
The debate over which paddle is best will never end. Some players love experimenting with new gear, while others are fiercely loyal to their chosen brand. In this blog, we're narrowing the paddle space from the hundreds of models on the market to the five most common brands used by professionals. This isn’t a list of the best paddles for recreational players—nor is it necessarily a ranking of which brands offer the best performance for pros. When players decide to pursue a professional career, it's common for them to seek out paddle sponsorships. On the flip side, there are brands that don’t sponsor pros—either due to limited resources or lack of interest—which naturally shrinks the field of options for aspiring professionals. I know not everyone is going pro, but if you’re a pickleball nerd like me and watch a lot of PPA and MLP events, you probably find this stuff just as interesting as I do. This list highlights the five paddle brands you’ll see most often on the PPA and ...
Read more

Why the Fourth Shot Matters More Than You Think

Image
Pickleball players and coaches often put a huge emphasis on the third shot—serve, return, and then the all-important drop or drive. It's a popular topic, and for good reason. But what rarely gets talked about is the fourth shot —the ball played immediately after the third shot. Whether it's a counter to a drive or a response to a drop, the fourth shot can actually be one of the most important weapons in your arsenal. When you are about to hit a fourth shot, you and your partner should be established at the kitchen line. If you aren't, refer to my previous blog .  There are several smart options for how to handle the fourth shot , and your choice depends entirely on the type of third shot you receive: 1. If you receive a third shot drop into the kitchen: Dink it cross-court. This is often the safest and smartest response, especially if your opponent hits a solid drop and you’re unsure of a better option. It keeps you on point and resets the rally. Or Attack a hig...
Read more