"NO, Jess. That's NOT it. Aghh, I HATE when I do that."

That's what I say to myself - internally, and sometimes very much out loud - about three different not-so-smart and very impulsive things I love to do on the pickleball court.

Trying the same lob repeatedly is one (it just doesn't fly with certain opponents). Rushing speedups on certain bounces is another one. I know the ball isn't there and I do it anyway. Hello, tape.

One of my besties has a version of this too. She'll randomly jab at a ball with her backhand right in front of me when she has all the time in the world. She knows it. I know it. She kicks herself when it shows up.

As a coach, I see these same challenges everywhere, in every player.

I see them in clinics. I see them in open play. I see them in tournament matches. I see them in my own game.

Our worst impulses cause problems at every level and cost us points and sometimes entire matches.

That's not an insult.

Because I have pretty great news: impulse control is trainable.

One of the most interesting parts of improving at pickleball is recognizing the moment right before you make the decision you're about to regret. The frustration afterward isn't failure, it's information. That little voice saying, "I know better than that" is evidence that the skill is developing.

The goal isn't to stop feeling the pull.

The goal is to lengthen the gap between feeling it and acting on it.

That gap is where your skill level lives.

This week's video breaks down seven of the most common pickleball impulses I see, both in my students and in myself. Chances are you'll recognize a few immediately.

The 7 WORST Impulses Quietly Costing You Matches

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Which one is yours? Hit reply and tell me. I read every one.

Have a great week of pickling!

Coach Jess
Athena Pickleball 🏓✨

P.S. If you liked the video, sharing it with one pickleball friend really helps the channel grow.

RESOURCE: Goal Setting Workbook

Grab my free goal setting workbook to help you plan your progress and stay motivated: Download here​