Anything can happen on the pickleball court. Often, the most surprising or unconventional shots can turn the tide and come back over the pickleball net. That’s why it’s crucial to always be ready for the ball to come back. Every player has the potential to execute an incredible recovery or snag a lucky shot. As a result, it is important to stay in the rally until the definitive end. This means you should (1) maintain your mental focus during the entire rally until it reaches a clear conclusion—like when the ball goes out of bounds or a double bounce occurs—and (2) keep your paddle at the ready after every shot, even if you believe you’ve hit a winner. Too often, we let our guard down, assuming the rally is over, only to find the pickleball dribbling back to our side or our opponents unexpectedly reach our great shots. Avoid celebrating too soon, even if you’re convinced you’ve made a winning shot.
