In my pickleball journey, I’ve shifted my focus dramatically—from playing 95% of the time to drilling 90% of the time and playing just 10%. Why the change? It all comes down to one question I hear consistently during clinics and drilling sessions:
“How do I change my game and add the slow game—resetting the ball, slowing it down, or getting out of an out-of-control volley rally?”
The answer? Purposeful Pickleball.
What Is Purposeful Pickleball?
Purposeful Pickleball is about stepping onto the court with intention. It means focusing on specific skills—like slowing the game down or resetting the ball—and committing to practicing them during play.
Recently, I watched a video where Kyle Yates analyzed a point and emphasized the importance of playing with purpose. He shared that stepping onto the court with a clear goal—such as slowing the game down—can transform your performance and help you develop consistency and control.
This insight validated what I’ve been teaching players for years: you need to approach every session with intention and prioritize integrating new skills into your game.
A Story About Purposeful Play
“To illustrate purposeful play in action, let me share a story that highlights how strategy and mindset can transform your performance.”
I tell this story at specific times during lessons and clinics about playing purposeful Pickleball. The story goes that I used to teach in a church when I first started teaching Pickleball, and then it would be followed by a few hours of open play.
One of my students was not having a successful time on the courts as she was coming out on the losing side of each game. Now, keep in mind I would not base my day on wins and losses, but we know this is how a lot of players rate their time on the courts.
My student came up to me and shared that she would like to play with me for one of her last games to get a win before she headed home. I agreed but shared that there would be a few ground rules when we played that she would need to follow if we played the next game together. She agreed hastily and the team was set. Now, I should mention that I had been watching her along with a few other players playing and noticed that she was playing fast and out of control so I knew right away what we would focus on if she wanted to play.
When we took the court I made a few ground rules that we would play within during our side of the game to play focused and with purpose for each shot. The ground rules were that outside of the Serve and return shots we would drop everything into the no volley-zone or kitchen. We would force the other team to hit off the bounce and make their attacks harder.
Into the game we went and from time to time my student would forget to drop and speed it up and we would pay the price from the counter. However, she started to be more consistent in her drops and the errors on the other side of the net started piling up.
When the smoke cleared and the game was over we had won! The final score was 11-2! Yes, with us playing a game that had a game plan going in and being very focused on our shots and then sticking to the plan, we forced the other team to play a game they were uncomfortable with and we played within our strengths as a team.
This experience taught my student that success isn’t just about winning—it’s about executing a game plan and staying focused on the process.
This definitely made a lasting impression on her and those who watched. This is something I try and impress upon each student who takes a lesson or clinic with Night Train Pickleball.
How to Approach Purposeful Play
1. Focus on Adding, Not Changing.
Think of this as adding tools to your toolbox—not replacing the ones you already have. Adding a new skill like slowing the ball down gives you more options without taking away from your natural strengths.
2. Simplify Your Goals.
Give yourself one clear objective. For example: “I will slow the ball down every chance I get.” This eliminates decision fatigue and allows your body and mind to focus on execution. With time, you’ll feel more in control and naturally start identifying opportunities to reset and slow the pace.
3. Tune Out the Noise.
Not everyone on the court will share your mindset. Some players may resist change or prefer fast-paced rallies. That’s okay. Focus on your progress, not the final score. Count victories by how often you successfully slow the game down—not by whether you won or lost.
4. Get Professional Guidance.
Our clinics focus on drills like third shot drops, resets, and targeting techniques to help you sharpen your skills and boost confidence in pressure situations. If you’re unsure where to start, a structured clinic can provide drills, techniques, and strategies. (Shameless plug: Check out our Night Train Pickleball clinics to learn new skills!)
Why Purposeful Practice Matters
Purposeful practice isn’t just about drills; it’s about building habits. For example, slowing the ball down might not feel natural at first. But with repetition and focus, it becomes second nature—and the results speak for themselves.
Practical Tips for Purposeful Practice:
- Choose One Focus Area. Work on slowing the ball down, resetting volleys, or targeting the kitchen consistently.
- Track Progress. Pay attention to how often you execute the skill successfully. Celebrate small wins.
- Be Patient. It takes time to retrain your instincts and develop muscle memory. Stick with it.
Final Thoughts: Play with Purpose
At the end of the day, pickleball should be fun—and purposeful play can make it even more rewarding. Whether you’re adding the slow game to your strategy or drilling a specific skill, stepping onto the court with intention will help you grow faster and feel more confident.
Ready to take the next step? Join one of our Precision Pickleball Training Sessions and start mastering purposeful play today.
See you on the courts!
