Grab Life by the Paddle: Elevate Your Pickleball Game

Improve your pickleball game during a wellness adventure that will leave you renewed, recharged, and feeling your best. Begin your day with a scenic hike through the rolling hills of Rancho La Puerta, savor a healthy, fresh breakfast, step into a pickleball class, a private lesson, or free play, and then unwind in sound healing, a dunk in a hot tub, and a trip to the spa. It’s all part of the experience at The Ranch, where wellness and play blend in perfect harmony.

The Setup

Rancho La Puerta offers six lighted pickleball courts, year-round beginner and intermediate classes, and daily pickup games. But what sets us apart is our Pickleball Specialty Weeks that allow you to learn from visiting experts who teach new drills, techniques, and strategies, elevating your game to the next level. Join us to level up your game.

Expert Instruction at Your Service

With four dedicated staff instructors, you’re in excellent company, no matter your skill level. Our powerhouse fitness staff is here to help you every step of the way.

Preparing Your Body: The Importance of Stretching and Warm-Up

Before stepping onto the pickleball court, it’s essential to prime your body for the game’s fast-paced movements. Pickleball involves short bursts of speed, quick changes in direction, and upper-body engagement for swinging, making a thorough warm-up crucial for both performance and injury prevention. The goal is to gradually increase your heart rate, activate key muscle groups, and prepare your body for the movements you’ll use during play.

Usually, our guests have already been warmed up from a morning hike at The Ranch. However, if you didn’t start your day on one of our beautiful trails, here are a few quick drills to get you going before you step onto the pickleball court.

Footwork Preparation

Pickleball is a game of quick, reactive footwork. Preparing your lower body and improving your agility is vital to avoid strain or injury. Pickleball Instructor Alejandro Valencia recommends a few simple drills that are great even if you started your day on one of our trails:

1. Side Shuffles: Set up a small area and shuffle side-to-side, keeping your knees slightly bent and your body low. This drill activates your quads and glutes while preparing you for the frequent lateral movements in pickleball. 10-20 seconds per side.

2. Easy Jog and Line Tap: Start at the net and jog lightly to the baseline, tap your paddle on the ground, then jog back to the net and tap again. Repeat this 10 times. This simple drill helps increase your heart rate, activate your legs, and prepare your upper body for play.

3. Court Taps: Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, then step forward with your right leg while reaching out with your left arm to swing your paddle. Alternate sides, stepping forward with the left leg and swinging with your right arm. Repeat this movement 10 times on each side. This drill helps improve balance and coordination and prepares your body for the rotational movements used during pickleball play.

4. Upper Body Twist and High Kick Drill: Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart. Raise your right knee and twist your upper body to the left, then repeat by raising your left knee and twisting to the right. Afterward, perform a straight-leg high kick, tapping your toes with your paddle. Alternate legs and repeat for a balanced, full-body warm-up. This drill helps activate your core, improves flexibility, and prepares you for the rotational and kicking motions needed in pickleball.

All Levels Welcome

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, our pickleball program is designed to cater to all skill levels. Never played before? No problem! Our instructors will provide all the basics to get you confidently hitting the court. For those looking to fine-tune their skills, our staff and guest pros are ready to offer advanced techniques and strategy sessions to improve your game.

Wellness Meets Fun

Pickleball at Rancho La Puerta isn’t just about sport—it’s part of our broader wellness mission. The game offers a fantastic cardiovascular workout, improves hand-eye coordination, and boosts agility. But it’s also about joy, laughter, and building relationships with fellow guests. It’s a great way to stay active while relaxing in the stunning environment that The Ranch provides.

Are you ready to serve up some fun? See more of our activities or visit our Reservation’s page for the perfect accommodations.