The Pro Playbook: Handling Bangers in Pickleball

Bangers can derail your game if you’re not prepared—but with the right court positioning, paddle control, and mental approach, you can turn their power into your advantage. In this episode of Pickleball Cheat Code, Brodie Smith and Tanner Tomassi break down exactly how to neutralize aggressive drives and keep the point on your terms.

1. Court Positioning: Control the Angles

One of the fastest ways to neutralize a banger is to limit their shot angles. Avoid short, middle returns that give them multiple targets. Instead:

  • Return deep and closer to the sidelines, so one player covers line and the other covers middle.

  • Use Tanner’s “Rope Rule”—after your return, take your first two steps toward where you hit the ball, as if pulled by a rope. This closes the most dangerous lanes.

2. Paddle Positioning: Build Your Wall

Bangers thrive on speed, so reaction time is key. Brodie and Tanner recommend:

  • Staying backhand-ready—it covers both shoulders and most body shots.

  • Using two hands when the drive is at your body or when you’re on the run for added stability.

  • Keeping your paddle face flat through the block (“pizza box” analogy) to reduce timing errors.

3. Timing & Footwork: Stay Balanced

Never try to handle a drive while moving forward—get planted before contact.

  • Use an early split step if you’re late approaching the kitchen.

  • Avoid leaning or reaching, which creates pop-ups.

  • If you can read the ball, counterpunch to put pressure back. If not, settle for a soft, controlled block to reset the point.

4. Mentality: Relax & Read

A tense body makes errors more likely.

  • Stay loose in the shoulders and legs before contact.

  • Respect great drives—sometimes the best play is a calm, low block that resets the rally.

  • Punish weaker drives early to discourage repeated banging.

5. Countering the Shake & Bake

When facing a team that drives (shakes) and poaches (bakes):

  • If both players are right-handed, return to the left-side player so the poacher is forced into a weaker backhand finish.

  • Go behind the incoming poacher to deter reckless sprints and open up space to attack the deeper player.

6. Drills to Master Anti-Banger Defense

  • Hammer Time Drill: Partner starts close, ripping hard drives, and moves back as you improve.

  • Depth Control Drill: Practice moon-ball returns that give you extra time to get set.

  • Two-Hand Block Drill: Focus on stable, flat-faced blocks with both hands for stability.

Key Takeaway:

Bangers win when they rush you into errors. Take away their time, limit their angles, stay balanced, and keep your paddle ready. With the right preparation, their biggest weapon becomes your easiest point.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of Pickleball Cheat Code on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for all of Brodie and Tanner’s insights.

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