Let Go of the Bad Point: How to Move On Without Losing Your Cool
In pickleball, errors happen. Guess what? The best of the best make errors as well. Let that resonate a bit — it’s not just you. But what separates strong players or the pros from the rest isn't that they’re perfect (no one is). It comes down to how quickly they recover and move on. How they respond. It’s almost as if the mistake never happened in the first place.
Have a Short Memory
Dwelling on a missed shot, unforced error, or lost rally only distracts you from what matters: the next point. Train yourself to have a short memory. Mentally label the mistake, learn from it if needed, then move on quickly. Don’t relive it. Erase and reset.
Focus on the Next Point
The most important point in any game is the next one. Shift your mindset immediately: take a deep breath, bounce on your toes, and get dialed in on the moment ahead. You can’t change the past, but you can control your response to it.
Use Simple Reset Techniques
Take one deep breath between points.
Use a cue word like “reset.”
Tap your paddle on the ground to symbolically wipe the last point clean.
Smile or laugh — it resets your mental state
(Example: I was driving my kids to school and made the mistake of going out of turn at a 4-way stop. I owned it and waved, but the other driver flipped me off instead of moving on. I laughed and let it go. My son noticed, and I told him it was the new way of saying “Hi, good looking.” Humor works in stressful situations — short memory and humor. Easy peasy.)
Respond, Don’t React
Emotions can cloud your judgment and work against you. Instead of reacting with frustration or negative self-talk, choose to respond with intention. That choice puts you back in control and focused on the next point.
Mistakes are inevitable, but losing your focus is optional — and it’s the wrong option. Let go of the bad point, lock in on the next, and you’ll play more consistently.
Give it a try, and have fun playing!
About the Author: Neil Friedenberg is a certified pickleball coach and Head of Education for Empower Pickleball. He is passionate about helping players of all levels grow their skills and confidence on the court. A lifelong player with deep roots in the sport, Neil also brings experience as a paddle company owner, blending technical expertise with a love for the game.