The Pickleball Blog

Tips, strategy, drills, and everything you need to level up your pickleball game.

Blue side of the Dink Master 3.0 pickleball training board with target zones and mini net
Guide 7 min read

Dink Master 3.0 Pickleball Training Board Guide

Explore the Dink Master 3.0 pickleball training board, including its dual rebound surfaces, mini net, portability, and at-home drill options.

August 24, 2026
Four recreational players competing in an outdoor doubles pickleball match
Beginner 9 min read

Pickleball Rules for Beginners: A Fun, Easy Guide

Learn the basic pickleball rules in minutes, including serving, scoring, the two-bounce rule, the kitchen, faults, and doubles rotation.

August 24, 2026
Cutaway illustration of a Gen 4 pickleball paddle with a multi-density foam core beside a honeycomb core sample
Guide 6 min read

What Are Gen 4 Pickleball Paddles?

Learn how Gen 4 pickleball paddles are built, how full-foam cores differ from Gen 3 honeycomb designs, and which improvements players can expect.

August 24, 2026
New Jersey 5s players and supporters celebrating a Major League Pickleball team victory
Guide 11 min read

What Is Major League Pickleball? How MLP Works

Learn what Major League Pickleball is, how MLP matches and DreamBreakers work, and where to find the latest schedule, scores, standings, and streams.

August 24, 2026
Pickleball player retreating to defend a high lob over the court
Advanced 9 min read

How to Disguise a Lob in Pickleball

Learn how to disguise an offensive pickleball lob by matching your dink setup, choosing the right ball, hiding common tells, and practicing a repeatable pattern.

August 17, 2026
Four players rallying on a pickleball court while a phone records the match
Comparison 9 min read

Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball: What Changes and How to Adjust

Compare indoor and outdoor pickleball balls, court surfaces, conditions, gear, and strategy so you can adjust quickly and play your best anywhere.

August 17, 2026
Pickleball player disguising the choice between a third shot drop and drive
Intermediate 10 min read

Third Shot Drop vs. Third Shot Drive: Which Should You Hit?

Learn when to hit a third shot drop or third shot drive in pickleball, how to read the return, and how to build a reliable third-and-fifth-shot plan.

August 17, 2026
Coach Pickle progress dashboard and personalized daily coaching plan
Guide 10 min read

How Coach Pickle Learns Your Game: The Pickleball Coach That Remembers

Coach Pickle builds a personalized profile of your pickleball game from your videos, drills, games, and chats, then uses it to deliver sharper feedback, realistic timelines, and a clear path to your next level.

May 12, 2026
Coach Pickle training dashboard and step-by-step drill screen
Guide 12 min read

The Coach Pickle Drill Library: 58 Pickleball Drills from 2.5 to 5.0+

Coach Pickle now ships a curated library of 58 step-by-step pickleball drills, organized by DUPR skill level. Dinks, drives, drops, volleys, serves, returns, movement, strategy, and more — with mechanics, drill-flow targets, and AI video analysis on top.

April 28, 2026
Coach Pickle drill video review and technique analysis screens
Guide 10 min read

AI Pickleball Drill Video Analysis: How to Fix Your Technique with Your Phone

AI-powered pickleball video analysis for drills. Record one of 9 supported focuses — from serves and dinks to footwork and live rallies — and get a rep-by-rep technique breakdown, ratings, and targeted fixes.

April 21, 2026
Two pickleball players reading each other's paddle position during a rally
Advanced 10 min read

Advanced Pickleball Strategy: Reading Your Opponents

Learn to read opponents in pickleball by recognizing body language, anticipating shots, and exploiting weaknesses. Advanced tactics for competitive play.

April 3, 2026
Coach Pickle AI chat and personalized coaching screens
Guide 8 min read

AI Coaching for Pickleball: How Technology is Changing the Game

Discover how AI coaching is transforming pickleball training. Learn the benefits, limitations, and future of AI-powered sports coaching technology.

April 3, 2026
Coach Pickle daily coaching dashboard and progress tracking screens
Comparison 9 min read

Best Pickleball Apps in 2026: A Complete Comparison

Compare the best pickleball apps of 2026 across coaching, scoring, court finding, and community categories. Find the right app for your game.

April 3, 2026
Four pickleball players competing in a structured match simulation
Advanced 11 min read

How to Improve Your Pickleball Rating from 3.0 to 4.0

A practical roadmap for improving your pickleball rating from 3.0 to 4.0. Covers skills, practice plans, and milestones for each level along the way.

April 3, 2026
Pickleball player using a calming breathing routine between points
Advanced 9 min read

The Mental Game of Pickleball: How to Stay Focused Under Pressure

Master the mental side of pickleball with proven techniques for focus, composure, and confidence. Learn breathing, self-talk, and routines to play your best.

April 3, 2026
Overhead pickleball court diagram showing a doubles stacking switch
Advanced 10 min read

Pickleball Stacking: A Complete Guide

Learn pickleball stacking strategy for doubles. Covers full stacking, half stacking, when to stack, positioning, transitions, and common mistakes.

April 3, 2026
Pickleball player blocking a hard drive and resetting the ball softly
Intermediate 8 min read

How to Beat Bangers in Pickleball

Learn proven strategies to beat bangers in pickleball. Master resets, positioning, and the soft game to neutralize hard hitters and win more games.

April 2, 2026
Two pickleball players practicing crosscourt dinks at the kitchen line
Intermediate 9 min read

Pickleball Dinking Strategy: Win More Points at the Net

Master pickleball dinking strategy with crosscourt patterns, speed-up timing, and reset techniques. Learn the dink shots that win games at the net.

April 2, 2026
Pickleball player aiming a serve toward deep court placement targets
Intermediate 9 min read

Pickleball Serve Techniques: Improve Your Serve Today

Master pickleball serve techniques including power serves, spin serves, and lob serves. Learn placement strategy, drills, and a consistent pre-serve routine.

April 2, 2026
Singles pickleball player practicing a forehand groundstroke and recovery
Intermediate 9 min read

Pickleball Singles Strategy: How to Win 1v1

Dominate pickleball singles with proven strategies for positioning, shot selection, and fitness. Learn the key differences from doubles and how to win 1v1.

April 2, 2026
Pickleball player holding a balanced ready position at the kitchen line
Intermediate 9 min read

10 Pickleball Tips to Instantly Improve Your Game

Boost your pickleball game with 10 actionable tips covering positioning, shot selection, and strategy. Practical advice for intermediate players.

April 2, 2026
Soft third shot drop arcing into the pickleball kitchen
Intermediate 8 min read

Mastering the Third Shot Drop in Pickleball

Learn how to hit a consistent third shot drop in pickleball. Master the technique, avoid common mistakes, and use drills to level up your transition game.

April 2, 2026
Two players practicing a controlled beginner pickleball rally
Beginner 9 min read

The Best Pickleball Drills for Beginners

Improve your pickleball game fast with these beginner drills. Covers dinking, serving, third shots, wall drills, partner drills, and solo practice.

April 1, 2026
Modern pickleball paddle on a dark green and teal background
Beginner 8 min read

How to Choose Your First Pickleball Paddle

A beginner's guide to choosing a pickleball paddle. Learn about weight, grip size, materials, shape, and the best paddles for new players.

April 1, 2026
Doubles pickleball team moving together toward the kitchen line
Beginner 8 min read

How to Play Pickleball: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn how to play pickleball from scratch. This beginner's guide covers equipment, court layout, rules, serving, scoring, and basic strategy.

April 1, 2026
Coach Pickle game logging and pickleball win-loss statistics screens
Beginner 7 min read

Pickleball Scoring Explained: The Simple Guide That Actually Makes Sense

Confused by pickleball scoring? This guide breaks down the three-number system, side-out scoring, rally scoring, and when to switch sides.

April 1, 2026
Pickleball player approaching the kitchen line after a forehand shot
Beginner 7 min read

What is the Kitchen in Pickleball? The Non-Volley Zone Explained

Learn what the kitchen is in pickleball, where it is on the court, what you can and cannot do there, and strategies for mastering the non-volley zone.

April 1, 2026