When I first started playing pickleball, my only goal was to have fun and get some exercise. But as I got hooked on this addictive sport, my ambitions began to grow. Suddenly, I found myself setting all sorts of goals! From improving my rating to mastering dinking to even starting this blog and becoming a PPR certified pickleball coach. The more I talk to other pickleball players, the more I realize how diverse everyone’s motivations are. For some, the pure joy of playing and socializing is enough. Others relish the competitive drive, fixating on drilling and crushing anyone that steps onto th ..read more

When you’re trying to enjoy a fun game of pickleball, there’s nothing more frustrating than a ball hog teammate who insists on taking every shot, even ones clearly meant for you. Instead of fun rallies, points are over quickly with the ball hog going for shots they had no business going for. We’ve all been there. Personally, there have been times where I will mutter to myself the whole way home that I should have taken control of the situation. So, how can you handle this tricky on-court scenario? We have a few ideas! Ball Hog Tip #1: Communicate First The best approach is to start by communic ..read more

What’s that saying about excuses? Excuses change nothing, but make everyone feel better. Are you a pickleball player who’s always got an excuse ready when things don’t go your way on the court?  Do you find yourself constantly pointing fingers at your paddle, the weather, the court surface, or even the phase of the moon? In the world of pickleball, where egos are as fragile as perforated plastic, having an arsenal of creative justifications for your failures is essential. After all, admitting that your opponent simply outplayed you is far too painful for most of us mere mortals. Fear not ..read more

It’s a common refrain throughout pickleball, advancing from a 3. 5 to a 4.0 pickleball rating. While many folks, including yours truly, can consistently win games at local open play sessions against other 3.5 players, we struggle to take that next step up. But there are a few paths you can follow to get your game over the hump. Here’s a look at some of the keys that helped propel my progression. Let Go of Perfection on Third Shots One of the biggest mental hurdles I had to get over was this obsession with hitting a perfect, low-skimming third-shot drop every time to try to put maximum pressure ..read more

If you feel like your feet are glued to the court when playing pickleball, you’re not alone. Many players, especially those new to the sport, struggle with being light and agile on their feet. This issue, often referred to as “concrete feet,” can significantly hinder your ability to react quickly and get into position for shots. However, you can overcome this challenge with the right techniques and exercises and take your pickleball game to new heights. Here are some tips to help you stay light on your feet when playing pickleball. Master the Split-Step The split-step is a fundamental techniqu ..read more

I don’t play ping pong often, but when I do, I place my index finger on the face of the paddle with a finger-up grip. So perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised that this habit of extending my finger north of the grip carried over to pickleball. Many pickleball players view this as an unorthodox or even improper way to hold the paddle, but I’ve stuck with it for some time now, and it’s been effective, specifically at the non-volley zone line. However, the grip comes at a price. The Pros of the Finger-Up Grip More Control – Having my index finger on the paddle face gives me an intuitive feel for the p ..read more

Is Temu pickleball merch up to the test? I have been an advocate and supporter of Temu for more than a year. Like many people, I was skeptical. But I rolled the dice on a small and inexpensive item. And when it arrived as promised, I doubled down. Since then, I have placed dozens of orders, and have been satisfied with the vast majority of my purchases. They even have neat stuff like cheap compression socks and cooling towels. However, if you’re spoiled by Amazon Prime, get ready to wait. Temu orders to New York generally take 10 days. And they often arrive a jumbled mess. However, if you keep ..read more

I threw my pickleball paddle. Like an impetuous little cry baby, I tossed it into an empty bench. It soared like a Frisbee, garnering several audible gasps from surrounding players. I tell you this not because I am proud but because days later, I’m still embarrassed. The catalyst? I went one and six in games against lateral competition and I couldn’t point to a single reason why. I reverted back to that 14-year-old boy who once smashed a tennis racket against the tree. But that was a hormonal rage brought on by girl trouble. Decades later, and a much more mellow dude, there is no excuse for my ..read more

When I first started playing pickleball two years ago, I made a commitment to myself. A promise that I would avoid getting caught up in a marketing matrix that left me spending infinite dollars on pickleball gear. I’ve been mostly successful. After starting with a Prince Pro Response paddle, mostly based on my allegiance to the brand from my childhood tennis days, I transitioned to Engage paddles after six months and haven’t looked back. I got lucky when settling on pickleball shoes, too. Adidas Barricade sneakers are my favorite, and it’s not even close. I will occasionally slip on ..read more

I’m decent at pickleball but not very good at small talk! As an introvert who loves playing the sport, I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone, often showing up at new venues and meeting new people.  And that’s soooo much more difficult than playing! The social aspect of pickleball is a beautiful part of the game, but that doesn’t mean it comes easy to everyone. Sometimes, figuring out what do you say after saying hello is harder than hitting two ATPs in a row! So, to help my fellow introverts, here are some tips for making conversation during pickleball. Before the Game While wai ..read more