Our Ultimate Guide on How to Play Pickleball Like a Pro
Practice makes perfect, or in the case of sports, a potential master at the craft. If you want to play pickleball like a pro, you have to learn the basic principles of the game, approach the sport strategically and have lots of fun along the way. We recently connected with Dave Fleming, the lead broadcaster for the Carvana PPA tour, a senior pickleball pro player and championship-winning Major League Pickleball Coach, to get his insight on the beloved sport captivating game enthusiasts around the world. He also shared expert tips on how to play pickleball.
Here’s our expert guide on how you can enhance your pickleball A-game to play like a pro:
A Brief History of the Game
Though pickleball has become a household name in the last several years, the game was actually created in the 1960s on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, WA by friends looking for something to do. Using a badminton court and ping-pong paddles, Washington Congressman Joel Pritchard and friend, Bill Bell, unknowingly sparked a sport that would captivate millions of players worldwide years later.
A Pro’s Insight on Pickleball Today
Dave started as an advanced tennis player, competing in the best leagues in Dallas. Seven years ago, a friend invited him to a pickleball game, and the rest is history. Utilizing his background in tennis helped in some ways, but pickleball is unique in its own right, requiring that Dave adjust his approach to master the sport.
When he began playing, he said “people who have played pickleball a long time and were not necessarily at the same level of [tennis] racket skills were kicking our butts! It was great to see.”
It also fueled his competitive spirit.
He practiced with the best and dove into resources to help him up his game. He spent many hours on the court and then started competing – first locally and then nationally. Soon he was one of the top players in the world.
He even played pickleball at the top of the Space Needle during the PPA Tour in 2023. His marketing background – coupled with history in stand-up comedy – opened doors for him to become a broadcaster for the sport.
“I stopped playing tournaments last year because I couldn’t commit to being in the booth and on the court. It’s been truly a privilege to voice the sport nationally on Fox, ESPN, Tennis Channel, and PickleballTV. I love it!”
When he’s not at the mic, he’s coaching the best pickleball players in the world. He’s also an advocate for new beginners who want to play pickleball.
“It’s so wonderful for all ages. I can put an 8-year-old out there to play with my Dad, who’s 81 and plays three times a week. My nephews are in college, and they are having the best time [playing pickleball].”
Pickleball is great for anyone at any skill level and any age. It’s also a great multigenerational activity, allowing grandparents and grandkids to have fun on court.
Dave’s 10 Best Tips to Help Beginners Learn Pickleball
(1) Go out with zero expectations and one goal in mind: Have fun!
Don’t stress about what you don’t know. Don’t expect to be a master on day one or day 30. Just become familiar with the court. Get used to the pickleball equipment. Have fun with friends.
(2) Learn the rules.
Watch a pro match to learn how scoring works. Connect with an experienced player to teach you the basics. Find an instructor that coaches those at your level well. Continue focusing on having fun as you learn along the way. It can take time, but that’s part of the journey to play pickleball like a pro.
(3) Learn what kind of pickleball paddles and balls to use.
Pickleballs don’t bounce like tennis balls, and you will want a different kind of pickleball for inside pickleball courts (wood or gym floor) vs. outside pickleball courts. Visit pickleballcentral.com* to learn which one to use and why. They have a finder tool based on your goals to help you identify the type of pickleball ball* and pickleball paddle* to use. Also note that pickleball paddles are different from ping-pong paddles and tennis rackets. While you don’t need a $200 paddle when you start, you may want to invest in one as you become an advanced player. If you’re setting up your own court at home, you’ll need a portable temporary net that is slightly lower than a tennis net.
(4) Favor your strengths at first.
Find out what you do well. If you don’t like hitting the ball with your backhand, then focus on your forehand as you are getting started.
(5) Progress toward the kitchen.
Your next goal is to work toward the kitchen area from the back of the court to establish a more offensive position. Once there, you’ll probably hear people say to “stay out of the kitchen.” What they mean is that you can’t volley the ball or hit it out of the air while standing in the kitchen. Even if your toe is on the kitchen line, you can’t hit the ball in the air.
(6) Serve the ball deep.
You serve underhand crosscourt in pickleball (unlike tennis where the serve is overhand). The key to a good serve is depth to keep your opponents from easily getting to the kitchen line. You cannot serve and volley – the return must bounce, which gives the receivers the advantage.
(7) Win points in the race to 11.
Pickleball features “side out scoring” which means you can only score a point when your team is serving. The first team to reach 11 points with a margin of two wins the game.
(8) Dive into learning resources.
First, start by visiting the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)* for additional tips on how to play and equipment to get. They provide a wealth of resources to help you enhance your pickleball skills.
(9) Consider competing in tournaments.
When it comes to sports, you don’t just learn by practicing with friends. You also learn by competing in events. Hone your craft by participating in competitions – near and far.
(10) Never lose sight of the purpose of pickleball.
Remember, pickleball was created in the backyard among friends looking for something fun to do. It’s about community and camaraderie. Whether you want to play like a pickleball pro, incorporate a new type of exercise or just have fun with family and friends, pickleball is a great activity that brings people and communities together. And when you want to play pickleball on a cruise vacation, we’ve got you covered.
About Dave Fleming
Dave Fleming is the lead announcer for the Carvana Pro Pickleball Association Tour, a top senior pro player, and a championship-winning Major League Pickleball coach and general manager. He can be found sharing his commentary on Fox, CBS, PickleballTV, Tennis Channel and many others.
Prior to going all-in on pickleball, Dave was a sought-after speaker, with clients like Southwest Airlines, Hilton, Denny’s, Intuit, and Clemson University, to name a few. He’s also funny. He was voted the #2 corporate comedian in America by CBSNews.com.
His background includes over 20 years leading marketing for brands like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and Snapple. He is married to the lovely Deb Fleming and has two daughters, Gaby and Natalie. The motto he lives by is: “Laugh. Every day.”
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Do you have pickleball tips to share with beginners and advanced players? Share in the comments below.
