We’re glad all you lovebirds out there just had the chance to celebrate your togetherness on V-day, because if you plan on playing pickleball as a couple…well, let’s just say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Surviving Couples’ Night at the Courts

We’ve heard the stories: even the strongest of relationships can buckle under the unbearable weight of being your partner’s pickleball doubles partner.

But with the right approach, your time on the court can strengthen both your relationship and your game.

Keep these in mind if you’re thinking about date night at your local facility:

Communicate…Wisely: It’s one thing to celebrate a good point or communicate what you want to do, but please, don’t be condescending about it. Don’t make your partner feel like you’re giving them a courtesy; celebrate them when you’re genuinely excited for them. Likewise, don’t be bossy about taking shots…

…Instead, Play to Each Other’s Strengths: You’re on the same team—act like it. If your partner has quick reflexes and good reach, let them handle net volleys (forget ‘forehand takes middle,’ that’s outdated anyway). If they have a great serve, set up points around it. Emphasizing strengths builds confidence and trust.

Keep the Energy Positive: Playing pickleball together is like assembling IKEA furniture—it requires teamwork. But unlike assembling furniture, you may not always have something to show for your efforts in pickleball. Nobody likes being side-eyed after a mistake, so celebrate good shots, offer simple encouragement after misses, and remember: frustration won’t improve your game, but positivity might.

Pep Talks, Not Post-Mortems: A quick “What did we do well today?” is way more productive than rehashing errors. And if things got tense, establish a rule—pickleball debates don’t leave the parking lot. Or someone might be headed home in an Uber followed by an unpleasant evening exiled to the couch. 🤣

Repeat These 3 Things OVER AND OVER

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Here’s three pickleball hot takes I wish I knew sooner, and they all have to do with the power/placement ratio:

Missing your serve is sometimes a good thing. Forgive yourself if you miss about 10% of your serves, even in competitive play. Just make sure you’re missing them LONG, not wide or in the net.

Why? Because if you aren’t missing a few, that probably means you’re not putting enough depth on the ball. Which leads me to my next hot take…

Better to hit a serve slow & deep than fast & shallow. Hitting a nice, deep serve, even one that takes forever to get there, is preferable most of the time to almost anything else.

Worry about power & speed later; once you nail a deep serve, you open up the most third shot opportunities for yourself. Anything short and to the sides is risky (but good to switch up with once in a while).

Drives should be less powerful, too. You’d think a drive is meant to be all about power, since it’s an attack. While adding speed to your drives is important, the amount of speed you use should be closer to a 7/10.

The higher up you go in skill level, the easier time your opponents are going to have handling what you thought was a fast drive. Instead of the hardest drive, focus on getting your drive low, between the ground and your opponent’s knees, forcing them to pop it up.

Full couples’ pickleball guide here.

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Church Basements are a Pickleballer’s Heaven

If there’s one thing pickleball players want, it’s a dedicated space to play with high ceilings and no threats of noise complaints.

In London, Ontario, churches are answering the call.

With gym spaces sitting idle, churches like Oakridge Presbyterian and Colborne Street United are renting out courts, creating a win-win: players get court time, and churches generate revenue.

"We realized we could make money using the gym for pickleball," Nancy Martin of Oakridge Presbyterian told CBC. After starting the program in 2020, the church offers six daily 90-minute slots for $35, often fully booked.

Other churches, like Wesley-Knox United and Ridgeview Community, have followed suit. Laverne Kirkness, who runs Colborne Street United’s program, says these rentals help keep churches open.

“The pandemic hit churches hard, so we’re reinventing ourselves by offering community spaces,” he said.

Martin hopes the exposure brings people back for more than just sports. “If they ever need a wedding, funeral, or support, they know where to turn,” she said.

Brandon Nsekpong’s Mission: Expanding Pickleball’s Reach

Brandon Nsekpong’s journey to pickleball was anything but typical. A former table tennis, tennis, golf, and basketball player, he stumbled upon the sport by accident.

Initially skeptical, he quickly became hooked after being outplayed by an older player at his gym. That moment sparked his competitive drive—and his pickleball career took off.

What sets pickleball apart for Brandon is its inclusivity.

“Regardless of background, skill, height, or weight—people just want to share something they love,” he says. But while the culture is inviting, he acknowledges the need for greater representation in the sport.

“Look where courts are being built—it’s mostly in spaces where tennis was already dominant…and there wasn’t a huge presence of people who look like me in tennis.”

Brandon believes the key to diversifying the game lies in active outreach.

“You can’t just build courts and expect people to show up. You have to introduce them directly, set up pop-up events, bring paddles—make it easy to try.”

Now, as a full-time pro balancing competition and fatherhood, Brandon is committed to growing the sport. He’s built his brand through social media and community engagement, ensuring his impact extends beyond the court.

His advice to new players? “Enjoy it. Embrace the awkwardness. Have fun. Everyone starts somewhere.”

Brandon’s take on making pickleball better.

TAKE ACTION

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