Pickleball Lessons - Pickleball Rookie

How to Stay Motivated for Pickleball

September 7, 2023September 5, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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.

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Mastering Ready Position in Pickleball Is Key to Success

August 15, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The ready position in pickleball is a must to achieve success.

Imagine pickleball not just as a sport but as an intricate dance. The first step in this dance is the ready position, a pivotal move that sets the rhythm for the entire performance. This isn’t a mere ritual; it’s the magic step that can lead one toward triumph.

Keep a Pickleball Journal and How to Conduct a Self Audit

August 7, 2023August 1, 2023 by Drew Pierce

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.

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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!

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. 🙂

The Best Times to Use a Pickleball Drop Serve

July 30, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Baseball fans will be familiar with a cliche that every day at the ballpark, something new happens. While I’m not entirely convinced the same is true with pickleball, I certainly have seen my fair share of courtside curiosities.

From dudes playing in Crocs to people switching hands at the strangest times to a guy who always shows a different serve (oh wait, that weirdo is me!), pickleball is dynamic.

How to Identify Pickleball Burnout Signs and Cope

August 7, 2023July 7, 2023 by Drew Pierce

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone more in love with pickleball over the past 15 months.

From my first lesson to launching this pickleball blog to getting certified, I have been ALL IN, driving everyone nuts with my incessant pickleball chatter.

But last week, after scraping myself off the couch and dropping my first few games, I sighed deeply and thought, “Pickleball sucks.”

That was it.

That’s when I knew I was teetering on the brink of burnout.

Suddenly, the sound of the paddle hitting the ball felt like a taunt. At that moment, I realized that the game I once loved was now draining the life out of me.

But unlike a job or a marriage, pickleball is my leisure time–and I have choices. Before looking at solutions for pickleball burnout, let’s look at some warning signs.

Dink Rally Advice and Pickleball Pointers

August 7, 2023June 26, 2023 by Drew Pierce

My paddle is poised, my eyes alert.

I’m in that familiar position that I’ve spent hundreds of hours in over the past 16 months, dancing on the edge of the Non-Volley Zone line.

In the tactical sport of pickleball, dinking is the backbone of the game. But how do you polish this essential skill into a lethal weapon that wins you points?

With doubles often morphing into a psychological warzone when you’re embroiled in a dinking duel with your opponents, how can you outwit and outplay them? Let’s uncover some solid strategies and tips to help you win the dink.

How Much Do Pickleball Lessons Cost? The Ultimate Guide

June 22, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Dive into the exciting world of pickleball, a sport captivating players of all ages and experience levels. If you’re new to the game or looking to step up your play, pickleball lessons are an excellent way to amp up your skills. So, what’s the price tag on pickleball mastery? Let’s delve into the costs of pickleball lessons and what factors affect them.

Pickleball Doubles Strategies: How to Exploit Your Opponent’s Weaknesses

August 7, 2023June 16, 2023 by Drew Pierce

The strategic depth of pickleball, especially in doubles matches, is often underestimated. To excel, it’s not enough to only master your game; you must also be able to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Here are some pickleball doubles strategies to get the upper hand in your doubles pickleball matches.

How to Stop Popping the Ball Up in Pickleball

August 7, 2023June 10, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball is a dynamic and fast-paced game where players often seek to capitalize on high, attackable balls. These are balls that bounce high off the ground or come off the opponent’s paddle with a trajectory that places them at a height and position that is optimal for an aggressive return, usually a smash. This aggressive play can be a game-changer, putting the player on the receiving end under pressure and often leading to lost points.

Pickleball Tips for Intermediate Players: 18 Common Mistakes to Avoid

August 7, 2023May 23, 2023 by Drew Pierce

Use these pickleball tips for intermediate players to take your game to the next level.

As a pickleball player transitions from the novice stage to an intermediate level, the game becomes more demanding and competitive. But also more fun!

To continue to elevate your game, circumvent common pitfalls that can potentially limit your progress.

To move on from Pickleball Rookie status, tackle this list of mistakes that intermediate pickleball players often make.