👀Beat the Club Hotshot: 5 Brutal Ways to Take Down That Better Player Without Even Trying

Tom Kiat
Aug 18
2 min read

There’s always that guy. The better player. The one who walks onto the court like he owns it. Fancy paddle. Big ego. Smug smile.

You want to beat him. Shut him down. Show him who runs this court.

5 Brutal ways to do exactly that and walk away very very happy.

1. Exploit Their Predictability. Smash Their Rhythm.

Better players run on habit. Smash, drive, volley. Same shots, same timing.

Your job? be the disruption. Throw in unexpected dinks that slow the pace. Quick resets that steal their momentum. Sharp angles that pull them wide.

They want rhythm. You take it away.

When they’re off their game, they’re vulnerable. That’s your moment to strike.

Last week I played “Mike.” Drove every shot like a tennis ball. I mixed soft dinks and sharp angles. He lost his groove. I took the points and the match.

2. Own the Kitchen. Take It Early.

The kitchen is sacred. Charge in. Control the net. Move fast, cut off angles, volley aggressively.

Pressure isn’t just physical. It’s mental. The tighter you squeeze, the more mistakes they make.

Make the kitchen your throne. Make them sweat defending it.

3. Attack the Backhand. Relentlessly.

Most players have a stronger forehand and a shaky backhand. Better players are no exception.

Pinpoint their weaker side. Force them to use it every chance you get.

Watch them struggle with awkward swings, off-balance shots, and errors.

A relentless attack here breaks down their confidence faster than a missed serve.

4. Control the Pace. Slow It Down or Speed It Up.

Better players want to control tempo. It’s their weapon.

Flip the script. Slow the game with precise, soft dinks that frustrate and force errors. Or crank it up with aggressive volleys and drives that pressure them physically.

Master pacing. Keep them guessing.

If they can’t predict your speed, they can’t control the rally.

5. Mental Game: Smile While They Sweat.

Pickleball is mental warfare. Better players expect respect.

Don’t give it. Stay calm. Stay confident.

Smile through their eye rolls and trash talk. Let their frustration grow.

They’ll make mistakes. You’ll seize the moment.

Mental toughness wins matches. Always.

My final take on this is.....

You don’t need power shots or miracles.

You need strategy. Control. Mental strength.

Master these five moves. Own your court.