Don’t Let Winning Get in the Way of Your Learning

Always Winning is for Losers

If you want to become a better pickleball player, it's time to stop playing to win. Sure, we all enjoy winning, it’s a nice ego boost, and no one likes losing. But to improve in pickleball, you must be willing to lose in order to get better. The best players achieved their success by losing more games than you have.

Shift Your Focus in Rec Games

A common mistake players make during social play is focusing on winning the game rather than improving their skills. Identify the areas of your game that need improvement. Use each game as an opportunity to practice those skills until you can consistently execute them. In other words, always have an intention every rec game you play whereby you have 1-2 intentions/skills to embed as a new habit. For example, getting to NVL after a return of serve 100% of the time or aggressively top spinning your hybrid new 3rd shot drop.

The Learning Curve: Play the Long Game

Change your strategy on the court from short-term winning to long-term skill improvement. It might feel uncomfortable and mentally challenging at first, but soon your areas of intentional improvement will become effortless embedded habits. You’ll execute your shots instinctively without overthinking.

Play with Purpose

Becoming a player who hits with a purpose means being willing to lose more games now so you can win more later. Focus on improving your skill set rather than just winning, and you’ll see long-term improvement in your game.

So don’t let your ego (always trying to win) stunt your progress and potential. Playing your signature winning shots may win you today’s game, but won’t stretch you to beat tomorrow’s better players.

Embrace Losing to Improve

Practice and play shots and strategies that will help you compete against better players rather than go for the cheap short-term win. Hit to the better player to get better feedback on your game. Sure, you might lose, but you will learn more and become a better player in the long run.

“There’s no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in growth.”