Winning Pickleball Strategy
Improve your doubles pickleball game with these key strategic tips from Tanner Tomassi
Introduction
Succeeding at pickleball requires mastery of strategy as much as stroke skills. Knowing when to drive the ball, where to aim returns, and how to mentally reset will give you an edge over opponents. In this guide, we'll breakdown five strategic concepts to integrate into your pickleball game right away. Master these principles from pro player Tanner Tomassi and start winning more points and games.
1. 0:13 Drive Thirds Instead of Drop
Far too often, players only hit drop shots on their third attempt, but driving the ball opens up more possibilities to win the point. You have several advantages when driving the third shot:
- Hitting at the opponent rushing the net could force a weak return you can slam.
- Driving down the middle can confuse opponents on whose ball it is.
- Less pace means less power required, so aim your drive at 75% power at the opponent's chest.
Driving third shots takes practice, but it leads to more put away opportunities and limits your opponents' options. Reserve drops for when you've pulled opponents far enough out of position that the drop will win the point.
2. 2:33 Sky Lobs for Defense
When trapped deep in your end, resist the temptation to hit desperate drop shot resets. Instead, send high looping lobs deep in the court to reclaim offense. Defensive lobs should have two qualities:
- Maximum height - the higher the lob, the less pace your opponent can generate on the return.
- Maximum depth - deep lobs force opponents back and allow you time to reposition.
High, deep lobs won't win points directly but let you take control and drive your next shot. Look to drive the ball after hitting a quality lob to approach the kitchen. Master the sky lob to transform from defense to offense.
3. 4:25 Dinking Patterns
Varying dink placements is an easy way to disrupt your opponents' rhythm and force errors. Avoid falling into predictable left-right dinking rallies. Mix up wide dinks with these:
- Down-the-middle dinks to either opponent's forehand or backhand side.
- Dinks to the foot of the player at the non-volley zone.
- Frequent placement changes, alternating sides.
The goal is preventing opponents from settling into a groove. Execute 2-3 shot sequences driving opponents off-balance. Maintain your consistency even as you introduce chaos on the other side. Creative dinking gives you an instant edge.
4. 7:12 Slice Backhand Returns
Take advantage of opponents with weaker backhands by slicing your returns to their backhand side:
- Sliced returns limit power and prevent opponents teeing off for winners.
- The extra backspin rushes opponents and leads to mishits.
- Master the continuous motion - step forward and sweep the slice in one fluid stroke.
Focus on keeping slice returns low and deep in the court rather than aiming for corners. Low returns are more problematic than sharp angles. The sliced backhand return is an easy skill to adopt and provides instant benefits.
5. 8:46 Mental Tip
Avoid compounding errors by treating every point the same, win or lose. Losing multiple points in a row tanks confidence and concentration leading to lopsided losses:
- No point is more or less valuable than another.
- Quickly refocus mentally between points without dwelling on past mistakes.
- Remain even-tempered whether you win or lose any given rally.
Holding negative emotions or frustration impacts future point performance. Maintain emotional control and mental resilience to play consistently well.
Conclusion
Implementing these pickleball strategies and concepts from Tanner Tomassi will upgrade your doubles game. Focus on driving more third shots, hitting defensive lobs, creating dink patterns, slicing returns, and maintaining mental composure. Master these areas of your strategic play and watch your win rate climb.
Pickleball Strategy Quiz
1. What are two advantages of driving third shots?
a) It can force weak returns to slam
b) It confuses opponents on who should take the ball
c) Less power is required so it's an easier shot
d) All of the above
2. Where should you aim third shot drives for the highest success rate?
a) Down the middle
b) At the opponent's shoulders
c) At the opponent's forehand
d) At the opponent's backhand
3. High lobs are effective for defense because they:
a) Prevent opponents from slamming winners
b) Allow you time to reposition yourself
c) Give you a chance to regain offense
d) All of the above
4. What are two ways to vary dink placements to disrupt an opponent's rhythm?
a) Use more pace and spin on dinks
b) Keep dinking to the forehand side
c) Alternate hitting behind opponents
d) Hit consistent down-the-middle dinks
5. What is the biggest benefit of slicing backhand returns?
a) Creates sharp crosscourt angles
b) Limits opponents' power
c) Produces more winners
d) Allows taking offense first
6. Where should you aim sliced backhand returns for optimal effectiveness?
a) Down the line
b) Toward the center of the court
c) Behind the opponent at the kitchen line
d) Wide to the corners
7. What tennis stroke is similar in form to the backhand pickleball slice?
a) The kick serve
b) The forehand topspin groundstroke
c) The one-handed backhand slice
d) The swinging volleyball
8. Losing multiple points in a row often leads to:
a) Temporary fatigue
b) Increased mental errors
c) Frustration and anger
d) All of the above
9. The mental approach of treating each point the same:
a) Keeps emotions under control
b) Quickly clears past mistakes from memory
c) Prevents dwelling on errors
d) All of the above
10. What shot does Tanner say wins points at the lower levels that should be avoided?
a) Lobs
b) Third shot drives
c) Drop shots
d) Returns down the middle
11. What is the recommended stroke to master for taking control of points when trapped deep in your end?
a) Offensive lobs
b) Cross-court forehand drives
c) Down the line backhand winners
d) Drop shot resets
12. When recovering from defense, Tanner says you should drive which shot?
a) The shot after hitting a quality lob
b) The third shot
c) Any mid-court balls
d) Only balls above the non-volley zone
13. What is the problem with falling into repetitive dinking patterns?
a) It's physically tiring
b) It's less entertaining to play
c) It allows opponents to settle into a rhythm
d) It inhibits being creative
14. What should you do if your opponent gains a slight advantage during a point?
a) Attempt a surprise drop shot
b) Call for a distraction
c) Quickly change where you place your next dink
d) Double fault to end the point
15. What is the most important mental tip for matches?
a) Visualize winning before serving
b) Avoid negative body language
c) Do not compound multiple mistakes
d) Celebrate points emotionally to stay positive
Answer Key:
- d
- b
- d
- d
- b
- b
- c
- d
- d
- c
- a
- a
- c
- c
- c
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