Category: Blog

How to Find Your Point of Power I get a lot of questions from players who are looking to improve their game but are hardly getting enough court time to play much let practice. Then, I get more questions from players who are trying to play Smart Pickleball™, but are confused and frustrated when their […]

The Third Shot Drive vs. The Third Shot Drop One of my favorite parts of attending a top tournament like Nationals or the US Open is the chance to discover some of the cutting-edge trends in the game. Like Roger Bannister and the 4 minute mile, the trickle-down effect is amazing when top players prove […]

Something Is Terribly Wrong! Over the past few months I’ve been asked in person and via emails this question: “My game goes off the rails one day and I can’t seem to get it back. What’s happening? Please advise.” With the US Open coming up this month, it’s a perfect topic to discuss. Or did […]

Yikes! It’s the Yips! “Prem! I lost my serve! It just disappeared. I’m struggling to just get it in, let alone where I would I like to put the ball. Is it mental or physical?” My answer to this question is, “Yes. It’s both!” Losing your serve is awful. And yes, I’ve lost mine! Besides […]

All Those Special Rules! So there you are having fun on the pickleball courts when something, we’ll say something odd, happens, and the point ends. AND play ended on one of those ‘special case’ rules. And everyone looks to you for the ruling! Ummmmmmm… Most of you have reviewed my easy to follow Yes or […]

In Defense of the Lob I’ll just come out and say it – I’m not a big fan of the lob. Especially the defensive lob! What do I mean by that? If you’re going to lob, I recommend an offensive lob – you’re already at the Kitchen dinking, and you surprise your opponents by looping […]

An Amazing Pickleball Experience in Beautiful France! Always wanted a pickleball-themed romantic getaway? Traveling to Europe and plan to take your paddle with you? Or you want to combine an international vacation with pickleball? Or never been to France, but know that you can’t stay away from pickleball? Then my Bootcamp Breakthrough Experience in Fayence, […]

Playing Against Your Friendly Neighborhood Bangers! You’ve read my article on strategies to play against slammers, but did you know there’s other strategies that you can use against bangers? And that these strategies are on the first two shots? And you may not even have to use the third shot drop? Intrigued? I thought so! […]

Sacramento Pics!

Get to the Line FAST! Except When… I always tell my students to get to the line as quickly as possible (it is one of my principles for playing Smart Pickleball, after all!). When you are receiving the serve, I recommend a deep and slow return so you can easily join your partner at the […]