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.

The 2024 election in Ojai, California, will feature a unique local issue: pickleball courts. Voters will decide on Measure O, which proposes reopening four pickleball courts at City Hall after they were closed due to noise complaints. This marks a fascinating example of local democracy in action, where the fate of public recreation spaces hinges on the ballot. Both proponents and opponents are deeply engaged, with some arguing for more recreational opportunities and others citing noise concerns as the primary issue.

Returning slices in pickleball can be a challenge, especially when your opponent adds heavy backspin. To counter it, you’ll need to focus on adding topspin, which reverses the backspin and keeps the ball from diving into the ground. Adjust your paddle angle to about 45 degrees, follow through with your body, and avoid simply slapping at the ball. Slices also tend to float longer, so take a step back and give yourself room to counter with topspin.

Rick Barry, a basketball legend known for his competitive edge, has found new success in the world of pickleball. At 80, Barry continues to compete and win, leveraging his 6-foot-7 frame, exceptional reflexes, and relentless desire to win. His journey into pickleball started in 2019, and since then, he’s earned top rankings in the 80-plus age group. A Triple Crown winner in the U.S. Open, Barry’s drive to improve, his mental strength, and physical fitness have made him a standout in the sport.

If you’re looking to step up your pickleball game, strategic drills are key. A favorite warm-up drill called “Dingles” starts with two players rallying crosscourt within a specific box, but with a twist—if someone hits the net or makes an error, the game turns into a fast-paced kitchen rally. This transition from controlled crosscourt dinks to free-for-all kitchen rallies helps players sharpen both their reaction time and offensive moves, preparing them for real-game situations.

If you’re stuck at a 3.5 or 4.0 pickleball rating and looking to break through, mastering three key shots can take you to the next level. Counterattacks, aggressive dinks, and deep returns are the critical techniques that distinguish advanced players from those just below the mark. While resetting is valuable at lower levels, the ability to attack back during a fast-paced rally is essential. Aggressive dinking and controlling the depth of your return are also pivotal in dominating the court.

Veterans in Pickleball emerged in 2022 during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reconnect veterans with each other and their communities through the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Founded by veterans, the initiative blends physical activity with social engagement, helping veterans combat isolation while building camaraderie. The organization not only promotes pickleball but also fosters a sense of belonging that veterans often miss after military service.

Improving your pickleball game starts with identifying and correcting common mistakes that many players—regardless of experience level—tend to make. These mistakes can limit your potential and make it harder to enjoy the game at a higher level. In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 mistakes that pickleball players make and provide practical solutions to help you fix them, so you can elevate your play, reduce frustration, and win more games.

Pickleball fans in Los Angeles have a new place to play: Vintage Land, home of the Los Feliz Flea market, will be adding three rooftop pickleball courts. Starting October 19, these courts, installed by Angel City Pickleball, offer daily access through a $50-a-month membership, which includes an introductory lesson and the option to bring guests. Though the courts sit on a two-story parking garage, players can enjoy scenic views of downtown L.A. while getting their game on, even during the weekend flea market.

Good footwork in pickleball is one of the most intimidating skills for opponents. When you’re in the right position, you control the game, whether attacking, dinking, or dropping. Additionally, many players make the mistake of moving prematurely, reacting before their opponent even hits the ball. This false movement slows down hand speed and reduces response time, making you less effective.

The turf war between tennis and pickleball is heating up as 10% of U.S. tennis courts have been repurposed for pickleball. With the rapid growth of pickleball participation, tensions are rising as both sports vie for court space. The USTA is concerned about tennis’s future and has initiated countermeasures, including Red Ball Tennis, to attract new players. Despite these efforts, the economic appeal of converting tennis courts into pickleball courts continues to drive the shift.

In pickleball, mastering the correct grip is crucial to enhancing your performance. Grips vary based on the type of shot you’re hitting, and using the wrong one can severely limit your game. Here’s a breakdown of the most common grips in pickleball and when they should be used.

QVC has signed a multiyear deal with USA Pickleball to become the exclusive broadcaster and retail industry partner for the sport. Starting with the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships in November, QVC will stream live pickleball events on its platform, QVC+/HSN+. This partnership aligns with QVC’s strategy to engage its audience, particularly women over 50, a demographic that has significantly embraced pickleball. According to Annette Dunleavy, QVC’s vice president of brand marketing, pickleball is not only the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. but also resonates deeply with their core audience, making the partnership a natural fit.

Pickleball’s increasing popularity has led to more reported injuries, particularly among older players. The most common injuries include wrist and lower leg fractures due to falls, as well as repetitive strain injuries similar to tennis elbow. While the sport offers great health benefits, it’s important for players—especially those over 50—to take precautions to prevent injuries.

Pickleball’s rise as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. isn’t just about its accessibility, but also the physics that make it unique. From ball speeds that can reach 65 mph with topspin to the loud “pop” sound produced by a paddle, the sport’s dynamics are driven by aerodynamics and acoustics. Engineer Phil Hipol, aka “Professor Pickleball,” breaks down these mechanics, explaining how ball trajectory, player reactions, and even the sound generated during a match are influenced by scientific principles.

Anna Leigh Waters is quickly becoming the highest-paid pickleball player in the world, with her agent projecting over $3 million in earnings for 2024. The 17-year-old phenom, who started pickleball after Hurricane Irma displaced her family in 2017, has dominated the sport, holding the No. 1 spot in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She has signed endorsement deals with major brands like Fila and Carvana. As pickleball’s popularity grows, Waters is leading the charge, showing that both male and female players can find lucrative opportunities in the sport.

Pickleball is evolving from its traditionally slow-paced and left-side dominant nature into a fast, aggressive, two-sided sport. Historically, the player on the left side controlled the game while the right-side player mainly dinked and countered. But today’s pickleball features aggressive and dominant players on both sides of the court, signaling a new era in the sport where right-side players are stepping up and showing they can be just as impactful.

Pickleball Slam 2025 is bringing tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf back to defend their title, this time against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard. With a $1 million prize on the line, the event will take place at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Feb. 16, airing on ESPN. After two successful events in Florida, this will be the Slam’s first Vegas edition, expecting over 6,750 attendees. Agassi, returning to his hometown, looks to continue his undefeated streak in the Pickleball Slam series.