Pickleball Mindset - The Power Player Challenge

AI image of a pickleball power player illustrating pickleball drop shot importance

The Power Player Challenge

As I’ve played over the years, I’ve faced all types of opponents, each with their own unique style of play. From my perspective, there’s no right or wrong in pickleball, every style deserves respect. Whether you prefer a soft game with drop shots to advance to the net, as I do, or rely on powerful drive shots to overwhelm your opponents, your style is your own.

I often play with friends who are aggressive players, relying heavily on drives and rarely using drop shots. Dink rallies tend to be shorter with them, sometimes so short I wonder why I bothered running to the kitchen in the first place. I occasionally joke that they need to slow their game down, but they just shrug and say, “Why mess with what works?” I win some, I lose some, but I always enjoy the challenge, and the occasional laugh.

Playing a softer, more strategic game is great, but to advance, you’ll eventually have to face power players. Rather than shying away from them or labeling them, embrace the challenge. These aggressive players rely on relentless drives to dominate, and their fast-paced style can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: even though many come from tennis and look like they were born with a racquet in hand, they’re not unbeatable. If you play a softer game, stick to your game plan and force them into a slower, more strategic game, one they’re less comfortable with.

How to Counter Power Players

Defense:

Strong Serves and Returns: Hit deep, lofted serves and returns to give yourself time to prepare for their serve returns and third-shot drives. Aim for their backhand and hope they have to use it. Watching them struggle with it can feel oddly satisfying.

Block and Volley: Punch or volley their third-shot drives back to their backhand side; otherwise, expect another forehand drive coming your way. If they’re very deep on the court, use soft blocks to drop the ball just over the net. Mastering this skill can end points quickly but requires precision to avoid drawing them in.

Read Out-of-Bounds Shots: Watch for signs they’re overhitting, such as a big backswing or attempting to drive a low ball while moving forward. A drive shot angled upward, even if it’s just above the net, may fly long thanks to their powerful swing or forward momentum. With practice, you’ll instinctively know when to step aside and let them hand you the point.

Avoid the Shake and Bake: Power players will drive the third shot right at you and attack forward looking for anything coming back at them. Block their drive down and away to prevent them from rushing the net to finish the point.

Offense:

Drop Shots and Resets: Hit consistent drop shots to their backhand. A low, well-placed drop can force errors or draw them into the soft game they prefer to avoid. Even a less-than-perfect drop can challenge them when they’re reaching and volleying with their backhand. Be ready for aggressive responses to high drops, defend and hit a fifth-shot drop back at them. Keep dropping until one lands, then move in.

Drive the Third Shot: If they send a short return, drive the ball quickly to keep them back. If they hit an aggressive return drive from deep, drive it back at them. Their return drive reaches you quickly, giving them less time to advance before your third shot, turn their own speed against them.

Net Play: Once at the kitchen, dink patiently to their backhand. Avoid their forehand, as they’ll try to speed up play. Be prepared for aggressive responses; they often consider most shots attackable, even ones they should leave alone.

Key Strategies:

Stick to your soft, strategic game. Don’t change your style to match their aggressive play.
Stay patient and composed. Frustrating their power game forces them into mistakes.
Focus on slowing the game down; after all, the soft game is often their Achilles’ heel.

Mindset: Embrace the Challenge

Playing against power players can sometimes seem daunting, but it’s a valuable opportunity to grow. Their fast-paced style will test your patience, sharpen your defensive skills, and improve your ability to adapt under pressure.

Some advanced players shy away from power players, feeling that their fast-paced style isn’t “real” pickleball or that points end too quickly. However, there’s no one right way to play pickleball, and learning to counter different styles, including aggressive, drive-heavy players, makes you a better, more versatile player.

Take on power players as a challenge. Instead of avoiding them, embrace the opportunity to face their aggressive style head-on. When you figure out how to frustrate their strategy and pull them into your game, the satisfaction of overcoming their brute force will make every victory that much sweeter.

By using drop shots, smart positioning, and consistent defense, you’ll turn their aggression into frustration and walk away with a hard-earned victory.