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.