Pickleball for Beginners - Pickleball Rookie

Summer Pickleball Tips 2026: How to Beat the Heat, Stay Hydrated, and Protect Your Game in Hot Weather

June 2, 2026 by Drew Pierce

To play your best pickleball in summer heat, start hydrating the day before, drink 16 to 20 oz of water about two hours before you play, then sip 6 to 12 oz every 15 to 20 minutes on court. Add electrolytes once you pass an hour or sweat heavily. Play early morning or after 6 p.m., wear light-colored moisture-wicking clothing, and stop at the first sign of dizziness, cramps, or a pounding head. Those are warning signs, not “push through it” signs.

Last winter I wrote a whole guide on surviving the cold court. Now the pendulum has swung the other way, and the bigger danger most rookies face isn’t a cracked ball. It’s a cramped hamstring at 2 p.m. in July with no shade in sight. Summer is when our local courts get packed, and it’s also when I see the most people quit early, gas out mid-match, or worse. So let’s fix that.

This guide answers the questions I get asked most once the temperature climbs. Simple, thorough, and ridiculously helpful, just like always.

How to Demo a Pickleball Paddle: The Ultimate 7-Day Test Drive Guide (2026)

March 3, 2026 by Drew Pierce

A $250 paddle is useless if it doesn’t fit your mechanics. The biggest mistake players make when demoing a paddle is simply jumping into a rec game and hoping for the best. To truly know if a paddle is worth buying, you must isolate its features through a strict drilling protocol: test the sweet spot with transition resets, the grit with topspin drops, and the core thickness with kitchen dinks. Whether you borrow from a local rep or use an online demo program, never buy a paddle based on the “Honeymoon Phase” of your first match.

Master the Chill: Your Ultimate Guide to Cold-Weather Pickleball

March 3, 2026September 5, 2025 by Drew Pierce

To play pickleball in the cold, wear layers (base, fleece, wind shell) and use a softer ball like the ONIX Fuse G2 to prevent cracking, which happens below 45°F. Expect the ball to feel harder and bounce lower. To avoid injury, double your warm-up time to 15 minutes and wear court shoes with deep tread.

Don’t let dropping temperatures send you into hibernation! Playing pickleball in the cold presents a unique set of challenges, from what to wear to how the ball flies. But with the right preparation and a little know-how, you can stay on the court all year long.

This guide answers all your burning questions about playing pickleball in chilly weather, offering simple, thorough, and ridiculously helpful advice.

Beginner Pickleball Drills: Essential Exercises to Elevate Your Game

March 1, 2026July 2, 2025 by Drew Pierce

Two pickleball players demonstrating a dinking drill in the non-volley zone

To elevate your game, beginners should focus on four core drills: Dinking (for soft control), Volleys (for quick net reactions), Groundstrokes (for baseline consistency), and Serve/Return placement. Practice these weekly to build muscle memory, improve footwork, and develop the consistency needed to win matches.

Pickleball has taken the world by storm, and if you’re new to the court, you’re likely eager to improve your skills. While playing games is undoubtedly the most fun way to learn, incorporating targeted drills into your routine can dramatically accelerate your progress. This article will guide you through essential pickleball drills designed specifically for beginners, helping you build a solid foundation and confidence on the court. If you’re just starting your pickleball journey and need a refresher on the basics, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide: What Is Pickleball?

Playing Pickleball Indoors vs. Outdoors: Which Is Better?

May 21, 2024 by Drew Pierce

As an avid pickleball player, I’ve had the opportunity to experience the game on both indoor and outdoor courts. Each setting offers its own set of advantages and challenges, and choosing between the two can significantly impact the overall playing experience.

Being someone who lives to be outside and finds any excuse to catch some rays, I’ve surprised myself by preferring to play pickleball indoors.

This post aims to help me get to the bottom of this query as well as educate you on the nuanced differences.

Is Pickleball Good for Weight Loss?

November 20, 2025March 20, 2024 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. Not only is it an incredibly fun and social sport, but it also offers many benefits for those looking to improve their fitness and lose weight. As someone who has been playing pickleball for the past two years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative effects it can have on people’s bodies and overall health.

How to Start Playing Pickleball

October 6, 2023 by Drew Pierce

If you’re curious about how to get started with pickleball, you’re not alone, with millions of people picking up a paddle for the first time. This guide will introduce you to the basics of pickleball, from understanding the game to mastering essential skills.

Prefer to listen to this post? Click below.

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

February 21, 2026August 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.

Pickleball vs. Wiffle Ball – What Is the Difference?

August 11, 2023August 10, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Why Getting Hit by a Pickleball Hurts More Than a Wiffle Ball

I can still feel the sting.

As I stood on the pickleball court, trying to shake off the shock from a pickleball that had just made a rather painful introduction with my neck, my opponent chuckled and remarked, “Come on, it’s only a wiffle ball!”

That casual dismissal irked me more than the actual hit.

Prefer to listen to this post? Click below:

While wiffle balls and pickleballs might appear like siblings at first glance, they are worlds apart in weight and impact, making them more like distant cousins.

And when you factor in that a pickleball can reach 40mph and be sent in your direction from as close as 7 feet away, don’t tell me getting hit doesn’t hurt. Sadly, pickleball injuries are on the rise, many because players are being struck by the ball.

But I did get my revenge: I spent the rest of the match polishing this dude’s obnoxious Selkirk sneakers.

Let’s look at the differences between wiffle balls and pickleballs and debunk and dive into why getting hit by a pickleball is no laughing matter.