Play! Pickle

With its welcoming community and accessible gameplay, it’s no surprise that more people are discovering the joys of this exciting sport. One common term you'll encounter in the pickleball community is "open play." But what does open play in pickleball mean, and why is it such a crucial part of the game?

Starting off with the right paddle is crucial. It can impact your gameplay and enjoyment. A well-chosen paddle enhances your control, power, and comfort. On the other hand, a poorly chosen one can lead to frustration and even injury.

If you’re new to the game, you might wonder how you can quickly improve your skills and start winning matches. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get good at pickleball fast.

Pickleball has taken the sports world by storm, captivating players with its fast-paced and exciting gameplay. Among the many skills that pickleball players need to master, dinking stands out as one of the most crucial. If you're looking to elevate your game, mastering the art of dinking can be the key to unlocking new levels of play and strategy.

One way to gauge your proficiency in pickleball is through a skills assessment. This can be done by yourself or with the help of a more experienced player. A skills assessment can help identify areas where you excel and areas where you may need to improve.

When it comes to pickleball, the backhand stroke is an essential part of the game. It is the stroke used to return shots hit on the player's non-dominant side. There are two different techniques for executing a backhand in pickleball: a one-handed and a two-handed backhand.

Pickleball has surged in popularity across the globe, captivating players of all ages with its lively pace and engaging gameplay. But a common question that often arises among those new to the sport is, "Do you have to be fit to play pickleball?" The answer might surprise you.

The around the post shot or “ATP shot” is probably one of the most exciting shots in pickleball! I love it when players get so much joy out of executing perfectly crisp ATP shots. The ATP shot requires many hours of practice to master but is definitely worth practicing. I have hit a few ATP shots in my social play and it often causes cheering from teammates and opponents as it is a rare and fun shot in comparison to the standard groundstrokes. So if you want to spice up your pickleball games, exploring the ATP shot may be the shot for you.

Firstly, let’s define the lob shot. I consider the lob shot in pickleball as a specialty shot. Meaning, it is not a shot that I use as often as standard groundstrokes and volleys in a game, same goes for other players. It is a shot that I will use in specific situations where it would be advantageous to deploy. Hence, the reason it is important that we are aware of the techniques and strategies surrounding the lob shot before we are able to use it with optimum efficiency or as I like to call it, Pickleficiency.

I will be discussing the best places to play pickleball in Malaysia. Pickleball has been growing rapidly in popularity in the past couple of years. After major leagues were set up in the USA, Asia is now diving into the world of pickleball with passion. Knowing where to play pickleball can be a daunting task, but don't worry as I have got you covered.

Here I will be sharing my story on how I mastered the backhand slice. This groundstroke is one of my deadliest weapons on the court when deployed at the right moments. An effective slice shot stays low and skids through the court at a speed which makes my opponents yelp.

I am fierce in the mind, sharp in the body and fluid in my motions. Fully focused on striking the return with aggression so I can charge to the kitchen line to dominate the point. In order to execute devastating returns in the most efficient manner, I ensure my mentality is aggressive on the return.

Mastering the pickleball backhand has been a tough journey, involving many hours of practice, sweat and tears. Ever since I started playing pickleball, the backhand has been an area of confusion in terms of which techniques to employ. Here I will be sharing what I learned over many hours of dedicated backhand training.

Pickleball is a fun and accessible sport that I enjoy playing with friends and family. Being from a very competitive sports family, when it comes to doubles matchplay, we tend to take winning pretty seriously. Therefore, a solid doubles strategy is crucial for increasing chances of victory! Here I will be sharing a useful strategy called “stacking”.

Having the ability to generate topspin has been an absolute game changer in my competitive and social pickleball matches. Topspin helps me to get my pickleballs to dip into the court while swinging with speed; topspin helps me control my shots and makes it more difficult for my opponents to return the ball.

One fundamental yet often overlooked aspect is maintaining a ready position with your paddle up. This simple practice can dramatically shift the dynamics of your gameplay, offering both defensive and offensive advantages on the court. Here, I'll explore the importance of keeping your pickleball paddle up in a ready position.

For those who have picked up the paddles and felt the rush of adrenaline that comes with that distinct pop of the pickleball meeting the paddle, there's an unspoken yet common question that lurks around the baseline: am I good at pickleball?

When it comes to playing pickleball in a social setting or competitive scene, hitting a legal serve is crucial to avoid sticklers and fouls. Executing an underarm pickleball serve may seem simple but for many it is surprisingly complex to consistently hit an effective pickleball serve that is in accordance to the official rules.

He was everywhere! In the right place at the right time. Point after point, I found myself scrambling for every ball with not much time to think. Feeling helpless and out of breath, it was here I learnt that pickleball has so many more aspects than I first thought.

I emphasize the importance of practicing dinks to my students who are keen to get their game to the next level. This involves many sweaty hours of dedicated dink drills near the non-volley zone.

Are you interested in starting pickleball? Maybe you want some pointers before you step onto the pickleball court for the first time. Over the past year my involvement in pickleball has definitely made a significant impact on my life. Pickleball has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life.

Pickleball has been growing in popularity amongst diverse communities in the US and around the world. More people are starting to realize how much fun this sport is! You may have played a few games yourself and wonder what the differences are between outdoor and indoor pickleball.

With the rapid rise of pickleball around the world, more tennis players seem to be taking an interest in the sport. Our coaches at Play! Pickle teach students from tennis backgrounds, some of which raise the concern on whether or not pickleball would have a negative impact on their tennis technique.

You may have seen some pickle rallies on your social media feed or when passing by your local community sports club, and said to yourself “looks pretty easy to play.” This is the case with many players starting out, as Pickleball was designed to be accessible and easy to play from the get go!

This up-and-coming sport has captured the hearts of many, and with good reason — it's fun, fast-paced, and remarkably accessible. But to truly enjoy the game requires more than just a paddle and a willingness to learn; it takes mastering the essential techniques that form the foundation of successful play.

Because it is a unique mash-up of several sports - tennis, badminton and table tennis - that are already immensely popular and played by many, pickleball has a well-deserved reputation as a game that is easy to learn. Thanks to it being played on a smaller court and that it uses lighter equipment that is easier to handle.