3 Tournament-Winning Strategies for 3.5 Pickleball Players

Simple enough to remember under pressure but strategic enough to give you a real edge

Tournament season is here, and if you're stepping into your first 3.5-level competition, you're probably feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

The good news? You don't need to reinvent your game to win more matches.

According to Kyle Koszuta from ThatPickleballGuy, three simple strategies can transform how you play under pressure and help you rack up wins when it counts.

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Strategy 1: Play the Backhand Game

Most players walk into tournaments with zero strategy, which breeds anxiety and losses. Kyle's first move is simple but powerful: target your opponent's backhand.

Here's why it works. Most players' forehands are their strength, so hitting to their forehand gives them easy opportunities to attack.

But when you serve or return to their backhand, you force weaker shots and earn easier third shots to attack from.

The application is straightforward:

• On your serve, aim for their backhand side instead of their forehand
• On the return, hit down the line to the backhand or cross-court to the backhand corner
• The more weak balls you earn, the more points you'll win

This strategy gives you something concrete to focus on when tournament jitters kick in. Instead of playing reactive pickleball, you're playing with a plan.

Strategy 2: Rush the Returner

After your opponent returns serve, they're still moving toward the kitchen line. That's your window. Attack while they're in transition.

When your opponent is still back, you have three massive advantages. First, you have tons of targets because they haven't reached the line yet. Second, they're unstable and off-balance as they move forward. Third, the court is wide open.

Combine this with the backhand strategy and you're cooking. Rush the returner while targeting their backhand, and they'll make more errors just trying to stay balanced.

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Strategy 3: The Smart Attack

Not all attacks are created equal. Kyle breaks down what separates winning attacks from losing ones.

• A dumb attack happens when you're off-balance or hitting from below net height
• A smart attack means you're balanced and the ball is above the net when you strike it

That's the difference between a high-percentage winner and a forced error.

But there's a nuance here. If you have solid strokes and your opponents struggle with pace, you can apply more pressure even from lower heights.

The key is staying balanced and having a plan, not just swinging hard every time.

Hitting every ball hard from every position actually makes life harder for your partner because they never know what's coming. In a tournament where you're already anxious, alignment with your partner matters. You want to be on the same page, not chaotic.

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The Bonus: Breathing and Mindset

Kyle adds a fourth strategy that's just as important as the technical ones: use your breath to calm your nervous system.

Between points, take a slow, conscious breath. Develop a pre-serve routine that includes two bounces, a small target focus, a deep breath, and then execution. This simple ritual keeps you grounded when pressure builds.

Most importantly, slow down and enjoy the moment. Your first tournament will fly by in a blur. You'll feel uncertain, maybe even blacked out at times. That's normal. Instead of fighting the nerves, embrace them as a sign that you're doing something that matters.

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Why These Strategies Work

These three tactics work because they're simple enough to remember under pressure but strategic enough to give you a real edge. You're not trying to hit winners from everywhere. You're targeting weaknesses, attacking transitions, and staying balanced.

When you walk into your next tournament with a clear game plan, you'll play with more confidence. And confidence wins matches.