Inside The Mind of a 6.0-Level Pickleball Match
Watching pros is one of the quickest ways to elevate your game. But it's not just about copying their moves—it's about developing your Pickleball IQ. Today, we’re diving into one of my matches, pulling out those under-the-radar moments that can shift your mindset from amateur to expert. Let’s get into it!
1. Crosscourt Placement Over the Middle
At 1:00, my partner bailed me out of a tough situation—credit where credit’s due. But what I want you to focus on is where I hit the ball when I was under pressure. The old me? I would have gone for a shot straight to the middle, which might seem safer. But here’s the problem: If it’s not perfect, the opponent (in this case, Yates) is sitting there with his forehand, ready to attack. Going crosscourt was the smarter play. Why? It creates more distance for your opponent to cover, which means more time for you to recover and get into a neutral rally.
💡 Pro Tip: In dinking rallies, avoid hitting directly into your opponent’s strike zone. Crosscourt shots stretch the court and make it harder for your opponents to attack.
2. Neutral to Advantage: Recognizing the Shift
At 2:06, we were in a neutral dinking rally when they hit a sharp dink, putting us on the defensive. We had to dig ourselves out, but what I want you to notice is this: even when they had the advantage, they didn’t panic. Good players stay calm in tough spots, and they work their way back into neutral.
💡 Pro Tip: Stay patient and avoid panicking when you’re on defense. Just keep making one more dink, and the pressure will shift.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of the Middle Dink
At 3:19, we were hammering balls at our opponents, and they held their ground. But here’s the kicker: when I dinked the ball to the middle, it was a turning point. My opponent went wide, and it floated up, giving us the opening to attack. Dinking to the middle is safer because it doesn’t cross any paddles. When you’re unsure, go middle. Your opponent might try to create an angle and beat themselves before you even have to!
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re ever uncomfortable in a dinking rally, aim for the middle. It’s safer and forces your opponent to make the first move.
4. Short Returns = Big Opportunities
Here’s a golden nugget from 4:13: when the return of serve is short, it’s game on. In this point, Richard hit a strong third-shot drive after a short return, setting us up perfectly. When you see that short return, you can be more aggressive, whether it’s with a drive or a drop. I knew right away Richard was going to either smash a drive or hit an aggressive drop, and I adjusted my position accordingly.
💡 Pro Tip: Pay attention to your opponent’s return depth. A short return means you can attack aggressively. Use it as an opportunity to dictate the point.
5. Court Positioning and the Dreaded "Dead Dink"
At 8:00, we made one small mistake that changed the entire point. I hit a dead dink to the middle of the court, and it gave them full control. We went from having the upper hand to being on defense instantly. The lesson? Dead dinks kill momentum. If you’re going to dink middle, make sure it’s low and controlled. A dead dink gives your opponent the chance to dictate the point.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid giving your opponent easy balls to attack. Focus on keeping your dinks low and out of their power zones.
Bonus: Mastering the Ernie
Let’s talk about one of my favorite moves: the Ernie. At 5:09, I set up the perfect Ernie after reading the situation. My partner hit an aggressive third shot, which pushed our opponent wide, creating the perfect opportunity. The key here is anticipation. The moment you see a dead dink, that’s your green light. I anticipated the pop-up and pounced on it, putting the point away.
💡 Pro Tip: Learn to anticipate dead dinks, especially in doubles. When your partner hits a ball wide or aggressively, be ready to poach with an Ernie.
Key Takeaways:
Go crosscourt to stretch the court and avoid feeding your opponent’s power zones.
Stay calm on defense, and work your way back to neutral.
Dinking to the middle is a safe strategy—use it when you’re unsure.
Short returns give you a green light to be aggressive.
Avoid dead dinks, and keep the ball low to maintain control.
Improving your Pickleball IQ starts with recognizing these moments in your own game. The pros aren’t just physically better; they think differently. Learn to recognize when you’re at an advantage, and capitalize on it. Watch for those subtle shifts in momentum, and you’ll start winning more points, guaranteed.