The Art of Pickleball (Fourth Edition): Techniques and Strategies for Everyone

by Gale Leach

Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced game that is gaining popularity around the world because it's easy to learn and can be played by all ages. This book describes everything from equipment to tournament strategy in straightforward, conversational language that will benefit novice and seasoned players alike. Besides describing how players should condition themselves, The Art of Pickleball shows how to perform basic and advanced strokes and provides excellent tips for doubles play, mental conditioning, gamesmanship, and offensive and defensive strategies. Drills are included to help readers develop recommended shots. A supplement for teachers is also available, providing tests and answers. Now in its fourth edition, The Art of Pickleball includes new strategies, revisions regarding new equipment, and reflects changes and additions to the game's official rules. • Master the fundamentals with step-by-step instructions and pictures • Choose the right paddle and other accessories • Polish your skills, from overhead smashes to dinks • Learn the fine points of etiquette, ethics, and safety • Develop winning strategies for singles and doubles • Techniques designed to take you to the next level • Numerous photos, illustrations, and diagrams • Quick answers to your questions • Easy to read and understand

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Reference

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

When Gale Leach moved to Arizona, she fell in love with pickleball, a wonderful sport with a silly name. Her first book, The Art of Pickleball, won the Arizona Book Award in 2007.

This success spurred her to try fiction, a lifelong dream, and in 2010 she finished her first novel, Bruce and the Road to Courage, a heroic fantasy for children. Four more books followed in the "Bruce and Friends" series, She's currently working on the second novel in her new YA Rift Chronicles series, which began with Book One: The Disappearance.

Writing fiction is now Gale's passion, along with singing, playing Celtic music, and kayaking. She lives in Arizona with her forbearing husband, a dog, a cat, and a bearded dragon named Fang.

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to learn the basics of Pickleball but is also for all levels of play.

[Addie Zimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an interesting beginner book, learned some fun trivia about pickleball that my friends made fun of me for knowing while we played.

[matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a fine introduction to the basics. I would have liked more ideas for drills. Obviously, a book is limited in how much it can teach in technique - a person has to get out there and do it.

[Erik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing earth-shattering here. It's really just a good primer for players getting started in this highly addictive game.

[Heidi Thorsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a very beginner player, and found this book useful. It goes over not only the basic rules, but also includes detailed rules for unusual circumstances (the ball goes between the strings of the net, jewelry or accessories fly off during a rally, the ball has so much backspin it bounces back over the net toward the player that hit it after hitting the ground on the other side).

I most liked the sections where the author stepped through proper form for each type of hit including photographs, and the layouts showing various court positions of players for both singles and doubles and the best shot to take in each situation for best odds of winning the point.

I thought it was a nice touch that the author pointed out you might not want to use these winning strategies in every game— when playing a recreational game with friends they might not appreciate being confronted with difficult shots the entire game. In fact, in order to play with my sons I will probably want to do the exact *opposite* of many strategies in the book, in order to make it *easier* for the kids to return the ball. But that’s fine, if I can get good at intentional ball placement it is just a matter of switching up strategies if I ever land in a competitive game, if I can place my return to one side of a player, I ought to be able to place it to the other side, too.

[ray martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame book

I can't recommend this book as an avid pickleball player. Basic info is ok but don't expect to learn much if you have played any pickleball

[Debra A A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book especially for beginners and people who want to learn about Pickleball. I’ve been playing for a few years and it, also, provides reminders of the basics of the game.

[Budd Margolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well organized with loads of useful Pickleball info.

[Karen & Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Pickleball--Techniques and Strategies for Everyone by Gale H. Leach is a comprehensive book about how to play Pickleball. The material includes the rules, how to execute and when best to use different types of shots, etiquette, grips, footwork, doubles and singles, some drills and the mental game and strategies. The author interviewed tournament players and presents different views on technique and strategy. I believe anyone who would like to improve their game would find this book helpful. One thing that made a lot of sense and really stood out to me that I came across in this book is that when playing outdoors, if one side of the court is at a disadvantage due to the sun or if playing on a very windy day, when you reach 6 points (halfway through a game) teams switch sides! Having played outdoors on very windy days myself, this seems to be a very fair rule, one I had not heard before. (Karen's review)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned quite a bit about the sport and attitude on the court.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a short book. But I like it, easy to ready with nice illustrations and covers things pretty well without going into boring detail.

[David Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Pickleball fundamentals reading

Excellent book for understanding and improving your game, whether a beginner or experienced player of the game. Ms Leach provides a solid resource for the game of pickleball, providing a glossary of terms, strategies for singles and doubles play, tips and tricks for improving grips, serves and returns, and much more. The helpful illustrations in this book give readers at all levels of play additional reinforcement of all the important fundamentals of this fast-growing sport. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to improve his or her pickleball play on the court and knowledge of the sport in general.