8 Common Pickleball Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

common mistakes

Pickleball, a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is steadily gaining traction amongst sports enthusiasts of all ages. Just like any other sport, though, there’s a learning curve that we all must overcome. As I’ve worked to improve my game, I’ve noted some common pitfalls. Here are eight frequent pickleball mistakes and how you can steer clear of them.

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Pickleball vs. Wiffle Ball – What Is the Difference?

pickleball vs. wiffle ball

Why Getting Hit by a Pickleball Hurts More Than a Wiffle Ball

I can still feel the sting. 

As I stood on the pickleball court, trying to shake off the shock from a pickleball that had just made a rather painful introduction with my neck, my opponent chuckled and remarked, “Come on, it’s only a wiffle ball!” 

That casual dismissal irked me more than the actual hit. 

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While wiffle balls and pickleballs might appear like siblings at first glance, they are worlds apart in weight and impact, making them more like distant cousins.

And when you factor in that a pickleball can reach 40mph and be sent in your direction from as close as 7 feet away, don’t tell me getting hit doesn’t hurt. Sadly, pickleball injuries are on the rise, many because players are being struck by the ball.

But I did get my revenge: I spent the rest of the match polishing this dude’s obnoxious Selkirk sneakers.

Let’s look at the differences between wiffle balls and pickleballs and debunk and dive into why getting hit by a pickleball is no laughing matter.

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Keep a Pickleball Journal and How to Conduct a Self Audit

Reasons that you should start a pickleball journal today and tips to get going!

Keeping a work journal over the past 20 years has been a game-changer for me, transforming how I approach my tasks, track my progress, and reflect on my achievements. 

Prefer to listen to this post? Click below.

Most importantly, it helps me reflect on how I handle situations and helps me learn from my mistakes. And most importantly, a journal helps keep me grounded in “what is” vs. “what if.”

And keeping a pickleball journal is great, too!

pickleball journal

It’s a space to jot down challenges, successes, and learnings, providing me a real-time map of my pickleball growth. This practice helps me recognize patterns, strategize better, and ultimately enhance my performance on the court. 

Journaling can also serve as an emotional outlet, helping people to manage stress and anxiety. This can be relevant for both work and pickleball. 🙂

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The Best Times to Use a Pickleball Drop Serve

pickleball drop serve

Baseball fans will be familiar with a cliche that every day at the ballpark, something new happens. While I’m not entirely convinced the same is true with pickleball, I certainly have seen my fair share of courtside curiosities. 

From dudes playing in Crocs to people switching hands at the strangest times to a guy who always shows a different serve (oh wait, that weirdo is me!), pickleball is dynamic.

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10 Most Important Pickleball Rules to Understand Before Playing

basic pickleball rules

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking for a new challenge or a novice just stepping into the realm of racket sports, pickleball is an exciting and accessible game for all skill levels. In this article, we’ll walk you through the ten most fundamental pickleball rules that you need to understand before you step onto the court. These rules provide the basic framework of the game, helping to ensure fair play while maximizing fun. Grab your paddle, and let’s dive into the essentials of pickleball!

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How to Identify Pickleball Burnout Signs and Cope

pickleball burnout

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone more in love with pickleball over the past 15 months. 

From my first lesson to launching this pickleball blog to getting certified, I have been ALL IN, driving everyone nuts with my incessant pickleball chatter.

But last week, after scraping myself off the couch and dropping my first few games, I sighed deeply and thought, “Pickleball sucks.” 

That was it. 

That’s when I knew I was teetering on the brink of burnout. 

Suddenly, the sound of the paddle hitting the ball felt like a taunt. At that moment, I realized that the game I once loved was now draining the life out of me. 

But unlike a job or a marriage, pickleball is my leisure time–and I have choices. Before looking at solutions for pickleball burnout, let’s look at some warning signs. 

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Dink ‘n’ Dish: Gordon G.G. Gebert of National Pickleball League

Gordon G.G. Gebert
pickleball interviews

When retired rock star Gordon G.G. Gebert traded his keyboard for a pickleball paddle, he embarked on a journey that was as thrilling as any world tour. From diving head first into playing the sport to founding the National Pickleball League (NPL), Gebert’s story is a fascinating intersection of music, sports, and the relentless pursuit of passion.

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