How to Be a Smart Pickleball Banger and Win More

Most players think hitting hard is the problem in pickleball. But according to PPA pro Ashley Griffith, being a smart pickleball banger is about knowing when to attack, where to aim, and how much power to use. Here's what separates the winners from the rest.

The biggest misconception in pickleball is that being a banger means swinging as hard as you can every time the ball comes your way.

That's not how the game works.

According to PPA Tour pro Ashley Griffith, the real skill isn't raw power, it's knowing when to use it, where to aim it, and how much of it you actually need.

In a recent video breakdown, Griffith walks through the exact mistakes most aggressive players make and how to fix them.

If you've ever wondered why your hard-hit shots keep sailing out or landing in your opponent's sweet spot, this is the answer.

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The Real Problem With Most Aggressive Players

Here's the thing: hitting hard isn't the problem. Most players just use it at the wrong time or in the wrong way.

Griffith identifies this as the biggest mistake she sees on the court.

A lot of players try to speed up or hit hard off balls that are below the net. When you do that, you're forcing it. And that's where a lot of the errors come from.

If the ball is below the net, your job is to stay in the point, not to try to force it and end the point immediately.

This is a fundamental shift in how aggressive players should think about their game.

Patience beats panic.

Wait for something higher that you can actually attack. The ball will come. Your job is to recognize when it does.

1. Attack the Right Balls First

The foundation of being a smart pickleball banger starts with ball selection. Not every ball deserves your power. In fact, most don't.

Griffith emphasizes that the biggest mistake she sees is players trying to end points too early.

They see a ball that's slightly above the net and think it's time to go for the winner. It's not. A ball that's below the net or at net height requires a different approach.

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Your goal in those moments is to keep the ball in play and apply pressure, not to end the rally.

Think of it like this: aggressive play is about positioning, not just power. When you get a ball that's higher and more attackable, that's when you unleash.

But you have to earn that opportunity first by staying patient and keeping the point alive.

The players who win the most points aren't the ones hitting the hardest. They're the ones hitting hard at the right time.

2. Aim Bigger When You Do Hit Hard

Here's a counterintuitive truth: when you're hitting with pace, you need to aim bigger, not smaller.

A lot of players try to go for the lines or hit crazy winners when they're swinging hard. But when you're hitting with pace, the margins get a lot smaller.

So instead, go middle or go body. Give yourself a bigger target.

You'll actually win more points just by applying pressure instead of going for perfect shots.

This is where pickleball strategy separates from tennis or other racquet sports. In pickleball, the court is smaller. The net is lower. The margins are tighter.

A ball hit down the middle at pace is far more effective than a ball hit to the line that goes out.

Pressure beats perfection.

When you're a banger, your job is to make your opponent uncomfortable, not to hit unreturnable shots.

The unreturnable shots will come naturally if you're applying consistent pressure.

3. You Still Need Your Soft Game

This is where a lot of aggressive players get stuck. They develop a hard shot and forget about everything else.

Sometimes if you're only hitting hard, you become really predictable. Better players will sit on these balls and will just counter it back at you.

So you still need to be able to slow the game down. Hit a drop, hit a dink, and then attack when you get the right ball.

That's what actually makes your power very effective.

The best pickleball bangers are the ones who can mix speeds.

They can hit hard.
They can hit soft.
They can read the court and adjust based on what their opponent is doing.

This is what separates a one-dimensional player from a complete player.

Think of your soft game as the setup for your hard game.

A well-placed drop or dink forces your opponent to hit up, which gives you the high ball you've been waiting for. Then you attack.

It's a sequence, not a single shot.

4. Control Beats 100% Power Every Time

Here's something that a lot of players don't realize: hitting 70 or 80% with control is way more effective than just swinging as hard as you can.

When you swing at 100% power, you lose control.

You're more likely to hit the ball out.
You're less likely to place it where you want it.
You're also more likely to get countered because your opponent knows exactly what's coming.

But when you hit at 70 or 80% with control, something different happens.

You're keeping more balls in.
You're applying pressure.
You're setting yourself up for the next shot.
You're staying in the point longer, which means you have more opportunities to win it.

This is a mental shift that separates good bangers from great ones.

Power is a tool, not a weapon.

It's something you use strategically, not something you rely on exclusively.

Griffith's point here is backed by match data and tour experience. The players who win the most points aren't the ones hitting the hardest.

They're the ones hitting smart.

Putting It All Together: The Smart Banger Formula

So what does a smart pickleball banger actually look like in practice?

First, they attack the right balls. They wait for something higher that they can actually attack instead of forcing it on balls below the net.
Second, they aim bigger. When they do hit hard, they go middle or body instead of trying to thread the needle on the lines.
Third, they mix in their soft game. They can hit drops and dinks to set up their attacks instead of relying on power alone.
Fourth, they control their power. They hit at 70 or 80% with control instead of swinging at 100% and losing the point.

When you combine these four elements, you're not just a banger anymore. You're a smart, aggressive player that's winning a ton of points.

You're applying pressure without forcing errors. You're being unpredictable without being reckless.

This is the evolution that every aggressive player needs to make. It's not about hitting softer. It's about hitting smarter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a banger and a smart banger in pickleball?

A banger just hits hard. A smart banger knows when to hit hard, where to aim, and how much power to use. Smart bangers wait for the right ball, aim for bigger targets, mix in soft shots, and control their power instead of swinging at 100% every time.

When should I attack in pickleball?

You should attack when the ball is higher and more attackable. If the ball is below the net, your job is to stay in the point and apply pressure, not to force an ending. Wait for something higher that you can actually attack without forcing an error.

Why should I aim for the middle instead of the lines when hitting hard?

When you're hitting with pace, the margins get smaller. Aiming for the middle or body gives you a bigger target and keeps more balls in play. You'll win more points by applying pressure than by going for perfect shots that often go out.

How much power should I use when hitting in pickleball?

Hitting at 70 or 80% with control is more effective than swinging at 100% power. You'll keep more balls in, apply more pressure, and set yourself up for the next shot. Control beats raw power every time.

Can I win with just a hard shot in pickleball?

No. The best aggressive players mix speeds and can hit both hard and soft shots. A well-placed drop or dink sets up your hard attacks. Being predictable makes you easy to counter, so you need to be able to adjust based on what your opponent is doing.