Browsing: Pickleball News

“It Was Out!” (…Was It?) We’ve all been there. It’s game point in a close rec match. The rally’s fast, your adrenaline’s up, and then — your opponent’s drive rockets toward the baseline. It’s close — maybe on the line, maybe not. You squint, your gut says “out,” but your inner voice whispers, Don’t be that person… So, you shrug and say, “Good shot.” Your friends smile. They call you “so nice.” But walking off the court, you’re thinking: “I think that ball was out. Why did I give it to them?” Welcome to pickleball’s quiet identity crisis — the…

You’ve dinked 15 balls, finally pop one a hair too high, and your opponent cocks the paddle like a hammer. The smash is coming. Most players freeze or flail here. You don’t have to. If you learn to buy time, read cues, and choose the right defensive shot, overheads become survivable—and sometimes downright attackable. TL;DR (save this) Why overheads feel brutal (and why you still have a chance) Overheads descend steeply and are usually aimed at your feet. But the plastic ball slows dramatically after the bounce, which gives defenders a window to dig, reset, and live another rally. Your…

You walk onto the court expecting a battle… but it turns into a beatdown—and not in your favor. Your partner, let’s call him “Mark,” is popping up dinks, missing routine returns, and sailing serves long. You’re holding it together with paddle taps and tight smiles, but inside, you’re screaming: “Come on, man!” Whether it’s open play, league night, or a casual round-robin, managing a game when your partner is struggling is a challenge—physically, tactically, and emotionally. This article will show you how to navigate that storm like a tactician, a leader, and a teammate people want to play with again.…

“I’m practicing a lot… but am I actually improving?” I’ve asked myself that more times than I can count. If you’ve ever left the court wondering whether all those drills, rec games, and hours spent hitting balls are really moving the needle—this is for you. The truth is, improvement in pickleball doesn’t come from just playing more. It comes from focused reps with intention—the kind that build confidence, not just sweat. And one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools for that? Daily micro-goals. I’m not talking about flashy resolutions like “win my next tournament” or “become a 4.0.” I’m…

Let’s face it: it was only a matter of time before someone tried to merge dating with America’s fastest-growing sport. And now, it’s happening. PickleMatch, a brand-new dating app for pickleball players, officially launches in Colorado today. If you’ve ever flirted mid-dink or exchanged more than strategy during a water break, you’ll understand the idea. But while the concept might feel obvious, the big question remains: Is anyone actually going to use this? What Is PickleMatch? PickleMatch is a niche dating app built specifically for people who love pickleball. Created by two Colorado locals, the app lets users build a…

In high-level pickleball, every millisecond matters and one of the most underused timing tactics is also one of the most effective: holding your shot. It’s a subtle, split-second delay before you make contact with the ball. But in that moment, your opponent often shows their hand too early. Pro players like Zane Navratil and Jack Munro use this deceptively simple move to force poor slides, bait premature shifts, and freeze defenders in no-man’s land. When done well, holding your shot doesn’t just slow the game down; it completely scrambles your opponent’s rhythm. The Purpose: Mess With Their Mental Clock In…

A pickleball match occurred this past weekend which more people need to be talking about. In the Singles Quarterfinals of the Select Medical Orange County Cup held in Rancho San Clemente, California, Connor Garnett played against Jack Sock. The final scoreline was 11-9 and 12-10. What’s not visible in that stat line is one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent PPA history. Not included in that final scoreline was the context that Connor was down 0-7, and then 2-9 in game one which he ended up winning, and then 0-10 in game 2. That second game comeback wasn’t just…

RateMyGame makes it easier than ever to get a credentialed DUPR rating—right from your local court, no tournament required. All you need is a short video (2–5 minutes) of live doubles play. Submit it via the MyDUPRCoach app, and a certified coach will evaluate your game and assign you an official DUPR rating. ✔️ No score tracking✔️ No clinics✔️ No wait Even better? It only costs $50 as a one-time fee, and the process is simple: online checkout, upload your clip, and you’re done. If you and a partner rate yourselves together, you both get a 40% discount. More Than…

Pickleball’s 56% surge to 15.4 million players is reshaping U.S. sports culture—blending accessibility, multigenerational play, and social-fitness trends. The Stat That Stopped the Sports World The latest National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) study shows pickleball exploding to 15.4 million U.S. participants in 2024—up 56 % year-over-year. It’s the third consecutive 50 %+ jump and the fastest growth rate of any sport NSGA tracks. NSGA’s findings echo the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) report citing 223 % growth in the past three years, locking in pickleball’s status as America’s #1 growth sport. The real eyebrow-raiser? Ages 25-34 now lead every other demographic—shattering the “senior-only sport”…

Tennis stars transform pickleball’s future. The recent pairing of eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi with 18-year-old phenom Anna Leigh Waters at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships represents far more than a celebrity appearance — and their debut already produced concrete results. On Wednesday they won their Round-of-32 match over 13-year-old Stevie Petropouleas and 16-year-old Tristan Dussault 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, before bowing out in the Round of 16 to Trang Huynh-McClain and Len Yang 7-11, 11-4, 11-7. Those two score-lines, taken together, underline the fine margins that separate advancement from elimination in pro doubles. Before the tournament began, speculation ran…