Go Blank: A Mental Reset That Actually Works on the Pickleball Court
Suddenly, you’re thinking too much. Judging every shot. Analyzing your last mistake while trying to anticipate your next move.
Sound familiar?
That’s the moment when your Saboteur brain takes the wheel, and it’s not a great driver.
What is PQ, and why should I care on a pickleball court?
PQ stands for Positive Intelligence Quotient. It’s a measure of how much of your mind is working for you (your Sage brain) versus against you (your Saboteurs).
High PQ = you're in flow. Low PQ = you're in your head.
Here’s the quick science:
The Sage brain (aka your PQ Brain) lives mostly in the right hemisphere and mid-brain. This is where calm, creativity, empathy, and smart decision-making hang out.
The Saboteur brain hangs out in the left hemisphere and limbic system, the part of your brain that’s reactive, judgmental, and fear-driven. Great if you’re being chased by a bear. Less great if you just double-faulted and need to reset for the next point.
The good news? You can train your Sage.
And it’s not about positive thinking. It’s about PQ reps: short, focused sensory exercises that build your brain’s ability to quiet the noise and access presence under pressure.
Think of it like building muscle at the gym.
Each PQ rep weakens your Saboteurs and strengthens your Sage. Just like a dumbbell rep, it’s about consistency, not intensity.
My favorite PQ rep on the court? Going Blank.
When your thoughts are spiraling, or your grip starts tightening, the best thing you can do is stop thinking. Wipe the mental slate clean.
Let your nervous system come off high alert.
Let your instincts breathe.
Here's how to Go Blank (in less than 10 seconds):
Choose one small, physical sensation to focus on with all your attention.
Keep it specific. And weirdly detailed.
Examples:
Wiggle your right pinky toe and notice how it feels against your sock and shoe.
Squeeze your paddle and pay close attention to the texture of the grip or the tiny whoosh of air between your fingers.
Listen to your breath, or count your exhales down from 3, slow and steady.
Push the pads of your fingers into the holes of the pickleball as you’re walking back to the baseline.
That’s it. 10 seconds of full focus. Then, start the next point.
Going Blank doesn’t guarantee you’ll win the point. Let’s be real clear. It simply clears a runway so your trained body and practiced instincts can do their job.
Why it works:
Because your Saboteur brain hates quiet. It thrives on noise - judgment, doubt, comparison, control. When you focus on a tiny, sensory detail, you interrupt that noise. You give your Sage the mic.
And once you feel what that reset can do, even once? You’ll want more.
So, keep at it. It’s weird the first time. And new. Keep trying it out over and over when you have 10 seconds to spare. Focus acutely and watch what happens. And if you still help, well then, call me.
Cheers,
Lauren (The Mental Caddie)
Want more mental tools like this? Subscribe to the blog or reach out about 1:1 Mental Caddie Coaching. Because the real game isn’t just played with paddles and balls, it’s played between your ears.