Browsing: Pickleball News

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…

There’s a moment every pickleball player knows—you’re standing at the kitchen line, the ball floats toward you, and you realize… it’s low. Below the net. You hesitate. Do you rip it? Push it? Pray for a better bounce? Here’s the truth: attacking from below the net isn’t about swinging harder—it’s about swinging smarter. And there’s a technical secret the pros use every day that most players miss. First, Why Attacking Low Balls is Tricky If you swing straight through a ball that’s below the net, two things usually happen: And if you’re still swinging with your paddle face flat or…

We’ve all had one of those days—your drops aren’t dropping, your serves are sailing, and you’re ready to apologize to everyone you’ve ever partnered with. So what do you do when you’re in a pickleball slump? I looked through tons of real player conversations and gathered the best advice from people who’ve been there. But this isn’t just mindset fluff—you’ll also get concrete, technical tips to help dig yourself out mid-game. 1. Laugh It Off (Yes, Really) Sometimes the best thing to do is lighten up—because tension is the enemy of feel. “When it’s all going wrong, I joke around,…

Let’s be honest: if you play pickleball regularly, you’ve probably tossed a cracked ball or five into the trash without thinking twice. Multiply that by millions of players across the country, and we’ve got a massive plastic problem on our hands. But one company is changing that—without sacrificing the game we love. Introducing the CB-PRO, the world’s first biodegradable pickleball designed specifically for pro-level outdoor play. Developed by Professional Pickleball Partners (Pro-Pickle), this ball isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s tournament-ready, USAP-compliant, and built to perform just as well (if not better) than your current favorite. A Ball That Breaks the Mold—Literally ♻️…

If you’ve ever watched Tyson McGuffin on the pickleball court, you know his serve is a weapon—fast and incredibly effective. But what makes it so special? And more importantly, how can you start serving with more power and consistency? Let’s break it down step by step—from grip to follow-through—so you can bring some McGuffin magic to your own game. Before we dive in, take a look at his explosive power serve in action: This is one of several serves we cover. For the rules, the basic motion and when to use each type, see our complete guide on how to…

If you’re looking for a sneaky, strategic way to throw your opponents off balance, look no further than the topspin lob. Unlike a traditional lob that simply relies on height, a well-executed topspin lob dips quickly, kicks forward after bouncing, and makes overheads difficult to attack. This shot is a signature move of pro player Anna Bright, who uses it not just to reset points, but as an offensive weapon to keep aggressive opponents in check. But when should you use it? How do you execute it properly? And what mistakes should you avoid? Let’s break it down step by…