Before you step onto the pickleball court, have a plan in place with your partner on how you are going to attack your opponents. Discuss your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and create a plan of attack. It is very important to figure out your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses quickly because the team that creates and executes an effective strategy the quickest into the game will usually be the winning team.

If you are unsure of your opponents, ask your friends if they have any insights. If your friends cannot offer you any insights, and you and your partner are completely in the dark about your opponents, try the following tips to quickly figure out your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses:

1. Pay Attention During Warmup – Watch your opponents play during warmup. Unless your opponents are intentionally changing their game during warmup (which they very well could be), how your opponents play during warmup could give you some insightful information for during the game. Pay attention to see if you can find any of your opponents’ strengths or weaknesses.

2. Feel Your Opponents Out – During the first few points a game, play straight-up, no-nonsense pickleball. In other words, make your opponents hit winning shots by:

a. Hit your serves and returns of serve deep, in play, and down the middle;

b. Play to your strengths;

c. Play to your opponents’ backhands and down at their feet; and

d. Play the high percentage shots and avoid the unforced errors.

By playing straight-up, no-nonsense pickleball, you will give you and your partner an opportunity to analyze your opponents and find their strengths and weaknesses, hopefully, without losing many points (if any). Once you have played a few points, converse with your partner, create a plan of attack, and execute it.

3. Adjust – Pickleball, like most sports, is a game of adjustments. If your strategy is not working, give your opponents a different look or try something different. Remember to call a timeout if you need a moment to regroup with your partner. On the flip side, if your strategy is working and you are winning points, stay with the plan!

Key Takeaways:

1. Have a plan and execute that plan with your partner.

2. Find your opponents’ weaknesses prior to the match or during the first few points by playing high-percentage pickleball.

3. If your strategy is not working, change it!