The world of pickleball is constantly evolving, marked by increasing speed and a surge in aggressive picklers on the court. This transformation is notably driven by players transitioning from tennis and other racquet sports backgrounds, we call them "bangers" or "slammers". Coming from quick-paced racquet sports, these picklers have an advantage when it comes to swiftly adopting high-speed shots, favoring power and pace over the softer aspects of the game, like dinking or drop shots.
As pickleball becomes more and more popular, it will only become increasingly important to understand how to counter the aggressive styles these bangers lean towards. Especially for those who prefer a more finesse-based approach to the game. A lot of the advice out there isn't super clear, so we've provided some solid advice we use in our own game below!
Always Be Ready:
It's pretty obvious that when playing a banger, you should expect quick, powerful drives and should always be in an athletic stance at the Non-Volley Zone Line, paddle up and in front of your body, ready to react as quick as possible. Make sure to keep an eye out during the third and fifth shots of each rally when the banger serves, as these are usually when the most challenging drives are coming.
Avoid the Banger:
No, we don't mean avoid playing games with bangers. What we mean is not every player on the court is a banger. If the banger has a partner who prefers softer play, hit at the non-banging player to lessen the volume of hard drives coming your way. This is solid advice for all of your matches, if you have time to place the ball and pick your target, go for the one less likely to beat you on their return.
Keep Return of Serve Deep and Low:
Keep bangers towards the baseline with a deep return of serve, forcing them to execute stronger drives, and allowing you more time to get back into position and respond. To make this tactic even more effective, add some backspin or slice to keep the ball low as low as possible. Hitting the ball low forces your opponent to hit up on the ball, and with a banger, there's always a chance that their return shoots out of bounds.
Be Wary of Out Balls:
Always be on the lookout for shots that are heading out of bounds, it's still a point even if your opponent wins it for you. Detecting out balls can be challenging, but understanding the banger's position, backswing, ball height, spin, and the impact of wind can help in making split-second decisions. This requires getting a feel for the game, but don't be afraid to trust your gut if you think the ball is going out. Even if it doesn't and you lose the point, you'll become slightly more comfortable with trusting your gut feeling. A great rule of thumb is if the pickleball is at your chest or shoulder level, it's probably going out (depending on how tall you are and how bent your knees). If it's chest high, let it fly!
If you want to force some out balls against bangers, it's always a good idea to make note of their stronger swing. Are they better forehand or backhand? If they have a clear weak side, start hitting there to make a proper drive as difficult as possible.
Be a Wall:
Block the banger's drives with a minimal backswing, a loose paddle grip, and the proper paddle angle. Try to get in front of the pickleball. The point of the loose grip is to deaden the ball as much as possible and the goal is to drive to the banger's feet. Keep the paddle face slightly closed to direct it down towards the court as an accidental pop-up is your worst nightmare against a banger. If you've ever played bangers, which I assume is why you're reading this, you know why.
Keep the Banger Back:
Keeping the banger near the baseline is your best friend if you can manage it. You want to give them as few opportunities as possible to offensively advance on the ball. Avoid inviting them into the Transition Area or Non-Volley Zone, where their aggressive footwork could prove problematic. Plus, if you manage to keep them back, you can always switch it up with a short drop right into their kitchen.
Engage the Soft Game:
If you excel at dinking and play with a bit more finesse, challenge the banger by forcing them to play your own game. Most bangers tend to stick to that play style because that's what they're comfortable with, but if you can push them out of their comfort zone and make them abandon their typical game you'll have a huge advantage.
Now go out and beat some bangers.
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