The Lob Serve in Pickleball: Why Anna Leigh Waters Popularized It, How to Hit It, and When Rec Players Should Actually Use It
A lob serve in pickleball is a high, deep serve used to disrupt aggressive returners by changing their timing, eye level, and contact point. When hit with smooth... Read more.
What to Say to Your Partner When a Pickleball Match Is Slipping
When a pickleball doubles match starts slipping, the best first move is usually a short, calm conversation with your partner — not a brand-new tactic. Ask what... Read more.
The Paddle Question Most Buyers Never Ask: How Long Will the Spin Last?
A lot of rec players ask the wrong paddle question. They ask: Those are fair questions. But the better question is this: ⮕ How long will the spin actually last?... Read more.
How to Learn the Forehand Slice Drop and When to Use It
Learn how to hit the forehand slice drop in pickleball and when to use it. This guide explains the grip, swing path, spacing, and common mistakes, plus how intermediate... Read more.
The 3.5 Habits That Quietly Frustrate Better Players — and What to Do Instead
A lot of rec players assume higher-level partners get annoyed by missed shots. Not really. Better players can live with misses when the idea was right. What tends... Read more.
The Counter-Shot Fix Most Rec Players Need: Stop Over-Committing the Elbow
Our friend and pickleball coach Will East recently shared a really useful tip about counter shots, and it gets at a mistake a lot of rec players do not even realize... Read more.
The Winning Pattern Most Rec Players Skip: Make Balls, Then Get to the Kitchen
We recently heard the following advice from pro player Callie Jo Smith’s and is deceptively simple: make balls and get to the kitchen. That may not sound flashy,... Read more.
Why You Play Like a 4.0 One Day and a 2.5 the Next
If you play pickleball a lot, you have probably had this thought before: How can I feel sharp, patient, and in control one day… then come back two days later and... Read more.
The Simple Step That Helps Keep Your Pickleball Dinks Low
A lot of beginner and early intermediate players think popped-up dinks are mostly a hand problem. They blame the paddle face.Or their grip.Or their touch. Sometimes... Read more.
How Long Should You Give a New Paddle Before Deciding It’s Your Go-To?
A lot of rec players do one of two bad things with a new paddle. They either fall in love after 10 minutes because they hit three great drives in warm-up, or they... Read more.