So you’re thinking about picking up the paddle again after a year or two away? Welcome back to the court! If you’ve been on the sidelines, you might be wondering what’s new. Trust me, the game has changed. The good news is, getting back into the swing of things is easier than you think, especially when you know what to expect.
As the sport pickleball continues to evolve, so does the amount of gear available to players. Because the only thing better than playing the sport is living the sport!
Here are a few items on Pickeball Rookie’s radar this year:
These new AI paddles from Selkirk and JOOLA are pretty mind-blowing. As someone who’s always working on my third shot drop, having real-time feedback on spin and contact point is a game-changer. Though I have to admit, sometimes I turn off the app and just focus on feel – old habits die hard!
When I first started playing pickleball, my only goal was to have fun and get some exercise. But as I got hooked on this addictive sport, my ambitions began to grow. Suddenly, I found myself setting all sorts of goals! From improving my rating to mastering dinking to even starting this blog and becoming a PPR certified pickleball coach.
The more I talk to other pickleball players, the more I realize how diverse everyone’s motivations are. For some, the pure joy of playing and socializing is enough. Others relish the competitive drive, fixating on drilling and crushing anyone that steps onto the court, regardless of age or ability (booooo!). But most see pickleball as a path to better overall fitness and wellness.
So what are the most common objectives picklers set for themselves? And what are the best practices for making steady progress toward those goals? If you are looking at how to improve your pickleball game, read on!
When you’re trying to enjoy a fun game of pickleball, there’s nothing more frustrating than a ball hog teammate who insists on taking every shot, even ones clearly meant for you. Instead of fun rallies, points are over quickly with the ball hog going for shots they had no business going for. We’ve all been there. Personally, there have been times where I will mutter to myself the whole way home that I should have taken control of the situation. So, how can you handle this tricky on-court scenario? We have a few ideas!
If you feel like your feet are glued to the court when playing pickleball, you’re not alone. Many players, especially those new to the sport, struggle with being light and agile on their feet. This issue, often referred to as “concrete feet,” can significantly hinder your ability to react quickly and get into position for shots. However, you can overcome this challenge with the right techniques and exercises and take your pickleball game to new heights. Here are some tips to help you stay light on your feet when playing pickleball.
I don’t play ping pong often, but when I do, I place my index finger on the face of the paddle with a finger-up grip. So perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised that this habit of extending my finger north of the grip carried over to pickleball.
Many pickleball players view this as an unorthodox or even improper way to hold the paddle, but I’ve stuck with it for some time now, and it’s been effective, specifically at the non-volley zone line.
However, the grip comes at a price.
Last night, it was business as usual at my “Advanced Intermediate to Advanced” pickleball league–until it wasn’t.
I was winning a doubles match 8-1.
I hit a wicked hard slice shot from just in front of the baseline.
The ball took a crazy turn and started to gravitate towards my opponent’s head. He just got his paddle up in time and hit a errant ball that sailed into the benches.
He wasn’t happy.
“Hey, I have to go to work tomorrow.”
I apologized.
“Never my intention to hurt anyone.”
We continued play, and I resorted to much softer tactics.
You can probably guess what happens next.
I lost the match 11-9.
On the drive home I was pissed at myself.
After almost two years of playing the sport, I still don’t know how to keep my pedal to the metal; I’m billing myself The Empathetic Pickleballer.
But that doesn’t show up in the box score.
I’m decent at pickleball but not very good at small talk!
As an introvert who loves playing the sport, I’ve had to push myself out of my comfort zone, often showing up at new venues and meeting new people.
And that’s soooo much more difficult than playing!
The social aspect of pickleball is a beautiful part of the game, but that doesn’t mean it comes easy to everyone. Sometimes, figuring out what do you say after saying hello is harder than hitting two ATPs in a row!
So, to help my fellow introverts, here are some tips for making conversation during pickleball.
Deep into my second year of playing pickleball, I proudly report that I have not experienced a sophomore slump! However, some lessons took longer to sink in than I would have hoped. Today, I share those with you, hoping you learn from my stubbornness and evolve your game quicker than I did.
As pickleball’s popularity has exploded, so have injuries, mainly caused by repetitive motion, awkward positions, and quick lunges.
Personally, I have found the sport much easier on my body than tennis. But that doesn’t mean it’s not without it’s aches and pains. In fact, I have another browser tab opened right now wondering if I tore my rotator cuff. But that’s a conversation for another time!
If you play the sport regularly, you will want to have a dedicated cross-training regimen off of the pickleball court that is designed to enhance overall fitness to meet the sport’s physical demands.