“Stay out of the kitchen” advice for pickleball today translates to “Non-Volley Zone” and the truth is you can be in the “kitchen” but not hit a bal in the air. It must bounce first. Now that we are in the Pickeball Era of and in Pickleball’s craze going deep and dinking around the world. We even played on a cruise ship! I can teach you to play in one hour. Buy a couple racquets and hit against a wall to feel the ball and know YOU CAN DO THIS!

A good racquet cost $75-250. I like Selkirk. There are specific rules you need to master, but playing is the best way to learn. YouTube has plenty of videos to teach you rules for scoring and serving. I suggest begin with serving (basically not above the hip and no spin throws). Scoring seems hard however you will get to know it or someone will remind you! Click on the link below for a video.

Let’s learn pickleball! https://youtu.be/Q6EBvbVPmhg

Above is an easy YouTube from a coach where I play, Gates Tennis & Pickleball, Denver. You can find me at Jupiter Park in Jupiter, FL during the winter months or the JCC on rainy days! I teach yoga there too.

Dinking is hitting the ball lightly in or near the kitchen. You can step in the kitchen as long as you do not hit the ball while in the air before it bounces. One bounce every time is maximum! For the non-volley or kitchen zone, if it bounces, you can step into the kitchen to hit it. Move out immediately to return any volley, and get into position to reset the volley. It’s line life, refocus and reset your mindset. If it looks high upon return, hit in the air you just back up especially if they lob it over your head. Then run back to the line in front of the kitchen!!

The key is to get a point and another serve. Pickleball plays to 11 and you have to win by 2. Enjoy the journey of learning, meeting new people and improving every day. I hope you can find a court! Practice against a wall if you are alone. Even if you tape your driveway about the size of the pickleball kitchen, you can practice with a neighbor or your family. Just hit the pickleball over a tape or buy a net that’s portable. Go to a park and hit a block or topspin for practice. Keep trying!

#pickleball #international #yoga