From Defense to Offense: Using Footwork and Follow Through to Create Power

Pickleball Defense to Offense - Mini Lesson

On the pickleball court, your follow through isn’t just about finishing the shot—it’s a key to generating acceleration, creating topspin, and transitioning from defense to offense. Let’s break this down with a simple yet powerful visual and drill that will help you elongate your shot and unlock more power from your legs and paddle motion. […]

Stop Hitting Bounce Serves: Build a Real Weapon Instead

Stop Hitting Pickleball Bounce Serves - Lesson

If there’s one shot I see under-practiced across the board, it’s the serve. Yet your serve is the foundation of your entire game. It’s your opportunity to start the point on your terms, generate pressure, and even win some free points. But too often, players treat it like a formality—just “get it in” and hope […]

Mastering the ATP: It’s Easier Than You Think

ATP - Around The Post - Tip

The “around the post” shot, or ATP, used to be a rare move—especially in the women’s game. I remember when I started playing, it was almost never used. Now, it’s a staple. And honestly, it’s not as difficult as people think. Here are my top three tips to help you start hitting ATPs with confidence: […]

The Simplest Fix for Pop-Ups and Net Errors? Check Your Paddle Face

Simple Fix For Pop-Ups-Net Errors - Tip

Are you struggling with popping the ball up—or driving it straight into the net? Before overhauling your technique or switching paddles, let’s focus on something simple: your paddle face. This might be the most straightforward fix you can make, and it starts with understanding how your paddle angle affects the ball. Open vs. Closed Paddle […]

Stop Flipping Your Pickleball Paddle—Use Angle to Lift the Ball

Stop Flipping Your Paddle - Mini Lesson

Today, I want to talk about something I see all the time—players flipping their paddle to roll the ball, especially when it’s dropping below net height. I get it. I want to do it too. But here’s the deal: most of the time, that move gets you in trouble. What’s the Problem? When the ball […]

Why You Don’t Need to Stop to Hit the Ball

Stop Stopping Start Stabilizing - Mini Lesson

Let’s bust a myth that drives me a little bit crazy—this idea that you have to stop moving to hit the ball. It’s simply not true. What you really need is stability, not stillness. Stop Stopping—Start Stabilizing A lot of the time, players feel like they have to stop because they’re moving too fast. They’re […]

Reset Like a Pro: How to Block the Ball When It’s Coming at Your Body

Reset Like A Pro - Mini Lesson

Let’s talk about one of the toughest moments in a game: someone drives a ball right at your body. I hear this question all the time—“How do I manage this shot?” Today, I’m going to walk you through how to reset or block effectively, especially when you’re getting targeted with pace. Common Mistakes Players Make […]

How to Turn Defense Into Offense With Smart Footwork and Follow-Through

How to Pickleball Turn Defense Into Offense - Mini Lesson

Today I want to break down a concept that’s super helpful no matter your skill level: how to turn a defensive shot into an offensive opportunity—just by using your legs, footwork, and paddle follow-through. Most players miss out on easy chances to attack because they treat mid-court or off-the-bounce shots as merely survival tools. But […]

Simple Adjustments for More Spin, Power, and Consistency in Your Pickleball Game

More Spin Less Work - Pickleball Mini Lesson by Sarah Ansboury

More Spin, Less Work In today’s lesson, I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked: keeping things simple. Pickleball players tend to overcomplicate their mechanics, especially when trying to generate spin or power. The truth is, with just a few small tweaks, you can create better consistency, more spin, and more control—without working […]

Simple Tip to Stop Hitting Into the Net

Stop Hitting Into The Net Pickleball Tip

If you find yourself hitting into the net a lot—whether it’s on your volleys or during dink exchanges—this one simple tip can make a big difference across your entire game. Think about where your paddle finishes after you hit the ball. I want my paddle to finish above the net. That’s it. It’s a simple […]