Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US, with a 45.8% increase in 2024 and over five million players in LA County alone.
Joining the craze can open doors to new friends, more exercise, and a lot of fun! Yet, people are creatures of comfort, and everyone can fall into routines. Whether it is the same group of friends, the same groundstroke, or the same day of the week that you play, it may be time to switch it up!
The Paseo Club in Santa Clarita is your headquarters for all things pickleball. We have drop-in and reserved play, drills, leagues, and tournaments. We also have a great group of instructors who teach private lessons and group classes.
In this article, you will learn some new pickleball practices you may need to implement into your play.
What are the 8 best pickleball practices you should try in Santa Clarita?
1. Stretch
It is tempting to arrive at the courts and start hitting the ball around. Yet, if you don’t take time to warm up, you are risking injury. New and experienced players regularly get sidelined with strains, sprains, and tears. To minimize the chance of hurting your back and joints, learn about proper warm-up and mobilization techniques to do before you start your match.
2. Cross-train
When you love pickleball, it is easy to focus on getting in as many games as you can. However, without cross-training with strength-bearing exercises, you are missing crucial aspects of fitness you need for stamina, power, and endurance. All great athletes train in their specific sport AND do additional exercises in the gym or fitness studio. Weekend warriors and amateurs are no different.
3. Join a League
Playing with your friends on the weekends is a great way to get started in pickleball. For people who want a little more competition in their lives, leagues are the way to go. Pickleball leagues can be for players of all skill levels — not just the pros. Seasons last 7-8 weeks and cost pennies. They are a great way to meet other players and elevate your moves.
4. Train with a Ball Machine
According to a 2024 report, 14% of the population plays pickleball. Unfortunately, only a fraction are using ball machines. Ball machines give you consistent, repetitive throws that can help you target specific areas that you know you need to improve. Select type of throw, speed, location, drills, or random — the options are nearly endless!
5. Focus on your Soft Game
Sports often rely on raw power — hitting the ball for a homer in baseball, crushing your opponent in football, or a fast backhand in tennis. It is almost intuitive to approach pickleball the same way. Ironically, using all your might in pickleball can lose you more points than you may imagine. The soft game focuses on control, patience, and discernment — waiting for the right moment and right technique — for action.
6. Introduce Yourself and Make Friends
Rarely, as adults, do we go up to a perfect stranger, introduce ourselves, and start chatting them up. In fact, many would consider this type of behavior a lost art. Pickleball gives you the perfect opportunity to dust off these interpersonal skills and put yourself out there! Pickleball players tend to be some of the nicest folks and are quite welcoming to newbies. The practice of meeting players is a great way to expand your community and find new partners for matches.
7. Keep an Eye out for Local Fundraisers
Local non-profits and charitable organizations are starting to turn to pickleball tournaments as a fun and lucrative way to fundraise for their causes. Look for LA County Fire Pickleball, Michael Hoefflin Foundation, and Dink for Cause. These tournaments are a great way to support local non-profits and have a ton of fun.
8. Put the Racquet down and look at your Feet
People who play racquet sports always focus on the swing — groundstroke, dink, erne, overhead smash, and more. Yet, if you aren’t light and nimble on your feet, you are missing half of the game. Proper footwork enhances your ability to execute and respond effectively. This is not a glamorous or even fun aspect of practice, but making time for footwork exercises can significantly boost your prowess on the court.
Taking your Pickleball Game to the Next Level
Many people have come to pickleball over the last few years, which means there is an influx of starters. If you want to work your way up to a higher ranking, you need to keep thinking and re-thinking your approach.
In this article, you learned best practices that you can easily implement next week. These steps can help you play more competitively and keep you safe on the court.
If you are looking to rent a ball machine, cross-train at the gym, hit a tournament, or join a league, then The Paseo Club may be the place for you. You can do all these things and more as a member.
Schedule a tour to explore all eight acres of the club and discover what awaits you. You can meet members and coaches. If you are ready to become a member, join today and get instant access to all the pickleball amenities you could want.
Topics:
