Pickleball, a dynamic and engaging sport, has rapidly gained popularity among players of all ages. Whether you’re a novice eager to learn or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, focusing on training techniques and understanding the fundamentals of the game is essential. In this blog post, we’ll explore key areas of pickleball training, including grip, shots, spin, and strategies to improve your overall game.
One of the first steps to enhancing your pickleball game is mastering the pickleball grip. The grip you choose can significantly impact your control and the power of your shots. Here are three popular grips to consider:
Experiment with different grips to see which one feels most comfortable and effective for you. A proper grip not only improves your shot accuracy but also reduces the risk of injury.
To get better at pickleball, it’s crucial to master a range of pickleball shots. Here are the foundational shots every player should practice:
Incorporating pickleball spin into your shots can give you a competitive edge. Here are a few techniques to develop spin in your game:
Experimenting with different spins during your practice sessions will help you discover how to best utilize them in matches.
Many players struggle with their backhand. Here are some tips to enhance your backhand game:
Your pickleball serve is your first opportunity to dictate the point. Here’s how to improve it:
For those looking to take their pickleball skills to the next level and possibly share their knowledge with others, consider pursuing certification through the RPPK (Registered Pickleball Professional Coach) program. This program offers aspiring coaches a structured pathway to become certified and gain valuable experience. If you're interested in becoming a certified coach, visit DUPR's certification page to learn more.
Improving your pickleball skills takes dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn. By focusing on your pickleball grip, mastering essential pickleball shots, incorporating spin, enhancing your backhand, and refining your serve, you’ll find yourself becoming a more well-rounded player. So grab your paddle, hit the courts, and enjoy the journey of becoming a better pickleball player! Happy playing!
Pickleball can be played almost anywhere—from your gym to your driveway. To get the most out of your game, it’s essential to find a pickleball net that suits your environment. Whether you need an indoor, outdoor, or portable pickleball net, there’s an option for every setting. Let’s explore the different types of nets and how to choose the best one for your needs.
When shopping for a pickleball net, consider where you’ll play and how often you’ll set it up. Standard nets are 36 inches high at the sides and 34 inches in the middle, but designs vary widely.
Portable nets offer flexibility for players on the go. They’re easy to set up and ideal for use in multiple locations like your driveway, a friend’s house, or a park. Look for lightweight options with sturdy frames and adjustable heights.
Transform your driveway into a personal court with a pickleball net designed for home use. Choose a weather-resistant net with durable frames to withstand outdoor conditions, ensuring it fits comfortably in your space.
Indoor nets make it easy to play when the weather isn’t ideal. Look for nets with stable bases and non-marking feet to protect floors and ensure a safe game environment in gyms or basements.
Outdoor nets are made to handle the elements, with materials that resist UV rays and moisture. Stability is key—opt for heavy-duty frames with ground stakes to keep your net secure on windy days.
With so many options, choosing the right net can be tough. Here are some quick tips:
No matter where you play, the right pickleball net can enhance your game. Explore your options, find the perfect net, and enjoy endless hours of pickleball, whether at home or on the go. Happy playing!
Around the world, federations, leagues, clubs, and tournaments are adopting DUPR as their official rating system, creating a unified standard that connects players of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, DUPR is your ticket to elevating your game and uniting the global pickleball community.
As pickleball cements its place as an international sensation, having a universal rating system is crucial. DUPR delivers that, linking players from different countries, clubs, and leagues by offering a shared, reliable system that helps everyone compete on the right playing field.
Hercilio Cabieses, founder of the Pickleball World Cup and President of Pickleball Peru, believes DUPR is vital for the sport's global growth.
“DUPR’s system is accurate and reliable,” he says.
“It provides a universal language to connect every pickleball player under one rating system.”
This unified approach shrinks the world of pickleball, giving players more opportunities to meet, compete, and build connections across borders.
At its heart, pickleball is about fun—and that fun comes from well-matched, competitive play. With DUPR, everyone gets to face opponents who are just the right level, ensuring exciting, balanced games that make every point count.
Joe Siegel, Managing Director of Sportime Pickleball, emphasizes the impact:
“DUPR is the gold standard for evaluating player levels. Our partnership allows us to offer programs and events that give our players the chance to compete against others at their level. That’s what makes pickleball enjoyable.”
By integrating DUPR, clubs and leagues can ensure level-based play, preventing mismatches and making sure everyone, from rookies to seasoned players, gets to enjoy the game without frustration.
DUPR offers rankings, but it’s also a tool for advancing your game. Packed with detailed insights and data, it enables players to track their development, fine-tune their abilities, and achieve their next big breakthrough.
Connor Pardoe, CEO of Pickleball Inc. and founder of the PPA Tour, sees DUPR as a revolutionary tool.
“Integrating DUPR across our properties enhances our play software solutions and elevates the experience for both pros and amateurs.”
With real-time ratings and advanced analytics, DUPR empowers every player to improve and stay on top of their game.
DUPR is all about creating a fair and level playing field for everyone, no matter your skill. Whether you’re competing in a local league or on a national stage, DUPR ensures that the competition is both challenging and fair.
Karen Mitchell, co-founder and Chair of PickleballENGLAND, sees DUPR as crucial for growing the sport.
“DUPR is used by thousands of clubs and tournaments worldwide to offer competitive, level-based play. By adopting DUPR, we ensure fair and open competition for players at every level, from beginners to top-tier competitors.”
More than just a rating system, DUPR is the heartbeat of pickleball. It unites players under one shared standard, fostering connection, driving fair competition, and enhancing the pure joy of the game. As more organizations embrace DUPR, pickleball grows stronger, more inclusive, and more exciting.
Ready to join the future of pickleball? Head to dupr.com and see how DUPR connects players from all over the world, making the game we love even better.
After 16 Campus Regionals, 9 Super Regionals, and now the Collegiate National Championship, the 2024 collegiate season has been completed! Just two years ago, there hadn’t been a single collegiate event—and a year from now, we’ll already be halfway through our fifth season. All the collegiate pickleball growth is due to the players and teams that show up to each tournament, bring their A-game, and continue to expand out their collegiate pickleball club at their school.
By the numbers, here’s how far we’ve come:

The 2025 season events have been announced, you can read more on the upcoming season here! We will be adding more campus regionals and more dual matches into the calendar to foster localized competition. Our big change in 2025 will be moving the National Championship to be at the end of the spring semester instead of the fall. This means our next Nationals will be April 11th-13th, 2025!
Going into the 2025 season, our defending champions will be the Utah Tech Trailblazers from St. George, Utah! After coming close to winning the first two National Championships, they finally clinched it with their stellar performance at the 2024 Nationals. They are the only champions to not drop a single game in the semifinals and finals, beating UNC 3-0 in the semis and UVA 3-0 in the finals. Those wins were significant too, as those were the two schools that had stopped Utah Tech from becoming the champion in 2022 (UNC) and 2023 (UVA).
This tournament proved once again that you cannot underestimate the power of the fans in collegiate matchups. UNC and UVA brought the most players to the 2024 Nationals, and everyone in the building knew it with the cheering that occurred between each point. Those cheers powered UNC to a nailbiter win over Utah Valley in the quarterfinals, and UVA over Clemson in the semifinals.
With the 2025 Nationals only five months away, there were 24 bids given out at the 2024 Nationals to speed up the process. Here are the recipients of those bids based on their finish in the tournament:
All in all, Nationals was a huge success this year! 500 players and 64 teams competing in the single elimination format made it truly electric. Fans and players were hanging onto every point, especially in our FAU vs. Clemson and UNC vs. Utah Valley Dreambreakers in the quarterfinals.
With the 3rd season of collegiate pickleball behind us, it has become clear that they are three collegiate pickleball “blue bloods”. Schools that have been competitively dominant year after year, are very well organized, and are models for other schools to follow in both on-court and off-court success. These three schools are of course UNC, UVA, and Utah Tech. Here are some stats to show how dominant these blue bloods have been compared to the rest of the field:

The blue blood teams have only lost to themselves at Nationals, with the exception of TCU beating UVA in group play in 2022. Since each of those schools have been to two finals, it means there are no schools that have been to a single finals, either two or zero for each school. Will these blue blood schools maintain their dominance in the 2025 season, or can any challengers (Utah Valley, FAU, Clemson, Indiana, NC State) make it to the finals?
To see the action from the tournament yourself, check out the recording of the semifinals and finals here on the PPA YouTube channel.
A special thanks goes to our DUPR Collegiate Pickleball partners: JOOLA, HEAD, GAMMA, Rally Republic, Osaka, No Apologies Nutrition, Erne, Pickleball Superstore, and Total Pickleball. Another thanks goes to the UPA World Championship in Dallas, TX for hosting us in this amazing tournament!
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If you haven't already, check out our CNC recaps on Instagram and follow us to stay updated!
You're up 9-7 in the third game of a tournament match. Then everything falls apart.
One bad shot leads to another. Your confidence crumbles. Your thoughts race. Before you know it, you've lost the match 11-9. Sound familiar? Most players focus solely on technique and tactics. Yet mental strength often determines who wins close matches. The good news? Mental strength can be trained.
Here's how to transform from a reactive player into a composed competitor who thrives under pressure.
We've all watched a player implode after a few bad points.
Their frustration snowballs into a complete meltdown, taking their game down with it.
Self-regulation begins with awareness. Many players tank because they aren't in control of their attention. Mindfulness trains attentional awareness and empowers you to understand your mental state. When you notice uncomfortable thoughts and emotions early, you can shift attention to positive action.
Once awareness is established, you have several powerful tools you can use to regulate your state:
Breathwork:
When you control your emotional state, you control the match. Your opponents can't rattle you.
Most players freeze or panic in crucial moments.
Their mind goes blank, and they resort to desperate low-percentage shots.
Adapted from military decision-making models, CLEAR gives you a structured approach:
Court position: Where are you on the court?
Look: What's the tactical situation?
Evaluate: What's your highest percentage play?
Act: Commit fully to your decision
Reset: Return to the one-point mentality
Better decisions in crucial moments lead directly to more wins.
Every player faces setbacks, but few know how to learn from them.
Most either ignore failures or let them destroy their confidence.
ADAPT transforms setbacks into growth opportunities:
Acknowledge: Face the setback without judgment
Distill: Extract specific lessons
Adjust: Modify your approach
Practice: Implement changes systematically
Test: Evaluate in competition
Each cycle through ADAPT builds both skill and mental toughness. The framework turns frustration into focused improvement.
Mental strength separates good players from great ones.
This isn't just about bouncing back – it's about continuous growth. Start with self-regulation as your foundation. Build your decision-making framework through CLEAR. Use ADAPT to transform challenges into improvements. Practice these skills daily, not just during matches.
Training your mental game requires the same dedication as technical skills. But the payoff is enormous. You'll stay composed under pressure. Make better decisions when it matters. Turn setbacks into comebacks.
Next Step:
Choose one aspect of self-regulation to practice this week. Notice when you get frustrated. Apply breathwork or Release-Reset-Refocus. Track your recovery time from setbacks.
Remember: Your mindset is a muscle. Train it consistently. Watch your game transform.
To learn more, visit https://www.aim7.com/
By Alex Auerbach, PhD & Erik Korem, PhD
Today, the 2024 Collegiate National Championship (CNC) enters into semis and finals, with the University of North Carolina (UNC), Utah Tech University, the University of Virginia (UVA), and Clemson University competing in the semi-finals. Only one #1 seed—Utah Tech—has made it to this round.
For UNC, Utah Tech, and UVA, reaching Collegiate semi-finals is familiar, having played in a round at a previous Collegiate event. Clemson, however, is navigating new territory, marking their first-ever appearance in the final four.
The Utah Tech vs. UNC semi-final is a rematch of the 2023 CNC finals, adding extra weight to today's game. Sarah Carpenter from UNC is the only returning player from last year’s final, bringing some valuable experience to her team. Utah Tech’s presence as the lone #1 seed in the semi-finals speaks to their consistency and drive to reclaim their 2023 Collegiate National Championship title.
The quarterfinals saw some tight matches, especially Clemson’s matchup against Florida Atlantic University and UNC’s matches against Utah Valley. Many matches are decided through the Dreambreaker format, highlighting the intensity of this year’s competition and how close many of the matches have been.
Today, the stakes couldn’t be higher, with Utah Tech aiming to make good on their #1 seed status, while UNC, UVA, and Clemson each bring their own edge to the competition. With a mix of returning finalists and new contenders, make sure you tune into the live stream to see who will come out on top in this year’s championship.
Hey DUPR Community!
We just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to each and every one of you for being such a supportive part of the pickleball world. It’s because of your enthusiasm that we’re able to keep enhancing our tech, ratings, and events. While we know there’s no such thing as a perfect rating, we’re committed to getting as close as possible!
Here’s what we’ve been working on, based on your feedback:
1. Match Data Import: We’ve brought in tons of match data, both historical and recent, thanks to PickleballTournaments.com and PickleballBrackets.com. If you’ve competed in events on these platforms, you’ll now see those games in your profile, reflecting your entire body of work and contributing to a more accurate, reliable rating.
2. Duplicate Match Removal: With match data flowing in from all directions, we’ve taken the time to clean up some duplicate self-input entries. This means a cleaner, more accurate match history, so every game counts exactly as it should. You may notice that some of your self-added matches are now removed as the official results have replaced them.
3. Algorithm Improvements for Highly Reliable Players: We noticed that super-active players weren’t seeing much rating movement despite playing new matches. To fix this, we’ve adjusted the algorithm to make ratings more responsive to each match, more accurately reflecting current skill levels.
4. Rating Updates: Related to the large match data import and algorithm improvement, we’ve recalculated all past matches in order with the updated algorithm, which means you may notice a slight adjustment in your rating. Your match-by-match record is the same, but your overall rating now reflects these latest adjustments.
Thank you for being an essential part of DUPR. These updates make sure your ratings are even more accurate and meaningful. If you’ve got any questions or more feedback, we’d love to hear from you!
Pickleball, once a niche sport, has exploded in popularity, growing from casual backyard games into a dynamic community that blends competition with camaraderie. Central to this rise is David Tabb, a pickleball enthusiast and event organizer whose nearly decade-long involvement has shaped the Florida pickleball scene into what it is today. Tabb’s events combine the spirit of fun with structured competition, fostering a community-driven environment that leaves participants feeling rejuvenated and eager for more.
David Tabb’s journey with pickleball began almost nine years ago on a roller hockey rink in Holiday Park, Fort Lauderdale. Reflecting on those early days, Tabb says, "I started playing about nine years ago before it was cool, and we played on a roller hockey rink here in Holiday Park, Fort Lauderdale." As the sport gained traction, he started organizing local drill sessions and small-scale events that laid the foundation for his larger endeavors. His early tournaments emphasized community, bringing people together for friendly competition. Over time, these events grew, evolving into more structured competitions while maintaining the lighthearted, fun atmosphere that Tabb is known for. “We’d always go out to lunch afterward, and we played tournaments. It was double elimination. You’d wait for a long time. Nobody knew how to tell what anybody was rated,” Tabb recalls.
As pickleball's popularity soared, so did the demand for competitive fairness. One major challenge Tabb faced early on was the lack of an accurate rating system for players, which made it difficult to run tournaments that fairly reflected players’ skill levels. "At the club in West Palm Beach, we actually had a competitive team... but we didn’t actually have ratings," Tabb says, explaining how difficult it was to organize skill-based events. That all changed when he was introduced to DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), a tool that allowed for more consistent player ratings. This innovation helped take Tabb's tournaments to the next level, offering competitive, yet accessible, events where players of all levels could shine. He recalls, “I got introduced to Lee Whitwell... She introduced me to some guy named Tito, and Tito was like, ‘Hey, we have this thing called DUPR Digital Club... Would you be interested?’”
David Tabb became the first Tournament Director to host a Minor League Pickleball event, a groundbreaking platform for both casual and competitive players to engage in high-energy tournaments that break away from the traditional mold. With locations like GT Bray Park in Bradenton, Florida, these events quickly became a hit, known for their focus on fun and creativity. Instead of adhering to rigid double-elimination formats, Tabb fostered an environment where players felt encouraged to take risks and attempt challenging shots. His catchphrase, “It’s fun to do bad things,” became a playful rallying cry, inviting players to embrace the joy of the game rather than just focusing on winning.
Reflecting on these events, Tabb explains, “We threw the first-ever amateur [minor league event] at GT Bray... It was a lot of fun. It was a mess, it was hilarious. There were spreadsheets and people playing on different courts at the same time, but it was a lot of fun.” Despite the initial chaos, the format was a hit, and requests for similar events began to pour in.

David Tabb’s success in hosting tournaments goes beyond pickleball skills—his events thrive on emotional connection and community spirit. Whether it’s the rock music playing in the background or the unique, themed events, the goal is always to ensure that participants leave feeling both energized and emotionally connected to the game. His approach includes everything from fun costumes at events like “Fright Against Cancer” to professional photographers capturing players' best moments. Tabb’s goal? “We want you to feel refreshed, revived that you had a great experience, and you go and talk to your colleagues or your friends about the event on Monday.”
Tabb also emphasizes the community aspect: “You never know what the person across from you is going through. Monday morning, there are people that are going back to their families who just got diagnosed with cancer, who just lost a loved one... but that weekend, they were able to escape and play and have fun.”
Tabb’s events stand out because of his creative touches. His “Pimp My Paddle” station, where players can customize their paddles and outfits, is just one example of how he adds personal flair to every tournament. Additionally, themed tournaments like the holiday-inspired “Reindeer Games” and quirky prizes turn his events into community celebrations that extend beyond the sport itself. “We did one last year at Picktona... It was the ‘Fright Against Cancer,’ and we had people dressed up in Halloween costumes. I was running around as a bank robber,” Tabb says, reflecting on one of his fun-themed events. The emphasis is always on creating an inclusive environment where both seasoned players and newcomers feel welcome.
Beyond the fun, Tabb’s events often serve a higher purpose by supporting charitable causes. His tournaments frequently feature food drives and fundraisers that benefit local communities, turning a day of competition into something even more meaningful. Players can give back while enjoying the game, and the spirit of giving adds another layer to the experience. From his legendary pre-game speeches to quirky features like pumpkin carving contests during matches, Tabb knows how to make an event stand out.
One of Tabb’s signature touches is his attention to the emotional side of competition. “We do long speeches... and we talk about charity, raising close to $100,000 this year. We also remind people that the person across from them might be going through something tough, but this weekend is their escape,” Tabb explains. He emphasizes that his tournaments are about more than just winning—they’re about rejuvenation and connection.
David Tabb’s journey is a testament to the power of combining passion, creativity, and community in sports. By focusing on emotional engagement and memorable experiences, Tabb has created a pickleball community that goes beyond the court. His tournaments are more than just games—they’re opportunities for people to come together, support great causes, and share in the joy that pickleball brings.
Recommended Spotify Playlist: Upbeat Classic Rock
Next Event: Bardmoor Betterball, November 14th
If you haven’t yet experienced one of David’s events, you’re missing out on a pickleball tournament like no other. As he always says, “If it’s fun, we’re in!”