I grew up playing everything I could get into — but basketball and soccer were my two, and soccer stayed with me through college. These days it's tennis and pickleball, and I came to both the same way most of my players do: as a complete beginner.
I'm an advanced player in both now, and the road there turned me into a student of the games rather than just a player of them. I went after the why on both sides of it. The mechanics: how the kinetic chain carries power from the ground up through the legs and hips and out into the racket or paddle, and why most of the faults people fight for years live in that chain rather than in the swing itself. The tactics: how to build points around what you already do well, and take away what your opponent does best. Your shot-making eventually plateaus — your decision-making doesn't have to.
I've kept studying since: RSPA certified in both sports, and most recently my Pickleball Professional certification, the level above Instructor. I'm not done either — there's always another level, in the certifications and in my own game. But the part I love is the journey itself. I've walked it from beginner to competitive player, so I know how long the road is and how good each step along it feels. Whether you're holding a paddle for the first time or chasing a rating, I'll tell you honestly what's holding you back — and help you find the joy in every rally.
Love the journey