How to Beat a Pickleball Opponent You're Intimidated By

Instead of trying to out-power an opponent with superior skills, you're going to out-think them

There's a moment every pickleball player knows too well. You're standing at the baseline, and across the net is someone who just looks dangerous. Maybe they've got a serve that sounds like a cannon. Maybe their spin game is so ridiculous it seems almost unfair. Maybe they're just taller, stronger, or faster than you.

Suddenly, your confidence takes a nosedive.

Here's the thing though: pickleball isn't football. Or hockey.

Nobody's coming at you with 200 pounds of muscle and bad intentions. You've got something way better than physical dominance on your side. You've got the kitchen, and it's the ultimate equalizer.

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That's the core message from Tanner Tomassi, who recently shared a tactical breakdown on how to neutralize opponents who intimidate you. In a crisp, 60-second video, Tanner lays out three concrete strategies that flip the script on power players and turn their strengths into liabilities.

Strategy 1: The Third Shot Drop Over the Drive When you're facing someone who intimidates you, your first instinct might be to match their aggression. Don't. That's exactly what they want.

Instead, Tanner recommends hitting third shot drops rather than drives.

If you can get that ball to bounce... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/how-to-beat-a-pickleball-opponent-youre-intimidated-by/