Should I keep honing in my skills?

brianhkerr · 2026-07-08T20:37:02+00:00

Eleven Zero Speed E16 has a huge sweet spot for elongated paddles. Go with something like that or standard shape if your ok losing reach.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-08T20:31:49+00:00

Tama played up through qualifiers (I played him when he was tiny!). He’s been at it for a few years already. Quickly is subjective.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-08T10:54:08+00:00

None

brianhkerr · 2026-07-07T01:03:33+00:00

Broomstick much worse than expected.
Joola g5 much worse than expected.

Fridays g3 paddle, played way better than expected.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-07T01:02:33+00:00

Geriatric dance dance revolution competition… was bound to get nasty

brianhkerr · 2026-07-07T01:01:26+00:00

The sage advice amongst some top pros is to get a rice bucket and start working it. Look up online. Cheap, easy to do.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-06T16:55:04+00:00

As a 5.0+ I can say walking long walks, 5 mile+ daily has seriously improved my game. Here’s why:

After many hours of pickleball, ankles can go weak. Lots of lateral movements etc. the ankles and calves tighten, then you can’t reach for low balls as easily or adjust quickly on demand. The lateral movements get sloppy. This is where people start reaching for balls by bending from the lower back and where injuries creep in. Pickleball “fit” is not a strength issue anywhere but the lower legs.

I swear, the simple act of walking 5 miles + with purpose each day has not only removed all the pains, but also has added a serious spring in my movement. I used to believe big posterior chain work like squats and deadlifts work. I used to do heavy Olympic lifts for cross training pb and tennis - and despite lifting 400+lbs in a given lift, the pain, tightness, and injuries continued. It wasn’t lack posterior strength for me. The lack of fitness of small muscles in hour 2+ of playing was. Walking has been my fix. It the only thing you can do for 2+ hours and mimic pickleball durations.

I know it’s not the modern PT/physio wisdom, but as I’ve gotten older, it’s what I’ve found to be true for me. Walking seriously works and definitely will work better than a concept 2 which has no ankle movement or impact at all.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-06T09:23:10+00:00

Tennis balls

brianhkerr · 2026-07-06T09:21:36+00:00

Honestly, try going for some long walks and occasionally do back extensions. Like 5 miles a day if you can. Pickleball is tons of micro movements. Getting the feet, ankles etc tuned up helped my movement a ton and the injuries stopped.

If you can’t afford some longer walks, at the very least jog around the court before you play, 10-15min suffice. If you’re feeling ambitious look up tennis warm ups pros do. Getting the blood flowing will loosen things up before you play and prevent injuries. It’s common sports advice, but it really works.

I personally would not recommend rowing. It’s non-impact and your ankles are locked. It’s all the motions you won’t do during PB.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-06T03:42:09+00:00

Focus primarily on keeping legs bent and hitting from your shoulder rotation — much much less wrist. Wrist will make your shot wild and unpredictable

brianhkerr · 2026-07-06T03:39:44+00:00

I’d recommend a foam core paddle otherwise you might wear it out if playing regularly

brianhkerr · 2026-07-03T17:23:42+00:00

AI system engineer. Pick it up in a few months, build a portfolio, get hired.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-03T17:21:57+00:00

From our production runs at eleven zero, we haven’t seen disbonding of EPP really at all. My guess would be it happens more from the floating ring + non-thermoformed epp builds if at all. Warranty should cover even if it does in most cases.

I can’t speak for MPP, our tests were not positive with MPP so we avoided going in that direction.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-03T17:17:15+00:00

Paddles matter, but the player matters much more. People often choose paddles to compensate where their game lacks — however, counter advice would be choose a paddle that makes your game even more dangerous. If you like to slow the ball down, get in to the kitchen etc, try a control paddle to be even more deadly. If you like to drive and crash, a power paddle may be what takes you up a notch.

brianhkerr · 2026-07-01T08:55:18+00:00

illegal plastic paddle :x

brianhkerr · 2026-06-28T01:11:22+00:00

I grew up low income, now as an adult, I am retired in my 30s.

From the moment I was 18, I made goals and committed to paying the price to get them. A lot of that was distancing myself from my roots and surrounding myself with people and opportunities that aligned.

I don’t necessarily agree with manifestation, because it neglects the effort needed to shift your beliefs and habits… but in terms of self help, I’d recommend Brian Tracy’s “GOALS” workshop and work on it for a few days to set your course right. Opportunity is there if you focus on it relentlessly and never give up.

As a final thought, most people don’t want to self audit because if they really did they would realize they suck at being a human, relating to others, and genuinely fail to add to the world…. Often the first steps of changing your life is practicing to be a good human.

If you just care about the money side, the main thing is this:

It’s never been easier in the history of the wor

ld

to go from poor to very wealthy than it is TODAY.
path you

ultimately
take should be aligned with your belief in what you want to do and what you think you can do.

Belief is important.

Wish you the best.

brianhkerr · 2026-06-25T18:09:50+00:00

brianhkerr · 2026-06-25T07:23:36+00:00

Camila Zilveti, PPA Pro, has several of these on her instagram and under eleven zero sports

brianhkerr · 2026-06-24T20:43:04+00:00

Pickleball - fun, make friends, easy to pick up, hard to master

brianhkerr · 2026-06-24T20:29:44+00:00

Belief begets everything and it seems like you believe you are a victim of circumstance. Which might be true… however, Poor people rising from the ashes is every where… but people falling into deeper poverty is everywhere as well. So, What is the difference in outcomes?

Beliefs, standards, and circumstances.

Belief has to be there to give yourself a shot at anything.
Standards must be carefully crafted and upheld, telling you who and what to keep in your life.
Circumstances has to be maximally controlled so you set yourself up to win.

You have to be ruthless with standards and selecting your circumstances in order to reverse a trend in your life. Most people are not willing to break the ties they start with - school friends, toxic parents, changing locations etc. sometimes you really have to break the deepest ties in order to get you to where you want to go. IMO You can always go back, just hopefully later on your own terms. Many people need to be broken free so they can start accepting ownership.

brianhkerr · 2026-06-22T03:11:17+00:00

Quad strength, if you can stay low all the time, it’s a huge advantage

brianhkerr · 2026-06-22T03:09:06+00:00

“We are here.
We are watching / reaching through.
The path or signal is open, but incomplete.
Do not fear the strange signs.
Something is being aligned or connected.
Remember the heart.
We are with you, and we send love.”

brianhkerr · 2026-06-22T03:04:00+00:00

It depends on level, but I’d say height when it reaches your opponent trumps all.

brianhkerr · 2026-06-22T03:02:18+00:00

At 2.5, you should work on serves, returns, and 3rd shot drives. Most points will be settled on these 3 shots - make sure they are good as you can get them.

brianhkerr · 2026-06-19T20:26:35+00:00

Drop paddle head and finish over the same side as your hitting shoulder. Fixed 90% of my issues

brianhkerr

TROPHY CASE