In Daily Pickleballs, you'll inevitably
encounter players with massive power games who aggressively bang hard drives -
aptly called "bangers."
Their sheer pace and depth can overwhelm opponents, leading to quick
victories. However, bangers have weaknesses you can exploit once you understand
some key counter-tactics.
Let's examine smart strategies for facing pickleball's biggest hitters.
Play Defense First
The first priority against banger play is self-preservation through defense.
If you attempt to out-bang superior power players, you'll lose.
Accept that they'll hit forceful shots you often can't return. So focus first
on keeping the ball in play.
Maintain ready position with weight forward, knees bent, and paddle up. Move
quickly to intercept shots, but don't overswing.
Block returns strategically to spots that limit their options. Bide your time
probing for openings while avoiding errors.
Let Long Shots Fly By
Many bangers routinely hit balls that land way long. Don't fall for their
power baits. If a drive clearly sails beyond the baseline, let it fly by.
Attempting low-percentage returns only fuels their game. Hold ready position
but stay put on obvious overhits.
This conserves energy, avoids unforced errors, and may frustrate them into
imprudence. Choose smart battles. You want them over-swinging, not resetting
with touch shots.
Move Them Laterally
Bangers thrive hitting straight down the middle where their raw power
shines.
Take that preferred trajectory away by directing balls to the outer edges of
their reach zone.
When they have to move laterally to track down shots, bangers lose pace and
control.
They also open up down-the-line targets when drawn side-to-side. Smart shot
placement is your main countermeasure.
Move them east-west to disrupt north-south bang shots.
High floating returns are candy for power players, inviting mid-air attacks.
Take away that advantage by keeping returns low over the net.
Low trajectories force bangers into hitting up on balls, reducing their
customary pace.
Low returns also allow the ball to skid through the court, rushing opponents
on the bounce.
And when they do attack, low shots often pop up for put-away opportunities.
Going low neutralizes banger height.
Attack Their Movement
When bangers charge forward seeking short balls, they become vulnerable.
Their quick forward movement reduces stability, often leading to mishits and
openings.
Bait their advances by tossing up short sitters. Then knife a sharp return to
the space they vacated.
Timed right, this tactic results in easy put aways. Alternatively, you can
just wait out their rushed errors. Make bangers beat you moving forward, not
planted.
Target Their Weakness
Most bangers have either a much weaker forehand or backhand. Through
observation, identify which wing leaks.
Then pepper it relentlessly. Their power vanishes on noisy swing sides. Even
if they possess rockets on both wings, one is usually better.
Constant pressure on the weaker side racks up mistakes. Don't alternate
evenly - just keep feeding their bull's-eye.
Reset Them Deep
When pulled wide or forced off-balance, bangers lose stability in their legs
and core, undermining their raw power.
Spring constant low reset shots on either side to keep them moving and
prevent them from resetting rallies.
Don't allow lazy lobs either - force bangers to play long points. Eventually
their maximize pace wavers. Depth taxation exhausted even the strongest legs and
arms over time.
Flip The Script
Once you've established defense and probed weaknesses, it's time to flip the
script and abruptly change tactics.
Surprise bangers with unexpected power drives, lobs, drops, dinks and resets
of your own. Vary spins too.
This sudden offense interrupts the rhythm they want to impose. Don't do it
all the time - just mix in your own controlled aggression when their guard is
down. Disrupt the disruptors.
While integrating these countermeasures, stay composed. Don't let the pace or
power distract you.
Maintain faith in your tactics. Remember, bangers want to impose their game
which relies on forcing errors.
Have patience knowing any opponent missing that much will eventually break.
Wait them out. Steady application of diversity and discipline breaks big
bangers.
Facing extreme power threats head-on is usually futile. The most effective
plan uses defense, movement, depth, and disruption to progressively undermine
their strengths.
Integrating these tactics steadfastly puts the odds back in your favor.
Containing their weapon, safely counter-punching, and selectively attacking
checkmates even the most threatening banger's game.
Try these strategies and let the bangers beat themselves.
