When You’re Targeted Every Point: Don’t Panic — Use Cliff’s Three Adjustments
Summary
Cliff Pickleball coaches the common doubles trap: one player eats 90% of the balls while the partner freezes out. Panicking into hero balls makes it worse.
Stay patient, change shapes/targets so the pressure redistributes, and get your partner involved instead of forcing every reply yourself.
Key takeaways
- Being targeted is a strategy problem, not just a hands problem
- Don’t force — change the pattern so partner can help
- Patience beats panic when the ball diet is uneven
Action items
- In the next match you’re targeted, pre-agree one escape pattern with your partner (lob / middle switch / stack tweak)