Pickleball Bullies: When Your Opponents Pick on Your Partner

During our recent pickleball league finals, my partner and I faced a couple of pickleball bullies. It’s a common strategy: the two men we were up against decided to target my partner, an excellent female player, often leaving me watching from the sidelines. Their strategy was effective, leveraging power to overwhelm her with consecutive shots. She held her own, but they won the match, leaving me putting together plans to counteract such tactics in the future.

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How to Add Pickleball Power: Mastering Strength, Stamina, and Strategy

Ever since I picked up my first pickleball paddle, I was obsessed with one thing: pickleball power. I watched in awe as seasoned players whipped the ball across the court with seemingly little effort. Their opponents were often left scrambling, barely able to react. I knew that mastering the art of a powerful hit was crucial if I wanted to elevate my game and have my opponents on their heels. So, I delved deep, practiced relentlessly, and learned from the best. Now, let’s journey together through the insights I’ve gained as we explore the nuances of hitting hard, defending against the big hitters, and aiming for the top ranks in pickleball.

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Understanding Pickleball Faults: A Guide for Beginners

When I first started playing pickleball last year, one of the most confusing aspects was grasping the concept of “pickleball faults.” If you’re new to the game, you’re likely wondering what they are, how they affect gameplay, and most importantly, how to avoid them. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about pickleball faults.

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The Best Pickleball Warm-Up Routine

Being an avid pickleball player, I never hit the court without my tested and vetted pickleball warm-up routine. Before both casual games and intense tournaments, I make sure I’m primed and ready. After some tweaking (get it!?), here’s is the routine I employ to avoid pickleball injuries.

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Pickleball Nutrition: The Ultimate Guide to Eating for Peak Performance

As a pickleball player who hits the courts multiple times a week, I’ve learned that the secret sauce to elevating my game isn’t just practice—proper nutrition and getting good sleep. Every element plays a critical role in my performance, from the essential carbohydrate kick to the protein punch (and let’s not forget hydration). Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, discover how the right foods and drinks can take your pickleball game to the next level.

Prefer to listen to this post? Play below:

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How to Fall Gracefully in Pickleball

Let’s get real for a moment; falls are inevitable, especially in a sport as dynamic as pickleball. I used to brush off the idea of “fall prevention” as an illusion. I believed that instead of trying to prevent falls, we should be focusing on minimizing injury during those falls. But my experiences on the pickleball court taught me that it’s a blend of both; learning to fall gracefully and taking preventive measures to avoid these tumbles in the first place. With pickleball injuries on the rise, you want to do everything you can to stay on the court!

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Pickleball Power – The Ultimate Guide

Pickleball power is sooooo different from decades ago.

Heck, it’s lightyears different from when I started to play 18 months ago!

The biggest change, aside from the sheer number of players: POWER.

Players are transcending the age-old strategy of merely enduring opponents, now adopting an assertive playing style to dictate points. Are today’s players younger and more fit than yesteryear? You bet your bottom dollar!

Even elite players like Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau’ emphasize the value of power. Forget about beating bangers; ask yourself, how can you add more power to your pickleball game? 

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How to Stay Motivated for Pickleball

We all have those days. The sun is shining, the pickleball court beckons, yet you just can’t muster the energy or the enthusiasm to pick up your paddle. 

For those who’ve discovered the dynamic world of pickleball, and harbor dreams of tournament victories, staying motivated is paramount. If today is one of those days where the sofa looks more tempting than the court, consider these tips to recharge your spirit and stay on the path to improvement.

Prefer an audio version of this post? Click below.

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Keep a Pickleball Journal and How to Conduct a Self Audit

Reasons that you should start a pickleball journal today and tips to get going!

Keeping a work journal over the past 20 years has been a game-changer for me, transforming how I approach my tasks, track my progress, and reflect on my achievements. 

Prefer to listen to this post? Click below.

Most importantly, it helps me reflect on how I handle situations and helps me learn from my mistakes. And most importantly, a journal helps keep me grounded in “what is” vs. “what if.”

And keeping a pickleball journal is great, too!

pickleball journal

It’s a space to jot down challenges, successes, and learnings, providing me a real-time map of my pickleball growth. This practice helps me recognize patterns, strategize better, and ultimately enhance my performance on the court. 

Journaling can also serve as an emotional outlet, helping people to manage stress and anxiety. This can be relevant for both work and pickleball. 🙂

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