Rediscovering Tennis After Years Of Pickleball

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For four decades, tennis was my jam. I’d pick up a racquet a handful of times each year, and enjoy the muscle memory established as a kid.  

It wasn’t a serious commitment, but it was a constant in my life—until it wasn’t.

Two years ago, I discovered pickleball.

Like many others, I was seduced by the game’s rapid-fire game-play, social atmosphere, total inclusion, and ease on my body when compared to tennis.

Before I knew it, tennis faded into the background, and pickleball became The Choice.

For over two years, I didn’t touch a tennis racquet. Not once.

I reveled in the quick reflexes and strategic positioning that pickleball demanded. And I figured I was still maintaining my “racquet sports skills,” albeit on a smaller scale.

Boy, was I wrong.

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Playing Pickleball Indoors vs. Outdoors: Which Is Better?

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As an avid pickleball player, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the game on both indoor and outdoor courts. Each setting offers its own set of advantages and challenges, and choosing between the two can significantly impact the overall playing experience.

Being someone who lives to be outside and finds any excuse to catch some rays, I’ve surprised myself by preferring to play pickleball indoors.

This post aims to help me get to the bottom of this query as well as educate you on the nuanced differences.

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How to Handle a Pickleball Ball Hog

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Handling a pickleball ball hog starts with communication. Politely setting court boundaries (“Yours vs. Mine”) works for most accidental poachers. For chronic offenders, you may need to let them “run themselves ragged,” employ the “freeze-out” strategy, or simply find a new partner who understands doubles etiquette.

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!

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Pickleball Loss? 20 Ways to Blame Your Paddle!

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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. 🙂

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How to Move From a 3.5 to 4.0 Pickleball Rating

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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.

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How to Stay Light on Your Feet During Pickleball

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Staying light on your feet in pickleball is crucial for reaching shots quickly and preventing injury. The key is a combination of proper “split-step” mechanics, improving your lateral agility through drills, and wearing lightweight court shoes that provide stability without weighing you down.

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.

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How to Hold a Pickleball Paddle With a Finger-Up Grip

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Looking for the standard grips? Check out our Ultimate Pickleball Grip Guide (Continental vs Eastern). This article below specifically discusses the ‘Finger Up’ technique for advanced control.

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.

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Temu Pickleball Paddles Under $100

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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 your expectations low and expect an 80% success rate, meaning the products are functional and as described, it’s a fair deal. Actually, better. It’s a great deal.

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