Learn to Play - Pickleball Rookie

Pickleball Scoring Cheat Sheet: The ‘0-0-2’ Method Explained (2026)

March 1, 2026August 4, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball doubles scoring uses three numbers: [Serving Team Score] – [Receiving Team Score] – [Server Number 1 or 2]. You only score points when your team is serving. The game always starts at “0-0-2” because the starting team only gets one server before a side-out.

The very first time I picked up a pickleball paddle and drove down to my local tennis center to take a group lesson, the instructors warned, “you will all leave knowing how to play the game, but learning to keep score will take you months.”

Perhaps a bit of an overstatement, but I did wonder at the time if the scoring system was devised to filter out a segment of people unwilling to learn something new.

Can You Play Pickleball on Grass?

November 20, 2025August 3, 2022 by Drew Pierce

I recently chatted with a neighbor looking to add a makeshift pickleball court to his property on a limited budget. With minimal asphalt to work with, he asked me, “can you play pickleball on grass?”

My answer was abrupt, “hell no!”

But after taking a beat, I started to wonder…if the grass is short enough and the pickleball ball was swapped out for something with a bit more bounce, could it work?

Maybe.

Faster Hands for Pickleball: 5 Drills to Win “Hands Battles” at the Net (2026)

March 1, 2026July 7, 2022 by Drew Pierce

If you are getting beat at the net, it’s usually not because your reflexes are slow—it’s because your paddle is in the wrong place. “Hand Speed” is actually Paddle Position Efficiency. To win the firefight, you must eliminate your backswing, keep your paddle in the “11 o’clock” position (The Shield), and practice until your reaction becomes automatic. The fastest way to improve? Ten minutes a day against a wall.

Are you wondering how to increase hand speed to level up your pickleball game and dominate your opponents? Or at least give yourself a fighting chance to win some points against higher-level players?

If so, you’re in luck! This blog post will explore some exercises and training advice that can help increase your hand speed. Hand speed is essential for playing well in pickleball – if you can’t hit the ball quickly, you’ll be at a disadvantage against more skilled players.

How to Master the Pickleball Lob and Improve Your Game

March 1, 2026June 30, 2022 by Drew Pierce

The pickleball lob is a strategic shot designed to push your opponents back to the baseline, opening up the court for an attack. It is most effective against players with limited mobility or when the sun is in their eyes. To execute it safely, you must disguise your motion and aim deep into the opponent’s backhand corner.

The pickleball lob shot can be the key to victory–or the reason why you aren’t invited back to play! The lob is one of the most frustrating pickleball shots for many players to defend against. This post will examine when to lob, when to avoid it, and how to execute it to perfection.

This post is about winning points and matches, not necessarily “playing nice.” While many players find the lob the “easy way out,” it can be a fantastic tactic if you pick and choose your moments.

Pickleball Terms and Slang for Beginners

November 20, 2025June 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball terms and terminology don’t differ all that much from tennis and other sports. Well, except for the occasional ‘dink’ or ‘Erne!’ 🙂

The sport known as “ping pong on steroids” brings a vernacular as unique as the game itself. Here is a running list of pickleball terms to help keep you in the know.

Please let us know if we missed one of your favorite pickleball vocabulary words.

Pickleball Doubles Tips and Strategy to Improve Your Game

November 20, 2025June 9, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Playing pickleball doubles can be a lot of fun, but it takes some practice to get good at it. To play well with a partner, you need to communicate effectively and work together as a team. Here are five tips for playing better pickleball doubles.

I Took a Pickleball Clinic With Professional Player Zane Navratil

November 20, 2025June 2, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Your resident Pickleball Rookie took a two-hour pickleball clinic this past Memorial Day with Zane Navratil and Frank Anthony Davis (F.A.D.), two of the top pickleball players in the world.

The class was fantastic!

But first and foremost, explaining to your family that you are leaving a Memorial Day barbecue midstream to take a pickleball class, was met with some inquisitive looks and a single question, ‘why?’

Simple answer: When you have an opportunity to learn from the best in a subject area that you are passionate about, you seize the opportunity; that’s why! And three months into my pickleball journey, I felt the timing was perfect for attempting to improve my game and start to work on upping my skill level.

Your First Pickleball Tournament: The Ultimate Survival Guide & Checklist (2026)

March 1, 2026April 15, 2022 by Drew Pierce

The biggest enemy in your first tournament isn’t the opponents—it’s the wait time. Tournaments are notoriously chaotic. You might play at 9:00 AM and not play again until 11:30 AM. If you cool down too much or forget to eat, you will cramp up. The secret to success is managing your body during the downtime and accepting that Sandbagging (players entering a lower level to win) is real. Control what you can, and bring a camping chair.

Are you wondering how to prep for your first pickleball tournament? With the right combination of physical and mental preparation, you can win the trophy! And no, not everyone gets an award. 😉

Pickleball Skills

First, make sure you’re physically prepared by practicing your pickleball skills regularly. Whether you’re playing in singles or doubles, know the game and your role inside and out. It’s also essential to stay in shape and have the stamina to complete extended points and games–pickleball can be a very tiring sport! After playing for five hours over two days, I learned this the hard way.

Pickleball Grip: How to Grip Your Paddle – A Guide for Beginners

March 1, 2026April 10, 2022 by Drew Pierce

The Continental Grip is the most versatile choice for beginners because it works for serves, dinks, and volleys without changing hand positions. However, playing with the wrong grip size is the #1 cause of tennis elbow in new players. If you are unsure of your size, always buy a smaller grip (4″ or 4.125″) because you can easily build it up with overgrip tape to achieve a custom fit.

When you start playing pickleball, one of the first things you need to learn is pickleball grip–how to grip the paddle. The grip you use will affect your ability to hit the ball correctly and play well. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to grip the paddle for beginners. We’ll also go over some of the different grips that can be used in pickleball. Read on to learn more!

5 Beginner Pickleball Drills to Improve Your Game

November 20, 2025April 6, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Many people who play pickleball for the first time find themselves unexpectedly addicted. They start to eat and sleep America’s fastest growing sport. And part of that process often involves finding pickleball drills that will help take their game to the next level.

While there are pickleball drills for players of all skill levels, this article will focus on pickleball drills for beginners. After all, if you’re just starting, you need to master the basics before moving to more advanced techniques. So grab your pickleball paddle and let’s get started.