Tag: blueprint

Stable Feet, Solid Shots: Why Balance Matters in Pickleball (and Life)

Let’s get real: Nobody—and I mean nobody—hits a sweet dink when they’re dancing across the court. If you’re moving mid-swing, you’re compromising both the power and accuracy of your shot. Pair that with unsteady balance, and you’ll be flailing around trying to recover from your own momentum—not exactly a winning combination.

In my Proactive Aging Blueprint, I always emphasize the importance of functional movement and body awareness—both of which are crucial on the pickleball court. If your muscles aren’t conditioned to stabilize your joints, or if you’re not used to quickly setting your feet before striking the ball, you’ll find yourself off-balance more often than not. That sets off a chain reaction of errors and potential injuries.

Rotator Cuff Relief: How to Protect Your Shoulders and Keep Smashing

Let’s face it: pickleball can be murder on your shoulders if you’re not careful—especially as we get older and our joints start voicing their opinions. In my “blueprint” philosophy, we focus on total-body harmony—which means we don’t just play; we prepare and protect so we can keep playing for years to come. Your rotator cuff is a prime example of where that matters most.

Your rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles (and their tendons) that wrap around your shoulder joint, stabilizing it and helping you lift and rotate your arm. Whether you’re going for a powerful overhead smash or a sneaky drop shot, these muscles are the unsung heroes behind every swing. That is, until they start screaming in pain.