8 Tips to Enhance Your Mental Toughness and Elevate Your Pickleball Performance

Mental health and the mental game is a huge component of any sport, including the sport of pickleball. Playing pickleball is not just about physical skill; it’s also a mental game that requires confidence and resilience. Don’t neglect your mental well-being as dedicating time to those skills can develop your confidence and elevate your game.

Mental fortitude and confidence is crucial whether you’re playing in a high-stakes environment like the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, or participating in a friendly game of recreational play. As we continue to countdown to the US Open, here are some effective tips to help you build your confidence and mental strength in preparation for the competitive atmosphere at the Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™.

1. Develop a Routine – Having a consistent pre-match, pre-serve, or return of serve routine can help boost your confidence and mentally prepare you for competition. This might include a warm-up that includes specific drills, stretching, or maybe even a short meditation to clear your mind. A routine establishes a sense of normalcy and control, which can alleviate anxiety and enhance your focus on the game. Pre-serve (or pre-return-of-serve) routines can also help you improve your timing, setting you up for success in every play.

2. Just Play Pickleball – When you step on to the pickleball court for a match—especially for a tournament match—it is important that you just play pickleball. Do not overthink it. You hopefully have put in the effort during drill sessions, practice play, and even warm-up. This effort has prepared you for the moment you step onto the pickleball court for a match. Keep it simple and trust in your game.

3. Think and Then Do – Pickleball is a game that requires strategy, adjustments, and thought. It’s crucial that you take a moment to think before you act! Our bodies and minds aren’t designed for simultaneous thinking and doing. This concept of “think, then do” is even more important at the higher levels of pickleball. In advanced tournament situations like The US Open, your reaction time to respond to a shot is so limited with your opponents’ ability to drive the pickleball with extreme velocity. To execute this important approach, devise a plan with your partner before you even step on to the pickleball court. For instance, determine who will cover the middle, who will take the lobs, who will be the “alpha” or “court general” directing traffic yelling “Me!”, “You!” or “Switch!”, etc. Knowing these roles ahead of time is essential—once the game begins, you won’t have the luxury of thinking through every decision; you’ll be in action mode. One of the worst feelings on the court is standing there in confusion after a ball whizzes past due to poor planning and communication. So strategize and solidify your plan with your partner before the match, during timeouts, or even swiftly between points.

4. Stay in Your Zone – The US Open Pickleball Championships creates an unmatched party atmosphere, combining fierce competition with an electrifying crowd. This unique experience is undeniably thrilling, but it can also be a source of distraction for players who aren’t fully prepared. Distractions can take place at any point during a match, and even take place at the highest level of pickleball. The key is how you respond to these distractions. Continue to stay in your zone. If you need a moment to shake a distraction, take a deep breath, take a time-out, or look at your number one fan for some encouragement. Make sure you refocus, find your zone, and just play pickleball.

5. Stay Positive – If you think you can, you can. You have to believe you are the best and that you are capable of winning. Pickleball is a game with winners and losers, and—especially in tournament play—you are hopefully competing for a gold medal and not to win a couple games and to lose a couple games. You have to believe in yourself and your ability on the pickleball court because that belief will directly translate to your physical performance. If you are unsure of your ability, you will play timidly. If you are confident in your ability, you will play loose, aggressive, and hopefully, showcase your best pickleball skills. Confidence is key from the very start.

6. Build Your Confidence – If you get a little nervous before a pickleball match, work on building your confidence with the following exercises:

• Practice Under Pressure – Practice under pressure during drill sessions, practice play, and even warm-up. For instance, during a drill session or practice play, tell yourself it is the gold medal match with the entire tournament on the line, or even play a round robin with friends where everyone offers up five or ten dollars for the winning team.
• Practice Points – Never let your first point count in a pickleball tournament. Play intense practice points, or, if possible, even practice matches, before playing your first tournament match. Many Picklers play better pickleball after a game or two.
• Visualize it – Visualization is a powerful tool used by many athletes. Before stepping on the court, take a few moments to mentally picture yourself playing a successful game or even imagine yourself with a US Open gold medal around your neck. Envision making precise shots, communicating well with your partner, and reacting swiftly to your opponent’s moves. This practice not only prepares your mind for the challenges ahead but also instills a sense of confidence that can translate into your actual performance.

7. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome – Shift your focus from the end result of winning or losing to the process of playing. How do you win a pickleball match or even a pickleball tournament like the US Open? One point at a time, one shot at a time. Concentrate on executing your shots, supporting your partner, and enjoying the game. What if you lose a point or you make a terrible shot? If you lose a point or make an unfortunate mistake, don’t dwell on it. Erase it from your mind; it’s already in the past. Focus on the next point, the next shot. By prioritizing the journey over the outcome, you liberate yourself from the pressure of winning, allowing for a more enjoyable and confident experience on the court.

8. Focus on What You Can Control – There are so many things in the game of pickleball that you cannot control. You cannot control your partner, your opponents, the referee, the wind, the sun, bad calls, stray balls interrupting play, etc. However, you can control your focus, your play, and how you approach each shot. Whether you are winning a pickleball game or trying to make an epic comeback, keep the same mindset and keep the same mission. Focus on what you can control, which is your next shot. Win the next shot. Pretty soon, it will add up to winning the whole pickleball match or even the US Open Pickleball Championships!

Incorporating these practices into your pickleball routine will not only enhance your mental game but will also help you become a more confident player. As you develop your mental toughness, you’ll find that you can face any challenge on the court with a strong mindset and an unwavering belief in your abilities. So, step onto that court with confidence, and let your skills shine!