Winning in Recreational Pickleball Isn't the Only Thing That Matters

Editor's Note: Mike Leigh lives in Colorado, where he teaches pickleball in the summer and skiing in the winter. Prior to that, Mike spent 30 years working with elite athletes to improve their performance. Mike's book, 'Zen and the Art of Pickleball', focuses on the mental game of pickleball.

Tournament Pickleball: When Winning Really Does Matter

Let's face it: when you're competing in a tournament, you want to win. There's a gold medal on the line.

Just getting on the podium with a silver or bronze medal can be fun and feel like a good accomplishment. Winning in a tournament requires scouting your opponents (if possible), then devising a strategy to exploit any weaknesses they may display.

Scouting Strategy and Targeting the Weaker Player

Winning means playing your best game and working together as a team. Most likely you've decided who the weaker player is on the opposing team. Maybe they're not good with dinking. Maybe they have trouble getting to lobs. Maybe they can't handle a hard drive hit to them.

Your job is to take advantage of the weaker player. To win, you need to focus on each shot, minimize unforced errors, hit unattackable balls, hit outright winners, and play good defense. In other words, you're playing your best and trying to outscore your opponents.

However, during recreational pickleball, there's a different goal in mind. The mindset shifts completely once you step off the competitive court.

The True Spirit of Recreational Pickleball

The goal in recreational pickleball is to have fun, be kind to your opponents, work on your own skills as well as help your opponents work on theirs. As Yahoo Sports has noted, the social part of pickleball is as big as the playing part for many players. That philosophy is what makes the game so special.

I too often see a pair of newbies playing against experienced players who play to win and get wiped off the court. Recreational pickleball is meant to be fun, social and relaxing. That can quickly change when some players decide to coach you up.

Why Running Up the Score Hurts Recreational Pickleball

I too often see good teams hitting to the weaker player just to run up their own score. The better player on the weaker team never sees the ball.

The game is not fun at that point. And usually, the weaker player is unable to compete at the same level as the more talented team on the other side. The weaker player gets forced into errors that are embarrassing and not really helping them improve. This scenario happens way too often in recreational pickleball.

How I Approach Drop-In Recreational Pickleball

As a pickleball instructor and tournament player, I don't like to see this happen. If I'm on the court in a social game and I never see a ball because my partner is the weaker player, I call out my opponents. After they run up the score to 5-0, I usually say something like "So, are you having fun winning every point?" Or maybe I say, "Am I ever going to see the ball?"

This usually gets the message across to my opponents that they need to change their approach to the game. Maybe they start hitting more shots to me. Or maybe they lighten up on the velocity of their shots to my partner. In any event, I believe this is a 'teaching moment' for the better team to take the game a little less seriously.

Playing Up to My Potential in Competitive Pickleball

As one of the better players at our club, I am invited to play in competitive games with 4.5 and 5.0 players. During these games I try to play to the best of my ability. I try to hit the ball to the better player on the other side of the net so that more balls will come back. This helps me improve my game.

Of course, my play can vary from day to day, and I may not always play my best. But I try to maintain a high level of play so that I do not disappoint my partner or my opponents.

I adhere to the philosophy of play that I endorse in the chapter "The Zen of Winning" in my book Zen and the Art of Pickleball. This philosophy is based on the premise that I can help to win rallies with winning shots during a game. The final score of the game does not matter to me as much as playing up to my potential. Playing my best allows me to hit winning shots and to be a winner many times over during the game, even though the final score may not be in my favor.

Softening Your Game in Open Play Pickleball

On the other hand, when I play with players of lower ability (3.0-4.0) at the club during drop-in recreational pickleball, I often do not play as well as I can. I try to play a softer, gentler game and just a little bit better than my opponents. I try to take pace off the ball.

I try to hit the ball back to my opponents and keep the ball in play while trying to avoid hitting outright winners.

I want my partner and my opponents to get better.

So longer rallies are my goal, rather than ending the point quickly with a winner. I can still work on my own skills with dinks and volleys, placement of serves and returns, and maybe a lob or two. I compliment my opponents and my partner for the good shots that they execute.

Winning for me in these recreational pickleball games is about having fun and helping others so that everyone comes away a bit happier and a bit better. In other words, I try to be encouraging rather than too competitive. I try to keep the game close and be kind.

A Story That Says It All About Recreational Pickleball

I recently saw a hot shot, younger male player and his wife (both in their 50s) play against two older ladies (65 and 75). The ball always went to the 75-year-old, never to the 65-year-old. This kind of behavior is unfortunately common in open play pickleball.

The older lady did not have much success against the youngsters. There was also not much laughter on the court. They won 11-1.

After the game, I asked the young man "was that fun beating two older women 11-1?" His response was "of course, I always want to win."

In my opinion, playing the way that he and his wife did was deplorable. Maybe the youngsters thought they were hot stuff and notched another game in their win column to boost their rating. But their opponents did not come away from the game very happy or better off for it.

Why Kindness Is the Real Win in Recreational Pickleball

By softening the game and being kind, by laughing and having fun, it allows everyone to leave the court feeling better about themselves. Everyone feels happy rather than feeling depressed over losing the game or being embarrassed (and maybe becoming discouraged). That is the real spirit of recreational pickleball, and it is worth protecting.

As Sports Illustrated has covered, pickleball's explosive growth is driven by its welcoming culture. If everyone approached open play pickleball with a spirit of inclusion and patience, the sport would be even more welcoming for newcomers and experienced players alike.

Please remember to be kind on the courts. Let me know what you think. E-mail me at mike.leigh@ideas4usall.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between recreational pickleball and tournament pickleball?

In tournament pickleball, the goal is to win, and players are expected to compete at their highest level, targeting weaknesses and maximizing every scoring opportunity. In recreational pickleball, the priority shifts to fun, social connection, and mutual improvement rather than dominating the scoreboard.

Is it okay to target the weaker player in a recreational pickleball game?

Constantly targeting the weaker player in rec play crosses a line because it takes the ball away from their partner, runs up the score, and discourages beginners from sticking with the game. A better approach is to distribute shots evenly so all four players stay engaged, improve, and leave the court enjoying the experience.

How should I handle opponents running up the score in open play pickleball?

Speaking up calmly and directly is often the most effective solution — a simple "are you having fun winning every point?" can reset the tone without causing conflict. If the behavior continues, consider rotating to a different court or pairing, since recreational pickleball should remain a positive environment for all skill levels.

How can I still work on my own game during recreational pickleball?

Dropping the pace does not mean abandoning skill development — you can practice precise dink placement, consistent serve returns, and strategic lobs even when playing at a lower intensity. The goal is to challenge yourself quietly while creating longer rallies that benefit everyone on the court.

What is the best mindset to bring to drop-in pickleball?

Approach every drop-in pickleball session as an opportunity to improve yourself while lifting others. Focus on longer rallies, encourage good shots, compliment your opponents, and dial back your power against beginners. The players who leave the court happiest are almost always the ones who gave the most, not the ones who ran up the highest score.