--- title: The Pickleball Blog | Control the 'T' Sports | Sara McInnes (5) description: Welcome to the pickleball blog at Control the 'T' Sports. We aim to help you learn more about pickleball, help you improve your game, and learn more about pickleball gear. (5) --- [![CTSPORTSLOGOsmall](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CTSPORTSLOGOsmall.png?width=300&height=75&name=CTSPORTSLOGOsmall.png) ![CT\_Logo1](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CT_Logo1.png?width=450&height=111&name=CT_Logo1.png)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) [![CT\_Logo1](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CT_Logo1.png?width=450&height=111&name=CT_Logo1.png)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) - [Home](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) - [Shop](https://controlthet.com) - [Testimonials](https://controlthet.com/pages/control-the-t-sports-testimonials) - [Contact Us](https://controlthet.com/pages/contact-us) - Blogs - [Pickleball Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) - [Squash Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/blog) - [Tennis Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/tennis) - [Home](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) - [Shop](https://controlthet.com) - [Testimonials](https://controlthet.com/pages/control-the-t-sports-testimonials) - [Contact Us](https://controlthet.com/pages/contact-us) - Blogs - [Pickleball Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) - [Squash Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/blog) - [Tennis Blog](https://blog.controlthet.com/tennis) [The Pickleball Blog | Control the 'T' Sports](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball) Categories **Browse All Categories** - [Pickleball](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/tag/pickleball) ## Sara McInnes #### More from Sara McInnes [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(28).jpg?upscale=true&width=1024&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(28).jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/more-than-a-game-closer-to-a-lifestyle) ### [More Than a Game, Closer to a Lifestyle](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/more-than-a-game-closer-to-a-lifestyle) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on January 06, 2025 Pickleball has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a backyard game for the grandchildren. What started as a simple pastime has turned into something much bigger, becoming more than just a ... [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/more-than-a-game-closer-to-a-lifestyle) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(8)-2.png?upscale=true&width=1024&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(8)-2.png)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/2024-major-league-pickleball-premier-season-finale-recap-excitement-and-competition) ### [2024 Major League Pickleball Premier Season Finale Recap: Excitement and Competition](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/2024-major-league-pickleball-premier-season-finale-recap-excitement-and-competition) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on December 05, 2024 The 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Premier season has come to an electrifying close with the final showdown at the USTA National Campus in Orlando this past weekend. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/2024-major-league-pickleball-premier-season-finale-recap-excitement-and-competition) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2395082233.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=shutterstock_2395082233.jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/five-stages-of-pickleball-laugh-learn-and-level-up) ### [Five Stages of Pickleball: Laugh, Learn, and Level Up](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/five-stages-of-pickleball-laugh-learn-and-level-up) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on November 14, 2024 There are some hilarious videos out there about the 5 Stages of Pickleball, poking fun at the addiction so many people have developed for this sport. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/five-stages-of-pickleball-laugh-learn-and-level-up) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(6)-4.png?upscale=true&width=740&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(6)-4.png)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-third-and-fifth-shot-combination) ### [The Third and Fifth Shot Combination](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-third-and-fifth-shot-combination) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on October 22, 2024 Over the years of playing pickleball there’s been a few common phrases, but one that stands out is “It’s all about the third shot drop.” However, is this still the case? [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-third-and-fifth-shot-combination) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(26).jpeg?upscale=true&width=800&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(26).jpeg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/solo-pickleball-drills) ### [Solo Pickleball Drills](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/solo-pickleball-drills) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on September 24, 2024 In the past, I’ve written advice on two, three, and four-person drills but now it’s time to tackle the one-person drills. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/solo-pickleball-drills) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(24).jpg?upscale=true&width=720&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(24).jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-paradox-of-simplicity-in-pickleball) ### [The Paradox of Simplicity in Pickleball](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-paradox-of-simplicity-in-pickleball) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on September 24, 2024 Why is it that in pickleball you can have a long rally that’s highlight reel worthy but the point ends with someone hitting off the edge of the paddle and the ball falls into the net? [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/the-paradox-of-simplicity-in-pickleball) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed-Aug-15-2024-12-56-21-4534-PM.jpg?upscale=true&width=768&upscale=true&name=unnamed-Aug-15-2024-12-56-21-4534-PM.jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/pickleball-camp) ### [Pickleball Camp](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/pickleball-camp) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on August 28, 2024 Really, what is the difference between a pickleball lesson and a clinic? Or a workshop versus a camp? Really, there’s not much differentiating any of these examples of programming. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/pickleball-camp) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2255421423.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=shutterstock_2255421423.jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/be-ready-and-get-caught-less) ### [Be Ready and Get Caught Less](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/be-ready-and-get-caught-less) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on August 28, 2024 Do you get caught with your paddle tipped in one direction or the other? Many players feel more confident playing their forehand or backhand. Yes, backhand can be favoured in pickleball. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/be-ready-and-get-caught-less) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/unnamed%20(21).jpg?upscale=true&width=768&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(21).jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/adding-lead-tape-to-your-paddle) ### [Adding Lead Tape to Your Paddle](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/adding-lead-tape-to-your-paddle) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on July 23, 2024 These days, pickleball is almost as much about equipment as it is about skill. While choosing the right paddle is crucial - not to mention a really fun process to go through - many players overlook ... [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/adding-lead-tape-to-your-paddle) [![](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2395082241.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=shutterstock_2395082241.jpg)](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/when-and-how-to-add-spin-in-pickleball) ### [When and How to Add Spin in Pickleball](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/when-and-how-to-add-spin-in-pickleball) By [Sara McInnes](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes) on July 23, 2024 It’s pretty common for people to ask “how can I play against someone who spins the ball?”. [Read More](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/when-and-how-to-add-spin-in-pickleball) [Prev](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes/page/4) [All posts](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/all) [Next](https://blog.controlthet.com/pickleball/author/sara-mcinnes/page/6) ![CT\_Logo1](https://blog.controlthet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CT_Logo1.png?width=450&height=111&name=CT_Logo1.png) ## **JOIN OUR PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY** ©2026 Control the 'T' Sports [Privacy Policy](https://controlthet.com/policies/privacy-policy)  [Terms & Conditions](https://controlthet.com/policies/terms-of-service) - - -