IntoPickleball_Newsletter_01-11-24

WINNING STRATEGIES FROM JESSIE IRVINE

Giving yourself a game plan when you step onto the court helps you stay focused, says pro Jessie Irvine, who uses the mental technique before tournaments and in practice to get into the right mindset. Irvine also listens to dance music before a game to pump herself up. For more of her tips, check out our interview with Irvine.

GAME CHANGER: PICKLEBALL GETS ITS FIRST STADIUM

Move over tennis and soccer—pickleball is now a stadium sport! Later this year, the world’s first pickleball stadium will open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Called The Fort, this 4,000-foot destination venue will have 43 regulation pickleball courts, a pro shop, a fitness and recovery center, and a restaurant, among many other attractions. There will be open and reserved play, clinics, leagues, and tournaments. You can also watch touring pros who are scheduled to train there. Says The Fort co-founder and CEO Brad Tuckman, who teamed up with the city of Fort Lauderdale to bring the project to life, “We’re not just playing pickleball, we’re elevating the entire experience.”

To move quickly on the court, you need strong legs. That means working your quads, calves, glutes, hips, and hamstrings, says Stephanie Mansour, a certified trainer and host of the fitness platform and app Step It Up with Steph. Building these muscles will propel you forward and backward as you play, and help you lunge and move side to side, she explains. Improve your speed and agility with the pickleball leg workout Mansour created for us. 

2024 RESOLUTION TO KEEP: MORE PICKLEBALL, LESS PAIN

Get safe, soothing, and effective pain relief from our recommended cool therapy partner: ONYX COOL. These 58° cooling devices are made in the USA with a plant-based cooling technology that’s safe to wear directly on the skin and stays comfortably cool for an hour or more. Refrigerate to activate and reuse. Save 20% online at xenatherapies.com with coupon code InPickleball20.

FIND A GOOD INSTRUCTOR

If you think your pickleball skills could use a tune-up, or you're new to the game and want to learn proper technique, consider taking a few lessons. Working with a coach can elevate your game, according to the players and instructors we spoke to. The trick is to find the right instructor. Look for one who's certified, advises Rommie Maxey, Ph.D., IntoPickleball’s Expert in Residence. Certification means an instructor has taken a written test and completed skill testing, he explains. Then, once you find one, you can take a group class with them first, which is less expensive than private lessons, to see if the coach is a good fit for you, says Maxey.