There are few things more painful in pickleball than watching your opponent hit a ball that was clearly headed for the back fence…
Only for your partner to reach out and smack it back into play.
Congratulations.
You have just turned their mistake into your problem.
Stop Being a Banger Enabler
This week, Tracie talks with Coach, Thomas Yelloweyes, about one of the great recreational pickleball mysteries:
Why do we keep hitting balls that are obviously going out?
Not the close ones.
Not the “was that on the line?” ones.
The really out ones.
The ones sailing past your shoulder.
The ones flying wide at the kitchen.
The ones your opponent had no business being proud of until you kindly gave them another chance.
Thomas calls this very common condition being a banger enabler.
A banger hits a ball that probably wasn’t going to land in.
You hit it anyway.
Now they think it was a great shot.
And you have encouraged the behavior.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why out balls look different depending on where you are on the court
Why the transition zone is the danger zone for hitting balls you should let go
Why “chest high, let it fly” is still worth testing
How ready position helps you see out balls more clearly
Why some players hit out balls simply because it feels good
What to do when your rec partner keeps playing balls you know were going out
The big takeaway:
Letting out balls go isn't lazy, and it doesn't mean you're giving up on the point. It's a skill, and like any skill in pickleball, it takes practice.
At the baseline, you may need to play almost everything. But as you move closer to the kitchen, high balls and wide angles deserve a closer look, especially if they're fast or headed past your shoulder.
The goal isn't to let every ball go. It's to recognize the ones your opponent is already missing. Sometimes the smartest shot in pickleball is the one you don't hit.
Share this with a banger enabler who thinks every ball is a personal invitation and tell them to SUBSCRIBE.
Short, practical insights for recreational players who want answers.
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