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Footwork is the hidden key to better pickleball. Learn how to move efficiently, split-step correctly, stay balanced, and cover the court like a higher-level player. Keywords: pickleball footwork, pickleball movement tips, pickleball balance, improve footwork pickleball, pickleball agility drills, kitchen footwork, split-step pickleball The Ultimate Guide to Pickleball Footwork Move Faster, Miss Less, and Play More Confidently Most players think they need a better paddle or mo

Injury Prevention for Pickleball Players: Warm-Ups, Recovery & Longevity Pickleball players love to show up and jump straight into a game — and that’s exactly why so many end up with shoulder, elbow, calf, and lower back injuries. A little prevention goes a long way. Here’s how to stay healthy and keep playing for years. 1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes Minimum) The best warm-up is simple: • light jog or shuffle • arm circles • hip openers • side shuffles • dynamic lunges • shadow swing

Pickleball Strategy 101: Smart Shot Selection for Every Situation Anyone can hit the ball back and forth. Winning players know which shot to use, when to use it, and why. Great shot selection turns you from a “reactive” player into a smart, intentional one. Here’s your guide. 1. When to Drop vs. Drive Drive: • when return is short • when opponent pops the ball up • when attacking the right player • when you want to set up a 5th-shot attack Drop: • when return is deep • when y

Learn why mastering the soft game—drops, resets, patience, and dinks—is the key to winning more pickleball points. Improve control, consistency, and strategy with simple techniques anyone can learn. Keywords: pickleball soft game, pickleball drops, pickleball resets, dinking tips, pickleball control, kitchen strategy, how to improve touch in pickleball Why the Soft Game Wins in Pickleball Drops, Resets & Patience Explained The players who win consistently aren’t the ones swin

The Kitchen: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Dominate It If there’s one area of the court that separates beginners from advanced players, it’s the kitchen (the non-volley zone). It’s not just a rule area—it’s the heart of strategy. Here’s everything you need to know about dominating the kitchen. 1. What is the Kitchen? The kitchen is the 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. You can be in the kitchen. You can hit the ball in the kitchen. You just can’t volley

What Every Beginner Should Know Before Their First Pickleball Lesson Starting pickleball is exciting… but your first lesson can feel a little intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. I work with beginners every week, and most players show up with the same questions and worries. Here’s everything you should know before stepping on the court for your first pickleball lesson. 1. You Don’t Need Experience to Start You don’t have to “be athletic” or “know the rules” before t

5 Pickleball Drills You Can Do Alone (No Partner Needed) You don’t need a hitting partner to get better. Some of the biggest improvements happen during solo practice, especially if you’re trying to build touch, footwork, or consistency. Here are the 5 best drills you can do by yourself. 1. Wall Dinking Stand 5–7 feet from a wall and dink the ball off it repeatedly. Focus on: • soft hands • consistent height • paddle angle stability Try: 50 in a row without popping it up. 2. T

How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle (Without Getting Tricked by Marketing) Walking into a sporting goods store or scrolling online can feel like paddle overload. Everyone claims their paddle has “next-level spin,” “carbon thermofoam,” or “unmatched power.” Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s what actually matters. 1. Weight • Lighter paddles (7.3–7.9 oz): faster hands, less fatigue, less power • Heavier paddles (8.1–8.5+ oz): more stability, more power, better blocking

Learn the most common beginner pickleball mistakes and how to fix them quickly. Improve your consistency, footwork, resets, and overall game with simple coaching tips. Top 7 Pickleball Mistakes Beginners Make — And How to Fix Them Fast If you’re new to pickleball, you’re going to make mistakes — everyone does. The fastest way to improve is to clean up the big ones first. These are the mistakes I see every week in lessons and clinics, and fixing them instantly levels up your g

The Ultimate Guide to Pickleball Footwork: Move Faster, Miss Less Pickleball is a game of feet disguised as a game of hands. Most errors come from being off-balance, reaching, or arriving late to the ball — not from poor paddle technique. Here’s your blueprint for clean, efficient movement. 1. Start with the Ready Stance Wide base. Knees bent. Paddle out in front. You should feel like a spring. If you’re standing tall or flat-footed, you’re already behind. 2. The Split-Step I

Why the Soft Game Wins: Drops, Resets & Patience Explained You can hit hard. You can rip drives. You can crush overheads. But if you can’t slow the game down when you need to, you’re always going to hit a ceiling. The soft game is the foundation of high-level pickleball. Here’s why. 1. Drops and resets neutralize power players Everyone loves to swing hard until someone resets the ball back into the kitchen and wipes the slate clean. A good reset: ✔ floats high enough to clear

Top 7 Pickleball Mistakes Beginners Make — And How to Fix Them Fast If you’re new to pickleball, you’re going to make mistakes — everyone does. The good news? Most beginner mistakes are super fixable once you know what to look for. I teach these corrections every week in my clinics, and players usually see improvement within one session. Let’s break down the 7 biggest beginner mistakes and how to fix them immediately. 1. Standing too far back from the Kitchen Beginners camp o

New to Pickleball? Here’s a Quick Rule Rundown Brought to you by TomCostaPickleball.com Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, here are the must-know basics to keep your game sharp and fun: 1. Serve It Up (the Right Way): • Underhand only, paddle below the waist • Serve crosscourt, behind the baseline • No bounce before you hit it 2. Double Bounce Rule: • Each side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it in the air • After that, volley away! 3. Respect

💪 Move Like a Pro: Footwork Drills to Level Up Your Game If you want to play smoother, faster, and more balanced pickleball — start with your feet. Great players don’t just react; they glide into every shot. Footwork is the foundation of control, and when your body moves efficiently, your hands look like magic. 🌀 1. Stay Light and Ready Your stance is your launchpad. Keep your knees bent, weight on the balls of your feet, and paddle up. Think athletic, not static. If you fe

🧠 The Inner Game of Pickleball: Training Your Mind to Win Pickleball isn’t just about hands, feet, or fancy shots — it’s about what’s going on between your ears. The best players aren’t the ones who never miss; they’re the ones who can reset, refocus, and stay calm no matter what’s happening on the court. 🎯 1. Quiet the Inner Critic We all have that voice in our head that says, “Don’t miss this drop,” or “You always mess this up.” The trick is to notice it — then let it go.

🎾 Master the Kitchen: 5 Secrets to Soft-Game Dominance If you want to win more rallies without breaking a sweat, start by mastering the soft game. Power is fun, but finesse wins. The kitchen — also called the non-volley zone — is where matches are won and lost. Here are five ways to take control and frustrate your opponents in the best way possible. 1. Win with Patience, Not Power Everyone loves a big drive, but great players win by waiting for the right ball. Soft dinks and

Pickleball

by Tom Costa I’ve seen it happen a hundred times—someone shows up to the court just to “try it out,” paddle in hand, looking a little...

by Tom Costa If you haven’t picked up a paddle yet, you’ve probably at least heard the buzz: pickleball is everywhere . It’s the...

New to Pickleball? Here’s a Quick Rule Rundown Brought to you by TomCostaPickleball.com Whether you’re just starting out or need a...