Tag: Spin

Blog Posts

This space is where I share tips, guides, and resources to support the pickleball community and our Volleyer customers. The aim is simple: to make the game more enjoyable, keep your gear in top condition, and help players of all levels feel confident on and off the court.

  • Pickleball is exploding across the UK, with over 10,000 players and a 15% annual growth rate, turning leisure centres in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow into vibrant hubs for enthusiasts. For beginners (40% of UK players) and advanced competitors, the right pickleball shoes are essential for quick movements, grip on the 20x44ft court, and injury…

  • Pickleball is captivating sports enthusiasts across the UK, from bustling courts in London to community clubs in Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow. With the sport growing at a 15% annual rate and over 10,000 UK players, the partnership of Anna Bright and James Ignatowich stands as a beacon of excellence for beginners (40% of UK players)…

  • Pickleball is capturing the hearts of sports enthusiasts across the UK, from bustling courts in London to community clubs in Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow. With the sport growing at a 15% annual rate and over 10,000 UK players, the dynamic duo of Ben Johns and Collin Johns stands as a beacon of excellence for beginners…

  • Pickleball is capturing the imagination of sports enthusiasts across the UK, from bustling courts in London to community clubs in Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow. With the sport growing at a 15% annual growth rate and over 10,000 UK players, the rise of consistent performers like Lea Jansen offers valuable lessons for beginners (40% of UK…

  • Pickleball is taking the UK by storm, with over 10,000 players and a 15% annual growth rate, transforming leisure centres in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow into vibrant hubs for enthusiasts. For beginners (40% of UK players) and advanced competitors, the rise of young prodigies like Anna Leigh Waters offers inspiration and lessons in precision,…

  • Positioning is the backbone of effective pickleball play. Whether you’re playing singles or doubles, poor positioning can cost points, increase fatigue, and reduce court control. UK players, whether in indoor leisure centres in London, Cardiff clubs, or outdoor courts, often make avoidable errors that affect performance. This guide identifies the most common positioning mistakes, explains…

  • Offensive positioning in pickleball is about taking control of rallies, putting pressure on opponents, and converting opportunities into points. The net is where players dominate play, intercept shots, and cut off angles. Effective offensive positioning relies on stance, movement, poaching, and anticipation. For UK players, whether in indoor leisure centres in London, Cardiff clubs, or…

  • Defence is just as important as offence in pickleball. Proper defensive positioning allows players to react effectively to smashes, drives, and fast volleys, keeping them in rallies and reducing unforced errors. For UK players—especially seniors in indoor leisure centres, Cardiff clubs, or outdoor courts—efficient positioning helps conserve energy while maintaining strong court coverage. This guide…

  • The non-volley zone (NVZ), commonly known as the kitchen, is where many pickleball points are decided. Proper kitchen line positioning allows players to control the net, intercept volleys, and put pressure on opponents. For UK players, whether competing in indoor leisure centres in London or at outdoor clubs in Cardiff, mastering the NVZ is essential…

  • In pickleball, the serve and return are more than just opening shots—they set the tone for the entire rally. Correct service and return positioning is essential for controlling play, whether you’re playing singles or doubles. UK players, whether in fast indoor leisure centres or outdoor clubs, need to adjust positioning based on court speed, ball…

  • The transition zone is arguably the most important area in pickleball. Often referred to as the space between the baseline and the non-volley line (the kitchen), it is where points are won or lost. Correct transition zone positioning allows players to move forward efficiently, maintain balance, and take control of rallies. This guide explores advanced…

  • Singles pickleball is a test of endurance, agility, and strategy. Unlike doubles, where partners share the court, singles players must cover the entire court themselves. Proper singles positioning is essential to maintain balance, reach every shot efficiently, and control rallies. This guide explains key principles for footwork, court depth, and recovery, with practical tips for…

  • Doubles is the most popular format in UK pickleball, whether in indoor leisure centres in London, Cardiff clubs, or outdoor courts across the country. Success in doubles relies not just on individual skill, but on effective teamwork. Doubles positioning ensures that both players cover the court efficiently, avoid collisions, and create opportunities to attack. This…

  • Pickleball is a fast-growing sport in the UK, popular in indoor leisure centres in London, Cardiff, and beyond. If you’re just starting out, understanding pickleball positioning is key to enjoying the game and improving quickly. This guide explains where to stand as a server, a returner, and how to move effectively towards the kitchen. Good…

  • Pickleball stacking is an advanced strategy in doubles play designed to give teams a tactical edge. While basic pickleball doubles positioning ensures both players cover their side of the court effectively, stacking allows players to maximise strengths, protect weaknesses, and dominate the net. For those already familiar with standard doubles positioning, stacking adds a strategic…

  • The kitchen, also called the non-volley zone (NVZ), is the most misunderstood part of pickleball. At just seven feet deep on either side of the net, it has sparked more debates in UK clubs than almost any other rule. Whether you are playing at Manchester’s leisure centres, outdoor courts in Brighton, or social sessions in…

  • If there is one rule in pickleball that confuses players of all levels, it is the kitchen rule. The non-volley zone (NVZ), better known as the kitchen, is only seven feet deep, yet misunderstandings about it fill courts across the UK. At clubs in Manchester, London, and Cardiff, you’ll often hear heated debates about whether…

  • Pickleball continues to grow across the United Kingdom, with leisure centres in Manchester, London, and Cardiff seeing record participation. One of the most discussed aspects of play is how the kitchen rule shapes tactics. Yet the environment in which the game is played adds another important layer. The kitchen, or non-volley zone (NVZ), demands precision,…

  • Pickleball is growing at a remarkable pace across the UK, with participation rising by over 15 per cent annually in cities like Manchester, London, and Cardiff. At the heart of this rapid growth lies the sport’s most unique and sometimes misunderstood regulation: the kitchen rule. Officially called the non-volley zone (NVZ), this seven-foot area on…

  • The kitchen, officially known as the non-volley zone (NVZ), is the most unique and contested part of a pickleball court. Spanning 7 feet from the net on both sides, it dictates shot selection, positioning, and ultimately the pace of play. For UK players—whether competing in singles at a regional tournament in London or battling through…

  • For many UK pickleball players, the kitchen (also called the non-volley zone or NVZ) is where rallies are truly won or lost. While big serves and drives grab attention, it is the subtle, controlled shots at the kitchen line that separate beginners from advanced competitors. Dinking, resets, and soft touch play form the foundation of…

  • Pickleball’s kitchen rule is straightforward at first glance: you cannot volley from inside the non-volley zone (NVZ). But as players across UK clubs in London, Manchester, and Cardiff quickly discover, the momentum rule adds a layer of complexity that catches even experienced competitors off guard. In this advanced guide, we will break down exactly what…

  • The non-volley zone, better known as the kitchen, is one of the most talked-about parts of pickleball. It is also the most misunderstood. Beginners in the UK often ask the same questions: Can I step in the kitchen? What if my paddle follows through into the zone? Why does the referee keep calling faults when…

  • The non-volley zone, better known as the kitchen, is one of the most talked-about parts of pickleball. It is also the most misunderstood. Beginners in the UK often ask the same questions: Can I step in the kitchen? What if my paddle follows through into the zone? Why does the referee keep calling faults when…

  • The transition zone is often described as the most uncomfortable part of a pickleball court. Positioned between the baseline and the non-volley zone, this 15-foot space is where rallies are won or lost. It demands control, patience, and sharp decision-making. While many beginners treat it as a danger zone, professional players show that it can…

  • For new pickleball players, the transition zone can feel like a trap. This middle space between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen) is where opponents often test you with fast drives, awkward lobs, or low shots that feel impossible to handle. Many beginners panic here, rushing forward too quickly or getting stuck too far…

  • In pickleball, the transition zone is often described as the most difficult part of the court to master. It is the 15-foot stretch between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen) where rallies are won or lost. Players caught in this space face fast drives, awkward low shots, and the constant challenge of staying balanced.…

  • Pickleball is growing rapidly across the UK, with clubs from London to Edinburgh reporting record memberships. As the sport becomes more competitive, players are discovering that success is not just about hitting powerful serves or clever dinks. It is also about understanding and applying the rules that govern play. One of the most misunderstood areas…

  • When it comes to pickleball success, many UK players focus on paddle technology, spin, and shot selection, yet overlook one of the most important foundations of strong play: footwork. Nowhere is this more crucial than in the transition zone, the 15-foot area between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen). Proper movement through this space…

  • In pickleball, no shot is more vital to success in the transition zone than the reset. When executed well, the reset transforms frantic defence into controlled offence. For UK players, especially those navigating fast-paced rallies in indoor halls or windy outdoor courts, the ability to reset consistently is what separates steady performers from frustrated beginners.…

  • The transition zone in pickleball, the strip of court between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen), is where rallies are often decided. For many UK players, it feels like the most uncertain part of the game. Move too slowly and you get pinned at the baseline. Move too quickly and you risk being caught…

  • The transition zone, the strip of court between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen), is where rallies often unravel. For many UK players, it feels like “no-man’s land”, a dangerous space where opponents can pounce on errors. Yet, the transition zone is not a place to fear. With smart movement, patience, and awareness, it…

  • The transition zone — the 15-foot strip between the baseline and the non-volley zone (kitchen) — is where pickleball rallies are shaped and often decided. For many UK players, this area is daunting, earning its nickname “no-man’s land”. However, mastering the transition zone is essential whether you are playing singles or doubles. The tactics you…

  • The transition zone, also called no-man’s land, is one of the most important yet most challenging areas of the pickleball court. Positioned between the baseline and the non-volley zone line, it is where rallies are won or lost. Players who freeze or float balls here often gift easy winners to opponents. Players who learn to…

  • Pickleball continues to grow rapidly in the UK, with club sessions in London, Manchester, and Glasgow packed full of players testing their skills. For many, the basics of topspin drives and slice returns are already familiar. The next step is mastering advanced spin shots that can disrupt opponents and take your game to another level.…