Blogs

If someone told you to stay out of the kitchen, you’d think they’re worried about your cooking. In pickleball, it’s because you’re about to lose the point.

The non-volley zone (aka the kitchen) is where patience goes to die. Step in too early, and boom—fault. Step back too late, and boom—overhead smash to your shoelaces.

Pickleball teaches life lessons fast:

• Don’t rush.
  
  

• Stay balanced.
  
  

• And never assume you’re safe just because you’re standing still.
  
  

If you can survive the kitchen, you can survive Thanksgiving dinner.

Pickleball is unique. It’s the only sport where players can:

• Trash-talk politely
  
  

• Laugh mid-rally
  
  

• And stop a game to discuss paddle technology
  
  

You’ll hear things like:

“Nice shot!”
“Oops, my bad.”
“Was that in? Let’s replay it.”

Meanwhile, no one is actually sprinting—just strategically shuffling.

That’s the magic of pickleball. It’s competitive without being toxic, social without being slow, and intense without needing ice packs (okay, maybe some ice packs).

Every pickleball player starts with confidence… and ends with humility.

Common beginner moments:

• Swinging like it’s tennis (and hitting air)
  
  

• Smashing every ball instead of just returning it
  
  

• Calling “Mine!” after the ball already hit the ground
  
  

The good news? Everyone’s been there.
The better news? Pickleball forgives fast—especially when your partners are laughing with you (mostly).

Stick with it, learn the soft game, and remember:
The paddle gets smarter before the player does.

Pickleball scoring is simple.
Until someone asks, “What’s the score?”

Suddenly everyone freezes.

• “Was it 6–4–1?”
  
  

• “No, I think it was 5–3–2?”
  
  

• “Wait… did we switch servers?”
  
  

Somehow, the score only becomes clear after the point is over.

But don’t worry—every pickleball player masters scoring the same way:
By being corrected loudly from the other side of the net.

It’s tradition.

At first, pickleball feels like power is everything. Smash harder. Swing faster. Win points.

Then you meet that player.
The one who barely swings… and still beats everyone.

Welcome to the soft game.

• Gentle dinks
  
  

• Calm resets
  
  

• Shots that look harmless but destroy your soul
  
  

Pickleball teaches a harsh truth:
The ball doesn’t need power. It needs patience.

And patience, unfortunately, takes practice.

Pickleball outfits are a unique mix of:

• Athletic gear
  
  

• Weekend comfort
  
  

• And “this was on sale”
  
  

You’ll see knee braces with neon shoes, sunglasses meant for fishing, and hats that have survived multiple sports eras.

But here’s the rule:
If you’re winning, your outfit is “functional.”
If you’re losing, it’s “experimental.”

Either way, pickleball proves one thing—
Style matters less than getting the ball back over the net.