Instruction

Becoming a better player involves the ability to dictate play. Most pickleball players begin by being reactionary: “Just get the return of serve back into the court.” “Keep the ball in play.” “Just get the ball in to start play—the serve doesn’t matter.” If your play is in line with these comments, it means your game has no real substance. Other players control your ability to play the game. Where to start to build a game of substance? You should begin by identifying the shot

So what’s the secret for ensuring that your children or grandchildren have a positive first-time experience with pickleball, encouraging them to make it a lifetime activity they can love as much as we all do? First, remember your experience learning the game. Was it a friend or family member who got you started, or a dynamic pickleball coach who made it simple and easy to learn? Or maybe, with all the buzz around pickleball, you bought a couple of inexpensive paddles at Walma

As pickleball attracts more and more players from other sports, those new players bring shots from their former sports. There is much greater shot variety in pickleball than ever before. Some of the shots even have names, like reset, Erne, and dink. As overall play gets better, the need for variety, change of pace, additional spin, and deception increases. Why would you want to use a backhand serve? In the past, I have seen several players switch to a backhand serve when they

In pickleball, the serving team starts every point at a natural disadvantage. The third shot is regularly the moment where points start to unravel. The choice you make here largely determines whether you feed into your opponents’ advantage, stay stuck in neutral, or step into control of the rally. Why the Third Shot Matters The third shot is the pivotal moment in a rally for the serving team. Choosing the right shot sets the tone for the rest of the point. Consider these key

Mary Brascia prepares to hit a forehand serve deep to her opponent’s backhand during Pro Women’s Singles division play at the PPA Mesa...

The increased exposure of pickleball gives players of all levels plenty of opportunities to watch high-level pickleball and view...

If you’ve ever watched high-level pickleball and wondered how they make it look so easy, the answer almost always comes back to three...

In pickleball, pressure is your best friend—when it’s applied strategically. But most players default to one kind: hitting hard and fast....

Advanced Pickleball Strategy for 5.0+ Players At the 5.0+ and professional levels, pickleball is no longer just about mechanics and...

Brad Bradshaw of Ponte Vedra, Florida, came to pickleball from tennis, and was the ATP Executive VP, Rules and Competition. In 2024, he...