Pickleball: Books and podcasts to help you learn the game
Each week in this column, we highlight videos you can watch online to improve your game.
However, some people learn better by reading or listening, and there are many new books being published each month on pickleball. There are also many podcasts! Today we highlight a few titles that might be of interest.
Books
"Pickleball Doubles: Master the Fastest Growing Game of America with Exact Tips, Techniques, and Advance Doubles Strategies to Win the Game with Your Partner" by Dennis Hall, a certified coach in Queens, New York, was published last month. It covers the basics like rules, footwork and practicing with a wall. Hall helpfully tackles topics like, "Why doesn't the ball go where you aim?" and "How to handle the power player." It's $7.99 on Amazon for the paperback, or just 99 cents on Kindle.
"Zen and the Art of Pickleball" is another new book published last month. It's by Mike Leigh, a Colorado pickleball instructor. Says Leigh: "If you can remain calm, remain focused, remain relaxed during a game of pickleball, you will find much success, both internally and externally, I think if you take the messages in this book to heart, you will also be happier and enjoy the game of pickleball more." The book is free with Kindle Unlimited, or $7.99 in paperback.
I take frequent road trips, and enjoy listening to audiobooks. There aren't many pickleball-related titles available in audiobook format, but this upcoming title caught my eye. "Pickleball Is Life: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Obsession," by Erin Hugh, will be released in both print and on Audible next month. Included will be interviews with members of three "founding families" from Bainbridge Island, Washington, who were instrumental in getting pickleball launched. Depending on the format, prices start at $11.99 and the release date is Oct. 22.
Also coming next month is "Pickleball for Dummies," part of the popular line of "Dummies" books. At 448 pages it looks comprehensive and is authored by pickleball instructor Mo Nard and a guy named Carl Landau. Starting at $15.
Pickleball podcasts
While audiobooks on pickleball are in short supply, podcasts certainly are not. Here are three worth checking out:
Pickleball Problems. Mark Renneson answers your questions about all things pickleball. Recent episodes include topics like proper grips and different options for your third shot. Episodes are about 20 minutes long. You can even record a question using the voice memo on your phone and email it to mark@thirdshotsports.com
Pickleball Fire Podcast is now 180 episodes strong. It often features pros and teaching pros and focuses on instructional tips, industry news, player profiles and inspiring stories. It has a related magazine and comes out once or twice a week, with episodes running 20-30 minutes.
Pickleball Therapy comes out weekly and each episode runs about 15 minutes. It's less focused on pros and more on tips to improve your game. It's run by Tony Roig whose coaching practice is aimed at people 50 and up.
Opportunities to play
Senior Games signup: The 2023 Palm Desert Senior Games & International Sports Festival is coming Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. Last year's edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Signups for various sports (including singles and doubles pickleball) will open Oct. 3. You can register at https://bit.ly/3djkymL
Round robin: Mary recently broke her leg, but anyone who knows Mary realizes that won't get her down. She's still holding an indoor round robin on Sunday. Email her at mgbarsaleau@gmail.com to sign up!
Have a question or comment? Email us at pickleball@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball: Books and podcasts to help you learn the game
