On a recent episode of the Pickleballers Podcast, co-host Jared Paul shared a painfully familiar rec-court story: up 10–5 in a singles game… and still losing.

It’s a scenario most players know all too well. Stringing points together can feel easy, but closing out that final one or two is a different challenge entirely. More often than not, it’s less about physical ability and more about handling the mental pressure of the moment.

Looking for answers, Paul turned to top pros Roscoe Bellamy and Will Howells—players who’ve faced that exact situation countless times and found ways to finish the job.

“I think you mentally have to make sure you try and change things up because that’s when things start to go south,” he recommended. “Stick to the script a little bit. Stick to what you’re good at, and play your favorite patterns.” 

“If you find a strategy that works, stick with it,” said Buckner. “Too often we see people stray from the strategy that’s been working.”

For Buckner, the issue often comes down to focus—players abandon what’s working simply because their attention starts to drift.

“That’s why having another set of eyes, like a coach or a friend who’s watching you, can say ‘For a game a half, you were doing this. Now you’re doing something else, and you’re losing, so let’s go back to what we were doing in the beginning,’” explained Buckner.   

It ultimately comes down to exposure and repetition. The more often you put yourself in these situations, the more comfortable you become being uncomfortable. Embrace it. You’re building mental toughness and resilience every time you step into that space.

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