Pickleball Therapy

You are working on improvement; on becoming a better Pickleball player. But how do you know if you are, in fact, getting better? In this episode we offer you 3 suggestions that might help you make the determination. In the riff we talk a little Olympics, at least what we can learn from it to give us some perspective out there. Register to get our weekly VIPickleball emails by signing up here . Joi...

To play your best pickleball you need to "see" the game. This is where the Second Pillar comes in. It is not just how to hit the ball. It is what shot to hit when. The when and the why if you will. If you do not have this understanding of the game, that you can apply in real time, then what will your results on the court look like? Your paddle is our in front. But are you ready? Maybe - maybe not....

It is common to feel a bit frustrated out there. We expect X from ourselves and often end up with Y. We can work harder to improve but, perhaps, we can also reframe the narrative in our mind. If we are playing at a Y level, then expect Y. In the riff we share some words of wisdom from our friend Deb Harrison - even as accomplished a player as Deb continues to grow with the game. You can connect wi...

There is a lot to learn in pickleball. A lot. The endless nature of learning in pickleball can seem a downside. It can lead to frustration and dismay. But what if you look at it as a gift - a never-ending fount of knowledge from which you can drink and drink. Listen to how Glen Peterson and Coach Pete approach it and you might be convinced. In the riff we share a stat with you - one that will hope...

THE Pickleball Summit gathered nearly 30 presenters all experts in their field covering a wide range of topics pertinent to your improvement as a pickleball player. In this podcast CJ and I riff about the Summit, share some of our thoughts about what happened and what we learned and share some news about upcoming events. If you missed it, you can find out more about THE Pickleball Summit by clicki...

Two these became apparent from THE Pickleball Summit presenters:  1. the soft game will improve your play and 2 keep it simple (CJ and I are all about fundamentals at VIPickleball). Sign up for THE Pickleball Summit 2021 here: https://the-pickleball-summit-2021.heysummit.com . Register to get our emails so you get the "out" balls decision tree and other information by signing up here . Join us at...

Much rec play in pickleball is bang-bang and then bang some more. If you are the biggest banger in your group, then this works out pretty well for you. But what if you are not? In this podcast we discuss a strategy to slow things down out there and take the bang out of the bang-bang. We also share with you a surprisingly effective drill technique. Sign up for THE Pickleball Summit 2021 here: https...

If you are looking to play optimal pickleball, you need two things: (1) the ability to hit the shot you are trying to hit (third shot, serve, punch volley, etc) and (b) the knowledge of what shot to hit given the context of the rally (what are you trying to accomplish at that stage of the rally?). In the podcast we explore these two facets of the game and give you some tips for improving in both....

Focusing on the score can distract you from obtaining the best results for your game. Focus instead on the next rally or, better yet, the next shot. The results - the score - will come. In the riff, I share some thoughts about the multiple facets of pickleball - there is more than just the third shot. Register for THE Pickleball Summit - here: https://the-pickleball-summit-2021.heysummit.com . Joi...

Are you targeting or being targeted when you play pickleball? In rec play? Tournament? This week we address this often mis-used strategy. In the riff, I share a sean peek into our interview with Tennis Hall of Fame Gigi Fernandez about pickleball skills that translate to tennis. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. If you or a...

Too often we focus on our results. This can distract us from progress; progress which is made by focusing on the process. A sound process will give you the results you want. Improve your process and the results will follow. In the riff, I share my thoughts about how to deal with that player that just makes the game unenjoyable. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball....

Bad advice can hurt more than just your chances of winning a rally or a game. It can significantly derail your progress as a player. In this podcast we tackle one of the most damaging pieces of bad advice: rushing to the non-volley zone. In the riff, I give you some tips to spot bad advice. If you want some more help on how to avoid bad advice, check out CJ's video on this subject (curious note -...

Why are you popping the ball up? Hitting the smashes 3 feet out of bounds? Probably because of your stroke being too long. Find out what I mean in the podcast. In the riff I share with you some recommendations about the winner's metric - what do we define as winning? Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. Download the Free Stack...

The best players do nothing special. They know winning is about doing the mundane. Over and over. That is how you win. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. Download the Free Stacking Guide here: https://www.wearepickleball.com/pl/2147487615 If you or a loved one wants to learn pickleball, check out Play Pickleball, a Beginner'...

How do you know if you are improving - moving forward? Use time as a metric to determine whether you are headed in the right direction. Longer game = better play. Shorter game = the opposite. In the riff we share with you some ideas about preparing for big events or games, like the US Open starting next week. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at w...

You can have a place for your serve and return, and even a target for your third shot. But after that there are too many variables in play for a set formula to work. Will an inside, inside, outside pattern work? Impossible to say without knowing the rest of the story. Instead of formulas, focus on understanding fundamentals and understanding the concepts of the game. In the riff we share with you...

Can you improve off court? Absolutely, unequivocally and, in case that is not clear enough, 100%. In this episode we share 3 specific tips you can use to improve your pickleball game when you are off court. In the riff we share an easy way to remember to stack - be the protagonist when you are out there. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearep...

Stacking is a skill that is available to all levels and it can allow you to take control of the game. We discuss it in the podcast. In the riff we talk about what it means to be a thinking pickleball player. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can watch our Serve Webinar here: https://www.wearepickleball.com/febserve Want...

Change the framework of your mind as you play. Understanding the probabilities when you are on court will help you have a better perspective. In the riff we talk about the paddle(s) I am using these days. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can watch our Serve Webinar here: https://www.wearepickleball.com/febserve Want he...

Looking for a paddle? Listen to the riff before you buy. Before that, we are entering (if not already arrived at) information overload. We talk about it and how to avoid it derailing your improvement. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can watch our Serve Webinar here: https://www.wearepickleball.com/febserve Want help w...

Are you pickleball ready? Not sure? Then stay tuned for the riff at the end of the podcast. Before that, I give you an update of our tournament. And not just for update sake. There are lessons in there for me. And hopefully for you as well. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can watch our Serve Webinar here: https://www....

Play pickleball singles? If not, maybe give it a try. In this podcast we talk about the sport in general and give you some specific tips, including the serve and return of serve. The drop serve is sexy. It is new. But is it right for you? Probably not. We explain why inside. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can watch o...

Are you hitting with intentionality? If not, then you are probably hitting unintentional intentional popups: balls that can be attacked by your opponents not because of an error in your shot but because your shot had no intention to not be attackable to begin with. We also discuss an effective tool for your self-improvement that you have in your pocket or hand right now. Join us at our immersive p...

Trying to copy the pros can be "dangerous" to our game. There are things that pros do that maybe we are not ready for ... yet. But there are definitely things that the pros do that we should emulate regardless of our level. One of those is the third shot. The higher the level of player (and, by turn, the higher the level of the player's opponent), the higher their third shot apexes over the net. S...

Want to play better pickleball? Then you have to understand the game - how it is constructed. In this episode I share with you the serving/scoring framework. Score more points once you understand the system's framework. Join us at our immersive pickleball learning community - VIPickleball. Find out more at wearepickleball.com. You can also join our 8-week Fitness Challenge at wearepickleball.com....