The Power of Reframing Our Thoughts - Part Two of The Mental Side of Pickleball

By David Pascolla

In the last article on the Mental Side of Pickleball, I discussed the ‘Power of Presence’. When our minds stay in the present moment, they become calm, concentrated, and focused—essential qualities for peak performance in Pickleball and many other sports.

Have you ever felt like negative thoughts or self-doubt were holding you back from playing your best pickleball? You’re not alone. Our mindset plays a powerful role in how we feel, how we speak, and how we perform—both on the court and in life.

That’s why today, I’d like to explore the power of our thoughts and words—and how reframing them can work to our advantage. When we start to notice how our thoughts shape our words, and how our words shape our reality, we begin to unlock more confidence, joy, and consistency in our game.

Later in this series, I’ll be diving into mental toughness—specifically how to stay focused and keep fighting, even when you’re down 2–9. But before we get there, reframing is a great place to start. We all wrestle with negative thoughts—especially after missing an easy shot or making an error. It’s part of being human. Our brains are wired with a built-in negativity bias, which tends to focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s going well. Over time, these patterns can become deeply rooted. The challenge—and the opportunity—is to start rewiring those mental ruts by choosing more helpful, constructive ways of thinking in the moment.

Awareness

It’s hard to change what we’re not even aware of. Sometimes, we need to take a step back and honestly look at how we think and the words we speak—especially when things aren’t going our way. Building awareness is the first step toward shifting our mindset and showing up with more intention on the court and in life. The next time you play, take a moment to observe your thoughts and listen to the words you say during the game.

Dealing with Negative Circumstances and Thoughts

Once you start noticing your thoughts, the next step is to question them. Are they really true? Are they helping—or holding you back? Let’s say you think or even say out loud, “I always hit my drives into the net.” Ask yourself, “Is that really true? Am I really hitting ‘every’ drive into the net?” Or better yet, “What can I learn from that shot?” Maybe next time, you’ll try loosening your grip or easing up on the swing.

Challenging negative thoughts gives you room to see things differently—and more positively. It helps build confidence and keeps your energy up. Try to see your shots as neutral, not good or bad—just information. When I hit a drive that sails way out of bounds, I’ll sometimes smile and say, “Well… that was interesting.” I’m not pretending it was a great shot—but I’m choosing to stay curious instead of critical.

Instead of thinking, “I’m terrible at this shot,” try reframing it: “I’m still learning, and every miss helps me improve.” This kind of language shift might seem small, but it can have a big impact on how you feel and how you play.

Building a Habit of Positive Thinking

Like any skill, a positive mindset takes practice. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be aware and willing to redirect your thoughts when they drift into negative territory. Start small. Pick one thing to focus on each game: maybe it’s catching yourself after a missed shot, or replacing one negative comment with something neutral or encouraging.

The more often you practice this, the easier it becomes. Before long, you’ll find yourself playing more relaxed, more focused, and probably even having more fun. A loose grip, a calm mind, and a few lighter thoughts can go a long way in helping you play your best pickleball.

One Last Thought

Pickleball is meant to be fun—and when your mindset is working with you instead of against you, everything just feels better. By becoming more aware of your thoughts, challenging the negative ones, and practicing a more positive perspective, you’ll not only play better, but enjoy the game more. So next time you're on the court, take a deep breath, shake off the pressure, and remind yourself: you're learning, you're growing, and you're doing just fine.