By Chris Wolfe, Director of Pickleball Operations at Pickle And Social
Are you really ready in the ready position?
Having a stable foundation is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a good ready position in pickleball. I often see players with either too narrow a stance or too wide. So, what is the perfect stance? It depends on you. You should start with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. The ideal width depends on how well you can still move. I personally have a very wide stance but have no issues moving from it when I need to reach a ball that is outside of my “bubble.” The wider your stance, the bigger your bubble gets, meaning you can reach more balls without moving as much.
Next time you are on the court, experiment with the width of your stance. If you cannot move quickly, then you have gone too far!
Loose as a goose
Newcomers to pickleball often display noticeable tightness — in their grip, their arms, and in every motion, there is a sense of tension. Yet, there is an interesting contrast in the game: the looser your arm, the quicker your response. By relaxing your arm, your serve gains power, your volleys become more agile, and your overheads turn destructive. This looseness does not just apply to physical movements; it is also about adopting a relaxed mindset. A relaxed player is often a more focused and effective player. So, the surprising key to excelling in pickleball could well be learning to loosen up — in both body and mind.
Wolfe 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 Pickleball Operations at Pickle and Social, Wolfe brings expertise and passion to every aspect of the sport.
