What Pickleball Paddle Should a Beginner Buy? A Coach Explains Everything
So you just found pickleball. Maybe a friend brought you to the court. Maybe you saw a video online and thought it looked fun. Maybe you keep hearing that popping sound at the park and got curious. Welcome. You are about to love this sport. Now you have the question every new player asks in…
How to Stop Popping the Ball Up in Pickleball: 6 Proven Fixes for Dinks, Drops & Volleys
The #3 most-asked question on Reddit’s pickleball community — 6 proven fixes for dinks, drops, volleys, and everything in between. You hit a nice soft dink toward the kitchen. Instead of staying low and drifting gently over the net, the ball sails up like a slow balloon straight to your opponent’s paddle. They smash it.…
What Makes Pickleball the Perfect Sport for Kids Ages 8–14?
Physical and Mental Development If you have not noticed, pickleball has pretty much taken over. What began as a backyard hobby is now one of the country’s most popular sports, and kids are joining as quickly as adults. The game blends a little bit of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into something that is surprisingly…
Why Is Footwork More Important Than Power in Pickleball?
In today’s game, more coaches are emphasizing a simple but powerful principle: better footwork beats a stronger shot. While power can win quick points, balance, positioning, and timing consistently win matches. Proper movement improves shot quality, reduces unforced errors, and enhances recovery between shots. Understanding step through mechanics, split step timing, and momentum control will…
Third Shot Drive: What Is It, Why Use It, and What Comes Next?
Pickleball strategy has evolved quickly over the last few years. The classic advice for the serving team has long been simple: serve, defend the return, then hit a soft third shot drop to earn your way to the kitchen. That blueprint still works, and it will always be a core skill. However, more and more…
Communicating Strategy With Your Pickleball Partner During a Match
In pickleball, solid strokes and quick reflexes matter, but communication between partners often decides who controls the match. Many recreational players focus only on technique and forget that doubles is a shared tactical game. Talking strategy with your partner, both before points and during natural pauses, creates clarity, confidence, and smarter shot selection. Whether you…
What Qualities Truly Matter in a Great Pickleball Coach?
Pickleball is growing faster than almost any sport in the country, and with that growth comes an increasing demand for quality coaching, especially for youth players. Parents and adult learners alike often ask the same question: What actually makes a good pickleball coach? Is it tournament medals? Playing level? Years on the court? While those…
The Benefits of Pickleball for Kids Ages 7 to 14
Why Pickleball Is Perfect for Kids Ages 7 to 14 Pickleball for kids ages 7 to 14 has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and it isn’t just for grown-ups. More and more parents in our local community are discovering that pickleball is a great activity for children. The 7 to 14 age…
Why the Ready Position Is Essential for Pickleball Beginners
In nearly every sport that involves reacting to an opponent, the ready position is one of the first fundamentals taught. Tennis players use a split step and a balanced stance before every return. Volleyball players lower their hips and keep their hands ready when receiving a serve. Basketball defenders stay in an athletic stance with…
The Most Common Errors Intermediate Pickleball Players Make
If you are an intermediate pickleball player, you are doing a lot of things right. You can rally. You understand scoring. You move better on the court than beginners, and you are starting to recognize patterns. That said, this is also the stage where many players get stuck. Not because they lack effort, but because…
How to Teach Pickleball Beginners: A Fundamentals First Approach That Builds Confident Players
Pickleball is easy to start playing, but it is not easy to play well without proper instruction. Many beginners jump straight into games without understanding the fundamentals that define the sport. As a result, they develop habits that limit progress, cause frustration, and often lead to inconsistent play. Teaching pickleball beginners correctly requires patience, structure,…
Pickleball Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules That Keep the Game Fun
The sun is just starting to dip, and the courts are full. Paddles tap, balls bounce, and laughter carries across the fence. Pickleball has a way of pulling people together. Retirees, teenagers, beginners, and seasoned competitors all share the same space. What keeps this beautiful chaos running smoothly is not just the rulebook. It is…
Save $250 on TITAN at checkout with code IGPICKLEBALL
