Most Overlooked Skill in Pickleball (And How to Train It)
When people talk about improving at pickleball, the conversation usually sounds the same: better dinks, faster hands, more power, cleaner third shots. Whether they’re drives, drips, or drops, they’re all important!
But none of those is the most overlooked skill.
The most overlooked skill in pickleball is what’s happening between your ears.
Your ability to think clearly, adapt quickly, and reset emotionally (we are human—we have ups and downs) often matters more than any specific shot, especially against new opponents and during fast, tense exchanges.
Pickleball Is a Thinking Game
At its very core, pickleball is about problem-solving. Every rally gives you information:
Who is the weaker player on each side?
Who becomes impatient?
Who struggles under pressure?
What patterns or sequences are actually winning points?
The best players aren’t just hitting solid, flush shots. They’re constantly assessing situations and making decisions that lead to points.
Two players may have similar physical skill sets, but the one who processes information faster, adjusts sooner, and moves on quickly after a mistake will often come out on top.
Strategizing Against New Opponents
One of the hardest situations in pickleball is playing opponents who you’ve never faced before. There’s no game plan yet, just clues that present themselves if you’re paying attention.
Mentally strong players treat the first few games like a live scouting report. They ask themselves:
What shot appears to be their strength?
Who speeds up balls from bad positions?
Who has less tolerance in long dink rallies?
Who looks uncomfortable when rushed?
Mentally strong players gather data. They test different shots, vary pace, and watch reactions from their opponents. Within a few points, patterns begin to appear.
This kind of strategic awareness wins matches.
Adapting Quickly Is a Skill You Can Train
Many players stick to a plan even when it’s clearly not working. That stubbornness clearly works against them.
Adapting means being willing to change mid-game:
Abandoning a speed-up that keeps getting countered.
Targeting a different opponent when momentum shifts.
Slowing the game down when hands battles aren’t going your way.
Adapting means calmly recognizing reality and adjusting accordingly. The faster you do this, the less emotional energy you waste and the more pressure you apply to your opponents.
The Power of a “Short Memory”
I can’t say this one enough. This is a learned skill. It doesn’t happen immediately. It is trained.
Mistakes are inevitable. We are HUMAN! What separates mentally strong players from everyone else is how long those mistakes linger.
A short memory doesn’t mean you don’t care that you made the mistake. In fact, you know exactly why it happened. It just means you don’t carry the last point into the next one.
Letting it go allows your mind and body to relax, which is crucial in most areas of the court. Have a strategy for forgetting. Laugh. Smile (I do this). Say a word or short phrase that triggers that ability to forget. (Mine is “Mamacita!” No idea why, but it makes me smile, laugh, and move on.)
Calm minds produce calm bodies. Calm bodies react faster to opportunities.
Staying Calm in Fast, Tense Exchanges
When rallies speed up, your mental state becomes your physical state.
When your mind is tense or stressed:
Your grip tightens.
Your reactions slow.
Your shot selection worsens, typically attacking shots that weren’t there.
When your mind is steady, you see the ball more clearly, trust your instincts, and react naturally.
One of the toughest shots in pickleball is a reset during fast exchanges at the kitchen line. Players who routinely reset between points breathe better, move better, and make cleaner decisions when it matters most.
How to Train the Mental Side of Pickleball
Good news! Your mind is trainable.
1. Play With Intention
Instead of just playing rec games, set mental goals (these games are perfect instances to work on specific skills, even the mental side):
Identify one opponent weakness per game.
Change strategy after five points and observe results.
Focus on shot selection, not just winning.
2. Practice Mental Resets Between Points
Develop a consistent between-point routine:
Turn away from the net and look at an area of the court or visualize an image that helps reset your mind.
Take a breath.
Say a trigger phrase to reset your mind.
This reinforces your short memory.
3. Review Decisions, Not Just Mistakes
After games, ask yourself:
What patterns actually won points?
When did I adapt well?
When did I stay stuck for too long? This helps you understand the why and when to take timeouts if you are a tournament player
This builds awareness without self-criticism.
Mental Toughness Wins Matches
Don’t get me wrong. Physical skills matter. Mechanics are vital in limiting errors. BUT mental skills often decide matches.
Train your mind the same way you train your shots, and you may find that you not only win more points, but the game becomes more enjoyable, more strategic, and more natural.
Think about it this way. Professional athletes have VERY similar physical attributes. What separates the best from the good usually happens between the ears.
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.