profile

Pickler Pickleball

Why try the lob serve in pickleball ๐Ÿค”

Published over 2 years agoย โ€ขย 7 min read

We hope you had a wonderful holiday ๐ŸŽ„ with your family and that you carry the spirit of the holidays - you know, eat, dink, and be merry - with you every day. To start, let's dink in the New Year! ๐ŸŽ‰

If we were betting ๐ŸŽฐ (which you will be able to do in pickleball very soon), we would venture to guess that 2022 will be the best year yet for the sport of pickleball. We hope it's the best year yet for you, too!


#1. MY PICKLEBALL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2022

My Pickleball Resolutions for 2022 | Pickler Pickleball
๐Ÿ“ธ Credit: Lannis Waters

With the New Year around the corner, we all are hopefully ready to make resolutions in an effort to set goals and improve our lives. This year, Pickler contributor, Frank Cerabino, has made 10 pickleball resolutions:

  1. I will not blame the wind every time I hit a third-shot drop into the net โ€“ especially when playing indoors.
  2. I will call kitchen-line foot faults against myself at all times during rec play (until the score reaches 8).
  3. ... Click here to read the rest of Frank's pickleball resolutions for 2022 (which will definitely make you laugh ๐Ÿ˜‚ into the New Year)!

What are your pickleball resolutions? Share with us by emailing stacie@thepickler.com.


#2. TOP TIPS & STRATEGIES OF 2021

In case you missed them, catch up on our top 3 pickleball tip and strategy blogs of 2021: ๐Ÿ‘

#1: 7 Strategies on How to Defeat a Banger

Getting beat up by the banger on the pickleball courts? No problem! Click here to learn how to beat the banger!

7 Strategies on How to Defeat a Banger in Pickleball | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

#2: 7 Top Pickleball Tips If You Are Playing to Win

Pickleball is not all about winning. But, if you are playing to win (for instance, in a pickleball tournament), click here to learn 7 top pickleball tips to help you win on the pickleball courts.

7 Top Pickleball Tips If You Are Playing to Win | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

#3: What Is the "Shake and Bake"?

โ€‹Click here to learn how to execute the perfect "Shake & Bake" on the pickleball courts, as well as how to defend against a doubles team that does it against you!

What Is the "Shake and Bake" in Pickleball? | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

#3. WHY TRY THE LOB SERVE

A lob serve is a high, loopy serve that is deep in the pickleball court. Click here (or watch the video below) to learn why you should try the lob serve ๐Ÿ˜‰, as well as some keys ๐Ÿ”‘ to executing the perfect lob serve.

And, don't forget to subscribe to Pickler's YouTube page, so you never miss another Pickler video - whether it be a pickleball tip video, podcast, or other can't-miss video.


โ€‹A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR: SAVE 15% ON SUPERIOR LABS SUPPLEMENTSโ€‹

Pickler Pickleball Newsletter | Powered By Superior Labs
โ€‹

Don't let aches and pains leave you pickled. With Superior Lab's most popular energy and recovery supplements in your court, you can push further, break barriers, and play fiercely at any age. Visit superiorlabs.com for 15% off the high-performance bundle, grab yours today. Your best game awaits!


#4. WATERS SPOTLIGHT - TEAM WATERS ON NBC NEWS

Team Waters shares with NBC News why pickleball is not just your grandparents' sport anymore. Pickleball is in for a wild 2022! ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Get ready to follow Team Waters in 2022, as they get set to compete in more than 20 events. Until then, continue to follow Leigh's and Anna Leigh's journey here in Pickler's free pickleball newsletter, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.


#5. WOMEN'S CORNER - DANIELLA NISS BUILDS A COMMUNITY THROUGH PICKLEBALL

How Daniella Niss Builds a Community Through Pickleball | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

The sport of pickleball is all about community. One pickleball player, Daniella Niss, strives to use this pickleball culture and community to make the larger surrounding community a better place for all. ๐ŸŒ‡

โ€‹Click here to learn how Daniella leads her local pickleball community to share the power of pickleball with others. ๐Ÿ’ช


#6. FIVE QUESTIONS FOR "COACH MO"

Five Questions for โ€œCoach Moโ€ | Pickler Pickleball
๐Ÿ“ธ Credit to Coach Mo's Amazon Book Page

We sat down with one of the most prolific coaches in the history of the sport of pickleball - Richard โ€œCoach Moโ€ Movessian - for five questions.

โ€‹Click here to get the scoop on the conversation, as well as some advice for you to take to the pickleball court. ๐Ÿ‘


#7. QUICK TIP - HIT TO THE STRONGER PLAYER TO IMPROVE FASTER

Quick Tip | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

We often discuss strategy on the pickleball courts in order to help you improve your chances of success. One strategy is to target to your opponents' weaknesses or even the weaker of your two opponents. ๐ŸŽฏ

However, sometimes, particularly in recreational play, you may find yourself across the pickleball net from a stronger player or maybe even a professional player. In these circumstances, the advice to target the weaker player should be "sidelined." ๐Ÿšซ Rather, you should hit more shots toward the stronger player for two primary reasons:

  1. Your game will improve faster if you play the stronger player, as you will see higher quality return shots; and
  2. You will encourage the stronger player to keep coming back and playing more with you, as you will keep him or her engaged in the points (rather than being iced out).

Bottom line: In recreational play, hit to the stronger player to challenge yourself and improve your game. ๐Ÿ‘


โ€‹A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR: VISTA TRAVEL & ROYAL CARIBBEANโ€‹

Pickler Pickleball Newsletter | Sponsored by Vista Travel & Royal Caribbean
โ€‹

This is not a cruise. This is your favorite sport on the ultimate ships at sea. Embark on a Royal Caribbeanยฎ adventure and get your pickleball fix right onboard โ€” and between island hopping to the best and brightest tropical shores. And when you book now, you can save up to $150 instantly and 30% off every guest! Plus, on bookings made between December 14 โ€“ 31, you can earn up to $100 of onboard credit. Contact our friends at Vista Travel (by phone at 800-227-1300 or by email at VistaInfo@FROSCH.com) to book your next adventure today!

Pickleball and a cruise?! Definitely how to start 2022!


#8. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

Headlines from the Pickleball Court | Pickler Pickleball
๐Ÿ“ธ Credit: Lannis Waters

With the holidays around us, you might have missed the latest in the pickleball world ๐ŸŒŽ. No worries... catch up quick on the pickleball headlines from the past two weeks... ๐Ÿ—ž

Frank Cerabino | The Palm Beach Post | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹
  • The sport of pickleball continued its PR blitz the past two weeks, as pickleball was featured in popular newsletters like Morning Brew and The Hustle, and, as a result, hit the inboxes of over 5 million combined subscribers.
  • The sport of pickleball is getting some serious love! โค๏ธ Anonymous donors across the country are donating private funds ๐Ÿ’ฐ to help communities fund and build pickleball courts, including a $250K donation for the Lake Havasu, Arizona community and a $100K donation for the Naperville, Illinois community.
  • While out doing some last-minute holiday shopping, Pickler founder, Stacie, spotted a pickleball paddle in an unlikely place... at the register in a Nike Outlet Store! Pickleball is now grabbing exposure through one of the worldโ€™s hottest brands, Nike. Whoโ€™s next?!
Pickleball & Nike | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹
  • USA Pickleball (the governing body for the sport in the USA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ) announced that it signed a proclamation with Special Olympics North America to encourage the growth of pickleball within Special Olympics Programs. ๐Ÿ‘
  • The GOAT (greatest of all time! ๐Ÿ) of pickleball, Simone Jardim, announced that she will be retiring from competition at the end of 2022. Although she will be retiring from competitive pickleball tournaments and events, Simone will likely still be a face and a force in the sport for years to come (although in a different capacity). Click here to listen ๐ŸŽง to Simone herself for more on her retirement.
  • Mark your calendars ๐Ÿ—“ for live pro pickleball at the next major pickleball tournaments and events:
Pickleball Tournament Calendar | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹


#9. RULES REFRESH - MIND YOUR FEET!

Your foot ๐Ÿฆถ placement is important at the point of contact on your serve. At the point of contact between your paddle and the pickleball on your serve, at least one foot must remain in contact with the ground behind the baseline. This means that you may not jump and serve at the same time - at least one foot must remain in contact with the ground behind the baseline.

Jump Serve | Pickleball Serving Rules | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

Neither of your feet may touch the pickleball court on or inside the baseline, or on or outside of the imaginary extension lines of the applicable sideline or centerline. After you make contact on your serve, you are free to place your feet on the pickleball court wherever you see fit.

Feet Placement on Serve | Pickleball Serving Rules | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

For a deeper breakdown on all of the rules of pickleball, check out Pickler's Ultimate Guide to the Rules of Pickleball.

Have you had an interesting rules issue on the pickleball court? Send it to us at stacie@thepickler.com, so we can share with the rest of the pickleball community in a future newsletter.


#10. FROM THE ARCHIVES - DROP SERVE

Did you read our 7 pickleball rule changes to learn for 2022? If so, you know the drop serve is here to stay!

While you are waiting for the ball to drop on 2022, you might want to perfect that drop serve! ๐ŸŽ‰

Bottom line: Watch the video above to nail the drop serve!


#11. HELP US HELP YOU! ๐Ÿ™

Pickler Pickleball Survey
โ€‹

We want to give you the pickleball content you want and need. To help us do that, please answer these 7 short questions (it will take no time at all)!

Thanks in advance for your help! ๐Ÿ™Œ We want to make Pickler even better in 2022. ๐Ÿ˜


READY TO KICK 2022 OFF WITH A BANG(ER)?

Didn't get that pickleball paddle or shoes you desperately needed to start 2022? Not to fret... grab 10% off any purchase at Fromuth Pickleball with the code "10PICKLER" (some exclusions apply)!

Fromuth Pickleball | Pickler Pickleball
โ€‹

Also, to help you start the year with a bang ๐Ÿ’ฅ, we are continuing the Black Friday Sale for PickIer's best-in-class pickleball video lessons through the end of the year. For a fraction of the price of one clinic, and 24/7 access, grab over 140 video lessons (over 7 hours of instruction!), as well as a corresponding e-book, for 50% OFF!โ€‹

Pickler Pickleball Lessons
โ€‹

HELP PICKLER GROW!

We provide this newsletter for free and rely on word-of-mouth to grow our audience, so that we can continue to help you learn to play better pickleball and entertain you with stories and headlines from the court. If you enjoyed this free newsletter, please consider sharing it ๐Ÿ’— with your pickleball friends and community.

Plus, we have new awesome rewards ๐Ÿ”ฅ that we just dropped, including a 1-year USA Pickleball membership and a trip to play pickleball with Pickler founder, Stacie Townsend, in Florida (terms apply*)!

โ€‹

And, we've made sharing easy with your unique referral link below:

PS: You have referred [RH_TOTREF GOES HERE] people so far

Also, don't forget to follow us on all of your favorite social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

instagramfacebookyoutubetiktoktwitterpinterestexternal-link

BALL'S IN YOUR COURT...


โ€‹Interested in partnering with us?โ€‹

Pickler Pickleball

Learn to play better pickleball, for free. Get Pickler's bi-weekly pickleball newsletter to learn tips, strategies, stories, the latest news & more from the best in the game, for free.

Read more from Pickler Pickleball

Happy Wednesday! ๐ŸŽ‰ Get ready for an epic reunion at the 2024 US Open Pickleball Championships! ๐Ÿ‘ Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters are teaming up again to take on the competition in Naples, Florida. Don't miss out on seeing this iconic duo and other pickleball pros at The Biggest Pickleball Party in the Worldโ„ข! ๐Ÿฅณ So, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips, strategies, stories, news, and more... ๐Ÿ‘ Click here to access the online version of this newsletter #1. DINK DRILLS TO ELEVATE YOUR...

1 day agoย โ€ขย 8 min read

Happy Wednesday! ๐ŸŽ‰ The 2024 US Open Pickleball Championships is poised to make history with a record year that mirrors the remarkable growth of the sport. With an incredible 52% increase in participation, pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America for the third year in a row! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Keep reading below to learn more about the unparalleled experiences and record breaking numbers expected at The Biggest Pickleball Party in the Worldโ„ข. ๐Ÿ‘‡ So, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips,...

16 days agoย โ€ขย 7 min read
The Third Shot and Net Defense Drill

Happy (almost) Leap Day! ๐ŸŽ‰ This year February has 29 days instead of its usual 28. We know you're thinking what we're thinking... that's one more day for pickleball! ๐Ÿ‘ So, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips, strategies, stories, news, and more... ๐Ÿ‘ Click here to access the online version of this newsletter #1. THE THIRD SHOT AND NET DEFENSE DRILL By Greg Hansen The Third Shot and Net Defense Drill is a dynamic exercise tailored to enhance both offensive and defensive prowess on the...

30 days agoย โ€ขย 7 min read
Share this post