Inevitably if you play enough pickleball, you’ll wind up with a partner, who, let’s just be honest, isn’t as good as you are.
It can be a tricky situation, and a sensitive subject and that’s why we’ve turned to the experts Tanner Tomassi and Zane Navratil to walk us through some useful strategies when this dilemma happens.
Coach Mary’s tip of the week: How to play and win with a weaker partner
Unless you play with the same people all the time, eventually you’ll be paired with a partner who isn’t as skilled as you. You get on the court, and you realize that your opponent is going to avoid you and target your opponent.
This might lead to you getting frustrated, trying to take over the game, and forcing shots that you would not normally take. You go for winners early, instead of playing good Pickleball.
Winning with a weaker partner is about adjusting your strategy, helping your partner play their best game and making smart decisions.
Strategic Suggestions
Position Yourself to Help
Encourage and Support Your Partner
Finally, remember we all started out new. Someone helped us, mentored us, encouraged us, and helped us get to the next level. Pay it Forward!
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball tip of the week: How to play (and win) with a weaker partner
Reporting by Mary Barsaleau, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
