Tournament Prep Like a Pro
Your tournament is next weekend. You’ve got your paddles, your partner, and your protein bars. But are you actually ready?
In this episode of Pickleball Cheat Code, Brodie Smith and Tanner Tomassi walk through exactly how high-level players prepare for tournament success—both mentally and physically. This post breaks it all down: partner chemistry, game planning, warmup routines, and even how not to overhype your own match.
Whether it’s your first bracket or your fiftieth, this is the pre-tourney checklist you didn’t know you needed.
Game Plan Starts With Chemistry
According to Tanner, if you’ve got a week to prepare:
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Play as many rec games as possible with your partner.
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Prioritize variety. Play against bangers, dinkers, lobbers—every style you might face in a bracket.
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Use those matches to identify team strengths and weaknesses.
Pro Insight: Chemistry trumps drilling right before a tournament. Use your final week to solidify patterns, not fix technique.
Define Roles: Fire and Ice Wins
Tanner’s advice for elite teams?
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Fire and ice. One player should be the aggressor, the other a consistent rock.
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Avoid two passive players. You won’t pressure top teams.
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Two aggressors can work, but only with good control and real-time adjustments.
Talk through:
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Who takes thirds?
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Who poaches more?
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What shots are automatic green lights?
Real-World Example: Tanner lets his partner Mark take deep overheads—even from Tanner’s side—because of Mark’s tennis background. Play to your team’s best weapons.
Don’t Let Hype Kill Your Game
Tournament day jitters? Brodie has a fix: Treat it like rec play.
Seriously:
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Don’t overhype the match in your head.
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Avoid subconscious tension by acting like it’s just another day.
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Focus on rest, fuel, and calming routines.
Pro Insight: You won’t play your best if you’re too amped up. Downshift the pressure to unlock better decision-making.
Smart Scouting = Sneaky Wins
Not everyone scouts their opponents—but it can pay off.
If you see your draw the night before:
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Reach out to mutuals for a quick scouting report.
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Look for weaknesses: "Attacks poorly off the bounce," "Struggles with inside foot," etc.
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Keep it respectful, but strategic.
Tanner’s take? Scouting helps, but don’t psych yourself out. Confidence beats fear. If it rattles you, don’t look at the bracket.
The Tournament Morning Routine
Your warmup matters. Here's the blueprint:
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45 minutes before play starts: General warm-up (get the body moving, avoid injury).
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15–20 minutes: Controlled dink, drop, and reset drills.
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Final 10–15 minutes: Play quick rec games or skinny singles to sharpen timing.
Oh—and maybe skip the donut and coffee combo. Or don’t. Just make sure your fuel gives you energy, not regret.
Final Word: Prepare With a Plan—Not Just Reps
Success in tournaments isn’t just about skill. It’s about showing up with a strategy, a partner you trust, and a mindset that’s locked in.
So whether you're grinding drills, learning your partner’s quirks, or just chilling the night before with a banana and your bracket—go in ready, not rattled.
🎧 Listen to Pickleball Cheat Code on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more high-level tips.