With all the complex tips from coaches and players, pickleball can sometimes feel overwhelming. But recently, Greg Dow shared some refreshingly simple and incredibly effective advice on the Pickleballers podcast to help take your game to the next level.

Dow suggests focusing on your weak spots and improving them just a little. They don’t have to be perfect. Just a small step forward can make a big difference.

“How much better is my forehand dink going to get? How much better is my backhand counter going to get? Maybe I can get those things a little bit better, but let’s look at the things you can improve,” he emphasized. “I’m well below average in footwork and speed, and my drives are below average. My footwork is never going to be as good as my backhand counter, and that’s okay, but can I get my footwork to be average or even below average? Hopefully, that elevates my game a lot more.”

If your strongest shot is a backhand counter but your forehand roll is weak, focus on improving the forehand roll. But remember, it doesn’t need to match your backhand counter, it just needs to be competent. If it’s currently a 3 out of 10, aim to bring it up to a 5. The goal is to raise your weak spots to an average, reliable level.

“For your own pickleball game, if you have a bad backhand, just make it okay. It doesn’t have to be as good as your favorite shot,” added Dow.

“Jack Sock is a good example of that,” mentioned Roscoe Bellamy. “He’s got a very good backhand now, but I think before that was a big place where people could put more pressure and attack. Now, he’s developed a pretty good two-handed backhand, and immediately he’s winning more.”

“He’s got a good backhand now. He’ll have a few points where his backhand is insane, and then he’ll have two or three points where they’re okay. It’s not like he has an amazing backhand, but it’s pretty good now,” noted Dow. “It’s never going to be as good as his forehand, right? So it’s really about getting your weaknesses to not be weaknesses.”

Dow indicated that he’s been focusing on agility and putting in extra time at the gym to elevate his game.

“I’m just looking to be average, not even, I’m looking to be below average in mobility and footwork,” he said. “I’m never going to be as good as [Hayden] Patriquin or [Christian] Alshon in that.”

So rather than pushing yourself to match the agility of a 20-year-old Patriquin and risking injury, focus on improving the weaker areas of your game. Be honest about your abilities and aim for gradual improvement. Lift your weaknesses slightly instead of trying to make them as strong as your strongest skill.

This mindset eases the pressure, letting you improve without getting frustrated when your twoey doesn’t match Connor Garnett’s. Focus on your weaknesses and aim to make them slightly better than before. That small, steady improvement could be what wins your next match.

To keep up to date on all things pickleball, follow us on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).