Good pickleball, and the best pickleball you'll ever play, is built upon a foundation of sound FUNDAMENTALS.I was reminded of the 'imagined' bad word, fundamentals, during a pro level match that I was watching because as pickleball players we often shy away from that word and dismiss it as only applicable for beginners.The truth is, executing everything really well, including those fundamentals, is what separates pro players from the other teams that they play against is their focus on the fundamentals.  A good example of those pro players is Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau who I believe are the strongest pro team right now in terms of everything that they do from beginning to end, including the fundamentals. They don't take a shot off, execute everything really well and they're very good at every part of the game. That is what separates them from the other teams that they play against.Now to the idea of an actual bad word that I discuss in this episode; if you have this attitude at the end of a tough game where you make statements to demean or diminish the other player, I would challenge you to put yourself in the shoes of your opponents. Have some empathy and think about it through their eyes.How to learn more about our upcoming course: ThePickleballsystem.comTo sign up for our Virtual Clinic: BetterPickleball.com (click at the top header)To join us for our Pickleball Therapy live podcast:, send us an email to support@BetterPickleball.com and put in the Subject Line: "Therapist live"

How to learn more about our upcoming course: ThePickleballsystem.comTo sign up for our Virtual Clinic: BetterPickleball.com (click at the top header)To join us for our System tour, send us an email to Support@BetterPickleball.com and put in the Subject Line: "Tell Me More"Hope to see you in classTony

In this episode we talk about three subjects; assigning fault, increasing our evolutionary empathy and staying focused.I got to play in a mixed group recently where I was paired with Dakota, a younger player, both in terms of her time in pickleball and also just a younger person. It was a tight match and we ended up on the losing end of it.I complimented her on a few of her shots and let her know that the game was on me. And what was interesting is Dakota response by saying, 'No, I didn't play well.' As an objective observer of the game, I can tell you that Dakota played very well and if there was a player on the team who did not play well, it was me.As players it's common to think that it was 'us' that was the problem or did something that we shouldn't have done better in a rally or in a game. That's something we need to be careful about.  Now to the idea of of evolutionary empathy and how to apply it to pickleball- each of us is operating within their operating module and we're entitled to our opinions and our ability to navigate the world.Evolution doesn't happen instantaneously, it's not like a light switch where all of a sudden everybody becomes something else. Then the last area cover in this episode has to do with staying focused, staying in the moment or staying in bite-sized pieces. I'll share a story about a para-athlete, visually impaired athlete, who set the world record for the marathon and why we should not just look at the end or focus on just have a winning day.  Focus on what you can actually do; your next rally, the next serve, next return to serve or one shot at a time. Sign up to participate in our Pickleball Therapy live podcast: https://pbtherapists.obv.io/sign_upSend us an email; support@betterpickleball.com Enroll for our September system class here: https://betterpickleball.com/system/ Level up your pickleball game with our online workshop: https://betterpickleball.com/fall-2024/

Have you've been dreading doing something or having a conversation for a long time? The pool is an interesting way of thinking about it where you're standing by the side of the pool trying to decide, do I get in the pool? Do I not get in the pool? One way to deal with it is to just dive into the pool. Take the plunge into the pool- quicker than 20 seconds, and everything else becomes easier and more natural. Same applies to pickleball, there a few different ways break out of stagnation and move forward. One is listening to this podcast and building habits to change your mental connections in a positive way. And do you feel as though pickleball is complex? You're not alone, in this episode I'll tell you a relatable view of John Isner, who comes from a high level of tennis.Pickleball is a wonderful gift for all of us who play the sport and are interested in knowing more about the sport. It's inexhaustible as long as you remain curious and young in your mind, wanting to learn and know more or something different. All that can be a little bit overwhelming, so focus on one thing.  Sign up to participate in our Pickleball Therapy live podcast: https://pbtherapists.obv.io/sign_upor send us an email: support@betterpickleball.com 'Winning is a Bowl of Ice Cream' episode: https://betterpickleball.com/winning-is-a-bowl-of-ice-cream/See you inside the Pickleball System class: https://betterpickleball.com/system/Check out our camps and trainings: https://betterpickleball.com/

In this special episode of Pickleball Therapy we talk with the incomparable Sara Weiss about her pickleball journey and the idea of being an animal on the court.We also talk about how she balances between pickleball and life coaching and how that led Sarah to this amazing place where she's now playing pro-qualifiers. It's interesting to learn about how she views the interaction of pickleball and the overall life experience of players because sometimes we get really caught up in our thoughts, which takes us out of being present, animalistic and instinctive. The Pickleball System: https://betterpickleball.com/system/

The idea of strategic fluidity (wanting to be adapt to everything) and pickleball is a fine concept that sounds great in theory.But how does that work in practice when it comes to pickleball rules and what rules to apply or not to apply? Having an idea of the rules or guidelines can help you determine the best shot in any given situation, as opposed to a purely fluid approach that requires you to factor in all of the variables in a rally before you decide how to hit every single shot that you hit.There are two ideas or suggestions I can recommend to give you a better understanding of the way a pickleball rally is constructed and how to deal with who takes what shot. i) Look for sources who are serious about pickleball and are professionals. Check to see where a rule or suggestion comes from. Is it well thought out or from a source who is serious about pickleball? ii) Be consistent with what you already know. There are times you're going to hear something that runs contrary to something else that you've heard and you have to figure out what to do. Most advanced players have certain patterns and tendencies that they bring to the table.And when you're playing, make sure that you're viewing all parts of the game or the big picture and not letting parts that you've already gotten better suffer because you're so hyper-focused on this one potentially smaller piece of the puzzle. September Workshop- Discover the "Play Smarter, Not Harder" Strategies That Helped Over 2,000 Pickleball Players Elevate Their Games; https://betterpickleball.com/fall-2024/Respect the X free guide: https://betterpickleball.com/respect-the-x/Respect the X playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItFZ5JWm_hw&list=PLRe6hjjhF-o4tSBHKPscxPhJgBeQnc5oIForehand in the Middle. You’ve Heard it. But it is WRONG. Abandon this “rule” and play better; https://betterpickleball.com/forehand-in-the-middle-youve-heard-it-but-it-is-wrong-abandon-this-rule-and-play-better/The Pickleball System class: http://thepickleballsystem.com/

There is another side to your game – and there’s plenty to be proud of I want you to list all the things you do not do well as a pickleball player – or that you could do better. Things that frustrate you or that you “cannot just get.” Actually, hold on for a moment before you start writing your list and hear me out. The moment you read the above words “the things I do not do well” I imagine your brain flooded with things. We are always primed to respond to everything we do wrong. Let’s take that same framing and flip it around. I want you to list all the things you do well as a pickleball player – or that another player you know does not do as well as you do. This last piece is not really about the other player. It is how we find out what could be worse. What parts of the game are you confident about or that you know more about today than you did in the past. If you are up for it, actually spend a few minutes creating this list. Because I bet these things aren’t just flooding into your mind right now. It will take a moment (or 2) to bring this to the front of your mind. It is important to aspire towards balance in our life – and that includes our pickleball. It’s easy to have our scales tip too far towards the negative – towards what we do poorly or want to do better. Keep that side balanced with the “what we do pretty well” side and you’ll feel better and, I am going to guess, play better too.  Send us an email; therapy@betterpickleball.com

As we move forward, we will be in a different place every time.Ask yourself,  am I the same player I was an year ago?When you're working on a part of your game that you're trying to get better at, you're trying to get closer to the solution to the problem so you need to engage in iterations. It's processing it again and again and repeating it to help you improve faster and better.In this episode we talk about iteration in two contexts;1) Your improvement 2) You as a playerThen I'm going to be talking to you about the concept of sonder, but specific to you again in terms of your improvement journey. Join us inside the Pickleball System class: https://betterpickleball.com/system/The Better Pickleball Academy: https://betterpickleball.com/academy/Why You’re Getting Slammed – Get the right answer: https://betterpickleball.com/why-youre-getting-slammed-get-the-right-answer/

Game plan is super valuable because it's human nature to make errors. The better that you get at the big picture view of pickleball and your relationship with sport, the better you understand the perspective and the less likely you are to tip over into a downward spiral.  Mental work will help you play better and have more fun. For instance, try and listen to a podcast when you're on the way to the courts.In this episode I share words from Lynne (thank you Lynne) about her training with us, and pickleball journey with us. It's meaningful to hear such feedback and to know the positive impact of our work, including this podcast. It makes it all worthwhile.Send us an email: therapist@pickleball.comFind the answers to your pickleball questions: https://betterpickleball.com/academy/Register for the pickleball system class: https://betterpickleball.com/system/

Pickleball is beautiful, amazing and with loads of benefits.The biggest of them all being you'll be a happier human being, just from playing pickleball.   But sometimes we get lost or lose perspective of the game.The game that you choose to play helps you frame how you deal with adversity when you're playing.Also how do you stop being a 12-year-old? I'm going to share with you a personal story that happened recently to me so you don't want to miss that in the RIFF.  Find the answers to your pickleball questions at http://betterpickleball.com/academy/

Here is a link to the study press release through Saint Louis University that gives more information about the study and includes a link so you can participate in the study:https://m.slu.edu/alumni/news/detail?feed=rss_newslink&id=f818d3a4-62d3-50b5-9ac6-77ab1241d446

Brought to you ad free by The Better Pickleball AcademyFind the answers to your pickleball questions here: BetterPickleball.com/Academy You never see a sad pickleball player when they win. But when they lose? Depends, but for many a losing day is a sad (or bad, disappointing, etc.) day. Should it be? The answer is a resounding “No!”  If you are like most, you have developed your sports’ mind around “win, good – lose, bad.” The reality, however, is that our relationship with sport is more nuanced than this binary good/bad framing. At our podcast, Pickleball Therapy, we developed a re-framing of your pickleball experience around a pretty ubiquitous symbol of good: ice cream. It has helped so many players reconsider how they approach their results that it has become our most popular podcast. The good news is that you can have all the highs that come when winning without the needless downs when you lose. It is simply a matter of shifting your perspective. And focusing on what matters – the reason you play pickleball to begin with. In this week’s episode, we update our Bowl of Ice Cream and address objections that players sometimes raise to it when they first hear the concept. If you have never heard Bowl of Ice Cream, treat yourself to this episode. If you are familiar with it, a refresher never hurt – plus you will get the benefit of a more seasoned presentation. Head over to Pickleball Therapy – our weekly podcast dedicated to your pickleball mind. You can find it anywhere that podcasts are podcasted and on YouTube.

Get your FREE ticket to the 100% online Pickleball Summit here.We asked for your pet peeves. Over 300 players answered the call and shared them with us. Many of the pet peeves shared with us were rules issues: line calls, illegal serves and just generally not following the rules. On the surface, maybe it is ok to feel this way. It is just a part of who we are or how we see things and leave it at that. But scratch the surface and you find that there is, in fact, a cost to allowing your mind to be occupied with these sorts of thoughts. There are actual two costs: 1.     You are using mental bandwidth that could go elsewhere – specifically, toward your game. Imagine the game-time opportunities that you are not seeing because your mental bandwidth is being absorbed by “I’m not sure that serve was legal.”2.     You are undermining your enjoyment of the bigger experience. You are on a court, playing the sport you love. Yet rather than being engrossed in the moment, you are focused on a tiny piece of the picture, allowing it to diminish your otherwise awesome experience. Think of it like someone taking their phone out to send a text during a movie you are otherwise enjoying. Are you going to focus on the phone, or on the movie? The next time something during a game pulls you away from the big screen that you are on, remember that you came here for the movie (and maybe the popcorn). Keep your eye on the big picture and you’ll play (and feel) better. Send us your responses to Therapy@BetterPickleball.com.Be well

Join us for the Summit. 25+ presenters - all top players, coaches, and experts in their field. Over 15,000 players - all there to learn and enjoy this amazing sport. What else is there to say?Get your FREE ticket here. In case it does not open, copy and paste this into your browser: https://www.pickleballsummit.com/?sc=rp6M5znR&ac=4hdUUS01

I recently got into the Wordle craze (a bit late I know).Got me to thinking though – why do we like games like Wordle, Crosswords, Sudoku, etc.? And does this same thought process apply to pickleball?Start here: why do we play a game like Wordle?Is it because of the game’s solution? The solution, itself, is what we are after.Or is it because of the work it takes to get to the solution? The solution is relevant because we are working toward it, but the reason for the game is the steps it takes to get there.Stay with me here because it might just be the mental breakthrough you need to hear.Wordle does not teach me new words when I play it. In other words, I am not discovering a new word when I solve the puzzle. That is not the point of it.In any event, in a few weeks I will forget the ones from this week. That is not the point of it.The reason for playing Wordle is in the act itself of working to solve the puzzle. That is the point of it.In a year I will not remember the exact words I work on this week, but I will have gained the benefit of a more nimble mind, having worked through somewhere around 300+ Wordles during that time.Pickleball is exactly the same.What were your pickleball scores when you played on April 10, 2024? June 15, 2023? You get the picture.The scores do not matter. Neither do the outcomes of specific rallies (think it through – there’s no difference).What matters is that you are playing. You are hitting the ball. Trying to do your best each time you swing the paddle.The joy of pickleball is in the process – the playing. Not in the results – the winning or losing.Each time you play, you try to do the best you can. If you want to play better, you can study the game and put in some work. Even in those moments you can embrace the journey – because there is value in that.As you play, your life improves. Your body is better for it. Your mind is better for it. Your soul is better for it.Don’t let the outcomes rob you of the joy that is present with every shot you hit on a pickleball court. Outcomes are not the point of it. Playing is.Join us for the Summit. Get your ticket at pickleballsummit.com or just click here.And for the best coaching available, join us inside The Better Pickleball Academy. Visit BetterPickleball.com and click on classes to get a list of all our courses. Or you can click here.Join our email list: https://betterpickleball.com/See you there.Tony

We all get advice – YouTube, friendly local player, partner. What do we do with it?Step 1: Remember that you have agency over your pickleball journey. This means that you get to decide whether to take the tip or say “get that outta here” (note – you can say it in your mind).Here’s the thing: 45% of the advice you hear out there is plain wrong. And 54% of the advice may be right in the general sense of the term, but it is not right for you at this stage (wrong for a different reason). That leaves 1% of the advice being right and, importantly, right for you.How do you know where a particular piece of advice falls: the wrong, the not right now, or the 1% that is just what I need?To quote Shakespeare, “therein lies the rub.” It is figuring out both what is correct and also what it is that will most benefit you right now. Or at least staying away from what will be detrimental to your game.If you are not yet sure how to decide, you will want to identify a mentor. This is a person with more knowledge who can help you navigate the sea of information out there. If you do not have such a mentor, CJ and I are happy to help. Subscribe to our email list at BetterPickleball.com. This will give you access to our weekly newsletter and keep you in the loop on the latest in pickleball thinking.Follow our podcast, Pickleball Therapy, as well as our YouTube channels, In2Pickle and Better Pickleball. You will know that the information you are receiving comes from trusted sources and has been thought out in terms of being correct and having wide application.Once you develop a deeper understanding of the game, including its framework, you will be in a position to make your own decisions about what advice stays and what advice can get outta here.Thank you for the shoutout on YouTube AlanTony I have been listening to your pickleball therapy shows from the beginning. I know without a doubt that I am a better player because of your podcasts but more importantly a better person. Your presentations can be a benefit not only in pickleball but in life in general. Keep it up and thank you for your time you invest to create these podcasts.Coach Pete Scales course here.More courses inside Better Pickleball Academy here.Join us for the Pickleball SummitThe Pickleball SystemEmbrace the journey and enjoy the process.Tony

To be a complete pickleball player you need a third shot drop. Seems simple enough but, as with many things in life, once you scratch at it a little you find out that it is not quite that simple. Before players start losing their mind reading the next words, let me make this one thing clear: in a hypothetical, what do you need to play a complete pickleball game, the third shot drop plays an important role. That is not the point of this article. Rather, the point is that a third shot drop alone is not the trick. And the other part will give you more benefit now. Here’s the reality of the third shot drop: the shot is but a piece of a larger puzzle. To get the benefit of even the best third shot drop, you need to know and be able to navigate: 1.     Movement – both for the hitting player and their partner (the non-hitting player)2.     Angles and angle coverage3.     Propensities and likely counters to your third shot drop Otherwise, you end up with an ineffective piece of the puzzle: a third shot drop that does not do what you want it to. Rather than focusing on your third shot drop at first, consider spending your time on the movement piece. And specifically, recognizing when NOT to move forward on the third shot. You are going to need this anyways and it will give you benefit now. As a side note here, think of how many times you end up winning the point on the serve team when you have not made it up to the NVZ line because you stayed in a good position and were able to extend the rally. We demonstrate this in our November 2023 video on In2Pickle (YouTube) entitled “The Pickleball Third Shot (Drop?) You ACTUALLY NEED to Win”Pickleballsummit.com to get your free Summit ticket. You are not going to want to miss the 2024 Summit.To get real answers to your pickleball questions, check out our courses inside The Better Pickleball Academy Enjoy this week's podcast and see you next week.Tony

We are friends. Playing a pickleball game. One of us will win and one of us will lose. That is just the way of things. Imagine a world where you went into the game like this: 1.     I know that no matter what, either my team or my friends opposite me on the court will be able to celebrate the win.2.     I also know that no matter what, the other one of us will walk away with something to add to their games. I was reminded of this take on the succinct, “win or learn” idea this past weekend at the conclusion of the French Open semi-final. Specifically, Janik Sinner had just lost after a back-and-forth battle with his respected adversary, Carlos Alcaraz. While Janik was disappointed at not winning – perfectly normal – he was able to immediately reframe the loss as an opportunity. He knows that there is a lot of tennis left in him, and in Carlos. And that they will meet again. Between now and then, Janik has the opportunity to work on his game so that the next time, Carlos is the one who leaves with a lesson to work on. Having this sort of improved perspective can: ·       help all of us avoid the needless downside when we, unavoidably, lose one or more pickleball games, and·       actually gain from the experience so that we can continue to grow as players.Join our email list- https://betterpickleball.com/Register for the upcoming summit- https://www.pickleballsummit.com/Check out our Academy courses: https://betterpickleball.com/academy/The Pickleball System- https://betterpickleball.com/system/Check out Total Pickleball, Use code Better10 at checkout- https://www.totalpickleball.com/?from=wepic Be well Tony

I was reminded of an important concept speaking to one of our team members who is a volleyball player converted to pickleball. The conversation went something like this (group setting): Me:      “Hard to lob Emily as she can get up in the air.”Emily:  “Yeah and I even like to jump when I do not have to.”Me:      “I’ve seen it. Ball can be at Emily’s head height and she is full in the air smashing that ball.”Emily:  “It makes me happy to jump like that.”Me:      “Good point. Happiness is paramount (or words to this effect).” As coaches, CJ and I are spend a lot of time devising and sharing actionable guidance about the framework, objectives, strategies, and shots that a player can use to play a really good pickleball game. BUT … At the end of the day, we are playing a game. Or at least that is what it is supposed to be. As you go through your growth process, it is important not to lose sight of this. A few examples: 1.     You want to learn that “killer” serve because every time you serve like that it puts a big smile on your face. Awesome. Then you should pursue that shot. Not because it is strategically significant, but because it makes you happy.2.     You like hitting the ball hard. That is what makes you happiest in the world. Then, by all means, keep doing it. You may not be able to advance as far as a player as you would if you added a soft game component. But as long as you understand that and are still happier hitting hard, then continue doing what makes you happy. That is paramount.3.     If you like jumping to hit the shots (it makes you smile), then continue doing it. There is nothing wrong with playing pickleball in a way that makes you happy. And there is nothing inconsistent with understanding that X is better for you but choosing to do Y because you want to. It is no different than enjoying a doughnut or other sweet treat even though we know that is not what a dietitian would probably advise. If you like this sort of conversation, join me inside Pickleball Therapy. It is a podcast. And it is available everywhere, even on YouTube. I’ll see you there.Join us inside The Pickleball Academy: https://betterpickleball.com/academy/The Winning Edge: Unbeatable Partner Play: https://betterpickleball.com/unbeatable-partner-play/Check out our recommended resources: https://betterpickleball.com/resources/ Join Better Pickleball Facebook Community: https://web.facebook.com/groups/1166083211224349/ Our upcoming summit:  https://www.pickleballsummit.com/

Your Relationship with Pickleball Much of the information available about pickleball has to do with the details: How do I hit a certain shot? What is the latest paddle thing going on? What is the rule about [__________]? There are many fewer resources that tackle our relationship with pickleball. The term “relationship” is one we use very intentionally. If you are reading these words, then you are more than just a once in a while player of the sport called pickleball. Rather, you are someone who enjoys a multi-faceted relationship with pickleball. Social, exercise, personal growth, fun, challenge, activity, grounding, addiction – all words used by pickleball players to describe why they play pickleball. Our relationship usually encompasses a combination of several of these terms. Thinking of it as a “relationship” more accurately captures the importance and extent of our interaction with pickleball. Why is this important? Because it signals to us that there is more to it than just finding the key to that perfect third shot drop. There is a bigger picture to our interaction with pickleball. Understanding this will allow us to enjoy the fullest experience and get the most out of our sport. This is the sort of thing we dive into each week on Pickleball Therapy. We aim to be an oasis in an otherwise sparse landscape where you can come in and get some shade and a sip of water. You can find the podcast on all podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, etc.) and also on YouTube. Just type in Pickleball Therapy and see what it is all about. Come in out of the sun and take a respite. We’ll be there.Send us an email: therapy@betterpickleball.comTHE Pickleball System: https://betterpickleball.com/system/