Tag: Pickleball Tips

Mental resilience: the ability to stay focused, composed, and confident in facing challenges. And it isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s a skill any level of player can build with intention and practice. Whether you’re grinding through a tough tournament or facing a frustrating rec match, these strategies can help you strengthen your mental game.

1. Train Your Focus Like a Muscle

Mental performance expert Dr. Erik Korem refers to mental fitness as something you build, not something you’re born with. His platform AIM7 emphasizes the importance of adaptive capacity: your ability to handle stress, recover, and remain sharp under pressure.

Just like your third-shot drop, focus requires repetition. Use short, focused drills in your practice to sharpen concentration. For example, set a goal to hit 10 cross-court dinks in a row without error. The moment your mind wanders, you’ll see it in your paddle. Over time, you’ll become more present during critical points in a match.

Try This: Between points, develop a reset ritual—a deep breath, paddle tap, or mantra like “One point at a time”—to stay locked in.

2. Detach From the Outcome

One of the biggest mental traps in pickleball is tying your worth to the score. When you’re winning, you feel great. When you’re losing, self-doubt creeps in.

Instead, shift your focus to controllable factors: effort, attitude, and decision-making. According to Paddletek’s mental training blog, the best players focus on the process, not just the result. Winning becomes a byproduct of consistent execution.

Reframe Your Thoughts:

• Instead of “I have to win this match,” try “I’m going to play smart, aggressive pickleball.”
• Instead of “I can’t miss this shot,” try “I’m going to trust my swing.”

3. Get Comfortable With Discomfort

A tough opponent, an off-day, or a windy court—these variables are out of your control. What you can control is how you respond.

In his podcast, Erik Korem highlights how embracing small doses of stress in training can expand your capacity to handle it in competition. This aligns with DUPR’s advice: lean into pressure situations. Practice tie-breaker scenarios. Drill while fatigued. Play games where you’re forced to go down 0-4 before the first serve.

Every uncomfortable rep becomes a deposit in your resilience bank.

4. Recover Like an Athlete

A resilient mind is a rested mind. When your nervous system is overloaded, performance drops. That’s why rest, sleep, and active recovery are non-negotiable.

AIM7’s approach to wellness emphasizes personalization: some players need a walk and a podcast, others need a nap. The key is listening to your body and giving your mind the rest it needs to stay sharp.

Bonus Tip: After a tough match, don’t rush into analysis. Take a breath, get some hydration, and give yourself time to reflect without judgment.

5. Build Your Inner Coach

Your self-talk is your secret weapon—or your biggest saboteur. Learn to speak to yourself like a supportive coach, not a harsh critic.

Instead of berating yourself for mistakes, try affirming your intention. “I missed that serve, but I love that I went for it.” This fosters confidence and keeps your emotional energy intact throughout the match.

Over time, you’ll develop a stronger inner voice—one that keeps you grounded, focused, and ready for the next point.

Final Thoughts

You can’t control your opponent. You can’t control the weather. But you can control how you show up mentally.

Mental resilience is what keeps you calm in chaos, focused under pressure, and positive through adversity. It’s a skill that not only elevates your game but enhances your experience of the sport. So next time you step on the pickleball court, remember: strength isn’t just physical–it’s in your mind.

Further Reading:

• Mental Training for Pickleball – Paddletek
• 3 Steps to Build Mental Strength – DUPR
• Dr. Erik Korem Podcast, Ep. 485
• AIM7: Personalized Wellness for Mental Fitness

Start building your mental game today—and watch every other part of your game rise with it.

Photo Credit: MARK KAMIBAYASHIYAMA MEDIA

If you feel stuck in a cycle of losing at pickleball—whether in casual games or competitive play—you might think the problem is your technique, fitness, or shot selection. But what if the real reason was something deeper?

Kyle Koszuta (@thatpickleballguy) recently shared a fantastic video that breaks down why many players struggle to win, and it’s not what you’d expect. Instead of just focusing on mechanics, he dives into the mental side of the game—how you think while you play. And honestly? It’s a game-changer.

Here are the key takeaways from his video and how you can apply them to turn those losses into wins.

1. You’re Playing on Autopilot

One of the biggest mistakes players make is falling into predictable patterns. If you keep doing the same things without adjusting, your opponents will figure you out and exploit your weaknesses. Adaptability is key.

Fix It: Start paying attention to what’s working in the moment. If a certain shot isn’t effective, mix it up. If your opponent has a clear pattern, disrupt it. Stay mentally engaged instead of just going through the motions.

2. You’re Emotionally Reactive

Ever get frustrated after missing an easy shot? Or tense up when your opponent goes on a run? That emotional reaction can cloud your judgment and lead to even more mistakes.

Fix It: Accept that mistakes will happen. The best players don’t dwell on errors; they reset and refocus on the next point. Take a deep breath, control what you can, and move forward.

3. You’re Playing “Not to Lose” Instead of Playing to Win

There’s a difference between being careful and being passive. If you’re too afraid of making mistakes, you’ll hesitate, take fewer risks, and let your opponent dictate the game.

Fix It: Trust your shots. Confidence comes from practice, but also from allowing yourself to go for it. If you’re in a winning position, commit to it instead of playing it safe.

4. You’re Stuck in a Fixed Mindset

Some players blame bad luck, the wind, or even their opponent’s “lucky shots” when they lose. But that mindset stops you from growing.

Fix It: Instead of making excuses, ask yourself: What can I learn from this match? Losing isn’t failure—it’s feedback. Every game is an opportunity to improve if you stay coachable.

5. You’re Focusing on the Wrong Opponent

The biggest battle isn’t against the person on the other side of the net—it’s the one inside your head. Your thoughts, emotions, and reactions have more impact on your performance than anything your opponent does.

Fix It: Win your mind, and the game will follow. Work on your mental resilience just as much as your physical skills. Stay present, stay adaptable, and don’t let one mistake define the next point.

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about improving at pickleball, take a step back and evaluate how you think during a match. Adaptability, emotional control, confidence, and a growth mindset are just as important as any dink or drive.

Huge credit to Kyle Koszuta (@thatpickleballguy) for these insights—his video really gets you thinking about how you think on the court. If you haven’t watched it yet, check it out here: Watch the Video.

Stay coachable, friends!