’ve long had a soft spot for the achilles tendon, my own and everyone else’s. This goes back to middle school where we read a book called Greeks and Trojans by Rex Warner, which I greatly enjoyed, although my engagement with the classics went no further. It related the story of the demise of the hero whose name the tendon bears. Also, my initial and my surname have been known to autocorrect to the name of the great warrior/tendon. We have a connection.

San Francisco’s transit agency, Muni, is considering an unexpected revenue stream to help address its looming $322 million budget deficit—pickleball. This past Tuesday, the Board of Directors discussed transforming the rooftops of the city’s underused Fifth and Mission and Sutter-Stockton parking garages into pickleball or tennis courts. As parking revenues continue to decline—down over 50% in some areas—the agency is exploring creative ways to repurpose its 39 parking facilities. With 19,000 square feet available on each rooftop, these spaces could accommodate at least 12 pickleball courts, offering a potential new revenue stream while addressing the city’s demand for more courts.

The third shot drop is one of the most essential shots in pickleball, yet it’s also one of the most overlooked. It’s the key to transitioning from the baseline to the net, allowing players to neutralize an opponent’s advantage and set up for a strong offensive position. A well-executed third shot drop should peak on your side of the net and start descending before reaching your opponent, forcing them to make a difficult decision—attack out of the air or let it bounce. The most common mistake players make? Moving too much while hitting the shot. Stability is key, and having a controlled, balanced stance ensures that your shot lands consistently in the kitchen.

A great pickleball serve is more than just a way to start a point—it’s a tool to gain control and set the tone for the rally. While power and spin are crucial, consistency is the true foundation of a deadly serve. Having a reliable serve routine ensures that every serve builds on the last, helping you refine your technique and make targeted improvements. The key? A consistent pre-serve ritual, a controlled ball release, and a well-balanced stance that maximizes energy transfer. The best players aren’t just hitting the ball—they’re strategically placing their serves to create immediate advantages.

Pickleball is a game of precision, strategy, and quick decision-making. But even the most enthusiastic players can fall into bad habits that limit their growth. The biggest mistake most players make? Poor shot selection. It’s easy to fall into patterns that feel right in the moment but ultimately put you at a disadvantage. Whether it’s forcing a hands battle, hitting straight into an opponent’s strengths, or failing to recognize when to attack, these errors can cost you points—and games. By understanding key shot selection mistakes, you can instantly elevate your level of play.

Every new pickleball player makes mistakes—it’s part of the game. But some mistakes are so common that they hold players back without them even realizing it. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to clean up bad habits, avoiding these three missteps will instantly level up your play.

Facing a hard-hitting banger at the net can be overwhelming, but the key to shutting them down lies in preparation, reaction time, and precise shot placement. The first mistake many players make is having a poor ready position. Keeping the paddle too low forces extra movement, adding critical milliseconds to your reaction time—milliseconds you don’t have when the ball is coming at 50+ mph. Instead, keep your paddle around net height and maintain a wide, balanced stance, allowing for quick lateral movement. A strong ready position ensures you’re not caught off guard when the next drive comes flying your way.

The kitchen line is where games are won and lost, yet so many players make simple mistakes that sabotage their success. From poor footwork to impatience, these errors can cost you crucial points. One of the most common missteps is crossing your feet unnecessarily when moving laterally. Instead of shuffling smoothly, many players take extra steps that slow their recovery, leaving them out of position for the next shot. Another issue? Big backswings. Whether dinking or volleying, a large backswing reduces control, making it harder to keep the ball low and unattackable.

Pickleball has grown beyond just a backyard pastime—it’s now influencing industries and even the stock market. Companies like Zimmer Biomet, Henry Schein, and Graphic Packaging Holding are tapping into the sport’s popularity, each benefiting from trends that link pickleball to aging demographics, healthcare advancements, and consumer shifts. Investors looking for stable, risk-averse options might find an unexpected sweet spot in businesses that align with the sport’s booming influence.

For years, pickleball’s name has been mistakenly linked to an enthusiastic family dog named Pickles, allegedly notorious for stealing balls. But as it turns out, that story is as much of a misdirection as a well-placed dink shot. The sport, born in the 1960s on Bainbridge Island, Washington, was actually named after a term used in rowing: a “pickle boat,” which describes a crew made up of leftover rowers from other teams. The name was coined by Joan Pritchard, wife of one of the game’s inventors, who saw a resemblance between her husband’s improvised backyard game and the hodgepodge nature of a pickle boat. Ironically, the Pritchards did later have a dog named Pickles—but he was named after the sport, not the other way around.

The 2025 Desert Smash charity event in La Quinta brought together an unexpected but entertaining mix of sports and star power. Pop star Jason Derulo took to the pickleball courts alongside tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios, showcasing some surprising reflexes despite an ill-fated attempt at an overhand serve. The event, which benefited the WTA Foundation, added a new wrinkle this year—an entire day dedicated to pickleball before the usual tennis festivities. With Naomi Osaka, Kyrgios, and current world No. 1 pickleball pro Federico Staksrud in attendance, the mix of fun and competition kept the crowd entertained, especially when Kyrgios and Osaka went head-to-head in doubles action.

At first glance, the dink in pickleball seems like the easiest shot in the game—just a soft tap over the net. But if you’ve ever actually played against high-level opponents, you know that dinking is anything but simple. The margin for error is razor-thin, and even the slightest mishit can result in a pop-up that your opponent smashes for a winner. Even former pro tennis players transitioning to pickleball, like Jack Sock, have admitted that the dink is one of the hardest shots to master. The good news? With the right strategies, you can make your dinking game as automatic as brushing your teeth.

If you’re looking for a fun way to stay active while adding years to your life, racquet sports might just be the answer. Studies suggest that playing sports like tennis, pickleball, and padel can significantly boost longevity—sometimes even more than traditional workouts like jogging or cycling. The combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, social interaction, and full-body movement make these sports an unbeatable option for lifelong health. But what is it about swinging a racquet that makes it so effective at keeping players fit and thriving well into old age?

The landscape of pickleball is evolving, and if you’re playing the same way you did two years ago, you’re already behind. With the game getting faster and more aggressive, strategies need to adapt. Gone are the days of passive serving, predictable third shots, and conservative mid-court resets. To stay competitive in 2025, players must maximize their serve, incorporate hybrid third-shot strategies, and master attacking from the transition zone. The most successful players are shifting towards offensive, proactive tactics that dictate the point rather than react to it.

Many pickleball players focus on perfecting their shots but completely neglect movement—a crucial mistake that leads to being out of position, off-balance, and a step too slow. Proper movement can dramatically improve reaction time, shot accuracy, and overall performance. The foundation starts with an athletic stance, keeping knees bent, weight on the toes, and maintaining a wide base for better stability. From there, incorporating split steps before each shot allows for quicker reactions, especially when transitioning to the kitchen line after a return. If you’re standing flat-footed or moving casually, you’re already at a disadvantage.

Pickleball strategy is evolving, and the third shot drop might be losing ground to a more aggressive approach. Traditionally, the drop has been the go-to third shot, designed to neutralize opponents and allow players to move up to the kitchen. However, with paddles advancing and player skill levels rising, a well-placed third shot drive or even a lob can put immense pressure on opponents and create better scoring opportunities. The argument is simple: the drop rarely wins outright, whereas a powerful drive or an unexpected lob forces errors, sets up put-away shots, and keeps opponents on their heels.

Knowing when to attack and when to defend in pickleball is the difference between controlling a rally and losing a point. Decision-making at the non-volley zone (NVZ) is critical, and recognizing whether you are in an offensive or defensive position should dictate your shot selection. Many players make the mistake of attacking from off-balance, awkward contact points, or bad positioning, which hands the advantage to their opponent. Instead, understanding the **three key factors—contact point, balance, and position—**will help you control the game instead of just reacting to it.

Pickleball is about strategy, positioning, and shot selection, not just power. If you’re a 50+ player looking to stay competitive, these five essential tips will help you outthink and outplay your opponents. From mastering the non-volley zone to anticipating attacks, learning how to play smarter, not harder is the key to success. The goal? Get to the kitchen, stay ready for fast shots, and stop making the same mistakes that keep you stuck at the baseline.

If your backhand is a liability, you’re not alone. It’s one of the toughest shots to master in pickleball, and most players make the same mistakes—using too much wrist, poor grip selection, or failing to prepare their body properly. But here’s the good news: with the right grip, technique, and strategy, your backhand can become a strength instead of a weakness. Whether you need a consistent drop, a deep slice return, or a powerful drive, mastering the fundamentals will instantly elevate your game.

If you’re making these 10 common mistakes, you’re handing your opponents free points. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, fixing these bad habits will immediately improve your game. Let’s break it down from the baseline to the kitchen—so you can stop losing and start dominating.