Think Like a Pro: The Mental Game That Separates Elite Pickleball Players

Physical skills get you in the game. Mental skills win you the game.

In this Pickleball Cheat Code episode, Brodie Smith and Tanner Tomassi share the top mental strategies they use to outthink and outlast the competition—whether it’s handling ego, playing the percentages, or creating patterns your opponents don’t see coming.

1. Leave Your Ego Off the Court

Ego-driven decisions kill momentum.

• Don’t chase revenge after a body bag.
  

• Avoid letting emotions dictate risky shots.
  

• Treat every rally as a fresh start.
  

Pro Tip: Caring less about a single point often makes you play better over the whole match.

2. Play the Percentages

Knowing your own shot stats is a cheat code.

• Track your drop, drive, and dink success rates.
  

• Lean on your higher-percentage shots in tournaments.
  

• Let your numbers guide your drilling priorities.
  

Try This: Film a match, log makes and misses for key shots, and adjust your strategy based on the results.

3. Speed Up With a Plan

Every speedup should set up your next shot.

• Use the “triangle method” to predict the reply.
  

• Attack locations that feed into your best counters.
  

• Never speed up just for the sake of it.
  
  

4. Visualize Your Targets

Small, specific targets = more consistent execution.

• Aim drops at an imaginary “bucket” at your opponent’s feet.
  

• Pick precise foot or shoulder targets for dinks.
  

• Use consistent visual cues for each shot type.
  

5. Treat Every Point Equally

Momentum matters, but each rally counts the same.

• Avoid mental letdowns after big points.
  

• Call timeouts to break opponent runs.
  

• Stay present—don’t think ahead to the finish line.
  

6. Build and Break Patterns

Pros win by lulling opponents into predictable exchanges, then breaking the script.

• Repeat the same shot to set up deception.
  

• Change direction or pace only after conditioning your opponent.
  

• Look for patterns in mixed doubles to exploit positioning.
  

Bonus Pro Tips

• Stress Test Opponents: Hammer the same weakness until they prove they can handle it.
  

• Control Tempo: Dictate the pace of rallies to keep opponents uncomfortable.
  

• Shot Tolerance: Expect long rallies and embrace patience under pressure.
  

Final Word: Smarter Play Wins More Matches

The pros aren’t just faster or stronger—they’re more deliberate. From ego control to pattern creation, the mental side of pickleball is where big skill jumps happen.

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