Culture and News - Pickleball Rookie

What Is Australian Doubles Pickleball?

December 2, 2025January 2, 2024 by Drew Pierce

Australian Doubles (often called “Cutthroat”) is a 3-player pickleball format where one person plays solo against a team of two. The solo player serves and is the only one who can score points. Players rotate clockwise after every rally, ensuring everyone plays both solo and team positions.

Australian Doubles is a fast-paced pickleball variation played with three people on a standard-sized court. Also known as “Cutthroat” (don’t worry, it’s not as violent as it sounds), this game format solves the eternal problem of having an odd number of players show up at the court. Here’s how it works: the court is divided lengthwise down the middle, with one player serving solo from one side while a team of two players covers the opposite half. Players rotate positions after each point, which means you’re constantly switching between being the lone wolf and being part of a team. The beauty of Australian Doubles? It keeps everyone engaged and active—no one sits out waiting for their turn. Plus, it tests your skills in ways that regular doubles simply can’t.

2024 Pickleball Rule Changes Explained

November 20, 2025December 20, 2023 by Drew Pierce

USA Pickleball has released its 2024 official rulebook, and there are several notable changes we want our fellow players to be aware of. Do we dig all of the rule changes? Read on to find out!

Pickleball Is My “Third Place”

November 20, 2025November 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball players tend to fall hard for the sport.

The path to addiction is so quick that friends and families are often caught off guard.

There’s a reason many of us often hear, “Pickleball, again?!”

And it’s not said in the nicest of tones.

Well, I’m not sure about you, but it occurred to me recently that pickleball is my “third place.”

19 Reasons to Be Thankful for Pickleball

November 20, 2025November 21, 2023 by Drew Pierce

As I hit my 20th month of playing pickleball, I reflect on why I am thankful for the sport. It has delivered a surprising amount of joy into my life as an amateur player and pro blogger. Never in a million years would I have guessed that pickleball would become such a big part of me. But here we are, and I look forward to continuing to play, always learning, and spreading the pickleball love.

Here are the reasons I am grateful for pickleball. Please add your thoughts in the comments section.

Pickleball Journey: Lessons From My Latest Tournament

November 20, 2025November 20, 2023 by Drew Pierce

I played in a Thanksgiving pickleball tournament last night. It was my first tournament in months, and I had a nervous energy pulsing through me as I approached the facility.

My teammate and I were ready to give it our all.

And we came out hot.

We won our first six games with confidence and steady gameplay, advancing to the finals.

Then everything changed in an instant.

Pickleball Rule Changes – What the Future Might Look Like

November 20, 2025November 8, 2023 by Drew Pierce

As pickleball participation has increased, so has the conversation around potential rule changes and variations that could help pickleball continue to evolve as a sport.

While purists aim to preserve pickleball’s origins, others argue tweaks and experiments may attract new players, enhance entertainment value, and reduce controversies around gray areas in the rules.

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Proposed pickleball rule changes range from subtle shifts like standardizing balls to fundamental changes, including rally scoring or allowing multiple hits per side.

Ultimately, there is no consensus, as ideas that exhilarate some alienate others. Yet most agree pickleball must embrace controlled innovation to sustain growth while retaining its welcoming spirit and accessibility. With an openness to fresh thinking and debate, pickleball is poised for an exciting future as visionaries and traditionalists work together to shape the sport for future generations.

Pickleball Bullies: When Your Opponents Pick on Your Partner

November 20, 2025October 23, 2023 by Drew Pierce

During our recent pickleball league finals, my partner and I faced a couple of pickleball bullies. It’s a common strategy: the two men we were up against decided to target my partner, an excellent female player, often leaving me watching from the sidelines. Their strategy was effective, leveraging power to overwhelm her with consecutive shots. She held her own, but they won the match, leaving me putting together plans to counteract such tactics in the future.

Pickleball Friendsgiving Party: A New Tradition of Gratitude and Fun

November 20, 2025October 12, 2023 by Drew Pierce

There has never been a better time to throw a pickleball Friendsgiving party!

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisper, our hearts warm with thoughts of gratitude, friendship, and of course, the upcoming Friendsgiving celebrations. This year, let’s add a dash of playful competition and a sprinkle of sporty fun to our gatherings by introducing pickleball into our Friendsgiving festivities!

Pickleball Noise Concerns Addressed With New ‘Quiet Category’

November 20, 2025September 25, 2023 by Drew Pierce

USA Pickleball takes proactive measures against pickleball noise to ensure the sport pleases the masses.

USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body, has taken a significant step by unveiling its “Quiet Category” for pickleball products. This progressive move comes in light of growing noise concerns associated with the sport, focusing on reducing sound levels during recreational play.

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Dink ‘n’ Dish: Ryan Hampton, Co-Founder of PB Vision

November 20, 2025August 11, 2023 by Drew Pierce

From a game he once believed was reserved for Florida fun to launching an AI tool that’s transforming the way we understand the sport, Ryan Hampton’s journey with pickleball is a positive one. Dive in as Ryan unveils his intriguing first encounter, his passion project PB Vision, and his celestial dreams for the ultimate pickleball match.