How to Combat “Targeting”
I learned a fantastic LIFE lesson from a (now) famous guitar player (Steve Morse who just left Deep Purple after 24 years): You can take ANY playing experience (a targeted partner, playing in a lower level game, etc.) and turn it into a fun challenge and growth opportunity.
In this context, when your partner is being picked on, it is an opportunity to work on some specific things of your game:
Taking MORE court
Poaching
"Shake and Bake"
Those are probably familiar, but let me throw a few others at you you might not have thought about:
Break the Pattern
If you're in a kitchen battle, try to "break the pattern". You and your partner should try to send dinks to the opponent OPPOSITE your weaker partner because THEN to target him they have to dink line rather than crosscourt and it's more likely to produce errors or an easier shot for him because the net is higher.
Stacking
This allows you to more effectively take more court because YOUR forehand is always in the middle. If your partner is not familiar with this, start with a "half stack" (you stack only on serve receive and thus never have to "unwind". Half-stacking is easy and hopefully even if you have a low-level (> 3.0) partner, they might be open to learning something new.
Fake Stacking
Rather just routinely moving to the left side, use hand signals to mix up switching and staying. This way you force your opponent to SEE what side your are ending up on They might accidentally hit it to you. Or... they might make a less effective shot (or an error) because it's something they have to worry about.
Another facet to add is what is usually referred to (in other sports) as "juking": Making a move to the left side that your opponent can see but... after they have to take their eyes off you (and refocus on the ball) reverse to stay on the right.
Focus on Applying Pressure
This is hard to articulate but I might adapt my shot choices more towards shots that prioritize making it harder for your opponents to aim their shots. I mean obviously that should ALWAYS be a top priority but what I'm saying is to really FOCUS on that: trying to keep it to your opponents backhands is the foremost example. Trying to keep it at their feet. Trying to keep them off balance.
Here's a few more examples I don't commonly see below 4.0:
Slice return: Most player struggle trying to attack a slice return, particularly if you get it deep.
Drops - If you are playing against people who may not have good mobility, you might find that if they are at the baseline (including when you serve) that they may struggle to make an effective shot that lands just past the kitchen line and dies. They are struggling to get to it and not only can't the drive the ball, often they don't have much choice/control as to which of you they send it to.
Dave Blickstein - IPTPA Certified Pickleball Coach
