Why 90% of Pickleball Players Can't Beat Bangers (Hard-Hitting Players)

Frustrated by hard-hitting opponents in pickleball? This video is your ultimate guide to outsmarting and outplaying aggressive 'bangers.' We dive deep into the specific skills and strategies needed to turn the dynamics of the game in your favor, ensuring you're prepared to face any hard-hitter with confidence. From maintaining low and penetrating volleys to mastering the art of counterattack, we cover all the bases.
The Dink Master: enhancepickleball.com/product...
Discover:
Strategies to Neutralize Bangers: Learn how to keep bangers at bay with techniques that force them to play on your terms.
Mastering the Volley: Uncover the secrets to executing low, penetrating volleys that bangers struggle to handle.
Counterattack Tactics: Find out when and how to effectively counter hard shots, turning your opponent's aggression to your advantage.
Adjusting Your Aggressiveness: Guidance on modulating your own play style to maintain control against high-powered opponents.
📣 Subscribe for Game-Changing Insights: Elevate your pickleball game with our expert guidance. Subscribe for weekly updates on mastering the sport, tailored for 2024's competitive landscape.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thanks for watching! Comment where you think we are! And remember: If you want to support our channel - subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps us grow! Thanks again and have a great week on the courts!

[@min2oly]

I want to say Chandler AZ, but not enough churches in view...🤣

[@christopherrandall6730]

La Paz County, Arizona? Looks a little like the view I had driving down Hwy 95 near Quartzsite towards Yuma

[@christopherrandall6730]

Also, maybe Mohave Desert, California

[@jesusblickwede4205]

This video is my favorite one from you! What camera are you using? Colors are so vibrant!

[@chriswilcox1750]

Crazy, but it almost looks like Boulder City, NV by the solar farms.

[@DavidAlison]

Gotta be Joshua Tree. And I’m loving how you’re closing out the video with real play examples being reviewed!

[@EnhancePickleball]

You're correct. The Sakura edition! Thanks so much for watching, we'll keep adding the examples at end

[@FPVenius]

@@EnhancePickleball That's nuts; I spent 2 weeks there last spring (camping in the BLM land about a mile from the solar farm) and came here to say it looks like JT 🙂 Beautiful spot!

[@robertkelly1357]

Great tips....thanks. Though I had to rewatch the first 3 minutes because I was focused on how much walking you'd be doing on this court to pick up balls that fly into the desert.

[@lesterma1608]

😂🤣

[@EnhancePickleball]

Hahaha!!! Thanks for watching. It actually didn't happen much

[@ddsosman]

What happened to your old facility. ?

[@kamumma1]

😂😂😂

[@edwardcohen7437]

I've enjoyed all your videos. Showing example game play to give examples of your lesson was terrific.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thanks for watching. We'll keep putting example sections in our future videos. People seem to like that part

[@leslieledford5950]

So helpful! I love that you give examples of not only what to do, but you show examples of what not to do as well (and why). Thanks for all the videos!!

[@EnhancePickleball]

You are so welcome!

[@hilarystanley3637]

Thanks so much! I didn't realize I wasn't stiffening my wrist when I was blocking or counter attacking.

[@shawnmoore8040]

Very helpful tips and your explanations make them easy to understand and start practicing rite away. I'll definitely be looking for more of your videos.😁

[@TLWAnatolian]

Love your channel! The drone footage is next level. Thank you.

[@carlasimpson2379]

Excellent video! I decided yesterday the only way to survive a constant banger is to bang them back, then low and behold I found this video today. Coaches still say to slow the banger down but that is not working for me at all.

[@notnotnownow9622]

A banger usually is not very skilled and if you can take the pace off the ball he will have a hard time to adapt and to switch to drops and dinking, banging is just to play to his best skills.

[@kamumma1]

Best video I’ve seen on how to beat bangers, and exactly what I need to work on right now! Thank you 😊

[@EnhancePickleball]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@okayest_amateur]

i love your instruction its always spot on. i’ve improved a lot in my understanding of the game by watching you. Im a banger but i also enjoy playing against other bangers because i use these techniques.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Excellent

[@harrymonk70]

Thanks for the great tips! Kennedy has great tips too

[@linsu2854]

Great tips. Thank you. Hope you put out more videos on the Dink Master ... it will help us and help you market this great product.

[@EnhancePickleball]

We will soon! Thanks for watching

[@capncmbk]

Isn't the Dink Master basically a wall?

[@johnlatini9382]

Great info. Now I need to go out and practice what you just preached. Thanks so much!

[@EnhancePickleball]

You got this!

[@IRWE905]

At the NVZ I still am using your 'Holding the Torch' backhand position 30 degrees from chest (previous Enhance Video). It's been working really well for me. I see the Pro's don't hold the Paddle there but I don't play against the Pro's ;)

[@gritmoon5906]

I have been struggling against bangers where I play, and I'm glad i saw this video, and loved how you break it down and show examples. I will def be watching this video a few more times to make sure I understand and can get it down, and hopefully take down some bangers. it looks like youre in Arizona.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@josec4790]

Great video. Love the playing point breakdown.

[@EnhancePickleball]

We'll keep incorporating that into our videos! Thanks for watching

[@Beloved1vy]

Thanks for the video! I struggle to win against bangers, will try to use your tips.

[@DavidTexas340]

I think you’re in Denver! I appreciate your precise instructions because I’m working in progress to becoming a better player so I play players better than me

[@9150reaper]

Great video! My group doesnt like to dink so ill be working this into my toolbox.

[@forthedoggiesguitars2277]

I stay up at the kitchen and hold out my paddle and hope to block defend to get the bang back. A 3rd of the time, bangers (3.0 level) are putting it in the net. Another excellent video, thanks!

[@toysgalore100]

Great video. Well done.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thank you very much!

[@lesliekaufman4816]

Really fantastic video. Can't always play the soft game against bangers. Some really important suggestions here!

[@EnhancePickleball]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@ryanjohansson8950]

I have a friend who is a banger so hopefully this will be like a cheat code to besting them on a more consistent basis 😆 Very helpful, Thank You!

[@BGK2223]

Great video! The techniques you taught were very helpful. The only thing i would take exception with is getting up to the NVZ quickly. I understand advanced players can get up and do their split step timely; however, I've seen so many people coached to get up there at all costs, but are not doing the split step properly and just get passed easily. As with many things, i think its situational. Thank you!

[@joenenninger971]

I've found using a loopy return, deep, gives me time to get to NVZ without rushing. They have to wait for bounce while I'm "making my move." Bonus: I often force them to back up.

[@EnhancePickleball]

That's a good point. Thanks for watching and I hope the info was helpful!

[@BGK2223]

@joenenninger971 yes! Deep good; deep & loopy, better!

[@Xyz-gf5op]

Beautiful court with the view of the hills.

[@EnhancePickleball]

YES! it was awesome.

[@hernanenutube]

Nice quality video and information!

[@EnhancePickleball]

Awesome glad you enjoyed!

[@JSRES]

Awesome video ty

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thanks for watching

[@txshogun]

Looks like somewhere close to Las Vegas. Beautiful location! Thanks for the great vid!

[@EnhancePickleball]

thanks for watching! Joshua Tree! It's called the Sakura Edition.

[@HaroldGuthrie-qc3xb]

Great video. Thought there was a video that followed this, but unable to get it. Thanks

[@EnhancePickleball]

You're very welcome! The video is on our channel, it's called "how to win in pickleball by hitting hard" Hope you can find it!

[@bravadious1]

Thanks for the tips, I learned some great counters. - your friendly neighbourhood banger

[@jeffhickman3569]

Great video!! Lotsa Bangers in Hawaii. Aim for the feet, I will.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Good luck!

[@DA-lk5np]

i am a banger because dinking is lame. Dinking is why people make fun of pickleball and dont want to play. I predict pickleball will morph into a different game with less dinking in the future. Would love to hear EnhancePickleballs thoughts on this...

[@user-zq1hh1mr9f]

You have to be in either J-Tree or Palm Springs. My sister lives in RPV near South Bay TC and it seems like that’s where everyone goes in winter. I need a vacation home with a pickleball court now.

[@badtailsguru]

Awesome setup out there! I’m jealous!

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition.

[@user-rs4ci3fn2d]

Man you play in some beautiful places in the country. Thanks for the tips

[@EnhancePickleball]

You bet

[@ThiccBoi23]

Good stuff. Killer court location

[@EnhancePickleball]

BOOM! Joshua Tree! It's called the Sakura Edition.

[@wadejensen6829]

great tips and video angles with the camera's and drone coverage! Are you playing in Tonopah, Arizona?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Joshua Tree! It's called the Sakura Edition.

[@nathanhartwig4338]

Love the single palm tree :)

[@aaronsegal1682]

Grew video. Also: love my dink master. Definitely helped my game. I live in La Quinta, CA …was this filmed in Palm Springs area?

[@EnhancePickleball]

amazing!! It's a place in joshua tree called sakura edition

[@davidtowle4172]

Although this gives valid tips, no actual banger shots were shown anywhere in the video, many hit it way harder than ever shown here. One of the biggest challenges I find with hard shots is if its within 2 feet of the baseline you can't see the touch point well enough to honestly call it out even when there is a good chance it is out.

[@addiewashington7092]

How do you slow down your swing/stroke? I played tennis for over 20 years and I have a tendency to drive the ball and my drops tend to be high. I am getting better at the kitchen although I still have a tennis mentality for going for winners instead of being patient and wait on the waist high ball to put it away. H E L P!

[@garywasik8875]

If me or my partner hit a short somewhat higher bouncing ball into the midcourt, should we drop back a step or two to give us more reaction time against good bangers?

[@user-xv3uy9mp9t]

Great video, thanks! Are you near Casa Grande AZ?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thank you! No, it's the Sakura Edition in Joshua tree.

[@Abraxastrust]

You took a flying outball. Let me re define banger - A evolved pickleball player who has tennis skills . Pickleball play should be banging and dinking

[@jeffshank7571]

Great video, I need to continue to get back to the ready paddle position. Palm Desert? Indio maybe ?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Thanks for watching! Joshua Tree! It's called the Sakura Edition.

[@kdamidan]

Question about your net. I thought regulation was 36” on the sides and 34” on the middle. Yours looks 36” straight across. Which is what I see at a lot of parks. As a tennis player being used to a net that dips in the middle, 2” makes a huge difference.

[@inApickle_ball]

The Bangers I play against NEVER come to the NVZ line. GOD, Guns & Gumbo

[@stanl0pez]

Great video! This in boulder city?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Joshua Tree!

[@Phatgolfr]

this dude got his own court at the crib. that's nice! just needs a fence so you don't have to chase balls.

[@hilarystanley3637]

Arizona

[@PHXATC10]

Good video. Somewhere betwixt PHX and LAX.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Joshua tree! The Sakura Edition

[@Johnnyd943]

Location...? I'm going with California city ! Great Video !

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition. Thanks for watching!

[@AnnMitt]

Court location is 😍💥!!! I'd love to know where. Somewhere in Arizona?

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition.

[@robertkonopken1134]

What kind of grip are you using at the kitchen line?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Continental mostly

[@evidencebased1]

What a beautiful video setup!! No fencing means you are chasing balls I suppose.

[@evidencebased1]

So where is this beautiful place??

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition. @@evidencebased1 Chasing balls didn't happen too much!

[@mahgismom]

Nice location. No noise in the background!

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition. It's awesome

[@itzmikely]

Nice video! Although the dust on the camera lens was kinda distracting.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Sorry about that

[@jacemoore4375]

Are you in AZ? I live out here and it looks similar.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Joshua Tree!

[@joenenninger971]

Could be the angle but throughout the points video (8:20 on) you're not holding your paddle up at chin level - more waist level.

[@nachelia]

what about jdub's lax stance/demeanor?

[@EnhancePickleball]

I don’t recommend. That’s like trying to copy Federer’s technique in tennis. He’s so good and has practiced so many hours that he can pull it off, but not a good idea for most players

[@jumbo6498]

The issue with 4.0 (at least with the group I play with, and myself) is that everyone knows they're supposed to slow it down. It's like a valley between 3.5 and 4.5, where the hard game gets left out. I got my teeth kicked in when I finally played a banger (it was still a lot of fun) because it was outside the 3rd shot drive/5th shot drop formula. Edit: To clarify, they weren't actually a banger at all. They were just a good 4.5+ who knew to hit it hard until they couldn't. And no complaints about my fellow 4.0's. I'm just saying it's a great experience to play with people who show you what's possible because I've lulled myself into a "slow game" mentality many times and I feel like many of the people stuck at my level feel the same.

[@EnhancePickleball]

Great points.

[@agarciaagarcia3598]

5:25 How Kennedy puts her left hand out like a ballerina on most shots.

[@CWK090]

It's pronounced the same but I believe the spelling is Kenadi

[@fookbia8875]

Go bangers!

[@muzzybeat]

This video has so many great tips, as always. The problem with having Kenadi play as a banger is that she clearly isn't a natural dominant banger in the last portion of the video. So she hits many balls too high. And neither of these "bangers" are hitting all that hard. The tips in the video are great; the demo is very weak. Get two serious bangers; that would be far more practical.

[@craigoliver9333]

Clean your lens. Otherwise great video. Carefree, Arizona?

[@KingKangUSA]

I was/am a banger and now I am trying to play soft games, but it is very difficult to beat them because I am lazy/slow to approach and be ready. I need to forward and be ready faster.

[@janerosexia747]

I really don’t like to play against bangers! Because it’s no fun at all! I like longer rallies, if you win the point at the end of that long rally smartly, that’s a bonus! Also, People really admires your skill and talent! Bangers use too much muscles power!

[@tomdillon6758]

Around here in Central NJ, everyone I play with regularly have gotten much better, and more aggressive in the past year. If you show up somewhere for 'open play' you will most definitely be competing against bangers. I love playing the game at the net. You have to make it happen. Try hard not to play their game if you don't want to. Then, there's something to be said for playing 'the reaction' game.

[@brianbanks3044]

love the court but those out balls mean a lot of chasing....hopefully some fencing is on the horizon

[@EnhancePickleball]

Didn't have to chase too many balls but happened every once and a while for sure

[@cobracarlos]

Fun drinking game: play this video and take a shot every time he says banger 😂

[@EnhancePickleball]

LOL! You won't be able to stand after the video is over

[@gg80108]

How to beat bangers was original taught with just blocking the ball soft loose grip. Thats a loser nowdays but hard to unlearn just the block.

[@EnhancePickleball]

You're totally right. Gotta learn how to counterattack

[@gg80108]

@@EnhancePickleball Dave Weinbach was the only one who did the counterattack in the day. He missed the big payday.

[@leewelbanks6366]

Looks like the Phoenix Az area.

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition.

[@princessleong8112]

You’re somewhere in Arizona

[@estrongest]

looks like Arizona or Nevada.

[@FreshCuppaJo]

Is this an Airbnb? If so, where?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Yes! The Sakura Edition in Joshua tree.

[@jojo7785]

Looks like New Mexico to me...

[@juliehosh]

This reinforces more why being a banger isn't the best strategy. You won most of the time. Thanks for the video!

[@EnhancePickleball]

100%! Thanks for watching.

[@deatonsports8629]

So if you know the banger is going to hit it hard then why not just counter the entire time instead of resetting the ball and having risking the ball to pop up?

[@EnhancePickleball]

Because you don't want to be too predictable. Sometimes it's a good idea to force them into a dinking rally (which they probably aren't as good at)

[@carlyn555]

Victorville.

[@babbo507]

or just play baseline instead of kitchen, set up the point with a good angle and then finish the point at the net.

[@CWK090]

The player at the NVZ has far more angles than the player at the baseline. Do the math (geometry). Watch the pro tournaments. The vast majority of professional pickleball is played at the NVZ.

[@babbo507]

@@CWK090 doesn't matter how its played now. playing kitchen leaves your fate to reflex rather than skill %80 of the time. in a dinking battle its whoever messes up first rather than skill. and physiologically doesnt make sense to idle at kitchen because the body moves significantly faster if needing to go forward rather than backwards.

[@CWK090]

@@babbo507 If your side is serving and your 3rd shot is a drive, it sounds like you target the opponent at the NVZ because he/she is leaving their fate to reflex. To me, it makes more sense to target the opponent advancing from the baseline.

[@susanchurch3974]

Queen Creek

[@EnhancePickleball]

It's a place in Joshua tree called the Sakura Edition.

[@FredFolkerts]

Too bad the first clip the guy foot faulted so it didnt count :) . But good video :)

[@davidkarns6870]

The nature of the game is fine; it's the nature of the people that make it fun or not. In open play, really good players could "dial it down" against newer players. No? Then go join a competitive league and let everyone else have fun.

[@tdindy1]

I’m a banger, I did not like your video. lol

[@EnhancePickleball]

Fair enough

[@YosheYah]

😂

[@TLWAnatolian]

Too funny LOL😅

[@dustincallejo4196]

AREA 51

[@jbmedia8882]

Easiest way to beat bangers ? Develop a baseline game and hit balls down the line. As a former tennis player, most people are scared to chip and charge on me.They run to the middle to bang and I pass them down the lines. One other point is most people hit the ball cross court 90% of the time. Easy pickings…..😅

[@Kevan808]

Looks like you're playing at Area 51 👽🖖

[@EnhancePickleball]

HAHAHA!

[@RamonRamon609]

Love it! I hate all the focus on being in the kitchen and dinking constantly. Be a banger! Aim for feet!

[@CWK090]

Returning a high ball hard at your opponent's feet is good pickleball. That is not what they mean by being a "banger". I love to play against bangers. It is a weakness not a strength.

[@RamonRamon609]

lol play better bangers

[@CWK090]

@@RamonRamon609 lol, you need to play against opponents who know how control pace and angle and consistently return an un-attackable ball. When you slam a high ball, your skill didn't win the rally. Your opponent's lack of skill lost the rally. When you are 14 feet away from your opponent defending against a high ball slammed down at your feet is nearly impossible. Moral of the story is simple. Don't give your opponent a high ball. Watch the best of the best play pickleball. Count the number of times Ben Johns or Anna Leigh Waters bangs the ball. Your honor, the defense rests ;-)

[@RamonRamon609]

@@CWK090 objection! YOU brought up slamming down high balls, I did not! You said that is NOT what a banger is, then you intimated that a pop-up is what “banging” is. It isn’t. Clearly BJ and ALW don’t routinely pop up balls, it’s obvious that they use dinks/drops/slow play to set up a fast, penetrating, directed ball. Pros are the definition of bangers. Prove me wrong!

[@CWK090]

@@RamonRamon609 You said you bang the ball at your opponent's feet so I naturally assumed you were slamming down on a high ball. Do you have a video of anyone banging a low ball at their opponent's feet??? You know the ball needs to go over the net, right???

[@davidspencer6557]

Then what they do, is stop hitting ball to you and pick on your partner who prob doesn't know this.

[@cpirtle]

Then poach your partner lol

[@paulkennedy8163]

so at 3 mins youre saying those balls are bangers? haha

[@KingKangUSA]

I know I have played with young tennis players and now I am accepting I am old to move/ready faster to block young players balls. And they always target one player.

[@Plato-gm4vo]

I don't understand the point, ATP players are better than your average college D1 players because they hit the ball harder. Everything else being equal of course you want to hit the ball harder and take time away from your opponent, that's the whole point of racquet sport. This is like saying taller and faster basketball players are annoying to play against, how can you beat them without being taller and faster? Well you can't.

[@DannyBPlays]

Ugh I hate playing bangers. I dunno why they think it's the correct way to play when they can be destroyed by a patient player who knows what they're doing

[@Largecanyondog]

Because we are tennis players and we can hit volleys and overheads better too. And we are going to grind on your non existent backhand all day.

[@EnhancePickleball]

😂😂😂

[@Largecanyondog]

@@EnhancePickleball laugh it up but Ben Johns was a tennis player and all the top guys were as well. You can always tell tennis players by the footwork. Pickleball teaches very little to no footwork. There’s also a whole other level of hip transfer.

[@michaelg7904]

What’s ridiculous is that there’s an actual term called ‘bangers’ at all. Anybody who hits the ball hard is a banger? Why don’t they call tennis players who hit the ball hard ‘bangers’?

[@ThiccBoi23]

Bc in pickleball the soft game is tried and true when mixed properly with hard hits unlike tennis

[@CarterTPickleball]

It’s a type of play style

[@evidencebased1]

@@CarterTPickleballyes, a play style where you drive the second or third shot, and keep banging until you get a put away .

[@forthedoggiesguitars2277]

Bangers that I play (3.5 players) put a 3rd of their shots in the net. I’ve been more aggressive lately at the kitchen line and put my paddle out and surprise myself returning the bang. Excellent video, some of the best on KZbin.

[@ittybitbobo7657]

Its a kids game who cares

[@CWK090]

Say that to Tyson McGuffin. Videotape his response. 🙂