The Coachella Valley Scorpions, a senior professional pickleball team, are bringing the excitement of elite-level play to the desert and beyond. As part of the National Pickleball League, the Scorpions are one of 12 teams showcasing the best 50+ talent in the sport. This week, the Scorpions got their moment in the spotlight when “LIVE with Kelly and Mark” highlighted the team during a special broadcast from Palm Springs. Co-owners Kim Jagd, Vincent Van Patten, Mark Consuelos, and Michael Gelman played an exhibition match that put the Scorpions—and senior pickleball—front and center.

Westlake Village has officially joined the pickleball craze with the grand opening of its first public courts at the Community Park. On Friday, four newly minted pickleball courts welcomed players of all ages, turning what was once part of a parking lot into a hub for fitness and community bonding. The project, championed by city leaders like City Manager Rob de Geus and Mayor Ned Davis, underscores a growing commitment to accessible recreation. The courts, designed for inclusivity, are a boon for both novice and seasoned players looking to enjoy a sport that blends elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton.

Even the friendly world of pickleball has its fiery moments, as a recent viral video proves. During a doubles match, emotions flared after the final point when a player in a green shirt accidentally knocked the paddle from his opponent’s hand while celebrating. As he bent down to retrieve it, the opponent in pink shorts stunned everyone by delivering a swift kick to his face. The footage, shared widely on X, left viewers debating the boundaries of sportsmanship and whether justice would be served on or off the court.

In the latest installment of our series on monumental pickleball facilities, Menomonee Falls takes the spotlight with the upcoming Pickleball Kingdom—a sprawling 60,000-square-foot indoor facility featuring 17 fully lit courts, including a stadium court. This pickleball haven is set to open in January and promises a vibrant community vibe alongside top-tier amenities. With a full-service bar, grill, pro shop, and lessons for all skill levels, Menomonee Falls positions itself as a premier pickleball destination in southeastern Wisconsin.

Winning consistently in pickleball isn’t just about skill; it’s about strategy. By mastering these six techniques, you can outsmart most players and take control of the court. The first secret? Hit to the middle. Known as the “down the middle solves the riddle” strategy, it eliminates your opponents’ angles, creating confusion and leaving gaps. Follow up with a targeted third-shot drive, aiming at the returner to catch them off balance, and always stay in sync with your partner’s game plan. These foundational approaches will drastically improve your match outcomes.

Keeping the ball low in pickleball is a game-changer. A low ball neutralizes your opponent’s offensive capabilities and forces them to respond with upward shots, making it harder for them to gain an advantage. This strategy works wonders whether you’re at the kitchen line or returning shots from mid-court. From soft dinks to controlled volleys, maintaining a low trajectory keeps you in control and often leads to winning points.

Choosing the right pickleball paddle often boils down to one crucial decision: thicker or thinner core? Most brands offer paddles in two thicknesses—16 mm and 14 mm—and understanding the trade-offs can be game-changing. While thicker paddles excel in control and forgiveness, thinner models bring the heat with added power, pop, and spin. But which one is right for you? Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you choose.

The secret to winning more games lies in fast reflexes, but most players think they’re just born with them—or not. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Reflexes can be trained and sharpened, just like any other skill. From using proper body positioning and paddle shading to mastering specific drills, this post dives into 10 proven strategies that will boost your reaction time and confidence at the net. Whether you’re countering hard drives or recovering from defensive plays, these techniques will elevate your game and keep you one step ahead.

Professional pickleball has evolved to the point where a single strong attack no longer guarantees a winning point. Players now rely on a series of well-placed shots to gain the upper hand, as quick reflexes and improved counterattacks mean that initial attacks are often returned. Modern players must be ready for a follow-up shot, anticipating their opponent's likely response to stay in control. This shift demands a dynamic approach, targeting specific areas on the court to exploit opponents’ weaknesses and maximize scoring potential.

In a surprising blend of sports and comedy, a new film titled The Dink brings together actors like Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt, and John McEnroe for a pickleball adventure. Created by director Josh Greenbaum, this unique comedy follows a washed-up tennis pro who takes on pickleball to revive his career and prove his worth. With an ensemble cast that includes names like Aaron Chen, Christine Taylor, Martin Kove, and Chris Parnell, the film promises laughs and plenty of fast-paced action on and off the court. Filming kicked off in Los Angeles, blending Greenbaum’s direction with Sean Clements’s script to bring pickleball’s quirks and competitiveness to the big screen.

The rapid growth of pickleball has naturally drawn comparisons to tennis, but the real connections between the two sports are even stronger than you might expect. The PPA Tour, founded just four years ago, has seen an impressive 90% of its pro players come from a tennis background. From recreational players to collegiate athletes and seasoned coaches, most pros have roots in tennis that translate well to pickleball’s unique style. This overlap includes top players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, who both had tennis experience before turning pro. Although Johns credits his table tennis background as key, and Waters made her switch at a young age, both still reflect the tennis-to-pickleball trend.

At the Crenshaw Pickleball Club, we value teamwork, sportsmanship, and unity on and off the court, and we encourage everyone to carry that spirit into Election Day by exercising their right to vote. No matter who you’re voting for or what your beliefs are, making your voice heard is a powerful way to shape our future. Voting is a testament to the strength of our democracy, and each of us, regardless of our views, shares in the responsibility of moving our country forward. So let’s show up at the polls with pride and respect for each other’s choices, honoring our nation’s unity as we make this important decision together.

When it comes to mastering dinking in pickleball, conflicting advice can leave players unsure of which techniques to follow. Should you lock your elbow, limit wrist movement, or focus solely on your shoulder? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, understanding how different body hinges—shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, and knees—affect your dink can improve control and consistency. Each hinge plays a unique role in your dinking form, allowing for a variety of styles that, when used correctly, can make your game more adaptable and precise.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is making waves by becoming the first cannabis sponsor in professional pickleball through a deal with the United Pickleball Association. The sponsorship supports 12 major events, promoting the wellness benefits of cannabis to both athletes and fans. However, it raises questions on the compatibility of cannabis with sports traditionally centered on physical health, and while Trulieve is strategically engaging with pickleball’s rapidly growing audience, the mix of cannabis and athletics remains contentious.

Adding topspin to your drops and dinks can elevate your pickleball game by adding precision and control. The technique involves starting with your wrist raised, then moving it down while rotating as if turning a doorknob. This motion brushes the ball’s back to create spin, giving your drop shot a smooth arc without excessive power, making it effective for close-range play at the kitchen line.

Major League Pickleball’s 2024 regular season wrapped up in Miami, where intense competition set the stage for playoffs. New Jersey and Chicago clinched the top regular season titles in the Premier and Challenger divisions, respectively, after a high-stakes final event at the Miami-Dade fairgrounds. Multiple teams fought for the last playoff spots, with New York, Frisco, and SoCal securing crucial wins to advance. New Jersey’s team rose above for the #1 playoff seed, while Chicago claimed an auto-promotion to the Premier division.

Kicking off our “Mega Facility Series,” Huntsville, Alabama, is setting the bar high with a new recreation center featuring 25 covered pickleball courts at John Hunt Park. This ambitious addition, part of a decade-long development plan, includes an expansive 60,580-square-foot space with gyms, volleyball courts, fitness areas, and multipurpose rooms, making it the largest pickleball investment in city history. As pickleball demand surges, Huntsville’s commitment to infrastructure supports both community recreation and regional event hosting.

The Wager, a new pickleball series hosted by Jason Kennedy, combines sports, celebrity, and high-stakes fun. Streaming soon on Roku, Tubi, Xumo, and Pluto, this series features Kennedy and PPA pro Wes Burrows taking on stars like Taylor Lautner and Shawn Johnson. Each match includes a wager, where the losing team faces consequences like embarrassing social media takeovers or charity donations, blending friendly rivalry with good causes.

The popularity of competitive pickleball is steadily growing among high school students, with more schools establishing clubs and encouraging participation. Schools like Wakefield High are spearheading the trend, with students forming teams and competing regularly. These clubs not only foster a love for the sport but also create opportunities for students to learn teamwork, strategy, and perseverance. As more schools adopt pickleball, there’s a growing push for dedicated facilities to meet the rising demand, showcasing the sport’s expanding influence in youth athletics.

In pickleball, mastering the volley begins with maintaining the correct paddle position. A solid ready position, ideally angled at 11 o’clock, helps with both defense and offense, particularly for balls hit towards your body. By keeping the swing short and controlled, players can maximize their accuracy and prevent mishits. Practicing with quick drills inside and outside the kitchen reinforces this technique, allowing players to improve power and precision without sacrificing control.