The pickleball court is meant to be a refuge from our busy lives. Here's how you can clear your mind and set yourself up for success.

I would bet a lot of money that most of the pickleball advice you’ve received and coaching content you’ve consumed have been technical – shot mechanics, footwork patterns, grips. The list goes on and on.

And these things are all SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY important, don’t get me wrong.

But how much advice have you received on the mental side of the game? Chances are, not enough! 

I won’t pretend to be some mental guru out there, but I definitely do not think we pay enough attention to the importance of having a calm, clear, and quiet headspace on the court.

I could write about this all day (and will in my newsletter!), but here I want to focus on some tips and tricks I like to do to set myself up for success on the court before a tournament day even begins. Preparation is key!

We all live busy lives, with a bunch going on and with a laundry list of to-do’s swirling around in our brains. The pickleball court is meant to be a refuge from all of those things. But how can we actually quiet those thoughts?

Here are my top 3 tips: 

1. Trust your preparation. So much anxiety comes from feeling like we are not ready. And sometimes, maybe you aren’t. But the reality is that we could always do more, and we all deserve to give ourselves grace on match day. Accept that you did your best (and if you didn’t, accept that too and move on for the time being), and that you have put yourself in the best position you could. Don’t let “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” hold you back before your day has even begun! 
2. Get your mind off of pickleball. This definitely applies if you have a later start time. I really like to go on excursions or do other things when I don’t play until the afternoon. I find it relaxes me and provides an outlet. Life is more than just pickleball! Even if it’s just going to a coffee shop you love, I think getting your mind off of the impending competition for even a little bit is hugely beneficial. The time will pass whether you stress about pickleball or not! 

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3. Consider meditation. I have begun meditating and doing a lot of yoga this year and to say it has helped me would be a drastic understatement. My mental clarity is better, my focus is better, and my ability to calm/regulate myself is so much better. Even a 10-minute meditation can be so beneficial. If you’re feeling tired before a later start time, I strongly recommend a short NSDR practice to rejuvenate you in a way caffeine simply cannot. You can find them on YouTube. 

The pre-tournament jitters are something we all deal with, and probably all always will to an extent.

Calming your nerves and setting yourself up to compete is all about finding ways to mitigate them and give ourselves the best possible chance to put our best foot forward.

Hope my tips help you on your next match day!