Pickleball Problems

Are you being asked to play pickleball with someone you'd rather not? Mark Renneson helps you navigate this sticky situation.  Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do here at Third Shot Sports! Check out jigsawhealth.com. Affilia...

On this episode of the show, Mark Renneson speaks with Jay "Gizmo" Hall about what he's doing in the pickleball world. Hall has an interesting backstory and an even more interesting view of the potential for pickleball to become a catalyst for societal change. This episode deals with some tough discussion about who is included in pickleball and who gets left out.  Need help with Hydration & Recove...

In this episode of the show, Mark Renneson speaks with Karen Parrish from the USAPA. She's the chair of the USA Pickleball National Championships & USAPA Managing Director of Competition. Find out why it was cancelled and what it means for you if you were planning to attend. Read the USAPA's statement here Also mentioned: Pickleball Coaching International Selkirk Sport Jigsaw Health Need help with...

One of the first things you learn in pickleball school is that you should return deep. But why is that? Most people will give one of the following reasons: 1) it gives you time to get to the net.  2) it keeps your opponents back. But guess what? Those are both wrong! Listen to this episode of the show where Mark Renneson unpacks why a deep return really matters.  Need help with Hydration & Recover...

What should you do when you aren't happy with the choices in front of you? Create a new option. That's exactly what we did with pickleball instructor certification.  In this episode, Mark talks about launching Level 1 PB Instructor Certification through Pickleball Coaching International.  You learn about what makes it stand out from the crowd and why PCI Instructor Certification might be right fro...

In this episode of the show, Mark looks at the two-handed backhand and why so many more players are using it. Let's talk the merits of the double-hander! Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. Visit them at jigsawhealth.com . And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do he...

In this episode of the show Mark talks about why you shouldn't be scared of the lob.  Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. Visit them at jigsawhealth.com . And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do here at Third Shot Sports! Affiliate disclaimer: keep in mind that we...

We've been slacking a little with this podcast lately. But no longer! Expect more frequent episodes! Also, here's a way to help your favourite PB coach. Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. Visit them at jigsawhealth.com . And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do her...

In this episode of the show Mark talks poaching! When is it ok? When is it rude? How do you know?  Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. Visit them at jigsawhealth.com . And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do here at Third Shot Sports! Affiliate disclaimer: keep in...

What's safe? What's not? On this episode of the show, Mark talks with Dr. Anne Matlow about playing pickleball in the time of COVID-19. She's Professor of Medicine, Paediatrics, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. She is a retired infectious disease physician who was on Ontario's provincial advisory committee during the SARS outbreak of 2003.   Also mentioned: Jigsaw...

On this episode of the show Mark Renneson talks with doubles dream team Riley and Lindsey Newman about what is bringing them so much success on the court and why their controversial style of play is so effective.  You can find out more about Lindsey on her facebook page and Riley on his . 

Parks, community centres, country clubs. When you think about where pickleball gets played and taught you probably imagine these kinds of facilities. But when Roger BelAir thinks about the sport, he's more likely to think about razor wire and surveillance cameras. That's because Roger teaches pickleball inside America's prisons.  Pickleball Problems host Mark Renneson talks with Roger about his vo...

New ways to indicate "not ready". Hydration breaks re-defined. Sneaky serves and more! There have been some significant changes to the official rules of pickleball that go into effect January 15, 2019. Mark Renneson speaks with referee Don Stanley about some of the key rules that will impact rec and tournament players alike.  Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to...

On this episode of the show Mark tackles 6 questions from listener Tim Boggess. Tim wants to know why he's making mistakes on his forehand, how to stop being frozen out of rec games, and why the pros seem to have a "fetish" about one particular ball.    Also mentioned -- we now have affiliate links so you can make some money by sending people to The Pickleball Lab and Pickleball Coaching Internati...

Adam Stone played tennis for the University of Texas at Tyler and then went on to become the team's coach. He played professional poker for more than a decade and was  national champion in 35+ men's doubles.  In this episode of Pickleball Problems, host Mark Renneson talks to Stone about this image below. It was taken from a video posted on the Pickleball Instructor's Forumon Facebook and shows St...

In this episode of the show we take an excerpt from The Pickleball Lab where Michelle Esquivel plays a  game of "Good Idea, Bad Idea".   Check out The Pickleball Lab for more awesome PB stuff. Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we...

This is a special edition of the show. We bring you an excerpt from an exclusive conversation from The Pickleball Lab that we had with Frank Anthony Davis. FAD is a pro player and singles specialist who brings and incredibly exciting flavour to pickleball. In this conversation he talks about what he did to make the jump from being a good player to one of the game's elite performers.  Take The Pick...

In this episode Mark talks to Bob about some of the things that drive him crazy in pickleball and what he can do to overcome it. More at thirdshotsports.com    Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do here at Third Shot Sports! Af...

Mark made this episode in response to a question posted on facebook: "Where should I return serve?". Seems simple enough, right? But as he discusses during the show, "Down the middle solves the riddle" might actually be some poor advice. Take a listen to find out a better way to approach the return.   More at: thirdshotsports.com pickleballcoachinginternational.com thepickleballlab.com Need help w...

When should coaches act as players? How do you give great feedback? Where should you stand to observe your players during a drill? In this third part of our series on coaching, host Mark Renneson addresses these questions and gets a visit from Third Shot Sports' COO Friendly Kate to talk about her experience taking beginner pickleball lessons.  Mentioned in the show: Pickleball Coaching Internatio...

Why pockets matter and more! Whether you are an aspiring pro or just like getting better, how you spend you time training matters. In this episode of the show Mark talks about some simple things you can do to get the most out of your practice time.    Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can sa...

In this exclusive interview, Mark Renneson talks with PB pro Leigh Waters about what its like to compete (and win) at the highest level with her 12-year old daughter Anna-Leigh, as well as their significant use of the third shot drive. Waters/Waters is fresh off a major win over Corrine Carr and Simone Jardim. See that match here.  Other links cited: Pickleball Coaching International 20 Drills and...

Ricardo is tired of popping up his drops and dinks. Mark suggests three things he can do right away to make his life better.  thirdshotsports.com pickleballcoachinginternational.com   Need help with Hydration & Recovery? Here’s the brand that we prefer to use: Jigsaw Health. And when you use our code to make a purchase, you can save $10 (coupon code: PB3SS10), and support the work that we do here...

In this micro edition of the show, Mark Renneson tackles three questions from Bob in Wisconsin.  1. What role does keeping your head down play in hitting high quality shots? Is this related to watching the ball hit the paddle -- and is that good advice anyway? 2. Shuffle to dink or crossover? How to decide? 3. Serving rules and spin -- what's the relationship? Have some questions of your own? Send...

In this episode of the show, Mark Renneson takes listener questions about technique, tactics, rules and etiquette. Is it ok to catch balls that are flying long? How do you get more power on your drive? Can you blow the ball over the net?   Mentioned in this episode: Pickleball Coaching International (promo code PROBLEMS) Body rotation on drives Personal Video Analysis   Need help with Hydration &...