Secrets, Secrets Are No Fun. Secrets, Secrets Hurt Someone.

“Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone.”
I took that from a page out of middle and high school. And guess what? There’s a secret out about your game.

You have a weakness!
Maybe even more than one.

Did you know that? Don’t worry—it’s normal. Every player has a weakness. The real question is: Do you have the humility, awareness, and smarts to acknowledge it, own it, and turn it into a consistent, rally-extending shot?
Oh, you thought I was going to say “turn it into a strength”? That too—but that’s not the priority right now.

Most of us walk around pretending our weaknesses are things we can out-hustle, out-talk (usually by quoting that last YouTube pro tip we watched), or out-manifest. As if ignoring them long enough will magically turn them into strengths.

Spoiler alert: They don’t.
Weaknesses don’t evaporate. They marinate.

Here’s the part no one wants to admit—remember the humility reference from above?

Acknowledging your own weaknesses is a strength.

Not in the sense of the cheesy motivational-poster with the, “Hang in there” kitten. You know the one I am talking about, so don’t act like you did not have it hanging in your classroom… More in the sense of finally seeing the toilet paper stuck to your shoe before walking into the meeting. Awareness saves you from avoidable embarrassment—and more importantly, it teaches you how to play the game you’re actually in, not the one you wish you were in.

The Brutal Truth: You’re Not Good at Everything—and Neither are the Pros

Some people can put the ball away from almost any body position. They’re naturals. They make offense and defense look effortless.

You? Me? Maybe we’re not that person. Maybe we don’t have a decade of refined skill behind us. Right now, maybe we’re raising families, managing jobs, and keeping marriages spicy. Maybe our strengths aren’t explosive. Maybe we’re the type who has to stay in rallies longer, think more, adjust more, and win by being too damn stubborn to lose.

I like that mentality. Refuse to lose.

That’s not a flaw.
That’s a style—and mental toughness.

Awareness Is a Weapon

Once you stop pretending a weakness isn’t there, you can finally use it.

A few examples:

1. If you know you overthink, turn it into analysis.

Overthinking is a liability only when it turns into paralysis. Used the right way, it becomes strategy. You start seeing angles that others miss. While someone else is smashing winners, you’re predicting the next three shots.
Slowing the game down becomes your advantage.

2. If you lack confidence, build consistency.

Confidence is great when you have it. On days you don’t (that’s normal!), rely on structure.
Systems don’t care how you feel.
Rituals, routines, reps.
Drill. Play. Use rec play to address weaknesses.

3. If you’re not naturally gifted, become annoyingly resilient.

I call this, “Be the fly that wants a little of someone’s ice cream cone on a perfect summer day.” Annoying? Absolutely. Effective? Very.
Some players peak early. Some burn out.
You? You’ll be standing when others get bored, tired, or complacent.

4. If you can’t overpower, outlast.

Life—and pickleball—is a rally. Think marathon, not sprint.
You don’t need a 120-mph winner.
You need patience, adaptability, grit, and the guts to stay in that 30-shot point.

Weakness Becomes Strength the Moment You Stop Hiding It

Awareness is humbling, sure. But humility is not humiliation. When you know where the cracks are, you can reinforce them, redirect them, or stop pretending they don’t exist. They’re there and that’s okay.

People who succeed without awareness do it briefly.
People who succeed with awareness do it repeatedly.

The Real Flex is Self-Honesty

If you want to know who’s actually strong, look for the person who can say:

“I’m not fast, so I plan and slow the game to MY tempo.”
Tom Brady was infamously slow.
“I’m not the most talented, so I practice more than you.”
Michael Jordan was the first to arrive and last to leave.
“I’m not fearless, so I prepare.”
Preparation creates separation.
“I don’t hit big winners, so I use consistency, smarts, and angles.”
Example: Your backhand roll isn’t as strong as you want. Instead of forcing aggression, hit a slow, cleaner roll or punch to the feet. Extend the rally. Create footwork issues. Build the point with intention.

Weaknesses don’t disappear.
But they can be repurposed.
Transformed.
Weaponized.

Not because you ignored them—or tried to keep them a secret—
But because you had the guts to call them out first.

And that’s why acknowledging your weaknesses isn’t a confession.

It’s a power move.

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.

Turning Your Weaknesses into Awareness: Making Your Flaws Work for You