Pickleball 101

How Much Should You Drill vs Play Matches to Improve at Pickleball?
How Much Should You Drill vs Play Matches to Improve at Pickleball?
Playing matches teaches decisions, pressure and adaptability. Drilling gives you enough repetitions to change a technical habit. You need both; the right balance depends on the skill you are trying... Read more...
Am I Ready for a 3.5 Pickleball Tournament?
Am I Ready for a 3.5 Pickleball Tournament?
You are ready to try a 3.5 tournament when your game holds together against balanced opponents—not when you have one great night at open play. Exact entry rules vary by... Read more...
Why Your Open-Play Level Does Not Always Match Your Tournament Level
Why Your Open-Play Level Does Not Always Match Your Tournament Level
It is common to feel dominant at open play and then struggle in a tournament. That does not mean your game disappeared. It means the environment changed.Open play and tournament... Read more...
What Is Pickleball? A Simple Explanation for Beginners
What Is Pickleball? A Simple Explanation for Beginners
Pickleball is a racket sport played with solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a court about the size of a badminton court. It combines elements of tennis, badminton... Read more...
Difference Between Padel and Pickleball: Rules, Courts, Gear and Feel
Difference Between Padel and Pickleball: Rules, Courts, Gear and Feel
Padel and pickleball are both sociable racket sports, but they do not play the same way. The simplest difference is this: padel uses solid walls as part of the rally,... Read more...
Third-Shot Drop vs Drive: A Simple Decision Tree
Third-Shot Drop vs Drive: A Simple Decision Tree
The third shot is not a test of whether you are a “drop player” or a “drive player”. It is a decision: which ball gives your team the best chance... Read more...
The Most Common Skills Holding Players Back at Each DUPR Level
The Most Common Skills Holding Players Back at Each DUPR Level
Most plateaus are not caused by a lack of effort. They happen when a player keeps practising comfortable shots instead of the decision or situation that costs the most points.Early... Read more...
How to Build a More Reliable DUPR Rating
How to Build a More Reliable DUPR Rating
A rating is most useful when it reflects enough recent, connected match data. Building reliability is not about submitting random scores; it is about creating a representative record of your... Read more...
DUPR Singles vs Doubles: Why Your Ratings Can Differ
DUPR Singles vs Doubles: Why Your Ratings Can Differ
It is normal for a player’s singles and doubles ratings to differ. They are different games with different movement demands, tactical priorities and partner dynamics.Singles rewards court coverageSingles places more... Read more...
How to Move from DUPR 4.5 to 5.0
How to Move from DUPR 4.5 to 5.0
This is a practical DUPR 4.5–5.0 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
How to Move from DUPR 4.0 to 4.5
How to Move from DUPR 4.0 to 4.5
This is a practical DUPR 4.0–4.5 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
How to Move from DUPR 3.5 to 4.0
How to Move from DUPR 3.5 to 4.0
This is a practical DUPR 3.5–4.0 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
How to Move from DUPR 3.0 to 3.5
How to Move from DUPR 3.0 to 3.5
This is a practical DUPR 3.0–3.5 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
How to Move from DUPR 2.5 to 3.0
How to Move from DUPR 2.5 to 3.0
This is a practical DUPR 2.5–3.0 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
DUPR 2.0–2.5: The Essential Beginner Skills
DUPR 2.0–2.5: The Essential Beginner Skills
This is a practical DUPR 2.0–2.5 training guide, not an official DUPR certification checklist. DUPR ratings move through eligible match results; these benchmarks help you identify the skills that commonly... Read more...
What Is DUPR? Rating Scale, Match Results & Reliability
What Is DUPR? Rating Scale, Match Results & Reliability
DUPR is a global pickleball rating system that estimates a player’s current level from recorded match results. New players begin as NR (Not Rated), while ratings use a 2.000–8.000 scale.What... Read more...
Pickleball Serving Rules Explained: Even, Odd & Side Outs
Pickleball Serving Rules Explained: Even, Odd & Side Outs
Pickleball serving rules can look surprisingly complicated when you first read the official rulebook. Terms such as right/even court, left/odd court, side out and server number make a relatively simple... Read more...
Should Beginners Practise Dinks or Drives First?
Should Beginners Practise Dinks or Drives First?
Short answer: practise both, but give them different jobs. Drives help a beginner learn contact, direction and depth. Dinks teach touch, control and patience near the kitchen. The mistake is... Read more...
Social Sports That Are Easy to Get Into
Social Sports That Are Easy to Get Into
A social sport is more than exercise: it gives you a regular reason to meet people, try something new and have a little structure in your week. The easiest ones... Read more...
Outdoor Games Adults Actually Enjoy
Outdoor Games Adults Actually Enjoy
The best outdoor games for adults are social, easy to restart after a mistake and engaging enough to make people forget they are exercising. A good game gives everyone something... Read more...
Sports You Can Start as an Adult
Sports You Can Start as an Adult
Starting a sport as an adult can feel intimidating, especially when you imagine everyone else has been playing for years. In reality, many activities are welcoming to beginners because progress... Read more...
Why Pickleball Is a Great Family Sport
Why Pickleball Is a Great Family Sport
Pickleball is one of the easiest ways for a family to share an active hobby. It combines familiar racket-sport skills with approachable rules, a smaller court and a social doubles... Read more...
Best Sports for Families to Play Together
Best Sports for Families to Play Together
The best family sports are easy to explain, flexible enough for different ages and fun before anyone has mastered the rules. The goal is not elite performance; it is a... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Your First Pickleball Game: What to Bring and What to Expect
Your First Pickleball Game: What to Bring and What to Expect
So you've agreed to play pickleball. Good decision. Now what? Fortunately, preparing for your first game is much easier than understanding why experienced players can spend twenty minutes discussing a... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: The History of Pickleball: From Backyard Game to Global Sport
The History of Pickleball: From Backyard Game to Global Sport
Pickleball may feel like a new sport, but its story goes back more than sixty years. And it started in a backyard. Where Did Pickleball Begin? Pickleball originated in Washington... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Pickleball Court Dimensions Explained
Pickleball Court Dimensions Explained
A pickleball court looks a little like a small tennis court, but the dimensions and markings are specific to pickleball. Understanding the layout also makes the game much easier to... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: What Is a DUPR Rating in Pickleball?
What Is a DUPR Rating in Pickleball?
If you've played pickleball for a while, you'll eventually hear someone say something like: "I'm around a 3.5." But what does that actually mean? One of the systems used to... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Pickleball Rules for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know
Pickleball Rules for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know
Pickleball is easy to start playing, but knowing a few basic rules will make your first game much more enjoyable. The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis,... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Pickleball Court Dimensions and Layout Explained
Pickleball Court Dimensions and Layout Explained
Pickleball court dimensions at a glance A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. That playing area stays the same for both singles and doubles, which... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: What USAPA Approved Means for Pickleball Paddles
What USAPA Approved Means for Pickleball Paddles
What does USAPA approved mean? If a pickleball paddle is listed as USAPA approved, it means the paddle is approved for sanctioned tournament play under USA Pickleball equipment standards. In... Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle Based on Playing Style
How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle Based on Playing Style
Find out how to choose a paddle based on whether you play for power, control, spin, speed, resets, or all-around balance. Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Fiberglass vs Carbon Pickleball Paddles: What Is the Difference?
Fiberglass vs Carbon Pickleball Paddles: What Is the Difference?
Compare fiberglass and carbon pickleball paddle faces to understand the differences in feel, power, spin, and control. Read more...
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Pickleball Core Materials Explained: PP, Nomex, EVA, and More
A practical guide to pickleball core materials, including polypropylene honeycomb, Nomex, EVA, and other common paddle core options. Read more...
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How Pickleball Paddle Weight Affects Control, Speed, and Power
Understand how paddle weight changes control, speed, hand battles, and power so you can choose the right setup for your level and style. Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Pickleball Paddle Shapes Explained: Standard, Elongated, Hybrid, and Wide-Body
Pickleball Paddle Shapes Explained: Standard, Elongated, Hybrid, and Wide-Body
Learn the differences between standard, elongated, hybrid, and wide-body pickleball paddle shapes and how to choose the right one for your game. Read more...
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Pickleball Doubles Positioning Explained
A simple guide to where you and your partner should stand in doubles pickleball and how to move together effectively. Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: Pickleball Serving Rules for Beginners
Pickleball Serving Rules for Beginners
Learn the basic pickleball serving rules, including where to stand, where to hit the ball, and the most common serving faults. Read more...
TOCO67 pickleball guide: What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
What Is the Kitchen in Pickleball?
A beginner-friendly explanation of the kitchen, also called the non-volley zone, and how it affects your game. Read more...
Pickleball In or Out Rules: When Is the Ball In or Out?
Pickleball In or Out Rules: When Is the Ball In or Out?
A simple guide to understanding when a pickleball is in or out, including the important serve and kitchen line exception. Read more...
Pickleball Scoring Explained: From 0-0-2 to Rally Scoring
Pickleball Scoring Explained: From 0-0-2 to Rally Scoring
How Does Pickleball Scoring Work? (The Secret Code Explained) If you’ve ever stood on a pickleball court and heard someone shout "4-2-1" or "7-5-2" and wondered if they were reciting... Read more...
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That?
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That?
What is Pickleball and Why is it Called That? If it feels like pickleball suddenly appeared out of nowhere to take over every tennis court in the neighborhood, you aren’t... Read more...
The rules: ultimate pickleball 101
The rules: ultimate pickleball 101
New to the game? Don’t let the rules intimidate you. Pickleball is famous for being easy to learn but hard to master. Here is everything you need to know to... Read more...
Mastering the Kitchen: 3 Tips to Dominate the Non-Volley Zone
Mastering the Kitchen: 3 Tips to Dominate the Non-Volley Zone
If you’ve played even one game of pickleball, you’ve heard the term. "Stay out of the Kitchen!" But the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) isn't just a place where you can’t hit... Read more...