The Mental Game of Pickleball
The mental game in pickleball isn’t about trying harder, chanting slogans, or bullying yourself into focus. In Pickle Juice, we see performance as a brain-body issue. When the prefrontal cortex stops micromanaging, the body can read, react, and move naturally. We use techniques such as soft eyes, the pause, and a focus on the gap between shots to let better shots emerge without forcing them under pressure.
Why Players Struggle Mentally
The FMF Perspective
Common Mental Game Patterns
The Win Is Within
What to do instead
Mind the Gap
Put attention on the gap between shots, rather than obsessing over the actual shot. There is more time than you think.
Acknowledge the ball
Simply acknowledge the incoming ball, rather than intensely focussing on it.
Pause before conact
Just as the ball reaches you, find a moment to pause, just before the hit.
Soft eyes
Soften the vision: Have your attention on the whole field of vision (and the ball)
FAQ:
What is the mental game in pickleball?
The mental game of choice is to reduce rather than increase mental activity, You have already thought it through in practice. You know what to do. Your body knows what to do. Put that busy mind on the bench and let the body take over while you simply watch and enjoy the magic
Why do I overthink during pickleball matches?
It may be a trust issue. You think you need to add more intensity to the situation. But it is already intense by definition. You are challenging yourself physically and mentally. Your opponents are challenging you (and that’s their job – to help you grow). But more thought is not the answer. More of what you already have is what’s needed. Let go and let you.
How can I stay calm under pressure in pickleball?
Realize that calm is the real goal. Anything other than calm means that you are working too hard. There is no pressure other than what you entertain and empower. Just don’t feed that fire. The goal is not to win, but to be in Fluid Motion. If you do that, you have won, regardless of the score. But you will still get to 11 and ahead by two far more often.
What does Pickle Juice mean by “soft eyes”?
It just means having a broad field of vision, rather than an obsession with the ball. It softens the mind, and calms the situation. You’ll find the ball. It really works, and adds consistency.
How do I recover mentally after a bad point?
Rediscover the hilarity in making mistakes. Pickleball is designed to to be fun. Your body will sometimes goof up. You may blink and miss the ball entirely. It’s a game. Baseball players get paid millions if they get on base 1/3 of the time. You are probably doing this for fun. There really is no past, only the now. Just some back to zero and start over with a smile due to the silly and hilarious game that a bunch of grown adults are playing with you
How can I stop forcing my shots and play more naturally?
Forcing means getting ahead of the ball. See if you can experience rather than force. Don’t think so much in terms of authoring the point, but in terms of participating. You’ll still play intelligently and strategically.
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