Pickleball Sports Performance

A lot of players want to move faster
That’s not a bad thing

The problem is when speed comes at the expense of control

If you’re moving fast but constantly ending up out of position, off balance, or needing extra steps to recover, you’re not actually becoming a more efficient mover

Speed matters

But speed in the right position matters even more

Check out my latest YouTube video for a deeper breakdown of shuffle footwork and efficient movement

Youtube Video Link:
https://youtu.be/Y5ZbMOv4Iew

If you feel slow getting back into position, this could be why

Many players take an unnecessary adjustment step before they move

Plant
Transfer
Then move

The problem? Every extra step costs time

Instead, focus on getting into a position where you can plant and immediately go into your next movement

Small details create big differences in footwork

Full breakdown available on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Y5ZbMOv4Iew

One small shuffle mistake can make you move slower and wastes time

Many players pull themselves across the court with the lead leg instead of driving themselves with the trail leg

The difference may seem small, but it changes how quickly and efficiently you can cover ground

Learn to push, not pull

Full Video breakdown is now live on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/Y5ZbMOv4Iew

Every year I come back to this picture

This was the very first pickleball training session I ever coached

At the time, I had no idea where this journey would lead. I couldn’t have imagined the people I would meet, the relationships I would build, or the impact this sport would have on my life.
This picture reminds me of something important: never forget where you started

Never forget the people who believed in you before anyone else did. Never forget the people who trusted you, supported you, and helped you along the way

I’m incredibly grateful for this first group and for every player, athlete, friend, and supporter who has been part of the journey since

Thank you for being part of the story.
Here’s to continuing to learn, grow, and help others one step at a time

How does a young professional pickleball player train?

A lot of people see the tournaments, rankings, and results

What they don’t see is the work that happens behind the scenes

The strength training
The movement work
The recovery sessions
The consistency over time

I’ve been working with Wil for years, and one of the biggest lessons is that development doesn’t happen overnight

There wasn’t one magic workout, one tournament, or one breakthrough moment

It was showing up, putting in the work, and continuing to improve one step at a time

Success in pickleball isn’t built in a weekend

It’s built through years of consistent effort

Trust the process

Overheads, serves, speed-ups, and long days on the court can put a lot of stress on your shoulder

If your shoulder is always feeling beat up after playing, it may be time to start building more strength, stability, and resilience around the joint

In this reel I’m showing 3 exercises I like using with pickleball players to help prepare the shoulder for the demands of the game:
1. 1/2 Knl KB Bottom Up Press
2. 1/2 Knl Band Scap Retraction
3. 1/2 Knl Landmine Press

The goal isn’t just reducing pain

The goal is building a shoulder that can better handle overheads, repeated swings, and long days on the court.

Which one are you adding to your training?

I’ve seen way too many young athletes run themselves into the ground before they even turn 18

Too many tournaments
Too much pressure
Too much nonstop grinding

And eventually
their body hurts
their mind is exhausted
and they stop loving the game

This is a long-term game plan

Some months may be busier than others
Some months may require more recovery.
Some periods may even require complete breaks

And that’s okay

The goal is building something sustainable physically, mentally, and emotionally so you can continue thriving long term

Rotation training is more than just twisting side to side

Different stances and positions change:
• how we load
• how we stabilize
• how we transfer force
• and how the body has to produce rotation

That’s why I like using multiple rotational variations instead of only doing the same exercise every time

These are 3 simple band variations pickleball players can use to work on rotational strength and power

A lot of players struggle getting to short balls because they take too many small choppy steps

Instead of actually driving through the ground and covering space efficiently, they stay stuck underneath themselves the entire time

Watch how I fully extend through the back leg and hip to push and cover more ground with each step

More force into the ground = more efficient movement and fewer wasted steps

I’ve seen way too many young athletes run themselves into the ground before they even turn 18

Too many tournaments
Too much pressure
Too much nonstop grinding

And eventually their body hurts
their mind is exhausted
and they stop loving the game

This is a marathon, not a sprint

Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally so you can continue doing this long term