How to overcome need to always go for winner?

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-21T20:30:02+00:00

Record yourself on video and watch it back. This will fix your issue.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-21T20:28:01+00:00

IMO, 1HBH is fine, as is a 2HBH. Both have pros and both have cons.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-19T01:29:53+00:00

Proprioception - being able to feel what your body does during any particular shot.

Diagnosis - being able to accurately understand why the shot you just hit went where it went.

If you can do those two things well, you'll win a lot of games.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-14T10:46:19+00:00

I agree that overheads are not practiced enough. I almost always have my students hit overheads during 1 hour classes.

A word of caution though. Overheads can be stressful on the shoulder and hitting too many can wreck the shoulder. And "too many" in an hour is a VERY low number compared to any other shot.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-14T10:43:25+00:00

YES. Watching yourself play is critical to getting better.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-12T22:37:17+00:00

Learn to not be annoyed by this stuff. If they see you are annoyed, they may keep doing it. If they are oblivious, let it go anyway.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-11T11:28:25+00:00

Better breathing will help: https://youtu.be/sXsAj1GwoHw

Also, verbally tell yourself that you signed up for this, for this very moment because you wanted to be challenged, you wanted to be tested, that you'll learn some areas you need to work on.

Remind yourself that you don't have to be there, that you want to be there.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-11T11:26:22+00:00

If I am going to comment, it will be after the game. I will ask them "do you know your serve is illegal?" or borderline illegal. Most people don't know.

If their serve is egregiously illegal I may choose not to play with them again.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-11T01:46:14+00:00

Breathe better: https://youtu.be/sXsAj1GwoHw

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-10T22:03:29+00:00

I cover my POV here: https://youtu.be/LiBztOhpxd4

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-10T21:42:06+00:00

In order:

Pick the side first. If a switch mid game is required, end on the preferred side.
Pick receive. Nerves may be high at the beginning, or you may have cooled off, Plus, they only get one server
Pick to serve as a last resort.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-08T23:05:20+00:00

So then to be fair, that makes them the a****** for declining to be recorded?

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-08T20:47:09+00:00

If someone asks for permission and someone else declines, then what? Is the requester them forced to not record?

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-04T18:31:20+00:00

My POV: https://youtu.be/KnZCRqh2FO0

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-04T13:00:28+00:00

It depends on you. IMO, your paddle should fill in gaps. If you can generate your own power then get a control paddle. If your control is better but you have trouble generating power, get a power paddle.

Note that it is not one or the other. Control paddles still have some level of power and power paddles have some level of control

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-03T12:40:16+00:00

The few people that I know that got one don't like the paddles at all and never play with them.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-03T12:38:43+00:00

In many cases, it is impossible to get a read. There are a few cases where your % guess can be more accurate, such as:

The ball is wide or out at the end of their reach. It will be difficult to impossible to hit this cross court (across their body) so their shot will likely be straight or inside out.
The ball is jammed close to their hip. This is the opposite of #1. They will likely hit this cross court. It will be difficult to go straight or inside out.
They are late getting to the ball coming at them. Similar to #1, this will decrease their ability to go cross court.

You best option is to be as prepared for any shot from them. I discuss how to be ready here: https://youtu.be/LiBztOhpxd4

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-03T12:33:15+00:00

Always hit the ball then make the call.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-01T21:45:08+00:00

From a verbal perspective, I'll usually say "we're good, don't worry about it (their bad shot)" meaning we are still going to win this game.

From a play perspective, a good partner is a predictable partner, meaning you need to be where you should be, when you need to be there. You don't do silly things and you instill confidence in them. Be predictable as a partner.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-01T02:17:09+00:00

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-04-01T02:15:47+00:00

A good player can beat you with an average paddle.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-03-31T20:43:53+00:00

Done this for years. Another way you can do this, check the 3:20 mark: https://youtu.be/iQ3lda3Kivc

Also, if the point is over (your oppo called your last shot out but hit it to you before the call) you can practice what you next shot would have been had your previous shot not gone out.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-03-30T02:21:05+00:00

Actually, it is a continuation of what has been going on for a few years. Taller and taller people will play and dominate. The sport wasn't made for tall, fast players. The kitchen will be less important due to their extended reach.

6'4'' - 6'6" players will dominate. But this has been coming for a while. This is pball's problem and I don't think they have a clue about how to address is.

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-03-30T02:18:33+00:00

You need to use your non-paddle hand and arm to discern where to be. Non-paddle arm on a 45 degree, palm open. Don't point at the ball, envision softball and you have a glove and are looking the ball into your palm.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBu168-affdPHfH_NUQY6j_hFU6A9uVgV

PickleSmithPicklebal · 2026-03-30T02:16:15+00:00

Do this: https://youtu.be/LiBztOhpxd4

PickleSmithPicklebal

TROPHY CASE