In the strategic game of pickleball, deciding between driving or dropping the third shot is a critical choice that can set the tone for the rest of the point. This decision hinges on several key factors, including your position, your opponents’ readiness, and your skill level. A well-executed third shot drive can pressure opponents and potentially lead to a more favorable fifth shot drop. Conversely, a skillful third shot drop can shift the momentum by pulling your opponents out of position and gaining the net advantage. Understanding when to employ each tactic requires a keen assessment of the situation, your abilities, and the opponents' weaknesses.

A recent study by Apple has revealed a surprising twist in the world of sports: Pickleball has now overtaken Tennis in popularity. This revelation, part of the Apple Heart and Movement Study, is more than just a statistic; it’s a treasure trove of lessons for brand leaders. Pickleball, a sport that combines the excitement of novelty with the comfort of familiarity, exemplifies key principles in consumer engagement and brand strategy. These lessons—embracing familiar novelty, ensuring low barriers to entry, and fostering a strong community identity—are invaluable for brands looking to create lasting impact and widespread appeal.

The burgeoning sport of pickleball is receiving a significant boost with the launch of Pickleballtv (PBTV), a dedicated television network created by Tennis Channel and the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour). This groundbreaking venture, marking a significant development in the sport's media coverage, will feature more than 30 top-tier live PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) events, player features, instructional content, celebrity matches, and a weekly news show. Available on platforms like Amazon Freevee and Fubo, PBTV aims to cater to both professional players and a rapidly growing base of recreational enthusiasts, promising to be a comprehensive source for all things pickleball.

Kim Clijsters, a name synonymous with tennis greatness, has embarked on a new journey in the world of sports—this time, in the rapidly growing arena of pickleball. At Court 16's Downtown Brooklyn location, the former tennis champion and current co-owner of the Major League Pickleball team, the Las Vegas Night Owls, is not just sharing her love for the game but also her vision for its future. This transition from casual player to serious investor in pickleball highlights her adaptability and passion for sports, alongside her commitment to fostering this emerging sport.

Understanding your pickleball skill level is vital for enhancing your gameplay and ensuring you engage in matches that are both enjoyable and challenging. If you're at a 1.0 level, you're at the start of your pickleball journey, grasping the basic rules. By 1.5, you're developing fundamental skills like serving and returning but still struggle with consistency. A 2.0 player has learned to rally and is familiar with the core strokes, yet with notable weaknesses, while a 2.5 player begins to sustain longer rallies and is becoming acquainted with the strategic soft game and improved rule knowledge.

Scottsdale, Arizona is positioning itself as a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts worldwide with the announcement of a new facility by PURE Pickleball. Planned to sprawl across an 11-acre area near the Talking Stick Resort & Casino, this facility is set to become one of the largest dedicated pickleball venues globally, with an opening slated for fall 2024. It will also serve as the official headquarters and training center for USA Pickleball, solidifying the sport's growing stature in the United States.

Pickleball’s popularity surge has caught the eye of none other than hip-hop mogul Lil Wayne, who's ready to serve up his influence as the new strategic advisor and part-owner of the Texas Ranchers. The Grammy Award-winning artist's foray into the ownership of a Major League Pickleball (MLP) team underscores the sport's rise from niche to mainstream. Lil Wayne's enthusiasm is palpable: "Pickleball is the moment," he asserts, signaling not just a personal passion but a keen sense of the sport's burgeoning cultural relevance.

The rapid ascent of pickleball as America's fastest-growing sport has not come without a racket of discontent echoing from court to court. Characterized by the distinctive 'pop' sound of paddle striking ball, pickleball's ubiquity is now at the center of heated legal tussles and concerns over property devaluation. While the sport has brought communities together and served as a low-impact, accessible exercise for millions, its darker implications are now the subject of public scrutiny. High-profile cases, like the petition to shut down courts by San Francisco socialite Holly Peterson, highlight a growing trend where the noise and activity associated with pickleball are being called out as threats to the tranquility and economic health of neighborhoods.

The Bay Area unveils a new chapter in its sporting landscape as a pickleball complex springs to life in a rather nostalgic setting - the decommissioned Alameda Naval Air Station. This historic hub, once bustling with World War II aircraft, now resonates with the rhythmic clink of pickleball paddles. The transformed air station, now known as the Hub, launched its new identity with eight indoor pickleball courts, juxtaposing the sport's modern charm with the locale's historic essence. Nestled among old runways and hangars, the Hub pays homage to the past while serving up a trendy space for one of America's fastest-growing sports

Pickleball's player rating systems serve as a gauge to measure a player's skill level, ensuring a fair and competitive play across the board. Among these, the USA Pickleball Association’s (USAPA) rating and the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system are prominent. While USAPA allows players to self-rate based on their skills, experiences, and past performances, the DUPR system relies on a more statistical approach, analyzing players’ performance data over time. These ratings are pivotal in tournament setups, letting players compete against others of comparable skill levels, hence enhancing the competitive spirit and learning curve of the sport.

Northside Lexington YMCA is set to welcome 10 new outdoor pickleball courts courtesy of a generous $200,000 donation from an anonymous enthusiast of the sport. This timely donation is a big score for pickleball aficionados, especially on the north side of Lexington where outdoor playing options are sparse. The new courts, replacing two seldom-used outdoor basketball courts, are expected to open early this month for pickup play, catering not only to the retiree regulars but also opening up opportunities for individuals of all ages to engage in this fast-growing sport.

The debate around introducing rally scoring in Pickleball is gaining momentum. Unlike the traditional "side out scoring" where points are scored only by the serving side, "rally scoring" awards a point on every rally, regardless of who serves. Advocates argue that rally scoring can make games faster, more exciting, and easier for newcomers to understand, besides being a better fit for broadcasting and gambling purposes. On the flip side, critics believe it might alter the game’s essence, confuse players, favor underdogs, and dampen strategic play.

A home pickleball court can be a game-changer for enthusiasts of this rapidly growing sport. Having a personal court not only offers a convenient space for practice and play but also adds a fun and interactive element to your property. However, it's not a venture to be taken lightly. Here’s a rundown of the pros, cons, considerations, and cost of building a pickleball court at home.

Seattle’s Lincoln Park is at the heart of a heated debate as a proposal by Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) to convert six aging tennis courts into pickleball courts has been met with significant pushback from a faction of the local community. The outlined project seeks to repurpose a former tennis court area, which has been a storage area for over a decade, into new pickleball courts​​. While the conversion is aimed at rejuvenating the dilapidated courts, a segment of the community sees this move as a disturbance to the local ambiance and a detriment to the existing biodiversity of the park​​.

In a unique twist of repurposing vacant spaces, Dallas entrepreneur Dan Jenkins is bringing the Chandler, Arizona-based franchise, Pickleball Kingdom, to various locales across North Texas including Plano, Keller, Grapevine, Prosper, and Flower Mound. With plans to establish some of the largest pickleball facilities in the nation, Jenkins eyes the transformation of a former Albertsons grocery store into a bustling arena for pickleball enthusiasts. The Plano facility, set to open in January 2024, is envisioned to feature 15 pickleball courts within a sprawling 40,000 square foot space, boasting not just sporting arenas but also a food and beverage cafe, an internet cafe, and spaces for hosting pickleball classes and corporate events.

Hello Pickleball enthusiasts! We at Crenshaw Pickleball Club are launching a fun series on our Instagram page. We'll be sharing some quirky and provocative pickleball-related images and we invite you to come up with humorous or thought-provoking captions for them. It's a chance to blend your love for the game with a dash of humor or insight. Head over to our Instagram, follow us, and join in the fun by sharing your clever captions. Let’s celebrate the lighter side of Pickleball together!

In a tale of entrepreneurial resilience, Jon Neeter, the co-owner of a once struggling tennis center in Santa Monica, managed to not only stay afloat amidst the adversities of a global pandemic but soared to seven-figure sales in 2023, thanks to a well-timed pivot to the burgeoning sport of pickleball. This remarkable journey began in 2010, when Neeter, alongside his business partner, took a chance on a modest tennis facility, which despite its initial lean operations, posed as a fertile ground for innovation. Amidst changing tides, it was the shift from tennis to pickleball that catapulted their business into a realm of remarkable revenue growth, making the Santa Monica Pickleball Center a thriving hub for racket sports enthusiasts.

CRBN's journey began with a focus on delivering quality paddles to the pickleball community. The brand quickly garnered endorsements and rose to popularity, earning a solid reputation among pickleball enthusiasts. The consistent quality of the paddles, combined with the brand's ability to innovate with each new release, has contributed to CRBN's respected standing in the industry.

Pickleball, often dubbed as “tennis for old people” due to its slower pace and smaller court size, has seen its popularity skyrocket among seniors. However, it's a game that promises a good workout for individuals of all ages. A recent study conducted by Apple and Brigham and Women's Hospital presented intriguing statistics contrasting the health metrics of pickleball and tennis players, shedding light on the health benefits inherent to each sport.

Hand signals in pickleball are a nuanced way of communication primarily seen in doubles matches. They serve as a silent dialogue between partners, intending to improve gameplay strategy, leverage individual strengths, and add a surprise element to counter opponents' moves. Especially when "stacking" is involved, these gestures help dictate who positions where on the court post serve, aligning with the objective of exploiting opponents' weaknesses or optimizing forehand plays.