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Yesterday was the first official DUPR tournament for me and my partner Stephanie. First observation, playing 4 hours of pickleball in mid-June in Houston is no joke. I was soaked through my first shirt getting out of the parking lot and while I drank approximately 8 gallons of water, I had zero trips to the bathroom. A couple of observations about the games: 1) Never give up: pickleball seems to be a game of runs. The big comeback is always in play and the momentum can turn very quickly. I have lost games that I was up 9-2 and have won games that I was way behind in. The key is to not get too defeated and take the old cliche "one shot at a time" literally. Until that winning point is hit - you are never out of it. 2) Relatedly, don't press when you are trying to put a team away. Part of the reason I have blown some big leads is that you try too hard to put the other team away. I found us trying to hit the "winning" shot and sailing it long or hitting it wide just to put the other team away - instead of taking the high percentage shot and playing the way that got you the lead in the first place. 3) Always have fun. While this was an official tournament - we always played better when we were laughing and joking and taking the stress off of one another vs. getting upset at your partner or yourself for a mistake. This is supposed to be fun! Great experience playing in the tournament - looking forward to the next one (hopefully not in the summer!)

Pickleball, the sport that was once considered a pastime for retirees, has now taken the world by storm. Its popularity has exploded over the last few years, and it seems like everyone is trying to get in on the action. Here in the Woodlands, Texas, I've seen this growth firsthand. I was chatting with the lady who runs the pickleball league in the Woodlands, and she was telling me about the humble beginnings of the sport in our area. A few years ago, she started a few clinics to teach people the basics of the game. It wasn't long before those clinics turned into organized play, with a few nights a week dedicated to playing pickleball. Now, the growth has been remarkable. There are over 500 people that participate in the organized activities, and that number continues to grow. It's not just the players, either. A new pickleball bar is being built, and new courts are being constructed all over the city. It's amazing to see the growth of this sport in such a short amount of time. While it's currently the fastest-growing sport in the country, I still think that there's plenty of room for it to continue to grow. As more people discover the fun and excitement of pickleball, I have no doubt that it will only continue to grow in popularity.

So, you've heard about pickleball, and you're curious to give it a try. But then you show up at the courts and see people smashing the ball like it's nobody's business. Suddenly, you feel like a helpless bystander watching from the sidelines. Don't worry, we've all been there. In this post, we'll explore how beginners can overcome the intimidation factor of pickleball and get in on the action. Take a beginners clinic: Pickleball may look easy, but there's more to it than meets the eye. A beginners clinic can teach you the basics, like how to serve, how to hit the ball, and what the heck is the kitchen. Plus, you'll be surrounded by other beginners who are just as clueless as you are, so you won't feel like a pickle wimp. Find a drop-in league: Once you have the basics down, it's time to put them into practice. But playing with more experienced players can be intimidating. Look for a drop-in league where you can play with people of similar skill levels. You'll feel more confident and have fun while improving your game. Recruit your friends: Playing pickleball with your friends can be a lot less intimidating than playing with strangers. Plus, you can encourage each other and work together to improve your skills. Who knows, you may even start a pickleball addiction among your friends. Don't let pickleball intimidate you. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and it's okay to be a beginner. By taking a beginners clinic, finding a drop-in league, and recruiting your friends, you'll be well on your way to becoming a pickleball pro. So, grab your paddle and get out on the courts. Who knows, you may even surprise yourself with how good you can be.

Are you constantly thinking about pickleball? Do you find yourself daydreaming about dinks, volleys, and drop shots? Do you get irrationally angry when you miss a shot? Congratulations, my friend, you may have a pickleball addiction. But don't worry, you're not alone. In fact, you're part of a growing community of pickleball enthusiasts who just can't get enough of this addictive sport. Here are some signs that you may have a pickleball addiction: You dream about pickleball - and no, not just dreaming about winning tournaments, but dreaming about the perfect drop shot or the most satisfying dink. You find yourself checking the time during work, not to see how much time is left until you can leave, but to see how much time is left until you can hit the courts. You get unreasonably angry when you miss a shot - like, throw-your-paddle-across-the-court angry. You spend more time checking your DUPR rankings than you do checking your social media accounts. If any of these signs sound familiar, don't worry. You're not alone, and you don't have to be ashamed of your pickleball addiction. Instead, embrace it! Find other pickleball addicts to play with, join a league or club, and enjoy the rush of adrenaline that comes with every perfectly executed shot. So go ahead, embrace your pickleball addiction. You may be obsessed, but at least you're obsessed with something that brings you joy and keeps you active. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be a top-ranked pro player, and all your time spent thinking about pickleball will be worth it. Keep dinking, my friends!

Communication with your partner in pickleball is crucial. It’s the difference between hitting a winning shot and hitting your partner in the head with the ball (ouch!). But seriously, the importance of communication with your partner cannot be overstated. It’s the foundation of a good partnership on the court. Sometimes, it’s just instinctive – you and your partner are in sync and can anticipate each other’s moves without saying a word. But other times, some unspoken communication becomes important. For example, let’s say there’s a ball in the middle of the court, and both you and your partner are the same-handed. Who takes it? Do you both run for it and risk colliding with each other, or do you have a plan in place for situations like this? Another area where communication is key is at the kitchen line. It’s important to coordinate your movements with your partner to avoid leaving any gaps in your coverage. A missed ball could be the difference between winning and losing the point. But how do you improve your communication with your partner? It starts with simply talking to each other. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a game plan that plays to those strengths. It’s also important to be vocal during the game. Let your partner know if you’re covering a certain area or if you’re switching sides. And if there’s a miscommunication, don’t be afraid to laugh it off and move on. At the end of the day, pickleball is a game – a fun one at that. Don’t take it too seriously, but do take the time to communicate with your partner. It could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Have you ever had one of those days on the pickleball court where you just can't seem to get anything right? I recently experienced what I can only describe as the "pickleball shanks." It all started when I hit a few serves out of bounds during a game. From that moment on, I was completely in my head about it. The last time I had this feeling was when I was playing golf, and I couldn't hit a shot straight to save my life. Suddenly, my serving accuracy, which had previously been a strength of my game, was gone. All I could think about was how I was not going to embarrass myself with any more missed serves. I even hit the player on the opposite side of the court a couple of times and had a few serves go into the court next to me. Even a serve that just barely went out was a huge win for me. The funny thing was that shots in the normal course of play were fine. It was only when it came to serving that I was struggling. After quitting that day in frustration, I went to a court by myself and was able to diagnose my issue. I was trying to aim my shot with just my arm and keeping my body still. It wasn't until I trusted releasing my hips and following through with a natural stroke that I realized my problem. This is a common issue in golf as well, where players don't turn through the shot and try to aim with their arms. The key is to remember to keep a natural athletic motion and follow through with the shot. I share this experience in the hope that it may help others who may be struggling with their serves or experiencing the "pickleball shanks." It can be frustrating, but it's important to remember that it happens to everyone at some point. Take a break if you need to, go back to the basics, and practice your form.

Have you ever heard of pickleball? If you haven't, you're missing out on one of the most exciting and accessible sports out there. I first discovered this game on a family vacation in Vail, Colorado. My fiancé, our 10-year-old and 12-year-old children, and I were looking for an outdoor activity to enjoy in the beautiful surroundings of the Rocky Mountains. That's when we stumbled upon pickleball, and our lives were never the same again. As newcomers to the game, we were a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. We grabbed some paddles and balls and headed to the court. At first, we struggled to even make contact with the ball, whiffing it several times before finally getting a good hit. We also quickly learned the importance of staying out of the kitchen, or the non-volley zone, and were guilty of jumping in too soon. Despite our initial clumsiness, we found the game to be incredibly fun and addictive. The compact court and slower pace made it easier for us to keep the ball in play and learn the basic rules. We spent hours playing and practicing, gradually improving our technique and getting more confident with each game. One of the things I love most about pickleball is that it's a game for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, young or old, the game is easy to pick up and provides plenty of room for mastery. It's also a great way to bond with family and friends, as we found out during our trip to Vail. Since that first game in Colorado, I've been hooked on pickleball. I've played in tournaments and leagues, met amazing people, and even started my own blog dedicated to the sport. Pickleball truly is a game for all, and I can't wait to share my love of it with others.

Hey there pickleball enthusiasts, and welcome to the Pickleball Wizard blog! If you're reading this, chances are you're a fan of the world's fastest-growing sport, and you've come to the right place. Our blog is your one-stop-shop for everything pickleball-related, from equipment reviews to playing location recommendations and everything in between. Our team of pickleball experts is dedicated to bringing you the latest and greatest in the world of pickleball, and we promise to do so in a fun and light-hearted tone. We know that pickleball is a sport that brings people together, and we want to celebrate that by sharing our love of the game with all of you. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner just starting out, our blog has something for everyone. We'll be sharing tips and tricks to help you improve your game, including drills, exercises, and strategies to take your skills to the next level. And of course, we'll be sharing our favorite equipment recommendations, so you can make sure you're playing with the best gear possible. So, whether you're a die-hard pickleball fanatic or a curious newbie, we invite you to join us on this journey as we explore the wonderful world of pickleball together. Let's get out there and play some ball!