7 Strategies to Defeat the “Blockers” on the Pickleball Court

In the world of pickleball, facing a team of skilled defenders—commonly known as “blockers”—can be a formidable challenge. These players excel at creating a wall-like defense that can stop even the most powerful shots. To overcome their strategy and gain the upper hand, implementing a few tailored tactics can prove invaluable. Here are seven strategies to help you outsmart and outplay blockers on the court.

1. Be Patient – One of the most important skills when facing blockers is patience. While blockers will generally not hurt you by winning shots, their power comes from their ability to stay in the point and hit everything back to you and your partner. Resist the urge to hit aggressive shots every time the ball comes your way. Blocking teams often thrive on opponents’ impatience and hurried decisions. Instead, take your time, set your shots up, and wait for the right opportunity to strike.

2. Play to Your Strengths – To defend against the blockers’ wall-like defense, be just as consistent as the blockers across the net from you. To help stay consistent, remember to play to your strengths. Focus on executing your strengths consistently rather than getting distracted by trying to outperform your opponents.

3. Make Them Move – Blockers can set their feet and create solid defenses if you allow them to remain stationary. Generally, players with fast hands and exceptional blocking abilities have learned to compensate for slow feet. To challenge them, move them around the court with strategic shots, forcing them to change positions constantly. Whether it be laterally with dinks or up and back with lobs and drops. This will open up gaps in their defense that you can exploit. Also find ways to draw them into shots that are outside their blocking game. For example, draw the blockers to the Kitchen line, forcing them into a dink battle.

4. Change Up Your Shot Placement – Varying your shot placement can keep blockers guessing and disrupt their rhythm. Instead of consistently driving the ball to the same area, try mixing it up by hitting down the line and cross-court. Additionally, aim for the following shots to create uncertainty for the blockers and lead to miscommunication or errors:

• Chicken Wing – One of the most difficult places to block is the shoulder area of your paddle side. This is because you can experience the “chicken wing” effect. The shoulder area of your paddle side is an area in between a backhand block and a forehand block, so it is difficult to both determine whether to switch from a backhand to a forehand shot and to actually do it. Pick a spot on your opponents’ shoulder area and aim any drives or hard volleys at that spot. Be careful not to hit up on the pickleball, causing the pickleball to fly out of bounds, but aim for this spot to make blocking as difficult as possible for your opponents.
• Feet – Also, try aiming for your opponents’ feet to take away your opponents’ ability to block. Your opponents will have trouble not only blocking, but generally returning a pickleball that is hit toward their feet.

5. Find Openings – Blockers may seem impenetrable, but there are always openings to exploit. Keep an eye out for the slightest gaps in their formation. A well-placed shot to these open areas can break their wall. Stay alert and be ready to capitalize on any momentary lapses in their defense.

6. Be Consistent – Consistency is vital when dealing with blockers. Their consistent defense thrives on mistakes and erratic play. They are waiting to capitalize on mistakes, unforced errors, and overly aggressive plays. By maintaining a steady level of play, you can wear them down and force them into making errors. Aim for a high percentage of successful shots and minimize unforced errors to keep the pressure on them.

7. Communicate and Collaborate – If you’re playing doubles against a blocking team, strong communication with your partner can make all the difference. Develop a strategy together and adapt as needed. Relay important information such as shot selection, positioning, and potential openings you see, allowing for a more responsive approach to counteract the blockers.

Defeating blockers on the pickleball court requires a blend of patience, strategy, and teamwork. By playing to your strengths, making them move, being consistent, and utilizing these strategies, you can break through their defenses and gain the upper hand. The key is to remain adaptable; adjust your tactics as the game progresses and stay focused on the ultimate goal—winning the match.

WANT MORE PICKLEBALL TIPS AND STRATEGIES?

For more on defeating your pickleball opponents, check out The Pickler’s Blog, “7 Strategies on How to Defeat a Banger in Pickleball.”

Plus, if you want more pickleball tips and strategies on every aspect of your pickleball game, check out Pickler’s online video lesson collection called My Pro Pickleball Coach. My Pro Pickleball Coach is a fraction of the price of one clinic or even one lesson, and features over 140 video lessons (over 7 hours of instruction!), as well as a corresponding e-book. These online video lessons are available on demand 24/7 and breakdown every aspect of the sport of pickleball, including pickleball drills, strategy, and advanced concepts, so you will play your best pickleball.