Pickleball for Beginners - Pickleball Rookie

Will a New Pickleball League Change My Game?

November 20, 2025May 29, 2022 by Drew Pierce

After a couple of months of attending open plays at two local facilities, I wanted to add more regularity to my pickleball play–and get a bit more competitive, so I entered my first mixed doubles pickleball league.

Even though the program is a 30-minute drive from home and runs until 10:30pm (past my usual bedtime!), it was well worth it. I’ve met some good people, had some great matches, and am learning more about America’s fastest-growing sport with each passing day.

The league kicked off with a random pairing of players. Each week, five players are grouped, and the people you play with rotate based on your standings. As the weeks unfold, you get matched with pickleballers who are closest to your skill level, determined by wins, losses, points for and points against.

Here’s a breakdown of my pickleball league experience.

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.

The 12 Essential Pickleball Shots: A Complete Guide to Leveling Up (2026)

January 26, 2026March 26, 2022 by Drew Pierce

You don’t need a highlight-reel “Erne” or a flashy “ATP” to win at the 3.5 level. You need consistency on the “Big Three”: The Serve, The Return, and The Third Shot Drop. The biggest mistake rookies make is practicing advanced spin shots before they have mastered the fundamentals. Focus on keeping the ball deep and unattackable first—save the hero shots for later.

Are you tired of playing the same old pickleball game with the same ol’ pickleball shots with the same end result? Variety is the spice of life! Now is the perfect time to learn some new shots and them to your arsenal. Because one thing I have noticed from casual club players: their game is predictable, making it relatively easy to get the ‘W’.

I played pickleball three times this week, marking the 10th time I played. The game is fun, the people are great, the exercise is essential, and there is still so much to learn and improve upon! I have vastly improved when t comes to honoring the double-bounce rule!

As with most sports involving a ball, placement is the name of the game, trumping power nine out of 10 times.

After a week that saw over 5 hours of playing time, my upper legs and right elbow have some mild soreness–but this tells me that I am getting a bit stronger. The recovery time from playing pickleball vs. tennis is much shorter and much appreciated! 😉

Today, we will look at some of the pickleball shots that are important to add to your arsenal. Mix in a few of these shots to your play, and you will quickly elevate your game. But before we get into types of pickleball shots, let’s review the most basic pickleball strokes.

How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle

November 20, 2025March 20, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Choosing a pickleball paddle isn’t rocket science, but it’s not that straightforward either. Some folks live and die by the equipment they use when playing sports.

I am not one of those people.

While not the best athlete on the planet, I’ve never felt the need to have the best tennis racket, baseball glove, or hockey stick. Instead, I’m a firm believer that the correct form coupled with regular practice will give you the best performance. Good equipment is just the cherry on top of an already delicious dessert.

However, in a game like pickleball, where consistency is king, I do wonder if more emphasis needs to be placed on choosing a paddle when compared to other sports.

What Is the Double Bounce Rule in Pickleball?

December 18, 2025March 17, 2022 by Drew Pierce

The Double Bounce Rule requires the ball to bounce twice after a serve before anyone can volley it: once on the receiver’s side (the serve) and once on the server’s side (the return). This rule eliminates the “serve-and-volley” advantage seen in tennis. It forces the serving team to stay back at the baseline, making the Third Shot Drop the most important skill (and gear requirement) for winning points in 2026.

Pickleball is one of the most accessible games for anyone to pick up and learn. But there are a few minor rules to the game that everyone must understand. One of those rules is the double bounce rule, which is an odd rule for many pickleball beginners to grasp initially.

Pickleball Graduation: Moving On Up!

November 20, 2025March 11, 2022 by Drew Pierce

I had my first “low intermediate” pickleball open play session. Is it ridiculous that I was a wee bit nervous before I arrived? With one lesson and one beginner open play behind me, it felt a bit early to be stepping up, but it seems like tennis players can make a relatively easy transition.

My biggest fear surrounded scoring. Will I know what to do? Will I disrupt the game’s flow for people who are really into it? Can I hang with this next level of play?