Why closing a pickleball match is now the hardest part of winning
Chris Beaumont
March 30, 2026
Closing a pickleball match is no longer simple. At the highest level, taking the lead now means entering the most difficult phase of the contest.
Tactics
The Tactics archive focuses on how points are won in modern pickleball, covering positioning, transition play, tempo control, doubles patterns, and match decisions that separate good players from consistent winners.
Early Rounds Are Getting Harder. Most Players Haven’t Adjusted Yet
Chris Beaumont
March 26, 2026
The level is rising across pro pickleball, and early rounds no longer offer time to ease in. Here is what players need to change if they want to survive deeper,
The Pro Blueprint: 4 Advanced Shots to Modernise Your Game
Chris Beaumont
February 24, 2026
Master four pro-level pickleball shots from Patriquin, Fahey, Tardio, and Bright with clear mechanics, smart strategy, and step-by-step drills.
The Blueprint: 5 Essential Two-Handed Backhands with Connor Garnett
Chris Beaumont
February 21, 2026
Connor Garnett breaks down five essential two-handed backhand variations, with drills to improve stability, control, and shot selection under pressure.
The Return-Fourth Combo: 4 Targets to Set Up Your Winning Point
Chris Beaumont
February 18, 2026
Most pickleball rallies are decided in the first four shots. Learn four precise return targets that create easier fourth balls and improve your winning percentage.
When Not to Speed Up in Pickleball — Even If It Looks Open
Chris Beaumont
August 1, 2025
When to Speed Up in Pickleball — And When to Hold Back You are in a soft dink rally at the kitchen line. A ball floats slightly high. The opening
Why So Many Pickleball Players Avoid the Slice — and Regret It Later
Chris Beaumont
August 1, 2025
There’s a moment in most improving players’ journeys when rallies start to speed up. Drives come harder.Transitions feel rushed.Points that once felt comfortable begin slipping away. And somewhere inside that
The Forehand Bias: How Overreliance Destroys Court Coverage in Pickleball
Chris Beaumont
August 1, 2025
Overusing the forehand in pickleball can damage spacing, teamwork, and timing. Learn how forehand bias limits improvement and how to build balanced court coverage.
Why Smart Pickleball Players Use Lobs and Why You Should Too
Chris Beaumont
July 30, 2025
Across many intermediate pickleball courts, a quiet stigma persists: the idea that the lob is a beginner’s shot. Players roll their eyes when it appears, dismissing it as accidental or
Are You a Rusher or a Resetter? The Two Types of Pickleball Minds
Chris Beaumont
July 29, 2025
Are you a natural Rusher who wants to speed everything up, or a Resetter who slows rallies down and neutralises pressure? Learn the strengths, traps, and training fixes for both