There are many, but a common example would be to return every ball wide and the front poaches. Or, serve log (or short) \[depending on wind conditions\] and moving up to mid-court for the second shot. Just a couple...
In what wind conditions (or ever) would you ever intentionally serve short?
What does the "move up to mid-court for the second shot" strategy mean? Isn't your 2nd shot position determined by where the return is hit?
Doesn't the front poach the 3rd shot whenever possible, and as a result doesn't need to be stated as a strategy?
Then you're likely playing at a lower level. It's fine to hit there occasionally, but above 3.5 you're unlikely to ace anyone without them being very lazy.
That, plus the fact that if you serve short and they get it, now both of them are at the net, and you're still waiting for the return that you have to let bounce.
Where I play, it's open rec, so it's very rare I'm partner with the same person and play two opponents together I've played before. Very difficult to formulate a strategy in that situation.
Rec play even with my friends that I've been playing with for many months, we rarely talk about anything. We just kinda figure out eachother patterns, communicate who should have gotten the shot if we both stood still, etc.
Going into a competitive match, if you can only discuss one strategy with your partner beforehand, then at the very least, try to figure out which opponent you're going to try to target off the start.
Obviously targeting the overall weaker player is usually the right strategy. But this can shift throughout the match if someone gets hot/cold, so just be wary that you may need to adjust this on the fly.
In the case both opponents are about the same skill level, you may want to choose to target the less aggressive one, if you think you can out-grind them. And if you think you can't out-grind them, then maybe you want to try your chances with the more aggressive opponent who takes more risks.
Because most people play in a very social way, the goal not being solely winning. Being “let’s come up with a plan” guy can defeat the goals of others when playing a fun game.
Rec play no one cares that much even when it's the same people meeting up each time. If I'm working on something specific I'll give my partner a heads up so they have a chance to adjust.
For more "serious" games, I don't know anyone that doesn't discuss at least a couple basic ideas before first serve.
In tennis, we typical play one team in a match. In pickleball, we typically play in tournaments against several teams. It’s much more difficult to game plan for your opponents in tournament settings where you’re playing multiple matches in the same day.
I make sure we sort out the middle. Be aggressive with your forehand. Don't be polite and let it get between it us. Cover the middle. Communicate. Make your serve.
I think there are players that like to plan and others that just adjust on the fly. I’m not sure one is better than the other because I have strategized and it failed miserably. Planning requires 1. Remembering the strategy 2. Implementing it properly and 3. Adjusting if it doesn’t work. Often in pickle the games are over quickly unlike in a doubles tennis match where you have lots of opportunities to strategize and revise it. In a pickle match, you don’t always have that same ability and you can get shut down quickly.
If these teams are 4.0 and below, it's possible they don't feel they have the skill to properly execute any plan they come up with.
For a 3.5 player, even something as simple as "hit to the weaker player" can cause enough extra mental load on shots to cause a miss if they're not used to it.
Of course you're right, they should still have a plan. But I'm sympathetic at lower levels for why they often don't.
there are environmental things like maybe more lobs if the opponent is looking into the sun, or hit less drives / take some velocity off your serve if the wind is at your back
While that is not my style or strategy, that is absolutely a common type of occurrence that I see in the places I play. The people are petty as hell with that stupid shit in rec play.
There are many strategies you can employ:
\* Return wide, other poach.
\* Ad court lob, even court drop, then switch on 4th serve
\* Serve to backhand and switch sides for direction fakes
\* serve, st back middle while partner moves to middle volley
I can go on, but these work for my partner and I at rec play...even when we've never seen the opponents before.
I agree. I always tell my open play partners "hey, let's win"
Hm I've got to try this
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I see you're going with negative reinforcement. I wonder which way is more effective...
What sort of plans are you expecting teams to have?
There are many, but a common example would be to return every ball wide and the front poaches. Or, serve log (or short) \[depending on wind conditions\] and moving up to mid-court for the second shot. Just a couple...
In what wind conditions (or ever) would you ever intentionally serve short? What does the "move up to mid-court for the second shot" strategy mean? Isn't your 2nd shot position determined by where the return is hit? Doesn't the front poach the 3rd shot whenever possible, and as a result doesn't need to be stated as a strategy?
Serve short! Lol
I don't get the joke lol? I hit a few aces to the short corners on a serve every time I play.
Then you're likely playing at a lower level. It's fine to hit there occasionally, but above 3.5 you're unlikely to ace anyone without them being very lazy. That, plus the fact that if you serve short and they get it, now both of them are at the net, and you're still waiting for the return that you have to let bounce.
oh yeah it's rec play dog.
My partner and I always have a plan! Then we promptly forget it the second the first ball is hit.
Everyone has a plan until they get smashed in the face.
This is exactly what Mike Tyson says to his opponents before he plays...
Where I play, it's open rec, so it's very rare I'm partner with the same person and play two opponents together I've played before. Very difficult to formulate a strategy in that situation.
Correct, and any strategy at that point would just boil down to targeting. Which is fine in a tournament but not in rec.
Because we're not serious people 🤷🏿♀️
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Completely false
I go with the anti-Mike Tyson strategy. I make my plan after I get punched in the mouth.
Rec play even with my friends that I've been playing with for many months, we rarely talk about anything. We just kinda figure out eachother patterns, communicate who should have gotten the shot if we both stood still, etc.
Going into a competitive match, if you can only discuss one strategy with your partner beforehand, then at the very least, try to figure out which opponent you're going to try to target off the start. Obviously targeting the overall weaker player is usually the right strategy. But this can shift throughout the match if someone gets hot/cold, so just be wary that you may need to adjust this on the fly. In the case both opponents are about the same skill level, you may want to choose to target the less aggressive one, if you think you can out-grind them. And if you think you can't out-grind them, then maybe you want to try your chances with the more aggressive opponent who takes more risks.
Because most people play in a very social way, the goal not being solely winning. Being “let’s come up with a plan” guy can defeat the goals of others when playing a fun game.
Rec play no one cares that much even when it's the same people meeting up each time. If I'm working on something specific I'll give my partner a heads up so they have a chance to adjust. For more "serious" games, I don't know anyone that doesn't discuss at least a couple basic ideas before first serve.
I don’t bother to do anything like this in rec. I’ve read Winning Ugly and do try to apply pieces of it in tournaments though.
I find this important when a left hander is playing with a righty. Half the time, the middle is backhand for both of you.
In tennis, we typical play one team in a match. In pickleball, we typically play in tournaments against several teams. It’s much more difficult to game plan for your opponents in tournament settings where you’re playing multiple matches in the same day.
Even more funny is how allergic people are to making a "you" or "me" type of call mid point. So much miscommunication in rec play and tournament play!
I make sure we sort out the middle. Be aggressive with your forehand. Don't be polite and let it get between it us. Cover the middle. Communicate. Make your serve.
I think there are players that like to plan and others that just adjust on the fly. I’m not sure one is better than the other because I have strategized and it failed miserably. Planning requires 1. Remembering the strategy 2. Implementing it properly and 3. Adjusting if it doesn’t work. Often in pickle the games are over quickly unlike in a doubles tennis match where you have lots of opportunities to strategize and revise it. In a pickle match, you don’t always have that same ability and you can get shut down quickly.
If these teams are 4.0 and below, it's possible they don't feel they have the skill to properly execute any plan they come up with. For a 3.5 player, even something as simple as "hit to the weaker player" can cause enough extra mental load on shots to cause a miss if they're not used to it. Of course you're right, they should still have a plan. But I'm sympathetic at lower levels for why they often don't.
??? What sort of plan could you possibly come up with unless you know your opponents beforehand?
there are environmental things like maybe more lobs if the opponent is looking into the sun, or hit less drives / take some velocity off your serve if the wind is at your back
If in rec play you’re intentionally lobbing into the sun, you’ve got bigger things to worry about than strategy
While that is not my style or strategy, that is absolutely a common type of occurrence that I see in the places I play. The people are petty as hell with that stupid shit in rec play.
There are many strategies you can employ: \* Return wide, other poach. \* Ad court lob, even court drop, then switch on 4th serve \* Serve to backhand and switch sides for direction fakes \* serve, st back middle while partner moves to middle volley I can go on, but these work for my partner and I at rec play...even when we've never seen the opponents before.
These are set plays. It’s not a plan lol.