Empower Pickleball

Most pickleball players will never know how much work happens behind the scenes to make tournaments run smoothly.

Dawn Horan has spent years doing exactly that.

She's been a player, ambassador, tournament director, volunteer coordinator, livestream crew member, and one of the people helping build the sport long before pickleball became what it is today.

Dawn recently shared her journey with us, from organizing local tournaments in Indiana to helping oversee volunteer operations for The APP .

Read the full story: https://empowerpickleball.com/dawn-horan-pickleball-community-spotlight

Is this what the future of pickleball clubs looks like? 📍

Chip's Pickleball Club in Eagan, Minnesota is rethinking what happens before, during, and after the match.

The facility features 12 tournament-sized courts, plus recovery amenities like a sauna and cold plunge. But what really stood out to us was everything happening off the court.

With a café, full bar, and spaces designed for players to hang out, it's the kind of place that encourages people to stick around long after the final point.

As more clubs pop up across the country, we're curious: What makes you want to stay after you play?

Read more about Chip's and see why it's become a destination for pickleball players: https://empowerpickleball.com/chips-pickleball-club-minnesota/

HEY NEWBIES! Is 2026 the year you (or that friend you’ve been nudging!) finally step onto the court? 👟✨

We know the first time you see a pickleball game, it can look a little... confusing. Between the underhand serves, the "Two-Bounce Rule," and the mysterious area called "The Kitchen," there’s a lot to take in!

We’ve put together the ultimate Pickleball 101 Guide to help you:

✅ Understand the court (without the jargon).
✅ Master the basic rules in minutes.
✅ Decode the scoring system (it’s easier than it sounds, we promise!).
✅ Avoid the most common "rookie" mistakes.

Ready to join the fun? Read the Beginner’s Guide here:

Pickleball 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Learning the Game New to pickleball? This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the rules, scoring, court layout, and common mistakes so you can start playing with confidence.

We know that ball machines aren’t cheap, so we did the homework for you. We’ve rounded up the best machines of 2026, from the ultra-portable "rolling bag" style to the high-tech machines you can control right from your phone. 📱✨

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly starter or a pro-level training partner, our guide breaks down:

✅ Which machines are actually easy to lug into your car.
✅ Which batteries will actually last through your longest drill session.
✅ The "Bottom Line" on which one is worth your hard-earned pickleball budget.

Ready to go solo? Read our 2026 Ball Machine Buyer's Guide here:

Best Pickleball Ball Machines for Solo Practice (2026) Looking for the best pickleball ball machine? Here’s a breakdown of top options for solo practice in 2026 based on budget, features, and performance.

Venise Chan is a former tennis champion who is now the driving force behind pickleball in Hong Kong. Venise recognized early on that the accessibility and social nature of pickleball made it the perfect fit for a city with limited space.

By launching the Asia Aces Pickleball Academy and organizing the inaugural Hong Kong Pickleball Open, she provided the foundation for local players to reach the international stage.

Her leadership is already paying off. In 2025, the Hong Kong team competed against 68 countries and brought home a silver medal from the Pickleball World Cup. Venise's story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s passion can spark a movement across an entire region.

Read the full story on Venise Chan and the rise of pickleball in Asia: https://empowerpickleball.com/venise-chan-pickleball-hong-kong/

We all love to dream about seeing Pickleball in the Olympics, but are we ready for the Olympic rules? 🤔

A recent seminar with the Global Pickleball Federation and the International Testing Agency just gave the sport a major reality check. It turns out, getting to the Olympics is about strict accountability that would make even the most disciplined pro sweat.

We’re talking:

🚫 Losing a gold medal over common cold medicine (yes, really).
🕒 Providing 60-minute windows every single day for potential testing.
🥤 Being incredibly careful with supplements and energy drinks.

In a sport built on "text me when you're at the courts" spontaneity, this is a massive cultural shift. It’s a fascinating look at what happens when our favorite "backyard game" grows up and starts playing by the world’s strictest rules.

Get the full scoop on what it actually takes to earn those Olympic rings:

Pickleball’s Olympic Ambition Meets Reality at the ITA Clean Sport Seminar At the ITA Clean Sport Seminar, pickleball’s Olympic ambition met the reality of strict anti-doping rules. If the sport wants Olympic inclusion, it must adopt rigorous governance, compliance, and a…

The transition zone is where points go to die if you don’t have a plan. But here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to be scary! It’s just a temporary pit stop on your way to the kitchen line.

In our latest guide, we’re breaking down:

✅ When to use "brute force" (the drive).
✅ When to use "finesse" (the sacred third-shot drop).
✅ How to master the "Transition Shuffle" so you never get caught flat-footed again.

Stop camping out in the danger zone and start moving with purpose. Your partner (and your dignity) will thank you! 😉

Read the full strategy here:

Pickleball Tips: How to Own the Transition Zone Without Losing the Point That dreaded stretch between the baseline and the kitchen doesn’t have to tank your game. From smart drives to finesse drops, here’s how to move through the transition zone with control, confidence…

"Enjoy the process, enjoy the game, and be okay with making mistakes. Pickleball is a game of mistakes." 💚

Senior Pro Teresa Tarn spent over two decades as a P.E. teacher and coach before finding her way to the professional pickleball stage. Her story is a great example of how athletic foundations can lead to incredible new chapters later in life.

Teresa medaled at every single level from 3.5 up to Senior Pro. While her back-to-back gold medals at the APP English Open are a huge highlight, she says the real reward is teaching others. She loves watching her students find that "aha" moment on the court.

We love her approach to training. She balances drilling and strength work with yoga and daily resets to keep her mind as sharp as her volleys.

Read the full interview with Teresa Tarn here: https://empowerpickleball.com/teresa-tarn-pickleball/

Is your elbow starting to "whisper" to you after a long Saturday session? 👂🎾

Most people call it “Tennis Elbow,” but in the pickleball world, it’s usually a sign that our "load management" has finally caught up with us.

Unfortunately, you can’t just "rest" your way out of this one. To get back to 100%, you have to rebuild your strength.

Don't wait for the whisper to turn into a yell. Read our prevention guide here:

The “Tennis Elbow” Reality Check: Prevention Strategies for Picklers Tennis elbow doesn’t come out of nowhere. In pickleball, it’s usually the result of high repetition, tight grip, and too much play volume too fast. Here’s what’s really happening inside your elbow—…

We’ve rounded up the 8 most iconic, bucket-list-worthy courts in the U.S., from the sacred birthplace of the game on Bainbridge Island to a tropical paradise in Hawaii (where you might literally see whales breaching mid-match! 🐋).

Whether you’re looking for a mountain retreat, a neon-lit Miami block party, or the glitz of Times Square, these spots prove that this game can take you anywhere.

See the full 2026 Bucket List here:

The 2026 Bucket List: 8 Most Iconic Pickleball Courts in the U.S. From urban legends to forest hideaways, these eight iconic pickleball courts offer the perfect excuse to turn your 2026 travel dreams into reality. Whether you’re chasing rallies under palm trees o…