Winter's arrival doesn't mean you need to hang up your paddles til spring time, and in fact the cooler weather may be more pleasant than the hotter temps common in summer and early fall. In this article, we’ll delve into the heart of cold-weather play, the best balls for cold weather, and.....
In this article we’ll highlight what you need to know about playing pickleball in the rain, including tips for playing on a wet court and the best drills to do when it's raining.....
Some people call singles pickleball “mini-tennis”, but singles pickleball isn't merely a scaled-down version of tennis. It's a unique sport where you need finesse, power, fitness and an array of shots. The 2 sports are similar in one way though - strategy plays a key role in success or failure on the court.
While dedicated pickleball courts are becoming more common, many of us only have access to tennis courts for our pickleball fix. Fortunately, with a few adjustments and additions, you can easily transform a tennis court into a pickleball haven. In this article, we'll highlight:
Whether it’s to hide a weak backhand or because you’ve got a southpaw on your side, stacking can make the most of your team’s skills on the pickleball court while giving your opponents....
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced pro, understanding the different skill levels in pickleball is important for a number of reasons - from finding entertaining gameplay to placement in pickleball tournaments to knowing what you need to work on to get better! In this article, we'll look at the official pickleball skill level definitions as provided by the sport’s governing
Pickleball doesn’t yet have a de facto ranking system, but there are currently several official ranking systems for pickleball players. In this article, we’ll review the main world pickleball ranking systems, highlight the top-ranked players
Much like a handicap in golf or a USTA rating in tennis, understanding your skill level or pickleball rating will help you find other players at your level to play with. And your pickleball rating can also be used as a benchmark so you know what skills
As temperatures drop below 50 degrees, outdoor pickleballs cracking and losing their shape are far too common. In the following post, we breakdown the performance of the 3 best cold weather pickleballs and what you can expect....
Pickleball tournament fees to play in a single amateur event range from $20 for local events to over $150 for the popular national events like the US Open. In this guide we detail the fees and costs you can expect to pay if you play in tournaments organized by the PPA, APP, and....
Looking for a comprehensive and free "What to Pack for a Pickleball Tournament" checklist in pdf format? Our pickleball tournament packing checklist pdf is based on lessons learned from hundreds of professional matches and....
An epic guide to pickleball tournaments based on feedback from pro players. This guide includes 7 ways to find tournaments, 6 critical success factors for tournament success, and much more.....
This helpful guide has a downloadable pickleball rules pdf and covers everything you need to know about the Official 2024 Pickleball Rules adopted by USA Pickleball....
Our quick guide to UTPR ratings in pickleball. Learn the steps to get your UTPR rating, how UTPR differs from DUPR, and strategies to improve your rating!
Getting a DUPR rating is simple, and there are multiple paths you can take to get your rating. If you are just getting started with DUPR, the first step is to claim an existing DUPR profile (account) or set-up a profile on your own.....
25 of our favorite funny pickleball memes on dinking, injuries, pickleball addictions, and more!
Curious about drop serves in pickleball? Our 60 second quick guide covers the rules, techniques, and whether you should ever use a drop serve when playing.
The rules of serving in pickleball are simple, but players like to push the envelope to find an edge. From waist-level contact to tricky spin techniques, this 1 minute guide unravels the mystery behind the most common illegal serves in pickleball.
Pickleball nets differ from tennis nets in height and width, so the regulation height of a pickleball net can be confusing even among experienced players. In the article will provide brief, easy answers to the following common questions....
One of the beautiful things about pickleball is that anyone can play it, no matter their age, fitness, or ability level. If you’re looking to start your pickleball journey, know that pickleball has a few quirky rules. From the mysterious “kitchen” to 3 digit scoring (4-2-2) to ATPs and ERNEs, pickleball has a unique set of rules....
While doubles play has long been a recreational favorite in the pickleball community, pickleball singles is emerging as a fast-paced, dynamic alternative. In addition to being a fun 1 v 1 battle, singles demands a different set of shots, skills and strategies that will grow your overall pickleball game. And it is an intense workout that.....
This helpful guide will cover everything you need to know about the Official 2023 Pickleball Rules adopted by USA Pickleball, including a downloadable rules doc in pdf format!
As usual, pickleball has a couple of rules related to lines that may seem strange at first. On some shots hitting the line is considered ‘in’, but on others it’s considered ‘out’. And some lines are always considered in while others are not.....
What if you hit an out ball in pickleball? Can you hit the ball first and then call it out? And what if you touch an out ball before it bounces? In this article we cover all of the bases on out balls in pickleball, including....
A spike is a powerful and aggressive shot in pickleball that is legal in most situations. Knowing the rules of when and where you can perform a spike, why it’s a good move, and how to effectively perform it can help ....
If you've ever wondered what happens when your pickleball serve decides to cozy up to the net cord, you're in the right place. Rule changes over the last few years as well as different rules in tournament play have made “let” serves a source of confusion on the pickleball court....
Are underhand shots the only way to hit in pickleball, or can the power of the overhand smash be unleashed on the court?
The short answer is that, except for when serving, you do not always have to hit the pickleball with an underhand motion. In fact, overhand smashes can be an effective and offensive play to....
Many players often wonder what the double-hitting and carrying rules are in pickleball. “Carrying” the pickleball occurs when the ball slides across the face of the paddle. In other racket sports like tennis, carrying is illegal....
Pickleball comes with its own set of unique rules on when it’s illegal (or legal) to touch the pickleball with your body. In this article let’s look at what happens when a pickleball touches you, your clothing, or even your hair....
If you’re familiar with racket sports you’re probably already aware that hitting the ball twice on 1 swing is a major “no”. But pickleball has its own quirky rule, and if you do it just right it’s sometimes legal to hit the ball twice on a single swing.....
While pickleball shares many elements with its paddle sport relatives like tennis and badminton, it does have its own share of quirky rules that can throw off beginners. For example, in tennis, overhand shots are allowed when serving, and there are no limitations on when a player can hit overhand throughout the match. Meanwhile, pickleball rules disallow overhand shots on....
Each year, the USA Pickleball Rules Committee reviews suggested rule changes from players across the United States, and a lengthy review and voting process then determines whether a recommendation makes it into the Rulebook for the coming year. In this article, we’ll outline the 6 pickleball rules changes for 2023......
Half-court singles pickleball - aka “Skinny singles” - is a great way to practice all the same shots you’ll need in a doubles game of pickleball. Also known as mini-singles pickleball, skinny singles is played by only 2 people and is a fun and easy way to work on serves, returns, dinks, 3rd shot drops, and....
Pickleball has long used a scoring approach called sideout scoring, but with Major League pickleball adopting rally scoring in 2022 there has been a push to move away from sideout scoring. Rally scoring is faster-paced and easier to understand, so let's take a look at how rally scoring works and why it might be a good option for your next game!
2 comments
On a tennis serve, if the toss is errant, the server can stop the motion, and restart the serve. You don’t lose the 1st serve. On a PB drop serve, if the bounce is errant, can I stop the ball, and restart the sequence? I’ve seen nothing in the rulebook or any blog. Any suggestions?
Hi, I reviewed your Pickleball Drop Serve Rules above and noticed you added (e.g., shoulder or chest-height) to your interpretation of the rules. However, 4.A.8.a. of the 2024 rules only say, “The server must release the ball from one hand only or drop it off the paddle face from any natural (un-aided) height.” When watching many professional videos on-line about drop serves, they typically drop them from eye level or recommend having your arm at a 45-degree angle. I started playing pickleball 10 months ago and use the drop serve. I took a lesson on serving from a professional player who also showed me to drop the ball from a height of eye level. However, when I played at a different court today using that method, someone told me I was doing an illegal drop serve and that it had to be at shoulder or chest-height. The only reference to that phrase was on your website, which could be very misleading to someone who thinks that is the exact wording of the rules when it isn’t. As long as the drop is un-aided, and even if my arm is at a 45-degree angle, that is still considered a natural height. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.