By Kyle D. Burcher, Pickleball Coach at Life Time Fitness Atlanta and PPR Certified Teaching Professional
Picture this: You’re mid-rally, feeling good about your positioning, when suddenly every ball seems to find its way to your side of the court. Your opponents have identified you as the “weak link” and are systematically targeting you. Sound familiar? Welcome to one of pickleball’s most frustrating yet common tactical challenges.
As someone who’s coached thousands of players in the Atlanta area and competed at the highest levels, I’ve seen targeting happen at every skill level. The good news? Being targeted isn’t personal, and it’s definitely not permanent. Let’s dive into why it happens and, more importantly, how to turn the tables.
Why You Might Find Yourself in the Crosshairs
- Technique tells – Your backhand consistently floats high, your footwork is slower, or you struggle with pace changes.
- Court positioning gaps – You’re caught behind the baseline, the transition zone, or frequently leave your partner exposed.
- Mental game weakness – You visibly get frustrated, your body language screams defeat, or you start overthinking every shot.
Here’s what most players don’t realize: targeting is actually a compliment wrapped in frustration. Your opponents have done their homework and identified patterns in your game. The silver lining? Once you recognize these patterns yourself, you can systematically eliminate them.
I remember coaching a 4.0 player who was constantly targeted during tournament play. She had solid groundstrokes but would panic whenever opponents started hitting everything to her backhand corner. We spent a month drilling specific scenarios, and by her next tournament, she was the one doing the targeting. The transformation wasn’t about becoming a different player — it was about becoming a smarter one.
Your Counter-Attack Arsenal
- Master the reset shot – When under pressure, develop a reliable reset that neutralizes pace and gets you back into the rally rather than trying to do too much with a difficult ball.
- Improve your court coverage – Work on split-step timing and lateral movement so you can handle shots to both sides without looking rushed or off-balance.
- Communicate aggressively with your partner – Call out switches, poaches, and coverage adjustments loudly and clearly so you’re both moving as one unit.
The beauty of pickleball is that it rewards intelligence over pure athleticism. I’ve watched 3.5 players dominate 4.5 opponents simply by being more strategic. When you’re being targeted, resist the urge to immediately hit harder or try spectacular shots. Instead, focus on making one more ball than your opponents expect. Consistency under pressure is what separates good players from great ones.
One of my favorite strategies when coaching players through targeting situations is the “patience and placement” approach. Instead of trying to end points quickly, focus on hitting your shots to specific zones that force your opponents to move and work harder. Aim for deep corners, mix up your pace, and make them cover more court. Eventually, their targeting becomes less precise as they tire or become impatient with longer rallies.
What NOT to Do When You’re the Target
- Don’t let emotions take over – Avoid visible frustration, negative self-talk, or trying to prove a point with hero shots that rarely work.
- Don’t abandon your partner – Never try to cover too much court or make shots that are clearly your partner’s responsibility.
- Don’t completely change your game – Resist the urge to suddenly play ultra-conservatively or attempt shots you haven’t practiced just because you’re under pressure.
Remember, every targeting strategy has a shelf life. Opponents can only pick on weaknesses that actually exist. The moment you shore up those gaps, their entire game plan crumbles, and suddenly you’re controlling the match.
Being targeted in pickleball isn’t a death sentence — it’s a roadmap to improvement. Use it as motivation to level up your game, and before long, you’ll be the one making the strategic decisions on court. Now get out there and show them what happens when the hunted becomes the hunter.
Kyle Burcher is a 5.0+ player who recently won gold in Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles at PPA Atlanta (May 12-18, 2025). He has been recognized as one of Atlanta’s top pickleball coaches by Atlanta Pickleball Magazine. For coaching inquiries, reach out at kburcher@lt.life or follow his instruction tips @kyle.burcher.pickleball on Instagram.
