How to Get More Power on Your Drives
Especially if you didn’t come from a racquet sport If you’re struggling to generate power on your drives, especially if you didn’t grow up playing tennis or another racquet sport, you’re not alone. The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Power is simple when you understand where it actually comes from. Power Starts […]
Where Does Power Come From in Pickleball?
Hint: It’s Not Your Arms. Let’s clear this up right away—power doesn’t come from your hands or arms. Swinging harder doesn’t automatically mean you’re hitting faster, stronger, or better. In fact, that mindset often does more harm than good. In pickleball, we separate power and control by the body:Power comes from your lower body.Control comes […]
Disguising Your Shot: The Power of Direction Change
Last week, we talked about cutting off the corners to create a more offensive dink. Now, let’s take that concept a step further—redirecting the ball to control the point. Why Does This Matter? The more I move my opponent, rather than moving myself, the more control I have. The goal is to dictate the point, […]
High Level Offensive Dinking: Mastering Positioning on the Court
Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about offensive dinking and how better positioning can help you take control at the net. One of the biggest mistakes I see players make is getting too square to the net, which leads to poor contact points and unnecessary movement. The Problem with Squaring Up When you’re too […]
Pickleball Drill to Improve Your Forehand Drive: Spacing and Lower Body Engagement
If you’re looking to refine your forehand drive, today’s drill is all about creating a strong foundation with two key elements: spacing and lower body engagement. Mastering these will help you generate more power, spin, and control in your shots. Why This Drill? In this drill, we’re intentionally setting up on a side that would […]
Why So Defensive? Fix Your Footwork & Weight Transfer
Too many players find themselves stuck in defensive positions way more than they need to be—and most of the time, it’s not because of bad hands or slow reactions. The real problem? Positioning and weight transfer. If you’re getting caught in the midcourt, struggling to move efficiently, or feeling like you’re always reacting instead of […]
Mastering Weight Transfer for Powerful Volleys
One of the most overlooked aspects of a strong volley is weight transfer. If you’re not engaging your lower body properly, you’re missing out on power, control, and consistency. That’s why I love this drill—it helps you learn how to shift your weight efficiently through the ball, improving both your shot execution and recovery. The […]
Turning Your Toes Is the Key to Better Court Movement
Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Today, I want to talk about something that could transform your movement on the pickleball court: turning your toes. It’s such a simple adjustment, but it has a huge impact on your speed, balance, power, and even injury prevention. Let’s break it down. Why Turning Your Toes Matters When you […]
Finding Your Forward Movement
Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely insane: the obsession with shuffling on the court. Shuffling side to side might seem like the right way to move, but it’s actually holding you back. Let me explain why—and show you a better way to cover the court effectively. Why Shuffling […]
How To Improve Offensive Dinking: Air vs. Bounce Strategy
Today, we’re diving into offensive dinking and how to make it a weapon in your pickleball game. There’s a lot of theory out there about dinking, but I want to focus on two key approaches: dinking in the air and offensive dinking off the bounce. Understanding when to use each and how to execute them […]