Let’s be honest—pickleball can get frustrating. Missed shots, bad calls, partners who don’t cover the middle, and that one player who lobs every single ball—it’s enough to make anyone lose their cool.
Plenty of players struggle with frustration, but letting it control your game won’t do you any favors. In fact, it hurts your performance, drains your energy, and makes the game less fun.
So, how do you stay calm, reset fast, and avoid turning into “that angry player”? Here’s how to channel that competitive fire without burning down the court.
1. Mistakes Happen—Even to the Best Players
It’s easy to beat yourself up over a missed shot, but here’s the reality: even the best pickleball players in the world make errors.
Did you know? Novak Djokovic wins only about 54% of his points in tennis. Even Ben Johns hits into the net or sails shots long.
Lesson: If the best players in the world aren’t perfect, why should you be? Instead of dwelling on mistakes, shift your mindset to learning from them.
🔹 Next time you make an error, ask: What can I do differently next time? Then, move on.
2. Stop Worrying About Things You Can’t Control
Some things in pickleball are just out of your hands:
- Bad bounces
- Questionable line calls
- The wind ruining your perfect drop shot
- Your partner playing like they’ve never held a paddle before
Focusing on external frustrations will only make you feel out of control. Instead, shift your attention to what you CAN control:
✔️ Your footwork
✔️ Your shot selection
✔️ Your mental reset after a mistake
🔹 Pro Tip: Any time you catch yourself complaining about something out of your control, stop and refocus on your next shot.
3. Have a Reset Routine
Ever notice how pro players have rituals between points? Tennis players fix their strings, golfers adjust their grip, and pickleball pros like Lea Jansen use cross-body movements and a quick wrist snap to reset and stay focused.
Your reset routine can be simple:
- Take a deep breath
- Tell yourself a calming phrase (“One point at a time”)
- Shake out your shoulders or touch the back fence before returning
Having a consistent reset routine helps you break the cycle of frustration and stay mentally locked in.
4. Focus on the Process, Not the Score
Ever notice how the harder you try to win, the worse you play? That’s because focusing on the outcome (winning, the score, beating that one player) actually hurts your performance.
Instead, shift your attention to the small things that help you win:
✔️ Am I hitting good crosscourt dinks?
✔️ Am I keeping my shots low?
✔️ Am I in the right position?
🔹 Funny but true: When you stop obsessing over the score, you actually start playing better—and winning more.
5. Use Anger as Fuel—Not a Distraction
Anger itself isn’t bad—but it can either fire you up or throw you off.
If frustration helps you focus and play harder, great. But if it makes you rush, miss shots, or argue with your partner, then it’s hurting your game.
🔹 Pro Tip: Next time you feel frustration creeping in, step back, take a breath, and ask: Is this helping me or hurting me? If it’s the latter, reset and move forward.
6. The 10-Second Rule (Be a Goldfish)
As Ted Lasso says: Be a goldfish—because they have a 10-second memory.
Next time you miss an “easy” shot, count to 10 and flush it. Dwelling on mistakes only leads to more mistakes.
🔹 BONUS TIP: If you see a player smiling and having fun, even when they make mistakes, they’re probably winning more games than the guy slamming his paddle.
7. Breathe (Yes, It Actually Works)
When you’re frustrated, your breathing gets shallow and fast, which makes everything worse. The fix? Slow it down.
Try this:
✔️ Inhale for 4 seconds
✔️ Hold for 2 seconds
✔️ Exhale for 6 seconds
This immediately calms your nervous system and helps you reset.
It’s Just Pickleball
At the end of the day, pickleball is meant to be fun. If you’re leaving the court feeling frustrated and upset every time you play, ask yourself:
🔹 Am I focusing too much on winning?
🔹 Am I being too hard on myself?
🔹 Am I letting things I can’t control ruin my game?
If so, take a deep breath, reset, and remember—you’re lucky to be out there playing this awesome sport.
Now go out there, stay cool, play smart, and have fun!
