When I was 5 years old, my mother took me for my first swim lesson. The instructor, a gruff man in red lifeguard Speedos, led me to the deep end of the pool and pushed me in. With my mother looking on in shock, I managed to dog-paddle to the side safely. At which point, the instructor exclaimed: “You see! He swims!” We never went back for lesson two. I mention this lesson for one reason: If you’re not coming to pickleball from another racket sport (especially tennis), you wou
You are better off going into a match with a plan. You need a baseline to be able to change a plan if it is not working. Good players will adjust, so you must be able to adjust as well. You certainly need to know yourself, what you can and cannot do. Good players have a weapon, and they know how to maximize that weapon. You need to be able to size up your opponents from the get-go. Where are they most consistent and where do they make errors? Do they like pace? Spin? Is their
We all want our sport to be respected. We don’t want to bring shame to pickleball as it develops into a recognized paddle sport. To honor the founding principles of the game and positively guide this development, we must work to exhibit good sportsmanship at all levels. Not only is this good for pickleball, but it can also facilitate both personal and play improvement. Be a class act on the court, the medal stand, and in life itself. Act like you have been in the winner’s cir
Elevating your game beyond intermediate isn’t about flashy winners—it’s about mastering essential concepts that improve consistency, control, and point construction. These seven fundamental shots separate a 3.5 from a dependable 4.0+ player, and practicing them with purpose makes all the difference. 1. The Serve Sets the Tone The serve is the only shot you fully control, and at higher levels it’s a tactical weapon that can dictate the pace of a point. A deep, precise serve li
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
