By Chris Wolfe, Director of Pickleball for the Atlanta National Pickleball Club (ANPC)
WIND CAN BE YOUR FRIEND
When tournament day rolled around, I always welcomed a windy day. While most players groaned, letting negativity creep in, I saw an opportunity. The wind can be your greatest teammate if you know how to use it to your advantage.
To master playing in the wind, focus on hitting lower balls, as they tend to stay in the court more reliably. Be ready to move your feet and make last-second adjustments since the wind can shift the ball unexpectedly. Avoid cute or tricky shots, which often fall apart in unpredictable conditions. Instead, prioritize consistency.
Communicate with your partner to understand the wind’s direction. For example, if it is blowing from left to right, avoid hitting super-wide dinks to your opponent’s left side. The middle of the court is often the safest play. Also, avoid lobbing when the wind is at your back, as the ball will likely sail long. Be decisive with your shots because holding onto them to be tricky will not work — by the time you commit, the wind may have already moved the ball. Finally, consider the weight of your paddle. Light paddles are more susceptible to wind, and the breeze can unexpectedly open or close your paddle face, affecting your control.
I love playing in the wind because it forces quick thinking and smart decision-making. It challenges your fundamentals and adds an exciting element to the game. So next time the wind picks up, embrace it, adapt, and let it be your secret weapon.
THE RULE OF THIRDS: A SMART WAY TO PRACTICE PICKLEBALL
When it comes to getting better at pickleball, I am a big believer in the “Rule of Thirds.” Spend a third of your time playing with people better than you, a third with players around your level, and a third with players a little below you. Playing better players forces you to level up, react quicker, and you get to see what high-level shot selection, movement, and strategy look like in real time.
Playing people at your level gives you a real shot at competing, trying new things under pressure, and it is easier to work on executing a game plan when the match feels winnable. And playing lower-level players teaches you patience, control, and even how to set points up the right way, which a lot of players skip. You also get to be the teacher. Explaining concepts or adjusting to others’ mistakes sharpens your own understanding of the game. If you are always mixing it up like this, you stay challenged, stay sharp, and start climbing levels instead of getting stuck.
Chris has been a cornerstone of the Atlanta pickleball community since 2016, organizing tournaments, running events, and teaching thousands of people the joy of the game. As the co-owner of the PPA Atlanta Open and Director of the Atlanta National Pickleball Club, Chris brings expertise and passion to every aspect of the sport.
