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Pickleball

Explore pickleball through local courts, coaching, skills and the mindset behind the game, with lessons and observations from Mark Miller’s time on the court.

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13 stories

Daytime aerial of players on the blue and green pickleball courts at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta.

Best Drop-In Pickleball in the Coachella Valley: Four Places I Recommend

Four places I recommend for recreational drop-in pickleball in the Coachella Valley, with honest morning-versus-night guidance, free and paid optio...
Matt Anderson, pickleball coach in La Quinta, California

Matt Anderson: An Exceptional Pickleball Coach in La Quinta, California

After 25–30 private lessons, here's what I've learned about the man, his teaching philosophy, and what makes his coaching experience so remarkable.
Pickleball player in an orange hat on court at Palm Desert Resort, with spectators seated behind the fence.

Why I Retired from Pickleball

I didn’t leave pickleball because I stopped loving it. After more than six years, I’m making a clean break—and carrying the friendships, focus, and...
Pickleball player in a white cap preparing for a shot near the net on an outdoor court.

What Pickleball Has Taught Me About Negotiation

Staying calm, knowing the rules, and defending your position without disrespecting the person across the net.
Pickleball player reaching for a shot with the Santa Rosa Mountains in the background

Competing in Pickleball: Focus, Friendship, and Earned Confidence

What tournaments, leagues, and private DUPR matches taught me about mastering the fundamentals—and what I gained beyond the game.
Pickleball player holding a paddle and ball at the net

The Pickleball Fundamentals Tree: What to Learn and How to Practice It

The foundations I worked to master: movement, ball control, shot families and decisions. Use the 16-part checklist to choose your next practice focus.
Morning pickleball play at Trilogy Polo Club in Indio, California

Pickleball Transition Zone Mastery: Resets, Footwork & the Slinky Drill

Bring the fundamentals together under pressure: practice resets, balanced movement and shot selection with a progression from midcourt to the kitchen.
Pickleball player practicing near the net on a backyard court with desert mountain views

One-on-One Pickleball Drilling: My Practice Blueprint

How purposeful one-on-one drilling helped me master pickleball fundamentals, with starter drills, a practice progression and an estimated touches c...
Elevated view of players using the 16 pickleball courts at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta at sundown.

Fritz Burns Park Pickleball: When to Play & What to Know

Plan a game at Fritz Burns Park in La Quinta: 16 free public courts, peak play times, paddle-up etiquette, night lighting, water and restrooms.
Michael Cabacungan playing pickleball

Coachella Valley’s Go-To Pickleball Coach

A firsthand review of Michael Cabacungan’s pickleball coaching, from topspin drives and footwork to private lessons across the Coachella Valley.
drop in pickleball at pdr

The Courts at PDR – Membership Guide (2026/2027)

A firsthand 2026/2027 guide to The Courts at PDR: pickleball membership rates, seasonal access, drop-in rules, guest privileges and club culture.
Brandon Donovan and edmund playing pickleball at palm desert civic center park

Pickleball at Night – Palm Desert Civic Center

Plan night pickleball at Palm Desert Civic Center: court hours, drop-in expectations, lighting, etiquette and Mark Miller’s firsthand experience.
Pickleball Mindsets: Knowing When to Grow, Knowing When to Win

Pickleball Mindsets: Knowing When to Grow, Knowing When to Win

A practical pickleball mindset framework for deciding when to experiment and grow—and when to rely on proven patterns and play strictly to win.