Pickleball Tips for Playing Bangers
Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that has swept the globe. The game is played with a lightweight ball that looks like a wiffle ball and paddles that look like oversized table tennis paddles. The game is simple to learn, but mastering the various techniques and strategies involved can take years of practice.
One of the most difficult aspects of pickleball is competing against opponents who have a strong banger game. Bangers are players who rely heavily on power shots, hitting the ball hard and fast in an attempt to overwhelm their opponents. There are, however, strategies you can employ to counteract this style of play and gain an advantage in a match. Here are some strategies for dealing with bangers.
Slow Down the Speed
Bangers thrive on a fast-paced game, so slowing down the pace is one of the best ways to throw them off. This entails exercising greater control, taking your time between shots, and ensuring that your own shots are precise and accurate. Concentrate on making good shot selections and placing the ball in areas of the court where your opponent will find it difficult to return.
Stay at the Net
If your opponent is a banger, they will often try to hit the ball hard and deep, aiming for the back of the court. By staying at the net, you can take away this advantage, as it will be more difficult for your opponent to hit the ball past you. Make sure to position yourself well at the net, keeping your paddle up and ready for any shots that come your way.
Mix up Your Shots
To keep your opponent guessing, it is important to mix up your shots. This means using a variety of different shots, including lobs, dinks, and drives. By changing up your shots, you can throw your opponent off their game and force them to adjust their own play style.
Use Spin
Adding spin to your shots can be an effective way to neutralize a banger’s power game. By putting spin on the ball, you can make it more difficult for your opponent to control their return, as the ball will move in unexpected ways. This can also give you more control over the pace of the game, as you can use spin to slow down or speed up the ball as needed.
Move Your Opponent
Bangers often rely on their power to win points, but they can struggle when forced to move around the court. By hitting shots that force your opponent to move from side to side, you can tire them out and make it more difficult for them to hit powerful shots. You can also use this strategy to create openings on the court that you can then exploit to win points.
Focus on Defense
When playing against a banger, it is critical to concentrate on defense. This includes remaining alert and ready to respond to your opponent’s shots, as well as being willing to play longer rallies if necessary. You can wear down your opponent and force them to make mistakes by playing strong defense.
To summarize, playing pickleball against a banger can be intimidating, but with the right strategies and tactics, you can beat them at their own game. You can neutralize a banger’s power game and gain the upper hand on the court by slowing down the pace, staying at the net, mixing up your shots, using spin, moving your opponent, and focusing on defense. So, the next time you come across a banger, don’t panic – just keep these tips in mind.
Contact Pickleball and Tennis Coach Audrey if you want to elevate your game. Audrey is also a certified MGCP Mental Coaching Professional.