One silly decision at 10-6 can lead to a string of cautious, fearful points where you’re playing not to lose rather than playing to win
Stop us when you've heard this before...
You’re up 10-6. You can practically taste the victory. The opponent looks defeated, their shoulders are slumped, and you’re just one point away from tapping paddles at the net.
Then, something weird happens. You decide that now, of all times, is the perfect moment to try that behind-the-back, no-look backhand speed-up you saw on Instagram once.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work.
Suddenly, it’s 10-7. Then 10-8. Before you know it, you’ve lost 12-10 and you’re left wondering how a guaranteed win turned into a total collapse.
According to Kyle Koszuta, better known as ThatPickleballGuy , this isn't just bad luck. It’s a specific phenomenon he calls "Gamepoint Behavior."
The 10-6 itch In a recent video, Koszuta breaks down why so many players struggle to cross the finish line.
The core issue is that when players reach game point, they often abandon the very strategy that got them there. It’s like a fever takes over. You start thinking you need to do something spectacular to "earn" the win, rather than just playing the solid pickleball that built your lead in the first place.
Why do we do this? Honestly, it’s probably a mix of adrenaline and a desire for a highlight-reel finish.
We want to end the game on our terms with a definitive, flashy shot. But as Kyle points out, trying a backhand speed-up ... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/stop-losing-close-games-how-to-avoid-gamepoint-behavior-in-pickleball/
