Your Racquet and Paddle Sport Headquarters
The Premier Racquet Sport Blog
At TheVolleyLlama, if it’s played with a paddle or racquet, a ball, and a net – then we play it and we’re obsessed with it! We’re here to give you everything you need to learn your favorite paddle or racquet sport along with tips to improving your game. Also, our product reviews are designed to be authentic because if we recommend a product, it’s because we’ve played with it and loved it!
Latest Articles
Where Did the Name Pickeball Come From?
December 2, 2023
Where did the name Pickleball come from? Did it come from rowing lore, a Cocker Spaniel named 'Pickles', or something…Pickleball Paddle Regulations: Do You Have a “Banned” Paddle?
November 28, 2023
Master the game with our comprehensive guide on pickleball paddle regulations - know how to spot legal and illegals paddles…What Do You Need to Play Pickleball? A Helpful Beginner’s Guide
November 25, 2023
Looking to start playing pickleball for the first time? Learn what equipment you need and why in this helpful beginner's…Serving Up 5 Distinctions: How Pickleball is Different Than Tennis
November 23, 2023
Discover how pickleball is different (and better) than tennis. I analyze the differences in equipment, rules, and strategies for each…23 Simple Pickleball Strategies to Elevate Your Game in Just 3 Months
November 14, 2023
These are the 23 simple pickleball strategies that elevated my game from a beginner to an intermediate player in less…What is a Lob in Pickleball and When Should You Use it?
November 13, 2023
What is a lob in pickleball and when should you use it? We explore one of the most misunderstood shots…A Beginner’s Guide on How to Become a Pickleball Ambassador in 1 Month!
November 13, 2023
Foster a community, promote the sport, and elevate your game! Here is how to become a Pickleball Ambassador in 1…Best Pickleball Paddle Sets For Kids in 2024
November 3, 2023
Discover top kid-friendly pickleball paddles for young champs. Elevate their game with the best pickleball paddle sets for kids.Can You Play Pickleball on Concrete?
October 11, 2023
Curious to know if you can play pickleball on concrete? Learn the ins and outs of the fastest-growing sport when…A Simple Pickleball Calories Burned Calculator
September 16, 2023
I created a simple pickleball calories burned calculator to help estimate how many calories you burn no matter how long…Can You Play Pickleball in the Rain? Your Wet Weather Guide
August 28, 2023
Rainy day dilemma: Can you play pickleball in the rain? Discover the ultimate wet-weather pickleball tips!What Is The 10 Second Rule in Pickleball?
August 20, 2023
What is the 10 second rule in pickleball? Is it real , and how does it work? Get the facts…Pickleball Court Dimensions in Feet – A Beginner’s Guide
August 19, 2023
Discover the official pickleball court dimensions in feet and learn how to set up your own court. A comprehensive beginner's…Pickleball Courts vs Tennis Courts: Key Differences and Similarities
August 17, 2023
When it comes to pickleball courts vs tennis courts, it's more than just a sheer size difference. Here's what truly…Professional Pickleball Players Salary – How Much Do Pros Make?
July 30, 2023
Game, set, salary! 💸 Learn the true value of a professional pickleball player's salary, and where their earnings actually come…When Did Pickleball Become Popular?
July 27, 2023
Pickleball has steadily gained a loyal fan base ever since it was invented in 1965, with courts sprouting up in…Best Tennis Racquets For Juniors: A Helpful Guide For Parents
April 21, 2023
I've got two boys taking tennis lessons. I tried 3 brands and over 7 different racquets in search of the…Can You Lose On A Serve In Ping Pong?
April 21, 2023
Whether it’s as simple as hitting the ball into the net or a more technical issue, there are a number…The Best Pickleball Paddle Covers To Help Protect Your Gear
April 14, 2023
If you've recently purchased a brand-new pickleball paddle, you may want to spend a little extra money and consider buying…Testing 25 Paddles To Find The Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin in 2024
April 14, 2023
I bought and played with 25 of the best pickleball paddles for spin from every big name and after playing…Best Pickleball Paddles For Beginners in 2024 – Top 3 Compared
April 14, 2023
If you're learning the game, does choosing the best pickleball paddles for beginners really matter? I play-tested 20 paddles to…An Illustrated Look at the Best Pickleball Bags
April 14, 2023
An Illustrated Look at the Best Pickleball Bags I recently bought a bunch of new paddles and I needed to…Pickleball Unforced Errors – The Mental Side of the Game
April 14, 2023
In this post, we're going to talk about an aspect of the game of pickleball that plagues beginners and experts…HEAD Pickleball Paddles – Paddle Comparison & Analysis
April 14, 2023
HEAD Pickleball Paddles In today’s post we’re going to take a closer look at all the HEAD Pickleball Paddles, explain…Stiga Pro Carbon Review and Paddle Analysis
April 14, 2023
The Stiga Pro Carbon is used by beginners and advanced players alike, but is it worth all the hype? Find…Killerspin Jet 800 Review For 2023
April 14, 2023
Killerspin Jet 800 Review - Should recreational players buy it? Is it worth it for casual players?The Definitive Adidas Barricade Review
April 14, 2023
The Adidas Barricade and its cousin the Barricade Boost are making headlines and impressing the tennis community. But, are they…Coach’s Picks – Best Tennis Racquets For High School Players
April 14, 2023
We've researched hours upon hours and looked at countless racquet models to find the three best tennis racquets for high…What Is A Drop Shot In Pickleball? A Helpful Beginner’s Guide
April 13, 2023
Pickleball features many unique shots and techniques, but few are as paramount as the drop shot. This move is known…Tennis Rackets For 2 Year Olds – A Pint Sized Parental Guide
April 13, 2023
This is THE definitive guide for parents designed specifically around tennis rackets for 2-year-olds. Find the right pint-sized racket here!The 5 Best Pickleball Paddles That Made Me A Better Player
April 13, 2023
If you’re like me, you’ve been playing pickleball for a while now and want to upgrade your paddle. Whether you’re…A Helpful Guide To Finding The Best Shoes For Platform Tennis
April 13, 2023
Read this article before buying shoes for platform tennis! According to the Platform Tennis Association, this is what to look…Tennis Rackets For 4 Year Olds: A Helpful Beginners Guide
April 13, 2023
Tennis Rackets For 4 Year Olds: A Helpful Beginners Guide Hi, my name is Keith and I’m a tennis player…Is Pickleball Good Exercise? The Secret Health Benefits Revealed!
April 13, 2023
Is pickleball good exercise? Can you really get a cardio workout from pickleball? Get in shape and stay active with…The Wilson Rush Pro 3.0: The Most Durable Court Shoe Ever
April 13, 2023
The Wilson Rush Pro 3.0: The Most Durable Court Shoe Ever Welcome to my review of the Wilson Rush Pro…The K-Swiss Express Light: A Perfect Dedicated Pickleball Shoe
April 13, 2023
The K-Swiss Express Light: A Perfect Dedicated Pickleball Shoe The K-Swiss Express Light represents one of the first major racket…Which Pickleball Machines Replicate Shots The Best?
April 13, 2023
Which Pickleball Machines Replicate Shots The Best? In an effort to improve my pickleball game when I was on my…Which pickleball paddle has the largest sweet spot?
April 13, 2023
Which pickleball paddle has the largest sweet spot? In this post, we’re going to examine which pickleball paddle has the…These Are the Best Pickleballs Paddles Under $50 That I’ve Tried
April 13, 2023
The best pickleball paddles under $50 all have one thing in common and it’s what separates them from all the…What Is The Best Tennis Racquet for Advanced Juniors?
April 13, 2023
What Is The Best Tennis Racquet for Advanced Juniors? Finding the best tennis racquet for advanced juniors can be a…Graphite vs Composite Pickleball Paddles – A Helpful Guide For Beginners
April 13, 2023
Graphite vs Composite Pickleball Paddles – A Helpful Guide For Beginners Graphite vs composite pickleball paddles. The debate as to…The 5 Rules of Pickleball That Any Beginner Must Know
April 13, 2023
Pickleball is a fun game with a quirky name, that’s rising in popularity. In fact, it has been for quite…What Is The Double Bounce Rule In Pickleball? A Helpful Beginners Guide
April 13, 2023
What Is The Double Bounce Rule In Pickleball? A Helpful Beginners Guide When I first started playing, learning the double…Where To Stand In Pickleball – A Helpful Guide For New Players
April 13, 2023
Where To Stand In Pickleball – A Helpful Guide For New Players Even though I’ve played pickleball now for over…What Is A Volley In Pickleball – A Helpful Guide For New Players
April 13, 2023
What Is A Volley In Pickleball – A Helpful Guide For New Players Volleying is a popular move in many…Can You Hit Overhand in Pickleball? A Simple Answer For Newbies
April 13, 2023
Can You Hit Overhand in Pickleball? A Simple Answer For Newbies There’s no doubt hitting overhand in pickleball provides more…How To Use Temporary Pickleball Court Lines To Make A Pickleball Court
April 13, 2023
How To Use Temporary Pickleball Court Lines To Make A Pickleball Court A temporary pickleball court is relatively easy to…What Is a Pickleball Made Of? The Answer May Surprise You…
April 13, 2023
What Is a Pickleball Made Of? The Answer May Surprise You… Pickleball is a unique blend of tennis, badminton, and…Easy Pickleball Tips And Strategies For New Players Just Learning Pickleball
April 12, 2023
Easy Pickleball Tips And Strategies For New Players Just Learning Pickleball If you want to become a pickleball expert, you…How to Play Pickleball
April 12, 2023
How to Play Pickleball Before we can get into how to play pickleball, let's start by answering the question: "what…Best Indoor Pickleball Balls – Jugs Review and More!
April 12, 2023
Best Indoor Pickleball Balls – Jugs Review and More! Indoor Pickleball Balls - The Facts Ever wonder what the difference…The Rally Graphite Pickleball Paddle Review
April 12, 2023
The Rally Graphite Pickleball Paddle Review If you're a new pickleball player, choosing your first pickleball paddle can be a…How To Improve Your Pickleball Serve And Rip It In 5 Easy Steps
April 12, 2023
How To Improve Your Pickleball Serve And Rip It In 5 Easy Steps Welcome to my beginner's guide on how…The Anatomy Of A Perfect Pickleball Lob Shot
April 12, 2023
The Anatomy Of A Perfect Pickleball Lob Shot In today's post, we're going to discuss the single most lethal pickleball…Common Pickleball Injuries and How to Avoid Them
April 12, 2023
Common Pickleball Injuries and How to Avoid Them Pickleball injuries are becoming more and more common as the game continues…Pickleball Strategy – The 9 Best Ways to Improve Your Return of Serve
April 12, 2023
Pickleball Strategy – The 9 Best Ways to Improve Your Return of Serve Welcome to the second installment in our…What Is The Kitchen In Pickleball? A Simple Answer For Beginners
April 12, 2023
What Is The Kitchen In Pickleball? A Simple Answer For Beginners What Is The Kitchen In Pickleball - The Rules…Pickleball Net Height vs. Tennis Net Height – A Helpful Beginners Guide
April 12, 2023
The net plays a crucial role in both pickleball and tennis, and must meet certain regulation standards according to their…A Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Pickleball Lines On A Tennis Court
April 12, 2023
A Step-By-Step Guide to Painting Pickleball Lines On A Tennis Court If you’re looking to turn a tennis court into…What Is A Fault In Pickleball? A Simple Answer For New Players
April 12, 2023
What Is A Fault In Pickleball? A Simple Answer For New Players I love the game of pickleball but one…Babolat Pickleball Paddles – My Hands On Review Of All Paddles
April 12, 2023
Babolat Pickleball Paddles – My Hands On Review Of All Paddles I'll admit, I had been wondering why it took…How To Choose A Pickleball Paddle Without Buying It
April 12, 2023
How To Choose A Pickleball Paddle Without Buying It I’ve been playing pickleball for a long time but when I…What Is A Let In Pickleball? Learn Why The Rule Changed.
April 12, 2023
What Is A Let In Pickleball? Learn Why The Rule Changed. Pickleball is becoming more popular every year, likely because…Why Is It Called The Kitchen In Pickleball?
April 12, 2023
Why Is It Called The Kitchen In Pickleball? If you’ve ever been around pickleball players, you’ve probably heard the term…How Many Pickleball Courts Fit On A Tennis Court?
April 12, 2023
How Many Pickleball Courts Fit On A Tennis Court? Transitioning or converting a tennis court into pickleball courts is easy…11 Game-Changing Pickleball Tips For Intermediate Players
April 12, 2023
I give you 11 of the most influential pickleball tips for intermediate players that have changed the way I play.…A Helpful Beginners Guide To – Where Is Pickleball Played?
April 12, 2023
A Helpful Beginners Guide To – Where Is Pickleball Played? Pickleball is a sport that's been gaining in popularity for…Where Did Pickleball Originate And Who Invented It?
April 12, 2023
Where Did Pickleball Originate And Who Invented It? Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing sports and has become a popular…What Is Pickleball And Why Is It Over-taking Tennis?
April 12, 2023
What Is Pickleball And Why Is It Over-taking Tennis? I’ve been playing pickleball for over six years but the game…What Are The 3 Rules of A Pickleball Serve?
April 12, 2023
There 3 rules of a pickleball serve that are fundamental to not only having an effective serve but also a…A Beginners Guide On How To Play Pickleball On Grass
April 12, 2023
A Beginners Guide On How To Play Pickleball On Grass Pickleball is a great sport that pretty much any age…3 Pickleball Kitchen Rules That Every Beginner Needs To Know
April 12, 2023
3 Pickleball Kitchen Rules That Every Beginner Needs To Know Every time I introduce someone new to pickleball, I will…How Long Does A Game Of Pickleball Last? It’s Faster Than You Think!
April 12, 2023
How Long Does A Game Of Pickleball Last? It’s Faster Than You Think! Pickleball is an enjoyable sport to play…Can You Hit The Net In Ping Pong? A Simple Answer For Beginners
April 12, 2023
Whether you've played ping pong for a long time or are someone new to the game, at some point this…What Are 5 Faults In Pickleball Every Beginner Should Know?
April 12, 2023
What Are 5 Faults In Pickleball Every Beginner Should Know? Pickleball has quickly become the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.…5 Illegal Ping Pong Serves That Are Easy To Spot
April 12, 2023
Illegal ping pong serves can be tricky to detect if you’re not familiar with the rules. Here are 5 illegals…How To Keep Score In Pickleball Doubles vs Singles
April 12, 2023
How To Keep Score In Pickleball Doubles vs Singles Like other racquet or paddle sports, pickleball can become a different…How To Serve In Pickleball For Beginners
April 12, 2023
How To Serve In Pickleball For Beginners A consistent serve is one of the most important skills a beginner should…Improve Your Third Shot Drop In Under 5 Minutes
April 12, 2023
Improve Your Third Shot Drop In Under 5 Minutes The more you play pickleball, the more you’ll hear that the…A Beginners Guide To: What Is The Non-Volley Zone In Pickleball?
April 11, 2023
A Beginners Guide To: What Is The Non-Volley Zone In Pickleball? The most unique area on a pickleball court has…An In-Depth Look Into Pickleball Doubles Serving Rules
April 11, 2023
An In-Depth Look Into Pickleball Doubles Serving Rules One of the first sets of rules explained in pickleball to any…What Are The 10 Rules Of Pickleball?
April 11, 2023
What Are The 10 Rules Of Pickleball? Learning the basic rules to the game of pickleball is essential for any…Decode the Roar: The Reason Why Badminton Players Shout So!
April 11, 2023
Unleash the Power: Why do badminton players shout "so"? Explore the impact of why players raise their voices for focus…What Is A Rally In Pickleball?
April 10, 2023
What Is A Rally In Pickleball? You often hear the term ‘rally’ in sports like tennis, especially when things are…A Helpful Beginners Guide To Ping Pong Table Dimensions
January 12, 2023
Wondering what size ping pong table to get? I've put together helpful answers to the most common ping pong table…How To Build Your Own Ping Pong Paddle The Easy Way
January 12, 2023
Buying a standard ping pong paddle is easy. Creating your own doesn't have to be hard. Here is how to…Does The Ball Have To Bounce In Ping Pong?
January 12, 2023
Does the ball have to bounce in ping pong or are you allowed to volley it? This one rule separates…Does The Ball Have To Bounce In Tennis? A Rule To Remember
January 12, 2023
A tennis ball bouncing during a game of tennis is a common occurrence and is a regular part of the…Can You Hit The Ball Before It Bounces In Tennis?
January 12, 2023
So you’ve got a tennis racquet, some balls, a practice partner, and you’re ready to play and learn the game…Can The Ball Hit The Net In Tennis? A Simple Answer For Beginners
January 12, 2023
Can the ball hit the net in tennis? The simple answer is yes but based on different circumstances, different rules…What Is A Half Volley In Tennis? A Simple Answer For Beginners
January 12, 2023
What is a half volley in tennis and how is it different than a regular volley? My simple answer for…What Is A Volley In Tennis And How Its Rebirth is Changing The Game
January 12, 2023
What is a volley in tennis? The volley is a different shot now than it was 20 years ago and…How Many Let Serves Are Allowed In Tennis? My Helpful Beginners Guide
January 12, 2023
There are many subtle intricacies of tennis and its rules, and one of the stranger ones revolves around serves and…What is Platform Tennis? Why Am I So Confused?
January 12, 2023
Racquet sports are my thing, so you can imagine how excited I was when I was first introduced to Platform…Calling An Out In Pickleball And Proper Pickleball Etiquette
January 11, 2023
Even though pickleball borrows elements from other racket sports, there are rules that are entirely unique to pickleball. The rules of calling a…When Did Table Tennis Become an Olympic Sport?
January 1, 2023
As a fan of any and all paddle sports, it's always good to see these sometimes smaller, less heralded sports…Printable Pickleball Rules – Just Click And Print
November 25, 2022
Click here for a simple one-page, beginner-friendly printable pickleball rules sheet you can take to the courts! One page, one…Ping Pong Rules For Dummies – 5 Basic Rules
October 12, 2022
There are 5 basic ping pong rules for dummies that can allow any new player to quickly learn the basics…What Is A Legal Serve In Ping Pong?
August 20, 2022
I created the definitive guide on what a legal serve in ping pong is, and five simple steps to follow…What Are The 7 Rules Of Pickleball?
June 26, 2022
For any beginner playing the game for the first time, knowing the 7 rules of pickleball is essential to learning…How To Lower A Tennis Net For Pickleball – The Easy Way
February 26, 2022
Learn how to lower a tennis net for pickleball in a few simple steps that you can do in under…6 Easy Ways To Learn How To Keep the Ball Low In Pickleball
January 22, 2022
After playing with 4.0 level players and even coaches, I’ve learned six fundamental ways on how to keep the ball…The Easy Way To Know If You Can Play Pickleball On A Tennis Court
December 31, 2021
Can you play pickleball on a tennis court? Not every tennis court is set up for pickleball, here is the…Why Is It Called Pickleball? The Game’s Greatest Mystery Revealed!
December 22, 2021
Why is it called pickleball? Read why the game's name is also its biggest controversy stemming from the game's founding…Prince Response Pro Review -Why I Fell In Love In Just 10 Minutes!
October 24, 2019
I bought the Prince Response Pro and within 10 minutes of playing with it, I knew exactly why 5.0 level…The Best Tennis Bags Rated By Storage, Affordability & Ease Of Use
September 14, 2019
I recently took a tennis trip with my family and learned first hand that finding the best tennis bag for…What Are The Best Tennis Racquets for Seniors?
September 7, 2019
I spoke with pro shops and racquet experts to learn more about the best tennis racquets for seniors. It was…The Best Tennis Racquet For A Female Beginner
July 11, 2019
I spoke with racquet experts and even my local pro shop to create this helpful guide for anyone looking for…Spec Tennis Paddles – Analysis and Direction From The Game’s Inventor
June 9, 2019
When looking into what Spec Tennis Paddles to choose from, I went right to the man who created the game…What is Spec Tennis And Why Are Younger Players Preferring It?
May 27, 2019
A while back, I began to look into and learn more about other paddle or racquet sports (aside from pickleball)…Toddler Tennis Rackets – A Helpful Guide for Parents & Grandparents
May 19, 2019
I’ve got two sons, now ages 6 and 8 but, they started tennis lessons way back when they were 3…How Technology is Serving Tennis Strategy a Makeover
May 15, 2019
The tennis technology of today has come a long way since the early games of handball. It hasn't changed the…Ping Pong Strategy – 15 Quick Ways To Improve Your Game
March 10, 2019
Ping Pong may be a simple game to comprehend but Ping Pong Strategy goes a lot deeper! Here are 15…What Pickleball Paddles Do The Pros Use? 4 Pros Share Their Secrets
February 10, 2019
When researching pickleball paddles, I interviewed three 5.0 Pros and 1 BIG paddle manufacturer and learned 17 gamechanging facts about…Can Tennis Shoes Go in the Washing Machine?
January 26, 2019
Can your brand new pair of tennis shoes go in the washing machine? Can tennis shoe go in the dryer?…What Is Pop Tennis And Why It’s Gaining Popularity
December 8, 2018
Ever since my two kids started taking tennis lessons, I've been anxiously waiting to get my wife and kids out…Prince Pickleball Paddles – The one secret you may not know!
August 11, 2018
I’m still kind of shocked. I’m sitting here at my computer dumbfounded, impressed, puzzled, excited and very relieved! So why…Best Pickleball Shirts – Show Your Love for the Game!
May 1, 2017
Pickleball is arguably the most inviting, inclusive sports I can think of. What I mean, is that whether you're a…Pickleball Pro Tip – Get The Net!
April 14, 2017
In this article, we're going to break down a common "Pickleball Pro Tip" - Getting to the net! Like “capture…Pickleball Volley Strategy – How to Dominate at the Net!
March 26, 2017
Good pickleball volley technique is vitally important to winning points consistently. Most points, if kept alive, are won or lost…The Fascinating History of Pickleball – Do You Know the Whole Story?
February 23, 2017
Believe it or not, the game of pickleball is over 50 years old! That's right, the game began way back…25 Simple Pickleball Tips for Beginners
February 22, 2017
In this post, we’re going to talk about 25 simple pickleball tips for beginners. These pickleball tips are designed to be elementary and…A Helpful Guide For Pickleball Third Shot Drop Domination
February 11, 2017
The most difficult shot to pull off consistently in pickleball is - the third shot drop. It's the foundation to…The Best Shoes For Pickleball I’ve Worn Over The Past 5 Years
February 1, 2017
I bought and tested tons of the best pairs of court shoes for pickleball that every big name brand has…
Explore Topics
Most Popular
Pickleball
Tennis
Ping Pong
Welcome
Welcome to TheVolleyLlama.com. My name is Keith, I’m just a lover of all sports that involve a racquet, net and a ball. I played competitive high school varsity tennis, love racquetball and my whole family plays pickleball regularly. I started this website to help give people like you the basics to learn these wonderful games.
I also love providing players like you with simple, actionable tips to help improve your game on the court.
I also take pride in the fact that the products I recommend here have been researched, analyzed, bought, played with, worn, and used. So you can be sure that if I recommend a product, it’s because we’ve used it!
