Mark Catabay

Kitchen Rules in Real Life: What “Non-Volley Zone” Really Means During Fast Hands Exchanges

If there is one place on a pickleball court where confusion shows up fastest, it is the kitchen. The non volley zone looks simple on paper, yet during rapid exchanges at the net, even experienced players hesitate, second guess, or argue calls that feel unfair. The truth is that most kitchen violations do not happen because players do not know the rule. They happen because players do not understand how the rule behaves in real time. This article breaks down what the non volley zone truly means during fast hands exchanges, why the rule exists, and how to play aggressively...

Mark Catabay

Pickleball Scoring Made Simple: Side-Out, Rally Scoring, and the Most Common Beginner Mistakes

Pickleball is often praised for being easy to learn, yet scoring is one area that regularly confuses new players. Games pause. Scores are called three numbers at a time. Points sometimes seem to disappear. None of this is complicated once the logic behind the system clicks. This guide breaks down pickleball scoring in clear terms, explains both side out and rally scoring, and highlights the most common mistakes beginners make so you can avoid them early. The Foundation of Pickleball Scoring Traditional pickleball uses side out scoring. This means only the serving team can earn points. If the receiving team...

Mark Catabay

Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleball Balls: How Hole Patterns and Plastics Change Flight and Bounce

At a casual glance, a pickleball is just a lightweight plastic sphere with holes. In reality, those holes and the plastic itself determine how the ball flies, bounces, and reacts to spin. Using the wrong ball for the environment can turn a smooth rally into a frustrating guessing game. Understanding the differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls helps players adjust faster, choose the right equipment, and play with more consistency regardless of where they step on court. Why Pickleball Balls Are Environment Specific Pickleball is played in vastly different conditions. Indoor courts are climate controlled with smooth surfaces and...

Mark Catabay

Pickleball Paddle Materials Breakdown: Graphite vs Carbon Fiber vs Fiberglass and What Actually Changes

Pickleball paddles all look fairly similar at a glance, yet the material on the face of a paddle can dramatically change how the game feels. Touch shots behave differently. Power comes off the face faster or slower. Even control under pressure can shift based on what your paddle is made of. Graphite, carbon fiber, and fiberglass are the three most common paddle face materials today. Each brings distinct performance traits that influence how players generate power, manage control, and handle the soft game. Understanding what actually changes between them helps players choose equipment that fits their style rather than chasing...

Mark Catabay

Pickleball Court Dimensions Explained: Lines, Zones, and How They Affect Strategy

Pickleball looks simple at first glance. A small court, a low net, and a plastic ball can make the game feel approachable from day one. But the court itself quietly dictates almost every strategic decision players make. From shot selection to positioning and even patience, understanding the geometry of a pickleball court is one of the fastest ways to elevate your game. This article breaks down official pickleball court dimensions, explains what each line and zone truly means, and explores how smart players use those boundaries to their advantage. The Official Pickleball Court Size A regulation pickleball court measures 20...

Mark Catabay

Beginner Footwork Myths: What New Players Get Wrong About Movement and Balance

Footwork is often described as the foundation of pickleball. New players hear this and immediately imagine speed ladders, explosive sprints, and constant motion. In reality, most beginner footwork problems come from misunderstanding what good movement actually looks like on a pickleball court. The game rewards efficiency far more than intensity. Clearing up a few common myths helps beginners move better, stay balanced, and play with greater consistency. Myth One: Faster Feet Always Mean Better Play Many beginners believe that good footwork means moving constantly and quickly. This leads to unnecessary steps, rushed swings, and loss of balance at contact. Pickleball...

Mark Catabay

Learning Pickleball Backwards: Why Strategy Should Come Before Shot Power

Many beginners approach pickleball the same way they approach most sports. They try to hit harder, swing faster, and generate immediate results. Power feels tangible. Strategy feels abstract. Yet pickleball quietly rewards players who reverse this learning order. Those who understand where the ball should go before learning how hard to hit it progress faster, make fewer mistakes, and enjoy the game more deeply. Learning pickleball backwards, by prioritizing strategy over shot power, aligns with how the game actually functions. Pickleball Is a Decision Game First Unlike power driven racket sports, pickleball compresses time and space. The smaller court and...

Mark Catabay

The First 90 Days of Pickleball: Cognitive Skills Every Beginner Develops Without Noticing

Most beginners measure progress in pickleball by visible outcomes. Shots land in, rallies last longer, and games feel less chaotic. What often goes unnoticed is the mental transformation happening alongside these changes. Within the first ninety days, players quietly develop a set of cognitive skills that shape how they see the court, interpret opponents, and make decisions under pressure. These mental adaptations are not accidental. They reflect how the brain responds to the unique demands of pickleball. Pattern Recognition Starts Earlier Than Expected In the beginning, every rally feels unpredictable. Balls come quickly, angles feel sharp, and reactions are delayed....

Mark Catabay

Beginner Paddle Mistakes That Quietly Limit Control and Consistency

When beginners struggle with consistency in pickleball, the instinct is to blame technique or footwork. While those matter, one of the most overlooked contributors to erratic play is paddle choice and paddle use. Subtle mistakes made early can quietly cap control, reduce confidence, and slow improvement without players realizing why. Understanding these common paddle related issues helps beginners make smarter adjustments and build a more reliable game from the start. Choosing Power When Control Is Needed Most Many new players gravitate toward paddles marketed for power. The promise of easy depth and fast shots feels appealing, especially for those coming...

Mark Catabay

From Tennis Habits to Pickleball Thinking: The Beginner’s Mental Reset

Many new pickleball players arrive on court with a tennis background. That experience is valuable, but it can also become a quiet obstacle. Pickleball rewards a different way of seeing the game, and progress often depends less on athletic ability and more on mental adjustment. The hardest part for many beginners is not learning new shots. It is unlearning old instincts. This article explores why the mental reset matters, how tennis habits show up in pickleball, and what successful beginners do to shift their thinking early. Why Tennis Skills Do Not Transfer Cleanly At a glance, pickleball looks like scaled...

Miko Catabay

The Art of the Reset Shot: Turning Defensive Chaos into Offensive Opportunity

Few shots in pickleball are as misunderstood as the reset. New players often see defense as survival mode and offense as something separate. Experienced players know better. The reset shot is the bridge between chaos and control, transforming moments of pressure into chances to regain advantage. Mastering the reset is not about bailing out. It is about shaping the rally on your terms, even when the ball is coming fast and your position feels compromised. What a Reset Shot Really Is A reset shot is a soft, controlled return played from a defensive situation with the goal of neutralizing an...

Miko Catabay

Time Perception on the Court: Why the Game Feels Faster as Skill Improves

Many pickleball players share the same experience. Early games feel rushed and chaotic, as if the ball is always arriving too soon. Then, almost without warning, something changes. The game still moves quickly, yet it feels calmer. Shots appear to slow down. Decisions come easier. Time itself seems to stretch. This shift is not an illusion and it is not luck. It is a well documented phenomenon tied to skill development, perception, and how the brain learns to process complex movement. As pickleball skill improves, the game often feels faster in pace but slower in experience. How the Brain Experiences...

Miko Catabay

Pickleball and Habit Formation: How Consistent Play Rewires Discipline and Focus

Pickleball has a way of sneaking into daily life. What begins as a casual game quickly turns into a standing court date, a weekly routine, and for many players, a non negotiable part of the schedule. Beneath the fun and social energy lies something deeper. Consistent pickleball play quietly reshapes discipline, focus, and mental habits that extend far beyond the court. This transformation is not accidental. It follows well established principles of habit formation and cognitive training. When practiced regularly, pickleball becomes more than a sport. It becomes a system for building consistency in both mind and behavior. Why Habits...

Miko Catabay

Why Rally Length Matters More Than Winning for New Pickleball Players

Ask most new pickleball players what success looks like, and the answer is usually simple. Win more points. Win more games. Win today. While that instinct is natural, it often pulls beginners away from what actually builds long term skill. For players early in their development, rally length is a far more powerful indicator of progress than the final score. Longer rallies do more than keep the ball in play. They sharpen timing, improve decision making, and create the foundation that winning eventually rests on. Understanding why rally length matters can help new players learn faster and enjoy the game...