When it comes to mastering dinking in pickleball, conflicting advice can leave players unsure of which techniques to follow. Should you lock your elbow, limit wrist movement, or focus solely on your shoulder? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, understanding how different body hinges—shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, and knees—affect your dink can improve control and consistency. Each hinge plays a unique role in your dinking form, allowing for a variety of styles that, when used correctly, can make your game more adaptable and precise.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is making waves by becoming the first cannabis sponsor in professional pickleball through a deal with the United Pickleball Association. The sponsorship supports 12 major events, promoting the wellness benefits of cannabis to both athletes and fans. However, it raises questions on the compatibility of cannabis with sports traditionally centered on physical health, and while Trulieve is strategically engaging with pickleball’s rapidly growing audience, the mix of cannabis and athletics remains contentious.

Adding topspin to your drops and dinks can elevate your pickleball game by adding precision and control. The technique involves starting with your wrist raised, then moving it down while rotating as if turning a doorknob. This motion brushes the ball’s back to create spin, giving your drop shot a smooth arc without excessive power, making it effective for close-range play at the kitchen line.

Major League Pickleball’s 2024 regular season wrapped up in Miami, where intense competition set the stage for playoffs. New Jersey and Chicago clinched the top regular season titles in the Premier and Challenger divisions, respectively, after a high-stakes final event at the Miami-Dade fairgrounds. Multiple teams fought for the last playoff spots, with New York, Frisco, and SoCal securing crucial wins to advance. New Jersey’s team rose above for the #1 playoff seed, while Chicago claimed an auto-promotion to the Premier division.

Kicking off our “Mega Facility Series,” Huntsville, Alabama, is setting the bar high with a new recreation center featuring 25 covered pickleball courts at John Hunt Park. This ambitious addition, part of a decade-long development plan, includes an expansive 60,580-square-foot space with gyms, volleyball courts, fitness areas, and multipurpose rooms, making it the largest pickleball investment in city history. As pickleball demand surges, Huntsville’s commitment to infrastructure supports both community recreation and regional event hosting.

The Wager, a new pickleball series hosted by Jason Kennedy, combines sports, celebrity, and high-stakes fun. Streaming soon on Roku, Tubi, Xumo, and Pluto, this series features Kennedy and PPA pro Wes Burrows taking on stars like Taylor Lautner and Shawn Johnson. Each match includes a wager, where the losing team faces consequences like embarrassing social media takeovers or charity donations, blending friendly rivalry with good causes.

The popularity of competitive pickleball is steadily growing among high school students, with more schools establishing clubs and encouraging participation. Schools like Wakefield High are spearheading the trend, with students forming teams and competing regularly. These clubs not only foster a love for the sport but also create opportunities for students to learn teamwork, strategy, and perseverance. As more schools adopt pickleball, there’s a growing push for dedicated facilities to meet the rising demand, showcasing the sport’s expanding influence in youth athletics.

In pickleball, mastering the volley begins with maintaining the correct paddle position. A solid ready position, ideally angled at 11 o’clock, helps with both defense and offense, particularly for balls hit towards your body. By keeping the swing short and controlled, players can maximize their accuracy and prevent mishits. Practicing with quick drills inside and outside the kitchen reinforces this technique, allowing players to improve power and precision without sacrificing control.

The 2024 election in Ojai, California, will feature a unique local issue: pickleball courts. Voters will decide on Measure O, which proposes reopening four pickleball courts at City Hall after they were closed due to noise complaints. This marks a fascinating example of local democracy in action, where the fate of public recreation spaces hinges on the ballot. Both proponents and opponents are deeply engaged, with some arguing for more recreational opportunities and others citing noise concerns as the primary issue.

Returning slices in pickleball can be a challenge, especially when your opponent adds heavy backspin. To counter it, you’ll need to focus on adding topspin, which reverses the backspin and keeps the ball from diving into the ground. Adjust your paddle angle to about 45 degrees, follow through with your body, and avoid simply slapping at the ball. Slices also tend to float longer, so take a step back and give yourself room to counter with topspin.

Rick Barry, a basketball legend known for his competitive edge, has found new success in the world of pickleball. At 80, Barry continues to compete and win, leveraging his 6-foot-7 frame, exceptional reflexes, and relentless desire to win. His journey into pickleball started in 2019, and since then, he’s earned top rankings in the 80-plus age group. A Triple Crown winner in the U.S. Open, Barry’s drive to improve, his mental strength, and physical fitness have made him a standout in the sport.

If you’re looking to step up your pickleball game, strategic drills are key. A favorite warm-up drill called “Dingles” starts with two players rallying crosscourt within a specific box, but with a twist—if someone hits the net or makes an error, the game turns into a fast-paced kitchen rally. This transition from controlled crosscourt dinks to free-for-all kitchen rallies helps players sharpen both their reaction time and offensive moves, preparing them for real-game situations.

If you’re stuck at a 3.5 or 4.0 pickleball rating and looking to break through, mastering three key shots can take you to the next level. Counterattacks, aggressive dinks, and deep returns are the critical techniques that distinguish advanced players from those just below the mark. While resetting is valuable at lower levels, the ability to attack back during a fast-paced rally is essential. Aggressive dinking and controlling the depth of your return are also pivotal in dominating the court.

Veterans in Pickleball emerged in 2022 during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reconnect veterans with each other and their communities through the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Founded by veterans, the initiative blends physical activity with social engagement, helping veterans combat isolation while building camaraderie. The organization not only promotes pickleball but also fosters a sense of belonging that veterans often miss after military service.

Improving your pickleball game starts with identifying and correcting common mistakes that many players—regardless of experience level—tend to make. These mistakes can limit your potential and make it harder to enjoy the game at a higher level. In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 mistakes that pickleball players make and provide practical solutions to help you fix them, so you can elevate your play, reduce frustration, and win more games.

Pickleball fans in Los Angeles have a new place to play: Vintage Land, home of the Los Feliz Flea market, will be adding three rooftop pickleball courts. Starting October 19, these courts, installed by Angel City Pickleball, offer daily access through a $50-a-month membership, which includes an introductory lesson and the option to bring guests. Though the courts sit on a two-story parking garage, players can enjoy scenic views of downtown L.A. while getting their game on, even during the weekend flea market.

Good footwork in pickleball is one of the most intimidating skills for opponents. When you’re in the right position, you control the game, whether attacking, dinking, or dropping. Additionally, many players make the mistake of moving prematurely, reacting before their opponent even hits the ball. This false movement slows down hand speed and reduces response time, making you less effective.

The turf war between tennis and pickleball is heating up as 10% of U.S. tennis courts have been repurposed for pickleball. With the rapid growth of pickleball participation, tensions are rising as both sports vie for court space. The USTA is concerned about tennis’s future and has initiated countermeasures, including Red Ball Tennis, to attract new players. Despite these efforts, the economic appeal of converting tennis courts into pickleball courts continues to drive the shift.

In pickleball, mastering the correct grip is crucial to enhancing your performance. Grips vary based on the type of shot you’re hitting, and using the wrong one can severely limit your game. Here’s a breakdown of the most common grips in pickleball and when they should be used.

QVC has signed a multiyear deal with USA Pickleball to become the exclusive broadcaster and retail industry partner for the sport. Starting with the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships in November, QVC will stream live pickleball events on its platform, QVC+/HSN+. This partnership aligns with QVC’s strategy to engage its audience, particularly women over 50, a demographic that has significantly embraced pickleball. According to Annette Dunleavy, QVC’s vice president of brand marketing, pickleball is not only the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. but also resonates deeply with their core audience, making the partnership a natural fit.