We’ve all been there—those days when it feels like your paddle has a mind of its own, and not in a good way. Your dinks hit the net, your drops fall short, and your volleys sail into the stands. Before you know it, you’re apologizing every other shot and silently wondering if your partner is plotting revenge.
So, what do you do when your shots are simply awful? Let’s break it down and talk about how to handle bad days on the court without letting frustration take over—or driving your partner nuts.
1. Own It Without Overdoing It
When your game is off, it’s tempting to keep apologizing after every missed shot. But here’s the thing—over-apologizing doesn’t fix the mistakes. In fact, it can make your partner more uncomfortable and create a negative vibe.
What to Do Instead:
- Offer a quick, simple “My bad” or “Sorry, off today.” Then move on.
- Don’t dwell—your partner knows you’re not doing it on purpose.
- Focus on showing effort and a positive attitude, even when things aren’t going well.
Why It Works: Confidence (even on bad days) is contagious. If you stay composed, your partner will likely stay supportive instead of frustrated.
2. Play It Safe and Simplify
When your shots aren’t landing, it’s time to stop going for highlight-reel winners. Instead, dial it back and focus on consistency.
Tips for Playing Smarter:
- Dinks: Aim for the middle rather than going for risky cross-court angles.
- Drops: Focus on clearing the net rather than hugging it.
- Volleys: Keep your paddle up and block rather than attacking aggressively.
- Serves and Returns: Prioritize placement over power.
Why It Works: Simpler, safer shots give you time to settle in, regain rhythm, and avoid giving away free points.
3. Communicate Strategically
If you’re off your game, let your partner know early so they can adjust their strategy. For example, they can play more aggressively to take pressure off you or stack so you’re in a more comfortable position.
What to Say:
- “I’m a little off today—play more aggressively if you need to.”
- “I’m focusing on consistency right now, so I’ll keep it simple.”
- “Let’s aim for the safe plays and work through this.”
Why It Works: Clear communication shifts the focus to teamwork and solutions instead of frustration.
4. Reset Mentally—One Point at a Time
Bad games often spiral because we get stuck in our heads. One mistake leads to another, and soon, we’re mentally checked out. The best way to break the cycle? Focus on the next point—nothing else.
Quick Mental Resets:
- “Next Point” Mindset: Treat each point like it’s 0-0. Forget the last mistake.
- Take a Breather: Step back, touch the fence, or take a quick sip of water to clear your head.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Landed a good shot? Give yourself credit to build momentum.
Why It Works: It keeps frustration from compounding and helps you stay present rather than spiraling.
5. Focus on Fun and Effort
Remember why you started playing pickleball in the first place—it’s supposed to be fun! Nobody expects perfection, especially at the amateur level. Your partner likely cares more about your effort and attitude than your shot percentage.
Pro Tip: Laugh off bad shots when you can. It breaks the tension and reminds both you and your partner that it’s just a game.
Why It Works: A relaxed attitude often improves performance because it reduces pressure.
6. Learn From It—Don’t Stress About It
Bad games are often reminders of areas we need to work on. Instead of seeing them as failures, treat them as opportunities to improve.
Action Plan:
- Schedule a drill session focused on your weaknesses.
- Watch videos or take a quick lesson to refine specific shots.
- Warm up before matches to avoid starting cold.
Why It Works: Focusing on improvement rather than mistakes keeps your mindset constructive and your confidence intact.
7. Be the Partner You’d Want to Play With
Think about how you’d want someone to treat you if you were having an off day. Odds are, you wouldn’t want endless apologies or visible frustration. Apply the same standard to yourself.
Tips for Partner Etiquette:
- Stay positive, even when you’re struggling.
- Avoid making excuses, but acknowledge a bad day if needed.
- Let your partner know you appreciate their patience.
Why It Matters: Pickleball is a social sport, and chemistry with your partner can make or break the game. Focus on maintaining a good vibe, and the score will take care of itself.
Bad Days Don’t Define You—Keep Swinging
Bad shot days happen to everyone—even the pros. The key is to keep things in perspective, focus on effort over results, and communicate openly with your partner. Whether you’re struggling with dinks, drops, or volleys, the most important thing is to stay positive and learn from the experience.
So next time your shots are way off, skip the endless apologies, simplify your game, and focus on the next point. Your partner will thank you—and your game will be better for it.
