This is the third instalment of our series where we share your best pickleball advice and then I give my thoughts on it. We asked our followers to share their favorite words of wisdom, and then we praised it or bashed it (gently, of course). Let’s go!

“Be ready for the ball to come back.”

I love advice that can make a big difference quickly. I actually think this is great advice for players of all levels of skill, but especially those playing at the intermediate level. One of the things that separates levels of players is their ability to get the ball back in play – especially when they are in trouble.

This is the second in a series of articles where we respond to advice that our followers shared with us.

“Have Patience and Composure”

I think this is probably great advice both on and off the Pickleball court. Question is, how do you do it?

To answer this question, perhaps we should look at the opposite situation: being impatient. Being without composure. How does that happen?

We recently invited our social media followers to share the best pickleball advice that they’ve been given – and wow did they respond! This is the first in the series of articles where we will post that advice and I’ll respond in turn. Let’s get to it!

“Practice more than you play & always watch the ball.” 

Alright. I think this counts as two pieces of advice, but we will tackle them together. First, “practice more than you play”. I guess my question would be why? What assumptions are built into this suggestion? Is the assumption that players want to improve?

When I teach pickleball clinics or offer private lessons, one of the big questions that comes up has to do with grips. Not just how should a player hold the paddle, but should they change their grip during play?

The short answer is: it depends.

First, like with any element of technique, we should ask ourselves why the grip matters. What are we trying to get it to do for us? I see three important elements worth considering:

I just took a friend to play pickleball for the first time at a drop-in gym session at a YMCA in a small town in the winter in Canada. My friend had no racquet sports background but was eager to have fun and learn to play.  I called the community centre earlier in the morning to ask about times for PB. They told me there was no pickleball today but there was open gym time which meant it was to be used however people wanted. I asked what the chances were that we could put out a pickleball net in part of the gym to play. The person on the phone assured me that it would be fine – the gym was a large space. 

Effective communication is the backbone of successful pickleball instruction. As a pickleball instructor, your ability to convey information clearly, concisely and with a tactical connection can make an important difference in the learning experience for your students. Let’s talk about three key aspects of effective communication that can help you be more effective when talking with your players. 

Why does the followthrough matter? If you’re like most people, your answer to this question is incorrect.

There’s a very good chance that you believe the followthrough helps send the ball where you intend it to go. Whether you’re hitting a serve or a return, a drive or a lob, you may think that you should follow through toward your target so that the ball goes in that direction. But does it really work that way? No, it does not.

Imagine for a moment that you are going on a vacation to a tropical paradise. You buy your tickets, pack your bags, and arrange for transportation to the airport. After going through security and getting on the plane, you realize, about 30 minutes into the flight, that you left your oven on. You have a problem, and it's too late to rectify it.

Welcome to the fast-paced world of pickleball, where finesse meets ferocity and agility is your best friend. As a professional coach, I've seen countless players improve their game through physical training and a better understanding of tactics and technique. But what truly separates champions from contenders is the art of the mind. Let's delve into some of the psychological skills that pickleball players need to perform at their best.

Playing great pickleball requires mastering a ton of specific skills. But playing good pickleball – especially as a beginner just getting started – is a much more approachable possibility. Let’s look at three key skills for new players.

1. Movement: Setting Up for Success

One of the fundamental aspects of pickleball is effective movement around the court – after all, you can have the most beautiful swing in the world, but if you can’t get to the ball, you can’t use it!

Understanding how to position yourself optimally to hit the ball can make a substantial difference in your game. Being agile and responsive to the shot your opponent sends is the fundamental skill of pickleball. A light, athletic look is a great starting point. Combine this with the expectation that you’ll have to run – or at least move – and you’re off to a great start.

If recreational pickleball is your thing, there’s a good chance you play about equal amounts from the left and right sides of the court. If you’re serving from the right and you win the rally, you simply slide over to the left and play the point from that side. The score dictates where you play. Simple.

But if you play competitive pickleball, this kind of thinking means you’re missing opportunities to be better than you are. Nearly everyone plays better on one side or the other. Or should I say, nearly everyone is stronger on one side or the other. In this article, I want to address how to figure out which side of the court you should play on.

Welcome to Part 1 of our series exploring why tennis players are so annoyingly good at pickleball. We delve into the skills that give them the edge and often leave us shaking our heads. Let's unravel the secrets behind their seamless transition and dominance on the pickleball court.

We don’t need to tell you that pickleball is still exploding! Go to your local community center or public courts – especially when it’s not ridiculously hot out – and you will see the flood of people knocking that plastic ball back and forth over the net.

Whether you're a seasoned coach or a novice instructor, one thing remains constant: the importance of making pickleball lessons fun. While technical skill development and understanding strategy are essential, injecting an element of fun into the learning process can be the difference between average lessons and great ones. Let’s talk about why it is crucial that pickleball lessons prioritize fun.