Learn to Play - Pickleball Rookie

Pickleball Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow: How to Spot the Difference & Fix It Fast (2026)

January 26, 2026January 26, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Here is the simple truth: “Pickleball Elbow” is not a unique medical condition. It is almost always Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)—inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. If the pain is on the inside of the elbow, that is Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow). Both are caused by one thing: Overuse. The cure is the “R.I.C.E” method, checking your grip size, and putting the paddle down for 2 weeks so you don’t lose 2 months.

When I first started to play pickleball, it was to avoid the strain that tennis put on my lower back. However, I quickly learned that pickleball is not necessarily better for my damaged sacroiliac joints despite being easier on my muscles. But that hasn’t stopped me from playing!

14 Most Common Pickleball Injuries

November 20, 2025January 17, 2023 by Drew Pierce

I often marvel that NFL players can take monster hits and get back to their feet unscathed. Meanwhile, I’ve pulled muscles getting out of bed, making a cup of coffee–even sneezing! But I digress. The point is that many articles surrounding pickleball being a dangerous sport are clickbait. Or worse yet, these awful articles are designed to undermine the sport’s growth. If you’re living and breathing, you are prone to injury. And there will always be freak accidents. But that said, people who play pickleball are prone to specific injuries. Here are the eight most common pickleball injuries.

The Pickleball Forehand Drive: When to Unleash It vs. When to Drop (2026)

January 26, 2026January 6, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The Forehand Drive is not designed to win the point instantly; it is designed to result in a weak return (a “pop-up”) that you or your partner can smash. The “Golden Rule” of driving is simple: Only drive if you are balanced and the ball is short. If you are running backward or the ball is deep at your feet, do not drive—hit a drop shot. A bad drive is an unforced error; a good drive is a setup for the “Shake and Bake.”

The drive is an essential shot in pickleball. From catching your opponent off-guard with speed to set up your follow-up shot, a solid pickleball forehand drive is a must in your arsenal. So when is the best time to get aggressive and drive the pickleball?

Basic Pickleball Strategy: Get to the Kitchen Quickly

November 20, 2025December 5, 2022 by Drew Pierce

We’ve all been told countless times that a basic pickleball strategy is to get to the kitchen ASAP. And it’s great advice! But there’s more to it than just rushing up the court. Getting to the kitchen quickly is important, but effectiveness is key. If you make a poor approach, an experienced player will exploit your error more often than not.

Why Play Pickleball? Here Are My Top 11 Reasons

November 20, 2025November 20, 2022 by Drew Pierce

With pickleball getting seemingly overhyped across America, many people ask, “why play pickleball?” and wonder if the sport is a passing fad.

As someone who spends a fair share of his time consuming pickleball-related content, one consistent theme is that people either love it or hate it. It’s ironic that such an innocent sport can be so polarizing, but this is just how it is in the 21st century. As with most things in this world, society loves to build things up and tear them down.

However, I advise you not to become a victim of the hype.

Pickleball is fantastic. And the best part is getting out there to play the game.

So while the pundits debate the credibility of pickleball as a sport (it is!), you would be best served to pick up a paddle and play. Here are a few benefits of playing pickleball.

Pickleball Mental Game: 7 Tactics to Stay Focused & Stop Choking (2026)

January 26, 2026October 25, 2022 by Drew Pierce

In a tournament, your biggest opponent isn’t the person across the net—it’s the voice in your head. When you miss an easy dink or get a bad line call, your “Flight or Fight” response kicks in, causing you to rush and make more errors. The secret to winning isn’t hitting better shots; it’s slowing your heart rate down. You must have a Physical Reset Routine between every single point.

It was my first pickleball match with a professional referee officiating. And I found myself unusually nervous.

The kitchen turned into a fiery cauldron; I became hyperaware of my surroundings.

Not only did it freak me out that someone was watching the match, but I didn’t know what to expect. The referee, who was super nice, explained that part of the gig entails calling the score before each serve. A minor detail, yet one more thing to think about during the tournament final.

The match got underway, and the first rally ended abruptly when my assigned partner was called for a kitchen violation.

“KITCHEN!”

There’s that ref again!

How to Serve in Pickleball – Rules and Tips

December 18, 2025October 6, 2022 by Drew Pierce

In 2026, the two legal ways to serve are the Volley Serve (hitting the ball out of the air) and the Drop Serve (letting it bounce first). While the “chainsaw” spin serve is banned, you can still generate massive legal spin by using a Raw Carbon Fiber paddle. The golden rule for beginners: Aim for depth (back 3 feet of the court), not power.

If you are wondering how to serve in pickleball, you are in the right place! From pickleball serve rules to the types of pickleball serves to master, we have you covered.

The serve is one of the most important aspects of pickleball. A good serve can put your opponent on the defensive and give you an early lead in the game. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of serving in pickleball, including the rules, foot placement, types of serves, and strategy. By the end of this post, you’ll be an ace at serving! And that’s key. Because if you can’t get your serve in…you can’t score!

The Most Embarrassing Pickleball Moments (and how to avoid them)

March 1, 2026September 29, 2022 by Drew Pierce

No one likes to be embarrassed, especially in front of a crowd. And the thing about being embarrassed on a pickleball court is that the other players are nearby, ready and waiting to laugh. So here are a few ways to embarrass yourself on the pickleball court.

Pickleball vs. Tennis – A Comparison and Frequently Asked Questions

December 18, 2025September 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

While tennis relies on raw power, heavy topspin, and court coverage, pickleball rewards hand speed, patience, and placement. For tennis players making the switch, the transition is natural—especially for the serve and volley—but you will need to adjust your wrist mechanics and choose an “Elongated” paddle to mimic the reach and handle length of a tennis racquet.

The factions have formed, and the world seems to be debating the merits of Pickleball vs. Tennis. Pitting one sport against another is one of the dumbest things ever. If a game can provide joy and produce fans, can’t we all just get along? But there I go, dreaming again.

Rather than look at a battle between racquet and paddles; plastic and rubber; skill and fun; let’s examine several main differences between pickleball and tennis.