Mastering your mental lenses is about more than improving your game—it’s about nurturing your relationship with pickleball itself. I’ll give you an example, if you miss an easy shot and find yourself replaying it in your mind hours later—at lunch, in the car, or even before bed? That momentary mistake can take on a life of its own, pulling you into what I call the Short Lens Spiral.
In this post, and together with Jeff Renshaw, we share an idea from my new book, Pickleball Therapy: The Book, that can transform how you think about your play and your relationship with the game.
Understanding the Three Lenses
The concept of the Three-Lens Approach is a practical framework for managing your mental focus during and after play:
-
-
-
The Short Lens zooms in on the immediate details of a rally—the ball, the paddle, the next shot.
-
The Medium Lens gives you a bit of distance, allowing for real-time tactical adjustments within a game.
-
The Long Lens widens your perspective, helping you reconnect with why you play—joy, growth, and connection.
-
-
Each of these lenses serves a purpose. But trouble starts when one lens—especially the short one—gets stuck.
The Trap of the Short Lens Spiral
Imagine this: your opponent floats up an easy ball. The winning volley is right there for the taking. You swing—and the ball smacks into the net.
Your mind locks on: How could I miss that? You replay the shot over and over. A rally ago, you were in flow. Now, you’re spiraling.
That’s the Short Lens Spiral. It’s your mind doing what it’s designed to do—focus on the details—but applying that focus in the wrong frame. You stay trapped in the past, reliving a moment that no longer exists.
And just like biting into an eggshell in an otherwise perfect omelet, those stuck moments can sour your whole pickleball experience. Over time, they can even create a subconscious association between pickleball and frustration.
Switching Lenses to Restore Perspective
When you notice yourself replaying a mistake, pause and ask:
“What did I want from pickleball today? Did I get it?”
That simple question shifts you from short lens to long lens thinking. Instead of obsessing over the miss, you re-engage with the why behind your play—the joy of movement, camaraderie, growth.
This mental switch isn’t instant. You’ve relied on your short lens for a long time, and learning to move fluidly between lenses takes patience and awareness. But each time you consciously shift out of the spiral, you strengthen your mental game.
From Focus to Freedom
The long lens brings freedom. It reminds you that your worth as a player isn’t defined by one shot, one rally, or one game. It connects you to your broader journey—your love of learning, your community, your personal evolution through pickleball.
And unlike the short lens, the long lens carries no downside. You can use it any time without risk. It brings perspective, compassion, and a calm sense of belonging to every point you play.
The short lens helps you focus, but the long lens keeps you grounded. Balance them, and you’ll find both better play and deeper satisfaction on and off the court.
Want to dive deeper into this mindset work?
📘 Get your copy of Pickleball Therapy: The Book—available now to help you expand your understanding of the game beyond the court.
Tony Roig
Hola. Hello. Konichiwa. After 40 years playing tennis, I am now a full-time pickleball player and professional. As a 5.0 rated Senior Pro Pickleball Player and an IPTPA-certified Master Teaching Professional, my focus is on helping players like you learn to play their best pickleball. In 2016, shortly after starting to play pickleball, my friend Tom and I jumped into the highest division at the first US Open in Naples, Florida. That morning it became clear just how much there is to learn in this seemingly simple sport – a lifetime of learning if you so choose. Since 2018, I have been on a mission to share my knowledge of pickleball so other players can enjoy the game at a higher level and attain their pickleball objectives. When not studying or playing pickleball, I like to travel with my other half, Jill.