Teaching and helping others

Teaching beginners……start at the beginning

Reposted July 23, 2024 There are many different theories and methods for teaching beginners the game of pickleball.  Many clubs offer beginner lessons and skills clinics.  More and more players and professionals are offering their knowledge for a fee, every one sharing a different philosophy. I too, have my own philosophy on how best to… Continue reading Teaching beginners……start at the beginning

General, pickleball, Teaching and helping others, Uncategorized

The Drop Shot in pickleball

There is a lot of pickleball advice out there.  From blogs like this one, to full scale books, everyone has a philosophy or strategy to share.  Being someone who doesn’t have time or the attention span to read extensive books on anything, I have come across a short 40 page book, dedicated to a skill… Continue reading The Drop Shot in pickleball

My Pickleball Thoughts, pickleball, pickleball equipment, pickleball paddle review, pickleball paddles, pickleball rules, Shopping, Uncategorized

Paddle shapes and sizes

Co-written with Doug Clark of TMPR Sports Throughout this article, you will see links to TMPR Sports. TMPR Sports is great example of a company who offers not only technology, but varying paddle shapes and sizes, which is the topic of this piece. In full disclosure, I am a dealer for TMPR Sports and get… Continue reading Paddle shapes and sizes

General, My Pickleball Thoughts, pickleball, pickleball and tennis, pickleball friends, pickleball rules, Rules Questions, Teaching and helping others, Uncategorized, USA Pickleball

Right =even, Left = odd. But does it?

Sometimes writing articles for pickleball can be tough.  Trying to paint a picture with words to explain a concept can be a challenge.    I was recently editing an article on stacking for another blog site.  In the article, the author, while attempting to verbally describe where players in a doubles game should be positioned,… Continue reading Right =even, Left = odd. But does it?

General, My Pickleball Thoughts, pickleball, pickleball friends, pickleball rules, Uncategorized

That’s just Nasty!

So today at pickleball, I took dead aim, hit my serve and nailed my target!  Smack dab in the belly!  It was a perfect hit!  He didn’t know what hit him!  And yes, I did it on purpose! Have I become “that” player who aims my shots directly at my opponents?  No. Definitely not. But… Continue reading That’s just Nasty!

Rules Questions, Teaching and helping others

Rules question – what if the ball hits the net post? Edited to current wording – 8/27/22

POST REVISED (AGAIN) August 27, 2022 I was recently asked this question.  "If a ball hits one of the net posts, and then bounces in, is it legal?"  The answer is, NO. The USA Pickleball Rules book states the following: Rule 11.K.  The Net Posts:   The net posts (including connected wheels, arms, or other… Continue reading Rules question – what if the ball hits the net post? Edited to current wording – 8/27/22

My Pickleball Thoughts, pickleball, Teaching and helping others, Uncategorized

Great advice from a funny guy!

I've said it before, some of the best blog topics come from the thoughts of other people. If you are on Facebook and haven't yet joined the group Pickleball Ponderings, you need to. Ron Ponder is the founder of this group. I met him for the first time at a Bainbridge Cup tournament in Spain.… Continue reading Great advice from a funny guy!

General, My Pickleball Thoughts, pickleball, Teaching and helping others, Uncategorized

Becoming a better pickleball player requires shot variety and strategy

Making the move from a 3.5 to 4.0 player takes more than just skill. Many times, we see a 3.5 player join in a 4.0 group, and immediately bang away, using only power to win the point.  Why is that?  One reason is that they have probably been playing against players in the 3.5 category… Continue reading Becoming a better pickleball player requires shot variety and strategy