Drew Pierce

Drew Pierce is a USA Pickleball Ambassador, PPR certified coach, and tennis crossover who covers beginner tips, paddle releases, and the sport's growing culture. Read more on his About page or tune into Pickle Rock Radio.

Pickleball Central Mystery Box — Premium Edition — Unboxing

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I am the proud owner of a Pickleball Central Mystery Box. And I splurged for the “Premium” edition. 🙂

Never one to gamble on mystery boxes since my skeptical side believes it will be nothing but a collection of merchandise that no one wants, I couldn’t resist the lure of getting a bunch of pickleball paddles. The rational me recognizes that mystery boxes are often filled with blemished items or products that a retailer cannot move otherwise. However, the emotional me, which is in love with everything pickleball, couldn’t resist the opportunity.

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How To Practice Pickleball Alone: Machines and Solo Drills

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When I first embarked on my pickleball journey, one of the first questions I needed to answer was how to practice pickleball alone.

Even though I come from a  recreational tennis background, the thought of showing up to the court never having held a pickleball paddle was a frightening proposition. My first step was to develop several pickleball drills to do by yourself. I started by hitting the ball against a wall in my house using nothing but some painter’s tape at the 3-foot mark to indicate the height of the net (a pickleball net is actually 34 inches high in the middle).

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How to Master the Pickleball Lob and Improve Your Game

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The pickleball lob is a strategic shot designed to push your opponents back to the baseline, opening up the court for an attack. It is most effective against players with limited mobility or when the sun is in their eyes. To execute it safely, you must disguise your motion and aim deep into the opponent’s backhand corner.

The pickleball lob shot can be the key to victory–or the reason why you aren’t invited back to play! The lob is one of the most frustrating pickleball shots for many players to defend against. This post will examine when to lob, when to avoid it, and how to execute it to perfection.

This post is about winning points and matches, not necessarily “playing nice.” While many players find the lob the “easy way out,” it can be a fantastic tactic if you pick and choose your moments. 

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Pickleball Sneakers: How to Choose the Best Shoes for Playing Pickleball

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When playing pickleball, it is essential to have the right pickleball sneakers or shoes. You need pickleball sneakers that will provide good traction and stability on the court. If not, you are putting yourself at risk for a sprained ankle, tendon strain–or worse.

In this post, we will discuss the different shoes that are best for playing pickleball, as well as some tips on choosing the right pair for you. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, read on to learn more about picking out the perfect pickleball sneakers!

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Pickleball Terms and Slang for Beginners

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Pickleball terms and terminology don’t differ all that much from tennis and other sports. Well, except for the occasional ‘dink’ or ‘Erne!’ 🙂

The sport known as “ping pong on steroids” brings a vernacular as unique as the game itself. Here is a running list of pickleball terms to help keep you in the know.

Please let us know if we missed one of your favorite pickleball vocabulary words.

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Pickleball Doubles Tips and Strategy to Improve Your Game

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Playing pickleball doubles can be a lot of fun, but it takes some practice to get good at it. To play well with a partner, you need to communicate effectively and work together as a team. Here are five tips for playing better pickleball doubles.

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What Is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Balls?

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2026 Winter Play Alert: In temperatures below 50°F, standard outdoor balls like the Dura Fast 40 become brittle and crack. For peak February indoor play on gym floors, switching to a ball with fewer, larger holes (like the Onix Pure 2) is essential for consistent bounce and durability.

Pickleball balls. They serve us well, yet we give these small spheres very little thought or attention. In this post, we’ll explore everything there is to know about pickleball balls – from indoor vs. outdoor to colors to lifespan; how do you pick the best pickleball?

Since pickleball is a sport that requires minimal equipment to play, you’ll want to make sure you are mindful of the pickleball paddle you hit with and the ball that you put into play. While often an afterthought, I have found that the quality and health of the pickleball have a dramatic effect on the game, much more so than a baseball, soccer ball, and even tennis ball.

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I Took a Pickleball Clinic With Professional Player Zane Navratil

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Your resident Pickleball Rookie took a two-hour pickleball clinic this past Memorial Day with Zane Navratil and Frank Anthony Davis (F.A.D.), two of the top pickleball players in the world. 

The class was fantastic! 

But first and foremost, explaining to your family that you are leaving a Memorial Day barbecue midstream to take a pickleball class, was met with some inquisitive looks and a single question, ‘why?’ 

Simple answer: When you have an opportunity to learn from the best in a subject area that you are passionate about, you seize the opportunity; that’s why! And three months into my pickleball journey, I felt the timing was perfect for attempting to improve my game and start to work on upping my skill level.

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Will a New Pickleball League Change My Game?

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After a couple of months of attending open plays at two local facilities, I wanted to add more regularity to my pickleball play–and get a bit more competitive, so I entered my first mixed doubles pickleball league.

Even though the program is a 30-minute drive from home and runs until 10:30pm (past my usual bedtime!), it was well worth it. I’ve met some good people, had some great matches, and am learning more about America’s fastest-growing sport with each passing day.

The league kicked off with a random pairing of players. Each week, five players are grouped, and the people you play with rotate based on your standings. As the weeks unfold, you get matched with pickleballers who are closest to your skill level, determined by wins, losses, points for and points against.

Here’s a breakdown of my pickleball league experience.

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Best Pickleball Bags to Up Your (Style) Game

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The best pickleball bags won’t make your game any better, but they can add to your swagger as you come and go to the court.

You have been bitten by the pickleball bug. And you are all in. You have your pickleball paddle, identified nearby courts, and constantly think about the sport. But there’s one pickleball-related dilemma you just can’t seem to solve: what kind of pickleball bag should you buy?

There are so many pickleball bags on the market that it can be tough to choose the right one. And when you’re first starting, you may not even be sure what to look for in a pickleball bag. But don’t worry–we’re here to help. This article will break down the different types of pickleball bags and offer some tips on choosing the perfect pickleball bag for your gear.

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