Top 5 Pickleball Tournament Strategies

Main Points

• Begin with controlled third shot drives at 70% power to manage nerves and pressure opponents.
• Aim drives down the middle to create confusion and avoid predictable targeting.
• Only attack speed-ups out of the air at the kitchen line—never off the bounce.
• Use “Respect the X” positioning to eliminate confusion on diagonal dinks.
• Step back after hitting a dead dink to buy time for resets or counters.
• Don’t creep in after serving—step back so you can hit third shot drops moving forward.
• Play consistent and force opponents to beat you instead of making unforced errors.

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Summary

This video lays out a complete pickleball tournament strategy designed to help players perform under pressure at any level, from 3.0 all the way to pro. The first key focus is on controlling nerves during early points. Instead of risking errors with a shaky third shot drop, players are advised to start with third shot drives at about 70% power. This pace provides control, reduces mistakes, and puts the pressure on opponents. To maximize effectiveness, drives should be aimed down the middle toward the oncoming player, creating confusion about who should take the ball.

Once at the kitchen line, the video emphasizes patience and discipline. Many players make the mistake of speeding up balls off the bounce, which often results in losing the rally. Instead, the recommendation is to only look for attack opportunities out of the air. This higher-percentage play requires mental toughness but creates a major advantage when executed consistently. The “Respect the X” concept is also explained, encouraging teams to stick with diagonal responsibility during dinking rallies to avoid hesitation and missed coverage.

Another advanced strategy covered is knowing when to step back from the kitchen line. After hitting a weak or “dead” dink, stepping back a couple of feet gives more reaction time to either reset or counterattack. Similarly, the video warns against creeping forward after serving. Players should stay back, allowing them to move into the court with momentum for a more effective third shot drop.

The final piece of advice is mental: don’t beat yourself. Opponents will be nervous in tournament play, so staying consistent and minimizing unforced errors will often be enough to win. By following these strategies—controlled third shot drives, disciplined kitchen play, respecting the X, smart footwork, and steady consistency—players give themselves the best chance to succeed in tournament competition.

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Tags: Kitchen | Strategy | tanner.pickleball | Tournament