Recently, during one of our Pickleball Academy sessions, we had a heartfelt discussion about how to approach the game, especially when facing challenges.
The advice I shared with the players was simple yet profound: You must develop a healthy relationship with failure to be successful at any level in this game.
Why Failure is the Key to Success
Failure isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to embrace. In pickleball, as in life, failure is often the stepping stone to growth. The key lies in how you respond to it. Let’s break it down:
1. Fail Early
- Tap into your courage to try new skills and techniques during open play.
- Understand that errors are part of the learning process, especially in the beginning.
- Remember: It’s okay to struggle at first. That’s how progress happens.
Example: If you’re learning the third-shot drop, don’t be afraid to miss the net or hit it too high initially. Focus on execution and adjustments, not perfection.
2. Fail Often
- As you master one skill, challenge yourself to take on the next.
- Constantly pushing boundaries means you’ll experience failure more often—but that’s exactly how you grow.
Example: After getting comfortable with the third-shot drop, start working on resets and dinks. Each attempt builds muscle memory and court awareness.
3. Fail Forward
- Every time you make an error, you’re learning what doesn’t work—and that brings you closer to what does.
- Analyze your performance, make adjustments, and keep going.
Example: If your drop shots consistently fall short, practice hitting with more lift and control. Use errors as feedback for improvement.
The Third-Shot Drop Story: Lessons in Growth
When I first started learning pickleball, one of the first skills I was introduced to was the third-shot drop. The experienced players told me it was one of the hardest shots in the game.
I took that to heart—and it affected my mindset. Every miss reinforced the idea that this was too hard for me. I practiced relentlessly but still couldn’t get it right. At one point, players avoided partnering with me because I was so inconsistent. Only a few kind-hearted players stuck it out.
But I didn’t quit. I kept drilling and adjusting. After weeks of focused practice, the shot finally started clicking. Suddenly, the same players who avoided me wanted to partner with me.
What changed? My belief. Once I stopped telling myself it was too hard and instead focused on incremental progress, I turned failure into success. Now, I teach this shot in clinics as a fundamental skill—not as the hardest shot in pickleball. And guess what? My students pick it up faster because they don’t start with the mental block I had.
Lessons from Bruce Lee: Focus and Consistency
When I struggled with my game early on, I often felt overwhelmed by the number of skills I needed to learn. That’s when I came across a quote from Bruce Lee that changed my perspective:
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” — Bruce Lee
This quote made me realize that mastering one skill at a time was more effective than trying to learn everything at once. I decided to focus on one shot until I had it down. This approach required patience and persistence, but the results spoke for themselves.
The takeaway? Practice with purpose. Focus on one skill, repeat it consistently, and watch your confidence and performance soar.
Don’t Let Others Dictate Your Growth
One of the biggest obstacles in learning pickleball is the fear of judgment. But here’s the truth:
- Everyone was a beginner at some point.
- Someone likely extended grace and patience to them as they were learning.
If another player is critical or discouraging, you have two options:
- Remind them that learning takes time and effort—and they were once in your shoes.
- Find a more supportive group of players—or better yet, come find me! I’ll play with you anytime.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Growth and Progress
Mastering pickleball—or any sport—isn’t about avoiding failure. It’s about failing with purpose.
- Fail early to start learning.
- Fail often to keep improving.
- Fail forward to grow and succeed.
Embrace the process and keep pushing yourself to get better. With practice, patience, and persistence, your game will grow stronger, and so will your confidence.
Looking for More Tips?
Check out my Precision Pickleball Training sessions to learn drills, techniques, and strategies designed to help you level up your game.
