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Palmera Pickleball's U.S. Tour: A Spring Season of Competition, Connection & Community
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

Palmera Pickleball's U.S. Tour: A Spring Season of Competition, Connection & Community

A recap of Palmera Pickleball’s spring tour across the U.S., featuring PPA tournaments, travel highlights, training sessions, and venue visits.
Split-Step Drills to Boost Your Pickleball Speed, Balance, and Court Positioning
Written by
Jeremy Bourgeois

Split-Step Drills to Boost Your Pickleball Speed, Balance, and Court Positioning

Check out our first tutorial video, where pro Van Damrongsri coaches Jeremy and Abigail Bourgeois through high-impact drills designed to hardwire the split-step into your game.
Pickleball Partner Etiquette: What Makes a Great Teammate
Written by
Mackenzie Bourgeois

Pickleball Partner Etiquette: What Makes a Great Teammate

Being a great doubles partner in pickleball isn’t just about skill—it’s about mindset, communication, and support. One bad attitude can sink a match, while positivity can lift a team to victory. In this post, I share real experiences, mindset tips, and what to avoid so you can bring out the best in your teammate—and yourself.
How to Stay Mentally Strong on the Pickleball Court
Written by
Mackenzie Bourgeois

How to Stay Mentally Strong on the Pickleball Court

Your attitude might be the most powerful tool in your game. I share practical strategies for staying mentally strong during matches and resetting after frustration.
My First PPA Tournament: Winning Bronze and Tips for Tournament Prep
Written by
Abigail Bourgeois

My First PPA Tournament: Winning Bronze and Tips for Tournament Prep

Thirteen-year-old Abigail Bourgeois shares her experience medaling at her first PPA pickleball tournament in Cape Coral, Florida. From battling cold weather and fatigue to learning the importance of prep, hydration, and mental focus, she reflects on her competition experience.
Body Bags and Nasty Nelsons: The Dark Arts of Competitive Pickleball
Written by
Jeremy Bourgeois

Body Bags and Nasty Nelsons: The Dark Arts of Competitive Pickleball

Body bag shots and Nasty Nelsons aren’t just chaotic fun—they’re strategic weapons in competitive pickleball. In this blog, I break down why these controversial plays deserve respect, how to use them effectively, and when it’s just plain funny to unleash them.
From Practice to Performance, Part 4: Mastering Performance Anxiety in Pickleball (The Science, Psychology, and My Personal Routine)
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

From Practice to Performance, Part 4: Mastering Performance Anxiety in Pickleball (The Science, Psychology, and My Personal Routine)

Struggling with nerves on the pickleball court? Learn the science behind performance anxiety, how it affects your body and brain, and the 10-minute warm-up routine I use to activate flow state and overcome mental blocks. Whether you're a beginner or a competitive player, this evidence-based approach will help you calm your mind, trust your instincts, and play your best pickleball under pressure.
Stop Coaching Mid-Game: How to Be a Better Pickleball Doubles Partner
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

Stop Coaching Mid-Game: How to Be a Better Pickleball Doubles Partner

Mid-game coaching in pickleball might seem helpful, but it often backfires—disrupting rhythm, adding pressure, and straining team dynamics. Discover ways to get your partner into a flow state, and optimize for the win even when your partner is struggling.
The Evolution of Pickleball Singles: Passing Shots vs Drop Volleys
Written by
Jeremy Bourgeois

The Evolution of Pickleball Singles: Passing Shots vs Drop Volleys

Singles pickleball is evolving fast—from powerful baseline drives to finesse drop volleys, today’s top players are mastering the full range of strategy and skill.
Why Standard Scoring Is More Fun Than Rally Scoring in Pickleball
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

Why Standard Scoring Is More Fun Than Rally Scoring in Pickleball

Standard scoring creates a battlefield of shifting mindsets. It forces players to adapt, control momentum, and think several moves ahead. Rally scoring? It rewards consistency, punishes risk-taking, and flattens every player into the same narrow style.
From Practice to Performance, Part 3: Why Learning to Compete in Pickleball Is a Whole New Game
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

From Practice to Performance, Part 3: Why Learning to Compete in Pickleball Is a Whole New Game

Tournament play elevates the stakes, and with that, your nervous system shifts into high alert. Performance under pressure becomes a different sport altogether—a test not of your technical ceiling, but of your psychological floor.
From Practice to Performance, Part 2: How to Play the Opponent
Written by
Van Damrongsri

From Practice to Performance, Part 2: How to Play the Opponent

Learn how to shift from just hitting the ball to truly playing your opponent. In this pickleball strategy guide, pro Van Damrongsri breaks down how to read opponents, adjust tactics mid-match, and enhance your drill sessions to train your competitive mindset to win under pressure.
No Wins, Big Wins: My First PPA Challenger Tournament (Columbia, SC)
Written by
Mackenzie Bourgeois

No Wins, Big Wins: My First PPA Challenger Tournament (Columbia, SC)

At 15 years old, I competed in my first PPA Challenger Tournament in Columbia, SC. I didn’t come home with any medals—but I left with something even better: lessons in integrity, resilience, and what it really takes to grow as a pickleball player.
Pickleball's Paradox: Gateway to Wellness or Obsessive Pursuit?
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

Pickleball's Paradox: Gateway to Wellness or Obsessive Pursuit?

Pickleball is more than a sport—it’s a growing wellness trend with surprising health, cognitive, and social benefits. But behind the hype lies a hidden risk: obsession, injury, and imbalance. Discover the paradox of pickleball and how to pursue the game without letting it take over your life.
From Practice to Performance, Part 1: Training the Competitive Mindset in Pickleball
Written by
Geoff Bourgeois

From Practice to Performance, Part 1: Training the Competitive Mindset in Pickleball

Drilling builds skill. But winning demands more than clean mechanics—it requires adaptability, problem-solving, and the ability to think under pressure. Mastery isn’t just about hitting perfect shots; it’s about training your brain to recognize patterns, quiet the inner critic, and respond instinctively when the stakes are high.