Are you new to playing in pickleball tournaments or are you a seasoned player? Either way, here are some pickleball tournament prep tips to get you ready to play at your highest level.
Pickleball Tournament – Hydration Prep
We’re starting with this topic as it’s not usually thought about for newbies to pickleball tournaments. Preparing your body with the right electrolytes and foods is essential. Some pickleball tournaments can last 6, 7 or 8 hours is the tournament is well attended and you continue to progress.
Recently, we published a blog post on the two types of cramping. Both occur during competitive pickleball tournaments. Cramping during a tournament play is a potassium issue. Cramping after or at night is a magnesium issue. Try to avoid both!
Several days ahead of your pickleball tournament, start your hydration approach. Jigsaw Health has some great products, but you can also prep with Coconut Water and other electrolyte drinks. Try to avoid too much sugar however. The key is to hydrate a few days out…you really can’t recover in the moment if hydration becomes your enemy.
I also use Salt Stick Fast Chews. Typically I take 1-2 tablets 30 minutes before playing then in between every match. It’s help me a lot and I’ve cramped in several tournaments.
Pickleball Tournaments – Physical Prep
This area is where we see the most focus. Drilling and playing with your partner to fine tune your shots, your court positioning, your communication, etc. It’s essential to prep physically for pickleball tournaments. The more you’re in synch with your partner and the more confident you are with you game, the better.
But don’t forget to stretch and get some squats in. Prep your muscles and tendons for a long day of activity. For me, I start doing several sets of squats 5-6 days before a pickleball tournament. I find the quick actions and lots of quad stress important to prepare for.
Also, get to the tournament site a bit early to settle in. Find your spot, set up your chair and warm up. Many times I like to challenge people to a game as a warm up. It’s gets the blood flowing and calms some of the nerves. Plus, it gets you ready mentally – GAME ON!
Pickleball Tournaments – Mental Prep
For many, pickleball tournaments cause anxiety and nervousness. I think that’s good, but you have to learn to control it. First and foremost, have fun. For 99% of us, we are not playing to earn a living – we won’t be making any money. We win medals and a pat on the back. Relax and have fun.
Personally, I take CBD oil before matches. That helps me calm down a bit. The key however is to create a routine that you like, one that prepares you mentally for competition. Is it playing music in your headphones? It is a specific stretching / warm up routine? Is it jogging? Figure it out and repeat it so you calm down and focus.
As mentioned in the section above, warming up by playing a game against perfect strangers can also help tremendously. It can get you into the flow of playing.
After having fun, the most important thing I’ve learned is to have a short memory. When you make an unforced error or hit a bad shot, move on. Forget about it and focus on the next point. When you dwell on a mistake, you will definitely make more and start doubting yourself. One of the biggest differences mentally between a recreational pickleball player and a professional is a short memory. Create something to trigger you mentally to move on. I say to myself, “HHHmmmm, that was interesting.” Once I say that, I’m on to the next point and kinda laugh off the error.
Good luck out there and LET’S GO!!!