Blog - Pickleball Rookie

How to Keep Focus During Pickleball – These Tactics Helped Me Win My First Tournament

November 20, 2025October 25, 2022 by Drew Pierce

It was my first pickleball match with a professional referee officiating. And I found myself unusually nervous.

The kitchen turned into a fiery cauldron; I became hyperaware of my surroundings.

Not only did it freak me out that someone was watching the match, but I didn’t know what to expect. The referee, who was super nice, explained that part of the gig entails calling the score before each serve. A minor detail, yet one more thing to think about during the tournament final.

The match got underway, and the first rally ended abruptly when my assigned partner was called for a kitchen violation.

“KITCHEN!”

There’s that ref again!

The Best Pickleball Team Building Exercises

December 7, 2025October 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball team building presents a ton of opportunities for teams to bond. Whether you are looking to rally the sales staff, break down walls between departments, or bring people closer together, pickleball’s low barrier to entry and proximity of play make it the perfect event to bring people together.

Here are a few reasons why Pickleball Rookie predicts that pickleball team building is the next wave of the sport’s rapid growth.

Pickleball Gloves – Are They Right for Your Game?

November 20, 2025October 15, 2022 by Drew Pierce

If you are new to pickleball, you probably have many questions, including, do I need to wear pickleball gloves? The short answer is the choice is yours–it’s simply a matter of preference. And while the vast majority of pickleball players do not wear gloves, there are several benefits depending on how your body is constructed.

Here are several reasons gloves for pickleball might work for your game.

How to Serve in Pickleball – Rules and Tips

December 18, 2025October 6, 2022 by Drew Pierce

In 2026, the two legal ways to serve are the Volley Serve (hitting the ball out of the air) and the Drop Serve (letting it bounce first). While the “chainsaw” spin serve is banned, you can still generate massive legal spin by using a Raw Carbon Fiber paddle. The golden rule for beginners: Aim for depth (back 3 feet of the court), not power.

If you are wondering how to serve in pickleball, you are in the right place! From pickleball serve rules to the types of pickleball serves to master, we have you covered.

The serve is one of the most important aspects of pickleball. A good serve can put your opponent on the defensive and give you an early lead in the game. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of serving in pickleball, including the rules, foot placement, types of serves, and strategy. By the end of this post, you’ll be an ace at serving! And that’s key. Because if you can’t get your serve in…you can’t score!

The Most Embarrassing Pickleball Moments (and how to avoid them)

November 20, 2025September 29, 2022 by Drew Pierce

No one likes to be embarrassed, especially in front of a crowd. And the thing about being embarrassed on a pickleball court is that the other players are nearby, ready and waiting to laugh. So here are a few ways to embarrass yourself on the pickleball court.

How Long Does a Pickleball Last? The Answer May Surprise You.

November 20, 2025September 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Many new pickleball players are curious about how long does a pickleball ball last. Pickleballs are quite durable and can be played with for a considerable amount of time. However, like all things in life, pickleballs do not last forever. And since you are only playing with one ball per match, it is important that you are not using a ball with any defect. Let’s look at a few things that can take your pickleball ball out of the game.

Pickleball vs. Tennis – A Comparison and Frequently Asked Questions

December 18, 2025September 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

While tennis relies on raw power, heavy topspin, and court coverage, pickleball rewards hand speed, patience, and placement. For tennis players making the switch, the transition is natural—especially for the serve and volley—but you will need to adjust your wrist mechanics and choose an “Elongated” paddle to mimic the reach and handle length of a tennis racquet.

The factions have formed, and the world seems to be debating the merits of Pickleball vs. Tennis. Pitting one sport against another is one of the dumbest things ever. If a game can provide joy and produce fans, can’t we all just get along? But there I go, dreaming again.

Rather than look at a battle between racquet and paddles; plastic and rubber; skill and fun; let’s examine several main differences between pickleball and tennis.

My First Pickleball Tournament: Tribulations and Triumph

November 20, 2025September 15, 2022 by Drew Pierce

So, you want to play in your first pickleball tournament? I did. And here’s what I learned.

After playing in several leagues and learning more about pickleball over the past few months, I finally did it: I played in my first pickleball tournament. The outdoor event had me in the 35+ 3.5 doubles division, where the organizers would match me with a partner. The weather here in New York was 85ﾟ and sunny, with minimal wind.

If you are considering playing in an upcoming tournament, I learned a few things that I’d like to share.

Pickleball Jobs – Do You Have One for Me?

November 20, 2025September 5, 2022 by Drew Pierce

As pickleball continues its upward trajectory, the number of available pickleball jobs continues to grow. From pickleball instructors to pickleball marketers, the paddle game is having its moment.

I don’t want to be just another recreational player: I want to be a part of the pickleball community.