Welcome to the Blog
Documenting my pickleball journey from a 3.5 to 4.5+ player as a 50+ athlete. Follow along for real matches, POV gameplay, honest gear reviews, and tips on injury prevention and recovery. Join me as I break down what actually works to improve your game and play better for longer.
My Pickleball Journey
POV Gameplay Insights
The “Drip” Shot in Pickleball: Why Outside Contact Changes Everything
One of the toughest adjustments coming from tennis to pickleball doubles? Not trying to blast
Learning the 3rd Shot Drive / 5th Shot Drop Rhythm (And Fighting My Tennis Instincts)
One of the biggest adjustments in my journey from 3.5 to 4.5+ pickleball has been
Honest Gear Reviews
Pickleball Eye Protection: Why I Use iVUE Denali Glasses for Safety and POV Game Analysis
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., but with faster rallies and
Master Your Mindset
The “Drip” Shot in Pickleball: Why Outside Contact Changes Everything
One of the toughest adjustments coming from tennis to pickleball doubles? Not trying to blast
Learning the 3rd Shot Drive / 5th Shot Drop Rhythm (And Fighting My Tennis Instincts)
One of the biggest adjustments in my journey from 3.5 to 4.5+ pickleball has been
Takeaways from My First Pickleball Tournament
Keystone Pickleball Tournament – Dill Dinkers, Newport, DE (1/31–2/1/2026) I played my first official pickleball
Injury Prevention & Recovery
Pickleball Eye Protection: Why I Use iVUE Denali Glasses for Safety and POV Game Analysis
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., but with faster rallies and
My Journey to 4.5+
Documenting my journey to improve my game
DUPR Rating Reset Explained (2026): How It Works, What It Costs, and Whether It’s Worth It
If you’ve seen players talking about the DUPR Rating Reset, you might be wondering: Let’s
The “Drip” Shot in Pickleball: Why Outside Contact Changes Everything
One of the toughest adjustments coming from tennis to pickleball doubles? Not trying to blast
Learning the 3rd Shot Drive / 5th Shot Drop Rhythm (And Fighting My Tennis Instincts)
One of the biggest adjustments in my journey from 3.5 to 4.5+ pickleball has been
Takeaways from My First Pickleball Tournament
Keystone Pickleball Tournament – Dill Dinkers, Newport, DE (1/31–2/1/2026) I played my first official pickleball
Get in Touch
Connect with XMan Pickleball
Reach out for questions, collaborations, or just to say hi! I love engaging with fellow pickleball enthusiasts.