Learn to Play - Pickleball Rookie

10 Tips to Elevate Your Pickleball Skills

December 2, 2025August 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

To elevate your pickleball skills quickly, prioritize communication with your partner, master the soft “dink” game, and improve your footwork to stay balanced. The most effective way to fast-track these skills is by drilling with purposeful tools like target rings and wall rebounders rather than just playing rec games.

When I first picked up a pickleball paddle, my sole focus was ensuring the ball made it over the net. Over time, as I started to feel the rhythm of the ball and the paddle, I grew more confident, learning the rules and refining my reflexes. Gradually, I evolved from a novice player to someone quite proficient. It felt like the game had become second nature to me. And oh, how exhilarating it was to win!

8 Common Pickleball Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

December 2, 2025August 26, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The most common pickleball mistakes are overhitting the ball (trying to slam everything), standing too far back from the kitchen line, and poor serving technique. To fix these, focus on soft “dink” shots for control, invest in proper court shoes for forward movement, and drill your serve placement rather than power.

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.

Mastering Ready Position in Pickleball Is Key to Success

November 20, 2025August 15, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The ready position in pickleball is a must to achieve success.

Imagine pickleball not just as a sport but as an intricate dance. The first step in this dance is the ready position, a pivotal move that sets the rhythm for the entire performance. This isn’t a mere ritual; it’s the magic step that can lead one toward triumph.

Keep a Pickleball Journal and How to Conduct a Self Audit

November 20, 2025August 1, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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!

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. 🙂

The Best Times to Use a Pickleball Drop Serve

November 20, 2025July 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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.

10 Most Important Pickleball Rules to Understand Before Playing

November 26, 2025July 17, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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!

How to Identify Pickleball Burnout Signs and Cope

November 20, 2025July 7, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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.

Dink Rally Advice and Pickleball Pointers

November 20, 2025June 26, 2023 by Drew Pierce

My paddle is poised, my eyes alert.

I’m in that familiar position that I’ve spent hundreds of hours in over the past 16 months, dancing on the edge of the Non-Volley Zone line.

In the tactical sport of pickleball, dinking is the backbone of the game. But how do you polish this essential skill into a lethal weapon that wins you points?

With doubles often morphing into a psychological warzone when you’re embroiled in a dinking duel with your opponents, how can you outwit and outplay them? Let’s uncover some solid strategies and tips to help you win the dink.

How Much Do Pickleball Lessons Cost? The Ultimate Guide

November 20, 2025June 22, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Dive into the exciting world of pickleball, a sport captivating players of all ages and experience levels. If you’re new to the game or looking to step up your play, pickleball lessons are an excellent way to amp up your skills. So, what’s the price tag on pickleball mastery? Let’s delve into the costs of pickleball lessons and what factors affect them.

Pickleball Doubles Strategies: How to Exploit Your Opponent’s Weaknesses

November 20, 2025June 16, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The strategic depth of pickleball, especially in doubles matches, is often underestimated. To excel, it’s not enough to only master your game; you must also be able to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Here are some pickleball doubles strategies to get the upper hand in your doubles pickleball matches.