How to prepare for your FIRST pickleball tournament

[@steveraymond2298]

As a former martial arts competitor of many years, I am headed into my first pickle ball tournament fully expecting that my ass will be well kicked despite my strong desire and will to win every point and every game. Getting my ass kicked will be a fantastic learning experience in a stepped up pressure situation, and for me that is all positive. I'll take journal notes after every match, documenting what I want to improve, and I'll apply it back on my home court. I'll meets lots of cool new people and my recreational game will improve. I am signed up for three tournaments this summer knowing the great value of the experience. It's all to the good. There are no negatives, as long as your ego is not attached to a "must win" mentality. And I can assure you, I will laugh and talk and cajole myself and have a hell of a good time. My men's partner is the same, so we'll do well in that regard. My mixed doubles partner may be a different story, we'll see. She can get down on herself, I'm hoping I can be a great and positive support for her. Just 12 hours to the first game. Yeah, Baby! Bring it!

[@PickleballKitchen]

Steve, how did it go? Would love to hear how it went for you.

[@pickleballtara]

I am 30 something and this is my first sport and was my first real tournament 😂 I'm so glad I watched this video I think it helped me be more focused and calm.

[@PickleballKitchen]

Awesome I’m so glad it helped

[@mflores149]

Just signed up for my first tournament at 2.5 level. It's in one month here in Casa Grande, AZ. Thanks for the video!

[@h2t26]

Just double checking i have everything and i do. First tournament today over an hr drive. I'll bring multiple shirts but not cyase of sweat, since they are designed to dry fast, but the smell. Be considerate to those around you and especially those joining you in the car ride to support you!😅

[@PickleballKitchen]

How did it go?

[@h2t26]

@@PickleballKitchen won 3rd place men's doubles 3.0

[@Bergarita]

Excellent advice. I've played in many chess tournaments in my life, many baseball games, many basketball games. First times is usually rough. Learn from the experience and dont get down on yourself.

[@JournaloftheScotts]

Harnessing the nerves to win that first point in my first Pickleball tourney this weekend. I know this is an old video but enjoyed the prep video

[@PickleballKitchen]

That's great! It is an old video indeed.

[@videyochick]

Thanks for this, was VERY helpful, looking forward to my first tourney tomorrow. Mindset work was key!

[@arragon68]

Thanks for this much needed blog ! Very very super informative 👍👍. Thanks again.

[@wheetypeedy]

My first tournament is in 28 days. Its a tournament within our class membership. And everyone needs to be 2.5. So im excited. I already drill about 30 minutes to an hour a day. Then we play competitive recreational. A lot of our members are really nice and we have lots of laughs on the court. Its an adult seniors group. I am 68 and Ive improved enough in 3 .5 months as a newbie where i can give them a good sweaty game and my scoring is pretty good. Since i already drill everyday Im hoping my skills improve even more by tourney date. Your video was very helpful to me. Thank you so much.

[@PickleballKitchen]

Nice! Let me know how it goes

[@dwainehiggins4451]

Did ya win?? :D

[@tricia3114]

We need to know

[@wheetypeedy]

@tricia3114 we lost. But last year we won seniors and got gold, silver, and overall bronze for our category. This year I won silver in singles for my state and bronze for a chance to play in DeMoines Iowa Nationals 2025. I moved up to 3.0.

[@scottgunerman]

Awesome video, keep up the great work!

[@PickleballKitchen]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rexannbissing7583]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@FlyingCameraGuy]

Great info. I'm also ex-golfer and will be playing in my first pickleball tournament this Saturday where they combined the 3.0 19+ with 50+. It should be interesting since I'm well north of 50.

[@PickleballKitchen]

That’s awesome! Check back in and let me know how it goes!

[@FlyingCameraGuy]

@@PickleballKitchen Well your advice about not setting expectations too high was right on, lol. The first problem is we didn't take a ball with us and when we got our court assigned the ref was not there yet so we stood there watching the other team warm up. We were already a bit on the nervous side and that didn't help. So we lost the first 2 games badly. We had an hour to calm down before our losers bracket match so we did play better but still got killed. One thing we learned is people that self rate for tournaments as 3.0 are more like 3.5 or 4.0 rated players. They missed very few shots. It was a great learning experience, I will take a ball along next time. More lessons and practice are already planned.

[@PickleballKitchen]

@@FlyingCameraGuy I hear ya man. Been there; done that. The most important thing is that you learned something. That will happen for your next few tournaments as well, except the things you take home with you will be more about the play itself. Keep going!

[@charlesbell5518]

Getting ready for my first pickleball tournament next week. Thanks for the information.

[@StewsReplay]

LOVE it Barrett! YOu are the BEST!!

[@PickleballKitchen]

Thanks!

[@pickleballtara]

I did my first real tournament this past weekend with partners that were so great! I think we were all in the same mindset for sure . We had a great time and got silvers in both women's and mixed! 3.0 😁

[@PickleballKitchen]

Congrats!

[@picklepreneurs]

Great video

[@petemanning3012]

Great video….first tournament this September!

[@PickleballKitchen]

Awesome, good luck!

[@ubaidrazi97]

Thanks Garrett.. Very knowledgeable video..👌

[@PickleballKitchen]

My pleasure!

[@melissahays957]

Helpful video. Playing in my first (and probably only) tournament tomorrow. I ranked myself as 3.0 which seems accurate. However the organizer changed me to 3.5 and put me against players I know who are much, much better than me and who ranked themselves as 3.5. Regretting signing up now, but I am going to to try to make the best of it.

[@PickleballKitchen]

How did it go?

[@melissahays6694]

@@PickleballKitchen not bad. I was concerned when I saw so many people ranked themselves lower than I expected. My partner and I lost but not by much, and we played well.

[@PickleballKitchen]

That's great that you played well. It's always important to come home with something positive. Tournaments take awhile to get used to. It's a completely different game.

[@c_m_b_3110]

It’s just scary to me, because the drives to tournaments are so long and I feel so pressured to do well and not waste my time. It sounds stupid but idk 🤷‍♂️

[@zhuowang3522]

Could you comment on how one should decide his/her level, 3.0, 3.5...?

[@PickleballKitchen]

Hmmm interesting. I may make a video on that in the future.

[@zhuowang3522]

@@PickleballKitchen Thanks.

[@philminion4705]

here's the official system-usapickleball.org/tournaments/usapa-tournament-player-ratings/player-skill-rating-definitions/

[@philminion4705]

catnip spray is a good bug repellent.

[@flyguy22190]

Can you provide cliff notes please?

[@tricia3114]

Tomorrow is our first..