John Cincola’s Pickleball Banger Strategy: Pickleball coach John Cincola has shared three key tips to help players beat hard-hitting opponents, commonly called “bangers.” In his new video, he explains what makes a banger difficult to face and how players can change their tactics to turn the game around.
Cincola says many players are frustrated after losing to teams that rely on powerful hits. “That team you just played, they’re just bangers. You’re better than they are,” he states. His goal is to help players stop losing to these opponents.
What is a Banger?
A banger is a player who mainly uses power. They hit hard most of the time and rarely adjust their strategy. According to Cincola, this is what makes them one-dimensional. They don’t think about shot selection or court position—they only focus on hitting fast and hard.
“If I’m playing and I find a weakness in my opponents and exploit it by hitting hard for an entire game, that doesn’t necessarily make me a banger—that actually makes me smart for finding their weakness and exploiting it,” he explains. A real banger has no backup plan and doesn’t know when to stop swinging hard.
The Myth of Slowing the Game
Cincola disagrees with the common advice of slowing the game down to beat bangers. Many believe it’s best to reset the ball into the kitchen and play soft. But he argues that this strategy lets the banger off the hook.
“I hear it all the time: ‘We’ve got to slow them down.’… This really doesn’t work, and here’s why,” he says. By resetting, players miss the chance to take advantage of the banger’s bad decisions.
Step 1: Hit Back with Confidence
John Cincola’s first tip is to punish poor shots. Players should not flinch or play passively. Instead, they need to stay calm, keep swings short, and counterattack when the ball is attackable.
“If a banger sees you flinching, resetting, looking passive… you’re feeding the beast,” he warns. Returning hard shots with confidence can throw the banger off and break their rhythm.
Step 2: Let Out Balls Go
Next, players need to avoid hitting balls that are going out. Cincola says players should decide early based on the ball’s height, court position, the opponent’s swing, and past patterns.
“The more aware you are of the situation… the more you’ll instinctively know to let an out-bound ball go before it’s even struck,” he explains.
Step 3: Avoid Giving Easy Shots
John Cincola’s final tip is to stop giving bangers the shots they want. These include high dinks and floating balls above the knees. To avoid that, players should aim to keep shots low and with a flatter path.
“Our goals are to keep any air ball below knee height… When your opponent has to hit half-volleys… it’s much tougher for them to create power,” he says. These low shots often result in weak returns that can be punished—or that sail out.
Why It Matters
John Cincola’s tips aim to give players more control against bangers. His advice focuses on awareness, confidence, and smart play. These changes could help many amateur players feel more prepared when facing powerful hitters. Now that the tools are clear, Cincola offers a final challenge: “Grab your paddle, hit the courts, and show those bangers they’ve got nothing on you.”
News in Brief: John Cincola’s Pickleball Banger Strategy
Coach John Cincola offers three ways to beat pickleball bangers: punish bad shots, let out balls go, and avoid giving them easy shots. He says slowing the game down doesn’t work and urges players to stay confident and strategic. His tips help players handle power hitters more effectively.
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