Pickleball Lessons - Pickleball Rookie

How to Catch Your Breath During a Pickleball Match: 12 Sneaky Ways to Slow Down the Game

February 12, 2026 by Drew Pierce

You’re two games into a rally-heavy match, your heart’s pounding like a jackhammer, and your opponent is already bouncing on their toes ready to serve. Again. You just want three seconds to breathe, but they’re treating this like the US Open finals.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: pickleball matches can get sneakily fast. One minute you’re casually dinking at the kitchen, the next you’re in a frantic firefight that has your Apple Watch sending you concerned notifications. And when momentum swings—especially when it swings against you—some opponents will try to rush you, serving quickly to keep you flustered and off-balance.

But you don’t have to let them control the pace. There are plenty of legal, tactical ways to steal a few precious seconds, calm your nervous system, and get back in control of the match. Some are obvious. Others are delightfully sneaky. All of them work.

Why Your “Perfect” Drop Shot Keeps Getting Smashed (And How to Fix It)

January 21, 2026 by Drew Pierce

If your opponent is driving your drop shot back at you, your drop shot isn’t “good”—it’s too high. The harsh truth is that a “soft” drop often floats. In 2026, the game has moved beyond the feather-soft dink to the “Drip” (a Hybrid Drive/Drop). To stop the smash, you need to lower your apex, switch from backspin to topspin, and stop rushing the net.

The “Tuesday Hangover”: Why You Have Pickleball DOMS & 5 Ways to Recover

January 18, 2026January 13, 2026 by Drew Pierce

If you play hard on the weekend and can’t walk down the stairs on Tuesday, you are suffering from “Pickleball Hangover” (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). The mistake most players make is doing nothing—sitting on the couch only makes the stiffness worse. In 2026, smart players are trading ice packs for active recovery tools like Firefly Recovery Straps and Incrediwear Sleeves, which flush out inflammation while they sit at their desks.

You know the drill. You play four hours of pickleball on Sunday morning. “One more game,” everyone says. You feel tired but fine on Monday. But when you wake up Tuesday, your knees are stiff, your calves are screaming, and your lower back feels like it’s fused shut.

Welcome to DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

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

December 7, 2025September 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.

Returning to Pickleball After a Break? Here’s What to Know!

November 20, 2025June 26, 2025 by Drew Pierce

If you are returning to pickleball after a break, expect a faster, more aggressive game. The “third shot drive” has largely replaced the slow drop game, and carbon fiber “power paddles” are the new standard. To catch up quickly, focus on deep returns, master the split-step, and consider upgrading your vintage gear.

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.

2025 Pickleball Rule Changes and Gear Trends You Need to Know About

December 7, 2025February 2, 2025 by Drew Pierce

The biggest 2025 pickleball rule changes include banning sideline coaching, allowing partners to call faults on each other, and permitting a “drop serve” off the paddle face. Top gear trends for the year are “quiet” paddles for noise-restricted courts, AI-enabled paddles for training feedback, and specialized shoes for injury prevention.

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!

How to Handle a Pickleball Ball Hog

December 9, 2025March 22, 2024 by Drew Pierce

Handling a pickleball ball hog starts with communication. Politely setting court boundaries (“Yours vs. Mine”) works for most accidental poachers. For chronic offenders, you may need to let them “run themselves ragged,” employ the “freeze-out” strategy, or simply find a new partner who understands doubles etiquette.

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!

How to Stay Light on Your Feet During Pickleball

December 2, 2025March 7, 2024 by Drew Pierce

Staying light on your feet in pickleball is crucial for reaching shots quickly and preventing injury. The key is a combination of proper “split-step” mechanics, improving your lateral agility through drills, and wearing lightweight court shoes that provide stability without weighing you down.

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.

How to Hold a Pickleball Paddle With a Finger-Up Grip

November 30, 2025March 4, 2024 by Drew Pierce

Looking for the standard grips? Check out our Ultimate Pickleball Grip Guide (Continental vs Eastern). This article below specifically discusses the ‘Finger Up’ technique for advanced control.

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.