Learn to Play

The Best Pickleball Warm-Up Exercises Used By the Pros

by

When you exercise, injuries are inevitable.

Heck, simply wake up, and injuries are a likely reality.

And after 13 months of playing pickleball multiple times a week, my bell has tolled.

I played for about an hour.

Then it was my turn to sit a match out.

When I returned, my knee felt like it had experienced some direct hit.

Read more

Skinny Singles Pickleball – How to Play and Rules

by

Recently, I’ve been adding pickleball drills that resemble real-game situations to my repertoire, and skinny singles pickleball is just what the doctor ordered! Covering dinks, drives, drops, serves, and volleys is all part of the game, and since the game only requires half the court, you only need one additional person to play.

Read more

All About the Pickleball Pre-Serve Ritual

by

I bounce the ball as I walk to the service line.

I hold the ball up to my opponents, a universal indicator that we’re all ready.

I set my feet, bounce the pickleball ball twice more and call out the score.

While doing all of this, I note the receiver’s position and make a quick decision on where I will place the ball.

And then I serve.

You might have observed pre-serve routines in sports like pickleball, tennis, or even volleyball and wondered about their significance. Why are these routines so prevalent across various sports? 

I’m unsure if my serve routine is completely optimized for the game, but it works for me.

Read more

The Best Pickleball Advice Ever Has to Do With Sleep

by

The importance of consistently getting a good night’s sleep cannot be emphasized enough, especially for pickleball enthusiasts looking to enhance their performance on the court.

Adequate rest empowers your brain to unleash its full potential, boosting your memory and cognitive abilities. But that’s not all! Quality sleep also helps regulate mood, promotes heart health, and balances the hormones responsible for managing appetite.

Here are a few methods Pickleball Rookie uses to improve our sleep, and we hope they help you, too!

Read more

How to Play Pickleball for Beginners: A Quickstart Guide 

by

Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles. The game is unique because of the “Non-Volley Zone” (Kitchen)—a 7-foot area near the net where you cannot smash the ball out of the air. To start playing in 2026, you only need three things: court shoes (for safety), a learner-friendly paddle (to keep the ball in play), and a willingness to stay out of the kitchen!

Congratulations on deciding to give pickleball a try! This fun and engaging sport is an excellent way to stay active, socialize, and learn new skills. As a beginner, especially if you haven’t played sports before, you might feel overwhelmed or unsure about where to start. Pickleball Rookie has helped many people get started; we’re happy to share advice to help you begin your pickleball journey.

Read more

How to Improve Reaction Time in Pickleball

by

Pickleball players of all ages understand that improving your reaction time can elevate your game to the next level.

The fierce exchange of volleys. Four players at the line, dripping sweat, ripping forehands and backhands with mind-numbing speed. High-level pickleball can be an exhilarating knife fight. Aside from an insanely cool Erne or ATP, winning a rally like this is the best feeling in pickleball.

But losing? Losing one of these tenacious rallies is a drag.

Here’s the good news. You can increase your reaction time, and I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on how to do it.

Read more

11 Unwritten Pickleball Rules: The Ultimate Etiquette Guide (2026)

by

Pickleball is unique because it is 50% sport and 50% social event. The quickest way to get ostracized at Open Play isn’t missing shots—it’s breaking the unwritten rules. The “Golden Rule” is simple: Call line calls in your opponent’s favor, announce the score loudly before every serve, and for the love of the game, stop coaching your partner unless they ask.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is enjoyed by millions of people. It’s a great way to get some exercise and socialize with friends, but it also brings an unspoken code of conduct — pickleball etiquette.

Like most sports, there are some unwritten guidelines that all players should follow to ensure everyone has a fun, safe, and enjoyable game.

This article will focus on the basic unwritten rules of pickleball etiquette that all beginners should know. From what to wear to how to tap paddles, we’ll prep you for your first few pickleball matches so you can focus on the game.

Read more

Pickleball Open Play – Playing for the First Time

by

If you have yet to discover the expanding sport of pickleball, you’re in the right place to open up a whole new world. You may have heard all about pickleball and would love to try it out, but you need to figure out how you join in the fun. 

Read more

When Do You Switch Sides in Pickleball?

by

In standard recreational play (games to 11), you typically do not switch sides unless wind or sun is a major factor. In tournament play (Match format), you switch sides after Game 1. If a third game is needed, you switch sides when the first team reaches 6 points (in a game to 11) or 8 points (in a game to 15).

Knowing when to switch sides is one of the most challenging concepts for new pickleball players to grasp. I’ve seen my fair share of confusion on the court when it comes to switching sides, but it gets better with time and practice. 

From alternating serves to showing common courtesy when in rec play, this is your guide on when to switch sides when playing pickleball.

Read more

How to Handle Rude and Aggressive Pickleball Players

by

I recently played pickleball with The Most Aggressive Lady on Earth. Every shot was a drive; a yelp; a fist pump; a scream.

Let’s call this player, Edgy.

It was clear that Edgy had quite a bit of pickleball experience. It was also clear that her enthusiasm wasn’t received with open paddles. The 20 or so people at our open play nodded, winked, laughed, and shrugged off Edgy’s antics. It was just Edgy being Edgy.

Read more

Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner