What Is Your Pickleball IQ?

Before diving into my very personal pickleball story that highlights the importance of Pickleball IQ, take a moment to answer these 15 intriguing questions to gauge your own knowledge.

If you know less than five answers, you are a Pickleball padawan. If you know between 6-10 answers, you are a neophyte. If you know 11-15 answers, excellent, you’re a student of the game. The IQ Force is strong in you! Ready? Let’s go!

1. Secret Serve Spot: Did you know there’s a special spot to serve from the left side that will make your serves more accurate and more challenging for your opponent to return?
2. Perfect Return Place: Are you aware there’s one spot to return every serve that significantly puts the serving team at a disadvantage and gives the returning team a competitive edge?
3. Thirds, Not Halves: Did you know that Pickleball is best played in thirds, rather than halves? (Say what?!)
4. Optimal Grip: Do you know the best grip to hold the paddle?
5. Kitchen Position: Do you know where to stand at the kitchen? (Hint: It’s NOT in the middle of your box)
6. Stacking: Are you familiar with stacking? Can you do it confidently? Do you know why left-handed players should always stack?
7. Serve Styles: Do you have at least three different styles of serves you can deliver confidently?
8. Topspin Techniques: Do you know how to add topspin to your forehand and backhand?
9. Slicing Success: Do you know how to “chop” or slice the ball effectively?
10. Predictive Positioning: Did you know that a Pickleball IQ player can predict with 90% certainty where the next ball will go based on its current position on the court?
11. Lob Mastery: Can you lob effectively? Do you know when to execute a lob? Are you confident about smashing a lob, hitting a lob if it gets behind you, or defending against one?
12. Strategic Movement: Do you know the precise moment to move forward after your shot and how far? (Hint: It’s not “hit and run” as fast as you can to the kitchen)
13. Confidence Check: Have you ever felt not confident while playing?
14. Learning Curve: Do you still think you’ll get “better” and learn everything you need to know just by playing with “better” players?
15. Opponent Analysis: Can you look across at your opponents before the game starts and devise a strategy to beat them? If not, why? Why Does Any Of This Matter?

So back to the personal story I promised. With an athletic background spanning a multitude of sports, I felt invincible when I was first introduced to pickleball in 2020. Dominating the courts came naturally, and I rarely tasted defeat.

Then came the match against Beth. Beth must have been in her late 60s. As we lined up to play, I assured my partner that we should “go easy” on her and her older teammate. With a mindset of holding back, we started the game. But in a flash, we were trailing 5-1. I was perplexed, confused, and completely rattled. Suddenly, it was very evident that Beth was no ordinary opponent.

Determined to turn the tide, I devised my winning strategy: hit harder, run faster, and play more aggressively. But did it work? When the dust settled, we—actually, I—had lost 11-4. I walked to the net in utter shock, reeling from the unexpected defeat.

As we clicked paddles, Beth’s reaction was the cherry on top: she winked and gave me a smirk that seemed to say, “Welcome to pickleball. I hope you like my humble pie I just served you!”

As I left the court, I began dissecting the game, searching desperately for answers to soothe my bruised ego. I wanted to blame the wind or my partner, but after a long and thorough post-game review, I came to a stark realization: we were simply outplayed. She wasn’t faster, stronger, or hitting harder than me, yet she managed to win easily. How? The answer was simple—her Pickleball IQ.

Her understanding of the game neutralized every attribute I had been relying on to win. At that moment, I knew that if I wanted to elevate my game and finally beat the seemingly invincible Beth, I had to change my approach.

I sought out a local coach and over the course of six months, took a series of private and group lessons. In just half a year, I learned more than I had in two years of casual play. It was a revelation, but it also came with a pang of regret: I wished I had sought guidance earlier. Years of playing without proper technique had entrenched bad habits and improper muscle memory patterns that I now had to painstakingly unlearn.

Every lesson was a humbling experience, but also a step closer to becoming the player I aspired to be. It was no longer about just winning; it was about understanding the nuances, the strategies, and the mental toughness that Beth had mastered.

With each passing week, I began to see improvements. The game slowed down, and I started seeing openings and anticipating shots before they happened. My confidence grew, not just from the technical skills I was acquiring, but from the strategic mindset I was developing.

It took me six months to finally win a game against Beth. And even then, she was still a formidable opponent. This time, as we tapped paddles at the net, I searched her eyes for approval. Beth had always been kind and always the competitor. I’ll never forget what she said to me.

“Congratulations! It’s obvious you’ve been studying the game. Never stop learning and working on your Pickleball IQ. That’s where the REAL game of pickleball is played. Let’s run it back!”

Her words were more than just congratulatory; they were a reminder and a challenge. Beth’s encouragement crystallized a truth I’d come to appreciate: mastery isn’t about the number of wins but rather the unending pursuit of knowledge and improvement. Beth herself embodied this philosophy, always seeking to elevate her game through diligence and curiosity.

Every rally and every drop shot had taught me something valuable. The countless hours spent watching game footage, honing my serve, and practicing my footwork had finally borne fruit. Yet, Beth’s insight highlighted that my journey was far from over. She inspired me to adopt a mentality of perpetual learning, understanding that the real game is played in the mind as much as on the court.

So here’s to Beth, and all the other “Beth’s” out there, who are true students of the game. They remind us that humility and a spirit of constant learning are crucial not just in pickleball but in life. My game keeps improving as I continue to be coachable and a student of the game. Each match, win or lose, is just another lesson in the grander scheme of this sport.

I hope Beth’s words are now etched in your my mind as they are in mine- a guiding beacon. Cheers to those who inspire us to push our boundaries, to elevate our play, and to always remain vigilant students of the game we love.