The Chess Player: Build the Point in Pickleball

▶ Watch Mark’s video on YouTube · 46 seconds

Every shot has a purpose

In the fourth video in this series, Mark describes a player who seems to think four or five moves ahead. That’s the personality sketch: someone who sees a rally as a sequence of opportunities.

A deep ball might keep an opponent back. A wide ball might make them move. A controlled shot might buy time for your team to recover. The question becomes: what do I want this shot to make possible?

You won’t predict every reply. The useful habit is to notice what actually comes back and adjust, rather than committing to a winner before the opening exists.

What building a point looks like

Imagine a controlled crosscourt dink that makes an opponent stretch. Watch their reply: if it stays low, another patient shot may be sensible. If it sits up and you are balanced, you may have an opportunity to attack. A wide shot doesn’t guarantee a weak return.

The sequence is simple: choose a target, read the reply, then decide. You are creating possibilities, not following a script your opponents have agreed to.

Build the point with your partner

Mark’s video includes a simple plan: keep opponents deep, watch for a short return and move up together. Treat that as a conversation starter, not a rule to charge forward after every ball.

Agree on one clear intention before the point. Then respond to the quality of your shot and your opponents’ position. If your team is stretched or off balance, getting organized may matter more than attacking.

Keep between-point advice brief. A partner who enjoys tactical detail may welcome a specific observation; another may need a moment to reset. Our first article on pickleball court personalities and partner communication explores that difference.

Ask whether your partner wants a tactical suggestion before offering one. Keep mistakes separate from personal criticism. USA Pickleball’s sportsmanship guide is a useful reference for respectful play.

Patience still leaves room for power

The chess player doesn’t need to play softly all the time. A firm drive can be part of a patient plan when the ball and court position suit it. Patience means choosing the opportunity instead of forcing it.

A third-shot drop is another option. It is a soft shot by the serving team after the return, aimed into the opposing kitchen. A well-executed drop can create time to advance. For technique, see USA Pickleball’s third-shot drop guide.

If your default response is another hard drive, read Are You the Banger? for the companion perspective on adding a soft game. Power and planning can belong to the same player.

Try one simple plan in your next game

Use this short exercise with a willing partner:

1. Choose one intention. For example, keep your first opportunity controlled instead of attempting a low-percentage winner.
2. Watch the response. Did the opponent move, stay balanced or give you a shorter ball?
3. Make the next decision from what you see. Attack when the opportunity is there; keep building when it isn’t.
4. Compare notes between points. Ask what each of you noticed. Keep the discussion specific and supportive.

After the game, ask: did our shot create an opening, and were we ready for the reply? Judge the decision as well as the result. A sensible choice can still end in a missed shot.

Who is the chess player in your group?

Maybe it’s the teammate who quietly makes the game feel less rushed. Maybe it’s you on the days when your patience holds.

Share Mark’s video with the partner whose strategy you admire. Tell us your city, your favourite place to play and what makes that group special.

For another familiar court combination, visit Quiet Assassin or Joker?

Thinking about equipment as well as tactics? Start with our guide to choosing a pickleball paddle for your playing style, then compare specific options.