Pickleball Obsession

Episodes

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  Pro vs. Amateur Coaching 19.10.2026 25m

  #1041: What does a pickleball coach actually do for a pro who already has all the shots? Tracie talks with pro player and CityPickle coach Benjamin Grant about why coaching at the highest levels is often less about technique and more about what’s happening between the ears. He explains why even great players need another set of eyes on the court and — when he’s coaching a pro in a tournament — how he knows when to call a timeout, help manage momentum and nerves, and stay fueled through a long...
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  Pickleball After 70: Play Smarter Not harder 12.10.2026 22m

  #1040: What changes when you’re still obsessed with pickleball but you’re playing into your 70s? Tracie talks with legendary coach Deb “Picklepong” Harrison about how older players can stay competitive by playing smarter, not harder. They dig into surviving hands battles with younger players, knowing when to counter and when to reset, using “space not face” to make opponents move, and why a well-placed dink can be a much better weapon than raw power. Deb also shares practical advice for prote...
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  Gender vs Mixed Doubles 05.10.2026 21m

  #1039: Does gender really change the way you should play doubles? Tracie asks coach Mindy Yoder whether there is a difference between women’s doubles versus mixed, and discovers that yes, it matters. Mindy explains why in mixed doubles women tend to be the recipients of most of the balls, how to get your male partner more involved in the point, and why hitting to the middle can be smarter than going for those tempting wide angles. They also talk about the growing aggression in women’s pickleb...
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  Beating Lefties 28.09.2026 17m

  #1038: Lefties can make perfectly normal pickleball shots feel completely wrong. Tracie talks with coach James Moore about how to adjust: when to attack the middle, why targeting the less-dominant player’s paddle-side foot can create confusion, and what to do when both opponents have forehands in the middle. Plus, James explains why communication matters even more around lefties — and why learning to play with both hands might not be such a bad idea.
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  Preventing Bangers from Slamming You 21.09.2026 17m

  #1037: Bangers love one thing: a nice, juicy ball they can slam right back at you. Tracie is joined by IPTPA Master Pro Lisa Palcic, author of The Complete Illustrated Guide to Pickleball, to explain how to stop feeding the beast. Lisa breaks down the simple adjustments that can neutralize hard hitters at the 3.0 and 3.5 levels: serving and returning deep, aiming at the body and feet, resisting the urge to rush to the kitchen, and learning why where you’re looking matters more than you might ...
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  The Beauty of Pickleball "Flow" 14.09.2026 22m

  #1036: Tracie welcomes pickleball coach and competitive player Benjamin Grant to unpack the idea that may explain why people can get so thoroughly obsessed with pickleball: he calls it flow. Inspired by Benjamin’s article by that name in The Dink, they discuss what happens when challenge and skill line up just right on both sides of the net and you become completely immersed in a game—no phone, no busy brain, no thinking about anything except that little plastic ball coming back at you. Benja...
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  The Dreaded "Yips" 07.09.2026 18m

  #1035: Tracie and coach Leia Miller tackle one of pickleball’s most terrifying afflictions: the dreaded yips, when a serve you’ve hit a thousand times suddenly feels like your arm has been stolen by the gods. Why does it happen when the score matters most—and how do you get your brain and body working together again? Leia shares the simple serving ritual she uses with her students, from saying the score and taking a breath to slowing down, transferring your weight and remembering that the fir...
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  Stack to Get Unstuck 31.08.2026 16m

  #1034: Tracie welcomes her newest pro, IPTPA coach James Moore, whom she met by complete accident at PickleCon — and who turned out to be one of her best pickleball “blind dates” ever. James shares a brilliantly simple strategy he uses whenever a team gets stuck on a score: after two rounds of serving without scoring, stack. They talk about why changing positions can change the energy of a game, throw off your opponents, and even get you or your partner out of your own head. Plus, James expla...
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  Embrace the Angle > Win the Point 24.08.2026 23m

  #1033: Coach Greg Dedrick uses a variety of strategic angle shots in his game and recommends incorporating angles whenever possible — with the caution that "angles beget angles" so be prepared for the return of your shot.
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  Does Everybody Suddenly Want to Be a 4.0? 17.08.2026 29m

  #1032: Master pro Lisa Palcic talks about how 4.0 is an attainable skill level for some people and what it takes to get there — while Tracie discusses how there seems to be a trend for people in recreational play to call themselves 4.0 without going in tournaments using the Dupr rating or taking (the very difficult!) IPTPA skill test.
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  So You Want to "Play Up"? But Do Better Players Want You There?! 10.08.2026 17m

  #1031: Coach Mindy Yoder talks about the experience on both sides of the net when a less experienced player feels entitled to join a higher-level game "because it will make me better" without considering what that does to the more advanced level of play.
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  We Can't Complain Enough About Lobs! 03.08.2026 15m

  #1030: Coach Leia Miller and Tracie roll their eyes about heavy duty veteran lobbers, but instead of moaning, groaning and griping about players who barrage you with lobs, Leia suggests we take matters into our own hands! Better to find a way to "drive the bus" instead of being irritated about being jerked around by lobbers.
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  Should You Serve First or Receive? 27.07.2026 13m

  #1029: In tournaments it's a big decision whether or not to serve first (with only one serve but a chance to get on the board) or receive first when you'll have two serves? Coach Deb "PicklePong Deb" Harrison has medaled in hundreds of tournaments, so she has solid advice about all the elements to factor in to your decision — which can apply to rec play as well.
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  Why Pickleball is Great for Kids (with Pro Celebrity Megan Fudge) 20.07.2026 22m

  #1028: Wondering whether your kids or grandkids should be encouraged to play pickleball? Megan Fudge is the APP tour's all-time total career medals leader by any player (89) and is married to pro player Ryler DeHeart, with whom she traveled the circuit in an RV so their two kids, Lily and JR, could be with them off and on the court. They are living proof of her belief that pickleball is a welcoming entry to sports for all children.
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  When, How & Why is Stacking a Good Idea? 13.07.2026 38m

  #1027: Master Pro and former pro competitor Lisa Palcic explains why two right-handed players almost always stack in mixed doubles on the pro circuit (no matter how good the female player is). But when, why and how stacking might make sense for amateurs in rec play or tournaments is another story.
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  Are You a Tournament Virgin? 06.07.2026 18m

  #1026: Coach Veronica Alteri just started playing pro pickleball herself, but she remembers the mental challenges of the first time she played in a tournament. She and Tracie talk about the thrills and chills of playing competitively and how to deal with the way things change (for you and for your partner) when the score actually counts.
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  Why Should You Not Target the Weaker Player? 29.06.2026 15m

  #1025: Coach Mindy Yoder says that hitting to the weaker player can make sense if your goal is to win the game, but can also backfire if the stronger player takes over the court and poaches aggressively, ending points quickly. In rec play, you might want to embrace more challenge and have better points by including the stronger player — which can make it a better experience for everyone — especially the stronger player, who is there to play pickleball and will not appreciate being "avoided."&...
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  The Attack of the Body Baggers 22.06.2026 11m

  #1024: Coach Leia Miller talks about whether there is an etiquette or sportsmanship issue about aiming the ball at an opponent's body, since "body bagging" has become a legitimate strategy. In earlier pickleball days, hitting someone with the ball might have necessitated a heartfelt apology. Leia talks about how the sport has become more aggressive so you need to be prepared to defend against players who aim for your body — or heaven forbid, your face!
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  Quit Hitting Out Balls! 15.06.2026 19m

  #1023: Coach Thomas Yelloweyes in Oregon explains you're giving gifts to your opponents by hitting their balls that are going out. Tracie talks about how frustrating it is to have a partner who goes after every ball, hitting balls that are clearly going out when she thought their opponents had lost the point — but suddenly that out ball is coming right back to her!
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  Bye Bye Backswing 08.06.2026 20m

  #1022: IPTPA Master Pro Lisa Palcic talks about a common flaw even in advanced players, especially in former tennis players, who transition to pickleball and bring their backswing with them. She explains how there should be no "take back" in pickleball except from the baseline. All other shots coming to the kitchen — and once you're there — should start and stay out in front of you. If you can always see the paddle before hitting, you'll have better timing for the shot and recover more quickl...