Pickleball Therapy Ep. 255 - What do you need to play better pickleball?
Aug 1, 2025
Unlock your potential in pickleball by understanding your true skill level. Discover the importance of mastering essential shots instead of chasing fads or quick fixes. Learn how to assess your current performance with clarity and shift your mindset for effective improvement. The discussion also highlights the mental hurdles players encounter during competition, using a recent Wimbledon finals loss as a powerful example of growth through failure.
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Match Your Shot Risk To The Level
- Play shots appropriate to the level you're facing instead of copying pro-level risk shots.
- Prioritize safety and let opponents make errors when competing at 3.5-level play.
Sideline Winner Teaches Margin For Error
- Tony describes hitting a close sideline winner and using it to teach margins for error.
- He notes he plays safer in 3.5 contexts because opponents will often return risky shots.
Prioritize Must-Have Shots
- Focus first on the must-have shots for your current level before learning flashy extras.
- Use optional shots only after mastering the foundation to avoid harming consistency.