Games to 15

In rec play, I would estimate that more than 99% of the games tend to be games to 11. However, when we play tournaments,
we often have to play games to 15. In double elimination brackets, the games are often one game to 15, and some round robin brackets play one game to 15 as well.

What are important differences in game play when you are playing 1 game to 15 instead of 2/3 to 11 format?

Less time to win

In a game to 15, you don't have as much time to figure out your opponents. You don't have as much time to find your groove. This means, you need to be a quicker study of the patterns during your match. Which opponent is stronger? Which shots cause them trouble? Which of their shots cause you trouble, and how can you reduce the damage? You really have to stay on your toes and figure out what works and what doesn't work in that game.

It's funny that games to 15 can seem so different because they are really only 4 points longer than a game to 11, but you normally have a full game to 11 to get your bearings. Then you have another full game. If the game to 15 slips away from you, there is no additional opportunity against that team to regroup and fight your way back in it.

More time ...for timeouts?

In a game to 15, you get the same number of timeouts as you do in a game to 11 (two). In a game to 11, I usually recommend that you hit the pause button if your opponents score 2-3 points in a row. Pickleball is a game of momentum, and you want to hit the breaks on a swing like that before your opponents run away with the game. In a game to 15, you have fewer time outs per score, and you have a little more margin. You might allow 3 or (maybe) 4 points before you take your timeout, depending on how close your opponents are to 15. Obviously, if their score is 10 and you haven't taken a timeout yet, that's a great time to take a timeout, even if they have only scored one or two points in a row to get there. Don't allow them to build momentum.

Endurance

A game to 15 is likely going to be longer than a game to 11. You don't get much of a break when you're changing ends (teams change ends when one team scores 8 points in a game to 15). If you play back to back games in rec play, this minor extension is probably not going to be an issue, but if you have significant pauses between each game, it's possible you might start to drag toward the end of a game to 15. Ideally, you want to be fighting strong through the end of your match.

If you have time and there isn't a lot of competition for court space, consider playing a game to 15 on occasion. Call timeouts, even if you don't actually take them, in order to get the tempo right in a longer game. Maybe even set up a special session with some practice partners specifically for playing out some games to 15.

This might seem weird, but if your practice gives you even a slight advantage over an opponent who hasn't prepared in that way, it could make the difference in the outcome of a match. Give it a try and see what you think.

Thanks for stopping by,

No Fun David