Hot Takes

Body bag shots and Nasty Nelsons aren’t just chaotic fun—they’re strategic weapons in competitive pickleball. In this blog, I break down why these controversial plays deserve respect, how to use them effectively, and when it’s just plain funny to unleash them.

Standard scoring creates a battlefield of shifting mindsets. It forces players to adapt, control momentum, and think several moves ahead. Rally scoring? It rewards consistency, punishes risk-taking, and flattens every player into the same narrow style.