Handling Bad Pickleball Partners: In open play pickleball, players sometimes end up with partners whose style or timing doesn’t match their own. Managing these situations calmly can keep the game fun and safe. Adjusting your strategy, staying positive, and focusing on the ball can help players overcome challenges with difficult partners.
When Your Partner Stays Back
Some partners never move up to the kitchen line, leaving you to cover more of the court. In these cases, players can adjust by standing a little deeper or angling dinks across the court instead of down the middle.
A friendly suggestion can also help: “Shall we try moving to the kitchen for a bit and see how that works?” If a partner still prefers staying back, the best approach is to hit deep returns to keep the ball in play.
When Your Partner Poaches or Races Ahead
Many players encounter partners who poach too much, especially on their backhand side. Shots down the middle should be redirected to give them space and reduce mistakes.
Partners sometimes sprint to the net too early, leaving gaps mid-court. Anticipating these moves and covering deep returns yourself helps. When serving or returning, lobbing the ball deep gives them time to recover. As the article notes, “Just think of it as taking one for the team!”
When Your Partner Plays Too Aggressively
Some partners speed up every dink rally, making the game harder to control. In these situations, players should keep their paddle in front and focus on resets to manage aggressive hits. Adjusting strategy allows both partners to stay in play and avoid frustration.
Stay Positive and Adapt
In open play, you cannot always choose your partner. “Bad” pickleball partners can disrupt rhythm, but they also teach adaptability and patience. By staying positive, adjusting strategy, and keeping the ball in play, players can still enjoy the game and learn valuable lessons.
Even difficult partnerships can strengthen a player’s game and provide fun stories off the court. The key is to remain calm, flexible, and focused.
News in Brief: Handling Bad Pickleball Partners
Open play pickleball often pairs players with partners whose style doesn’t match their own. Adjusting positions, redirecting shots, and staying calm can help. Partners who stay back, poach, or play aggressively require strategy changes. Remaining positive and adaptable ensures games stay enjoyable and players continue learning.
ALSO READ: 7 Game-Changing Pickleball Secrets Tanner Tomassi Uses to Fast-Track Players to 5.0