Epic Paddles

How to Beat Bangers: Defensive Strategies That Work

Stop getting overwhelmed by hard hitters with these proven defensive strategies that neutralize bangers and turn their power against them.

How to Beat Bangers: Defensive Strategies That Work

Every pickleball player has faced them—the bangers. Those hard-hitting opponents who try to power through every point, driving the ball at you with relentless aggression. They don't dink. They don't drop. They just bang.

At first, bangers can be intimidating. The ball comes at you fast and hard, leaving little time to react. But here's the secret: bangers are actually easier to beat than patient soft-game players—if you know the right strategies.

Here's how to neutralize bangers and turn their biggest strength into their biggest weakness.

Understanding the Banger Mentality

Who Are Bangers? Bangers are players who rely on power over finesse. They prefer to:

  • Drive the ball hard on every opportunity
  • Avoid the soft game
  • Hit winners rather than build points
  • Use pace to overwhelm opponents

Why They Do It:

  • It's exciting
  • It works against beginners
  • They haven't developed soft game skills
  • They lack patience
  • Tennis or other racket sport backgrounds

The Key Insight: Bangers are one-dimensional. They have one tool—power—and when you take that away, they're often lost.

Strategy #1: The Soft Reset

The Concept: When bangers hit hard at you, don't try to match their power. Instead, absorb the pace and hit a soft shot back that neutralizes the point.

Execution:

  1. Use their pace

    • Don't try to generate your own power
    • Let their hard shot do the work
    • Block the ball back softly

  2. Aim for the kitchen

    • Hit a soft shot that lands in the non-volley zone
    • Force them to slow down
    • Make them hit upward

  3. Stay low

    • Bend your knees
    • Keep your paddle out in front
    • Absorb the ball rather than swing at it

Why It Works: Bangers hate the soft game. They want fast-paced exchanges where they can use their power. When you reset to a soft dink, you're taking away their favorite game and forcing them to play yours.

The Result: They either:

  • Try to drive the soft shot (error-prone)
  • Reluctantly dink back (out of their comfort zone)
  • Pop the ball up (giving you an attackable ball)

Strategy #2: Keep the Ball Low

The Concept: Bangers need the ball above net height to drive effectively. If you keep the ball low, you take away their primary weapon.

Execution:

  1. Hit deep

    • Deep shots are harder to drive
    • Force them to hit from behind the baseline
    • Reduce their angle options

  2. Hit soft

    • Soft shots stay low
    • Drive attempts from low balls go into the net
    • They can't generate power from below net height

  3. Use backspin

    • Backspin keeps the ball low after the bounce
    • Makes it even harder for them to drive
    • Forces them to hit up on the ball

Why It Works: Physics is on your side. It's extremely difficult to drive a ball that's below net height. The banger either has to lift the ball (giving you time) or try to drive it (hitting it into the net).

The Result: They make errors trying to power through low balls, or they're forced to play a softer game they're not comfortable with.

Strategy #3: Reset with the Lob

The Concept: When a banger is attacking you aggressively from the net, reset the point with a high, deep lob over their heads.

Execution:

  1. Hit it high

    • Get it well above their reach
    • Force them to retreat
    • Buy yourself time

  2. Hit it deep

    • Aim for the baseline
    • Make them run back
    • They have to hit upward from deep

  3. Follow it in

    • Move forward as the lob travels
    • Get to the kitchen line
    • Take control of the net

Why It Works: Bangers are often aggressive at the net, looking for put-aways. A well-placed lob forces them backward, eliminates their attack, and gives you time to get to the net. Now you're in position, and they're running backward.

The Result: They either:

  • Don't get to the lob (your point)
  • Hit a weak overhead that you can attack
  • Return the lob, but you're already at the net in control

Note: Use this sparingly. If you lob too often, they'll start camping back and crushing your lobs.

Strategy #4: Target Their Feet

The Concept: When you do attack bangers, don't try to hit past them. Hit at their feet where they can't drive the ball back.

Execution:

  1. Aim low

    • Keep the ball below knee height
    • Force them to hit upward
    • Take away their power

  2. Hit firm, not hard

    • You don't need maximum power
    • A firm, well-placed shot is more effective
    • Accuracy beats speed

  3. Go to the body

    • Hit at their center mass
    • Harder to generate power from close range
    • Jam them up

Why It Works: It's nearly impossible to drive a ball that's at your feet or at your body. The banger has to either pop it up (giving you an attack) or hit a weak defensive shot.

The Result: You neutralize their attack and create opportunities for your own offense.

Strategy #5: Stay Patient

The Concept: Bangers want fast points. They get frustrated by long rallies. Make them play your game, not theirs.

Execution:

  1. Extend rallies

    • Keep the ball in play
    • Don't try to end points early
    • Let them make the mistakes

  2. Force long exchanges

    • Dink, reset, lob
    • Make them hit multiple shots
    • Their consistency will break down

  3. Stay calm

    • Don't get intimidated by their pace
    • Trust your defense
    • Wait for the right opportunity

Why It Works: Bangers rely on intimidation and quick points. When you refuse to play their game and extend rallies, they start taking risks and making errors. Patience is your weapon.

The Result: They either:

  • Hit a drive into the net (impatience)
  • Pop a ball up (trying to do too much)
  • Make an unforced error (frustration)

Strategy #6: Use the Block Volley

The Concept: When bangers drive at you at the net, use a block volley to neutralize their power.

Execution:

  1. Minimal backswing

    • Don't take the paddle back
    • Keep it out in front
    • Just block the ball

  2. Soft hands

    • Loosen your grip
    • Absorb the pace
    • Cushion the ball back

  3. Angle the paddle

    • Slightly open face
    • Let the pace do the work
    • Guide it to the kitchen

Why It Works: You're using their power against them. A hard drive has plenty of energy—you just redirect it softly back. They hit a rocket at you, you hit a feather back.

The Result: They have to slow down and hit a soft shot, which takes them out of their comfort zone and gives you control.

Strategy #7: Don't Give Them High Balls

The Concept: Never, under any circumstances, pop the ball up to a banger. High balls are their favorite targets.

Execution:

  1. Stay disciplined

    • Don't get tempted to attack marginal balls
    • If it's not attackable, dink it
    • Keep the ball low at all costs

  2. Accept neutral exchanges

    • Not every dink needs to be a winner
    • Keep rallying until they make a mistake
    • Patience beats power

  3. When in doubt, dink

    • If you're not sure, hit a soft shot
    • A weak dink is better than a popped-up drive
    • Live to dink another day

Why It Works: Bangers feast on high balls. A ball above net height is a gift to them. By keeping everything low, you eliminate their primary weapon.

The Result: They have to work for every point instead of getting easy put-aways.

Strategy #8: Target Their Backhand

The Concept: Most bangers have weaker backhands than forehands. Force them to hit backhands.

Execution:

  1. Hit to their backhand side

    • Cross-court shots to their backhand
    • Pull them wide
    • Make them uncomfortable

  2. Avoid their forehand

    • Don't hit to their strength
    • Be aware of which side they're on
    • Exploit their weakness

  3. Test both sides early

    • In warm-up, see which side is weaker
    • Target that side throughout the match
    • Make them beat you with their weakness

Why It Works: Most players have weaker backhands, but this is especially true for bangers. Their power game usually relies on forehand drives. Take that away, and they're much less effective.

The Result: They either:

  • Hit weak backhands that you can attack
  • Try to run around backhands (leaving court open)
  • Make errors from their weak side

The Complete Anti-Banger Game Plan

Before the Match:

  1. Accept that they'll hit hard
  2. Commit to patience
  3. Plan to extend rallies
  4. Stay calm and disciplined

During the Match:

  1. Keep the ball low (Strategy #2)
  2. Reset with soft shots (Strategy #1)
  3. Stay patient (Strategy #5)
  4. Use lobs when needed (Strategy #3)
  5. Target their feet when attacking (Strategy #4)
  6. Block their drives (Strategy #6)
  7. Never pop the ball up (Strategy #7)
  8. Force backhands (Strategy #8)

Mindset:

  • You're playing chess, they're playing checkers
  • You're in control, even when they're hitting hard
  • They need you to make mistakes—you don't need them to
  • Patience will win every time

Practice Drills

Drill 1: The Soft Reset

  • Partner drives at you from the baseline
  • You practice soft reset shots to the kitchen
  • Focus on absorbing pace and keeping it low
  • Goal: 10 consecutive soft resets

Drill 2: Block Volleys

  • Partner drives at you at the net
  • You practice block volleys back to the kitchen
  • Minimal backswing, soft hands
  • Goal: Control the pace, don't let it get past you

Drill 3: Low Ball Defense

  • Partner hits deep, low shots
  • You practice keeping the ball low on your returns
  • Don't try to do too much
  • Goal: Extend rallies, don't give them high balls

Drill 4: Lob Reset

  • Partner attacks aggressively at the net
  • You practice lob resets over their head
  • High and deep, then move forward
  • Goal: Neutralize attacks, get to the net

Drill 5: Scrimmage with a Banger

  • Play points where your partner only drives
  • You practice all defensive strategies
  • Track how many points you win vs. lose
  • Adjust strategies based on results

When You Become the Banger

Here's the irony: Once you learn to beat bangers, you might become one yourself.

The Danger: You start hitting harder because it works against beginners. You abandon the soft game. You become what you used to struggle against.

The Solution: Don't let success against bangers turn you into one. Continue developing your soft game. Learn to beat bangers with strategy, then beat soft-game players with power when appropriate.

The Complete Player: Can beat bangers with soft game Can beat soft-game players with patience Can beat anyone with the right strategy

Final Thoughts

Bangers are intimidating until you learn how to beat them. Their power, which seems overwhelming at first, becomes predictable and manageable once you understand the strategies.

The key is patience. Bangers want quick points. They want to overwhelm you. When you refuse to play their game—when you reset, lob, block, and extend rallies—you take away their only weapon.

Remember: They're not hitting hard because they're confident. They're hitting hard because it's all they know. When you force them to play a different game, they often don't know what to do.

Stay low. Stay patient. Let them make the mistakes. Use their power against them.

That's how you beat bangers.