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.

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.