Left-handed players can create all kinds of problems on a pickleball court — not necessarily because they’re better players, but because the angles and patterns they create are different from what most recreational players are used to seeing.
In this episode, Tracie talks with IPTPA coach James Moore about how to adjust when there’s a lefty on the other side of the net — and why the answer isn’t simply “hit to their backhand.
James explains why the first step is simply recognizing where your opponents’ forehands actually are, especially when a righty-lefty team has both forehands covering the middle.
His favorite strategy is even more interesting: identify the less dominant player and aim toward that player’s paddle-side foot.
That creates a wonderfully messy situation. The less dominant player thinks, That’s my ball. The stronger player thinks, I can get it.
And suddenly there’s hesitation, reaching, bad positioning and confusion between partners.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why your favorite cross-court shot may come flying back at you against a lefty
When attacking the middle makes sense — and when two forehands are waiting there
Why aiming too aggressively toward the sidelines can create unnecessary errors
The importance of both partners communicating instead of letting one person captain every ball
Why playing with a lefty makes understanding the Rule of X even more important
And why lefties who don’t learn to stack may be giving away one of their biggest advantages
The big takeaway:
Don’t make “beat the lefty” your entire strategy. Disrupt the partnership instead.
Pay attention to who the dominant player is, notice where the forehands are, and look for shots that force your opponents to make a decision about whose ball it is.
Sometimes the best shot isn’t the one your opponent can’t reach.
It’s the one both of them think they should hit.
Share this with a righty who keeps forgetting there’s a lefty on the other side of the net and tell them to SUBSCRIBE.
Short, practical insights for recreational players who want answers.
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