5 Mental Mistakes that are Messing with Your Game

We all know that pickleball is 70% mental. Honing in on our mental mistakes will serve us exponentially on the court. Here are some common mistakes and ways to adjust to fix them. 

1. Letting Mistakes Matter

When you dwell on your mistakes-especially if there are a few in a row, the negative thoughts start steamrolling over your game.

You need to let it go very quickly, and the best way to do that is to perform a 

Quick Court Reset: make an adjustment and welcome the next point.

Create a Reset Ritual for yourself.

A Reset combines Breathing with a Physical Movement with a Mantra / Court Catchphrase 

Breathing is so important to do on the court. Yesterday I was in a super long rally and one of my opponents said, “Were you all holding your breath the entire time like I was?” I was for sure. Deep breathing is, in my opinion, the best way to reset your mind and nervous system.

When the mind is fastened to the rhythm of breathing, it stays present, becomes calm and stays focused in the moment. This staves away anxiety and negative thoughts.

Here are some Reset Ritual examples. Take what works for you and create your own.

A. Breathe: 

Take a deep exhale and let it out with two quick exhales-really pushing that last one out. 

Or take one deep breath.

B. Physical Reset Examples to do during your walk back to the next point:

Wear a rubber band or hair tie on your wrist and snap it. 

Brush your shoulders to “brush it off.” 

Tap the wall, fence, your bum or thigh with your paddle.

Snap or flick your fingers (not the middle one.)

Move your paddle into your non-playing hand for a few seconds.

Look up at a focal point you predetermined.

C. Mantra / Court Catchphrase  

Say a phrase to yourself that snaps you back into the moment.

Examples:

"Next Point" 

"Let's Go" 

"You CAN do this."

“I get to be here.”

“Make the adjustment.”

2. Not Having a Shot Target 

When you don’t know where you are going with a ball it can increase your frustration when balls come back quickly because they were the wrong shot and throw you off guard.   

Here are three situations where knowing what you are doing  can have a specific target. Preparation and a plan will make you feel more confident.

Third Shot. What is your target? 

1. The player on the move.

2. Less skilled player (competitive play)

3. The backhand

Attack Spots

1. The wide open hole on the court

2. Your opponent’s left foot

3. Your opponent’s right shoulder to hip area.

Safe Spots

1. Hit a dink/reset to the middle when you aren’t sure of where to go or are in trouble.

“Instead of going into games with no targets (mental error), by knowing your targets, you stay calm and purposeful in stressful situations.”  -Kyle K

3. Poor Shot Selection

“A lot of players don’t realize that the choices they make on what shots they hit is one of the main reasons for losses.”  -Kyle K

The best players take disciplined shot choices over and over (rather than trying a winner or hero shot.) This leads to getting more points.

Often we go for the hero shot (a.k.a. a disadvantaged attack), when if we just stay patient and keep it in play, we can just wait for the opponents to make a mistake.

4. Not Using Time Outs (Tournaments)

If you are down 0-3 or have been at 2-2 for multiple points, take that time out and talk to your partner about what adjustments to make. 

You allow your brain time to rest and rest.

Keep what is working and change what you are doing that is not.

For example-if your third shot drives are not working, start to drop.

Say something to lift up your partner here. This also serves to take your negative thoughts off yourself. 

5. Late Game Hero Mode

The score is 10-7 and you are dying for that homerun (high-risk) put away.

Remember-your opponent is now nervous and on the defensive in the match.

Play smart, get to the kitchen and go for the high advantage shot.

Be disciplined!

The mantra, “Patience over Power” has stood the test of time and will win you more points than when you make quick, flustered, emotional decisions.

This article is a synopsis of the video, Five Mental Mistakes that are Destroying Your Pickleball Game from Kyle Koszuta, That Picklball Guy. Full Video available here