InPickleball_Newsletter_12-21-23

RETURN TOUGH SHOTS

Increasing your flexibility and range of motion on the court can help you chase down balls, return shots, and increase your power, says Robert Dunn, pickleball coordinator at Life Time in Michigan. To help you play at your peak, Dunn put together exercises that focus on rotation and side to side movement. These moves target your legs, arms, shoulders, and core. Do them before a game if you can, Dunn suggests, or whenever you have time. “The more you do them, the more flexible and stronger you’ll be,” he says.

WIN THE MENTAL GAME

Don’t let pre-game nerves get to you. The more you worry or second-guess yourself on the court, the more it can negatively impact your play, research shows. Banish the jitters with pro tips from Catherine Parenteau, who regularly deals with pressure before competing. Learn the smart strategies she uses before a match to feel confident and in control. 

You’re in the middle of a game, playing your best and having fun, when another player starts giving you pointers. Their unsolicited advice is ruining your rhythm—plus it’s annoying. What’s the best way to handle the situation? InPickleball ambassador Melissa Kildow shares the best ways to deal with a know-it-all player so you can get back to your game without the constant commentary. 

EXOTIC PLACES TO PLAY AND STAY

A tropical pickleball vacation sounds really good right about now. The Kagi King Maldives Resort & Spa, a 5-star boutique destination with 50 villas, recently opened the island’s first pickleball court. Play oceanside under the palm trees with equipment provided by the resort, then pamper yourself at the spa or go snorkeling in the nearby coral reefs. Closer to home, Turtle Bay Resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii has six dedicated pickleball courts with equipment; you can also book a private or group clinic. Afterward, learn to surf at the resort’s surf school or go horseback riding along the beach.