Guides
Straightforward, player-written.
Courts, gear, technique. We don't pad. We don't chase keywords. We just write the thing we wish we'd read when we started.
- Gear
How to choose a pickleball paddle (without overpaying)
Weight, shape, core, face material, grip. What actually matters and what the marketing hides.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
Third shot drop: how to hit one and when to use it
The hardest shot in the sport and the one that takes your game from stuck to dangerous.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
How to serve in pickleball: rules, mechanics, and the drop serve
The two legal serves, how to choose between them, targets, and a solo practice routine.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
Dinking strategy: how to win the kitchen without swinging harder
Why patience beats power at the net. Placement, topspin vs flat, and how long a real rally lasts.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
Your first pickleball tournament: what to expect and how to prep
Event types, what to pack, how check-in works, and why losing early is fine.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
Indoor vs outdoor pickleball: the ball, the court, the wind
The ball, the court, the wind, the noise. How your game shifts between the two.
2026-04-24
- Getting Started
Pickleball for seniors: gear, joints, and playing smart at 60+
Paddle weight, shoes, warmups, injury triggers, heat, and what the 3.0 to 3.5 senior scene actually looks like.
2026-04-24
- Getting Started
Pickleball vs tennis: what changes, what transfers
Court, ball, paddle, serve, pace. What tennis players get for free, and what they have to unlearn.
2026-04-24
- Getting Started
Pickleball skill levels explained: 2.0 to 5.0+
DUPR, UTR-P, and USAP ratings in plain English. What a 3.0 actually looks like and how to self-rate without over-shooting.
2026-04-24
- Playing Well
Pickleball open play etiquette: what good rec players actually do
The unwritten rules that separate players people want to rotate with from the ones who clear the court.
2026-04-24
- Getting Started
How to find pickleball courts near you
Four free sources that cover most US cities, plus what to do when none of them work.
2026-04-10
- Gear
Best pickleball paddles under $100
Three paddles worth looking at under $100. What to prioritize on specs and what to skip.
2026-04-02
- Getting Started
Pickleball for beginners: rules, gear, and where to play
Everything you need to show up to your first session without feeling lost. About ten minutes to read.
2026-03-22