Facing an aggressive opponent in pickleball can be intimidating. They might hit hard, rush the net, and seem to dominate the court. However, professional pickleball player Jessie Irvine has a clever strategy to neutralize their power and turn the tables in your favor.
The Key: Keep Them Back Longer
Jessie's core advice for countering aggressive players is simple yet highly effective: keep them back longer. Aggressive players thrive when they are at the kitchen line, where they can unleash their powerful shots and volleys. The goal is to prevent them from getting there quickly and comfortably.
You can watch Jessie explain her tips in action here:
How to Execute This Strategy:
Jessie suggests a specific return of serve placement to achieve this:
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Return to the Aggressive Player: Counter-intuitively, the best way to deal with an aggressive player is often to return the serve directly to them [00:48, 01:02]. While it might feel like you're feeding their strength, the intent is to force them to hit their third shot from deeper in the court. This delays their ability to rush to the kitchen line and reduces the immediate threat of their aggressive play.
By forcing them to stay further back, you:
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Limit Their Power: Aggressive shots are less effective from the baseline.
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Gain Time: Your team gains precious extra milliseconds to prepare for their next shot.
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Disrupt Their Rhythm: Aggressive players often rely on a fast-paced game. Keeping them back disrupts their preferred rhythm and forces them to play a more controlled, less aggressive style.
Why This Works
This strategy is about disrupting your opponent's comfort zone. Instead of letting them dictate the pace and position, you take control by making them play from a disadvantageous spot. It's a testament to the idea that pickleball isn't just about hitting hard, but about smart, strategic shot placement.
So, the next time you face an aggressive duo, remember Jessie's tip: send that return of serve to the aggressor and watch them struggle to get to their happy place at the kitchen line!
