Tournament Ready: How to Prep Before, During, and After for Your Best Pickleball Experience
Before the Tournament: Set Yourself Up for Success
1. Train Like You Compete
In the weeks leading up to a tournament, shift your focus to competitive play. Drilling is great, but now’s the time to simulate real matches. Practice serve and return consistency, third shot drops and drives, and transition zone movement. If you’re playing doubles, work with your partner on communication and positioning.
2. Check Your Gear
Don’t let small gear issues become big distractions. Make sure your paddle is in good shape, your shoes are comfortable and supportive, and you've got the essentials: extra grips, socks, hair ties, snacks, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Pro tip: test everything before tournament day—not during your first match.
3. Plan Ahead
Double-check the location, your start time, and the expected flow of the day. Pack layers for changing weather (or in Redding’s case, a fresh change of clothes), a chair or towel for downtime, and familiar food. This is not the time to try something new. Stick to what your body knows. (We usually get sushi the night before.) Start hydrating at least 48 hours before game day—especially in Redding heat. But keep in mind: high elevation, humidity, wind, and nerves can all take a toll on your body. If you're traveling, arrive early enough to stretch out and rest.
4. Prep Your Mindset
Even if you're physically prepared, your mindset can make or break your experience. Set small goals: stay positive, keep your body language strong, and focus on one point at a time. Visualization and breathing techniques go a long way in calming nerves and keeping your energy locked in.
During the Tournament: Compete Smart
1. Be a Good Partner—Before the First Ball
Coordinate your arrival time with your partner and give yourself plenty of buffer for check-in, water refills, bathroom breaks, and warming up. If you say you’ll be there at 11:15 AM—be there at 11:15 AM. Starting off late can affect your partner's warm-up and the vibe for the day.
And whether you’re playing with your spouse or a blind date, tournament day is not the time to talk about outside drama. Be fully present. Everything else can wait. Be the best partner you can be—and then let go of what you can’t control.
Before the first point, my partner and I always tell each other we love each other 🥰. Pick your own mantra or phrase to say: “We’ve got this,” “I’m with you,” or “Let’s go have fun.” A little connection goes a long way.
2. Warm Up—Don’t Just Hit Balls
Start with dynamic movement: stretch, jog, jump rope—get your heart rate up. I like to jump rope for 5 minutes before touching a ball. Then we use a 3-minute timer and rotate through each shot intentionally:
Volleys (always first!)
Dinks
Cross-court dinks
3rd shot drops and drives
Serves
Returns
Overheads (don’t skip these!)
This whole process takes about 30 minutes. Once we’re loose, we’ll often ask someone nearby to play doubles or skinny singles to get in a few no-pressure points. This helps shake off nerves and get in “game mode.”
3. Fuel and Hydrate Throughout the Day
Tournaments are long. Keep your energy up with easy-to-digest carbs, salty snacks, fruit, and protein bars. Hydrate early and often—especially in the heat—and bring electrolytes to help prevent fatigue or cramping.
4. Stay in Your Bubble
Between matches, protect your focus. I personally avoid my phone altogether—no emails, no social media, no news. If I need to reset after a tough loss, I’ll put in headphones and listen to music, but I always check back in with my partner before the next match. Don’t isolate yourself.
Take time to discuss what went well and any adjustments for the next game—maybe you switch sides or decide who serves first. If you're winning, change nothing.
5. One Point at a Time
Whether you’re up or down, keep returning to the present. Encourage your partner—no matter what. Tap paddles whether they hit a winner or dump an overhead into the net. You're a partner, not a coach.
Avoid giving criticism. If you do have a suggestion, frame it as a question and use “we.”
Try:
“What do you think we should try?”
“I think we should try slowing down the point—they might prefer fast hands.”
“It seems like he's making more mistakes—should we test him a bit more?”
This keeps the vibe collaborative and supportive.
After the Tournament: Recover and Reflect
1. Cool Down and Rehydrate
Treat your body kindly—especially after a full day of play. Stretch, rehydrate, and eat a solid meal. I’m a big fan of a post-tournament ice bath (brutal, but effective).
2. Take Notes
I like to film our matches and review them afterward. If it’s been a rough day, I do it with a drink in hand 😉. Ask yourself:
Did my serve hold up?
Were my returns deep?
Did I stay positive?
Was I a good partner?
Do we work well together? (Trickier if you're married 😅)
These reflections turn every tournament into a learning opportunity.
3. Celebrate
You showed up, competed, and put yourself out there—and that deserves to be celebrated. Whether you won hardware or just grew as a player, you earned it. We usually treat ourselves to a nice dinner. After a long day of playing, I’m definitely not cooking—and good food is a perfect way to cap it all off.
Final Thoughts
Being tournament ready isn’t just about skills—it’s about mindset, preparation, and being kind to yourself along the way. Whether you walk away with a medal or a list of goals, you’ve already won by stepping on that court.
We’ll see you out there—focused, fueled, and ready to play your best.
