I see a lot of commentary on here about how to play against bangers but I never see anybody say anything about how to play with them. I need some tactical advice in that regard. I play very regularly in a men’s 2.5- 3.0 scramble at the club I belong to in New Hampshire. (Don’t judge! The guy who does the ratings there is tough, when we are in Florida in the winter I routinely play in 3.5 events) Anyway, I’m always one of the top three players in our eight or 12 man scramble, except when I am paired up with either of the two guys who are my official designated bangers. These are guys who whether it’s a third shot, a fifth shot, a shot they are scrambling to try to reach running backwards or laterally, etc., no matter what they try to drive. These guys don’t have crazy power so needless to say most of these drives get blocked back or aggressively countered except for the ones that come off a very weak shallow service return. I love playing against these guys because there’s nobody easier to beat than a banger without a lot of power. But when partnered with them It gets super frustrating for me as the playing partner because we lose all those points and I end up eating the ball a lot
Summary
- Discussing the challenges of playing with bangers in Pickleball.
- Posing questions on positioning and strategy when paired with aggressive players.
- Seeking advice on how to best support and coordinate with banger partners for improved gameplay.
Insight from Players
One user shared, “I play with a guy like that who also wants to get better. When I play with him I tell him flat out – only third shot drops. To his credit he tries and has actually gotten better… But I had to kind of prep him for it.” This highlights the importance of clear communication and constructive feedback in such situations.
Counter and Reset
In response to the dilemma presented, another user suggested, “At that point, I would just try to make the best out of the worst situation. Focus on dig, reset, and counter.” This approach emphasizes focusing on personal improvement and skill development during challenging matchups.
Strategic Play
One user proposed the idea of playing strategically despite the circumstances, advising, “Play the game while thinking of something else. Really nothing you can do when playing with a player with no concept of strategy.” This perspective suggests maintaining focus on individual gameplay strategies during challenging partnerships.
Tactical Positioning
To address the positional concerns raised, a user recommended, “Stay back until you get a good drop shot, if they do one of those short drop shots then take advantage of your opponent inviting you up to the kitchen and get up there.” This advice underscores the importance of adapting positioning based on the gameplay dynamics and capitalizing on opponent’s moves.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with challenging playing partners in Pickleball can be a test of patience and adaptability. By seeking advice from experienced players and strategizing based on individual strengths, players can navigate through such situations with improved tactics and a positive mindset.