GChanMako

09/12/2026

https://gchanmako.com/pickleball-for-gen-z-mental-health/

Discover why pickleball for Gen Z mental health is trending. See the data on how young players use the court to escape screen fatigue, lower stress, and beat anxiety.

09/12/2026

Ever notice how some pickleball players just keep getting better year after year, while others hit a wall and stay there?

We dug into the science of skill plateaus, deliberate practice, and aging to find out what actually separates the two. Turns out age isn't the deciding factor. A 58 year old can still be climbing DUPR levels while a 28 year old stalls out, and the research explains exactly why.

In our latest article, we break down:

What a plateau actually is (and why "getting comfortable" is the real cause)
What aging does, and doesn't, do to your ability to keep learning
The specific habits that separate improving players from plateaued ones, for players over 50 and under 30
Practical takeaways for both age groups

Read the full breakdown: https://gchanmako.com/age-proof-pickleball-player/

Are you still improving, or have you hit a wall? Drop your current rating and how long you've been stuck (or climbing) in the comments.

09/12/2026

https://gchanmako.com/mako-nvz-line/the-mental-edge/

🧠 Stop playing tight! Ever wonder why your 3rd-shot drops hit the net during the first few games?

It’s probably not your paddle it’s your pregame mental static.
True mental toughness doesn't start when you strike your first d**k; it starts hours before you even step onto the court. When you walk out with a cluttered, anxious mind, your muscle memory simply can't flow.

In our latest article, we dive into the science-backed psychology behind a winning pregame routine:

👉 Cognitive Offloading: Why packing your bag the night before triggers the "Zeigarnik Effect" to save your working memory.

👉 Fueling the Executive Brain: How mild dehydration directly causes Prefrontal Cortex Fatigue (leading to those terrible "in or out" line calls).

👉 Reframe Match Intimidation: The exact tactical metric shift you need when facing higher-level 4.5+ players vs. weaker opponents.
Stop playing in a state of chaotic reaction. Guard the gates of your peak performance and command your focus from the very first rally.

👇 Read the full breakdown here:

https://gchanmako.com/mako-nvz-line/the-mental-edge/

Discover the science of the mental edge. Overcome in game chatter, frustration, and focus lapses to eliminate mindset failures via court psychology.

09/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DZfVreG2J/

Hey there, pickleball enthusiasts! As your fellow pickleballer, I'm here to give you the lowdown on the top injuries that can happen on the court. Now, I know what you're thinking - "Pickleball is a fun, low-impact sport, how can I get hurt?" But trust me, even with the lower-impact nature of pickleball, injuries can still happen. And when they do, they can be pretty painful.

According to the research I've dug up, the top five most common injuries in pickleball are:

Wrist and forearm injuries - Yep, those pesky wrist sprains and forearm strains are a real concern for pickleball players. And it turns out, they account for a whopping 29% of all injuries. Ouch!
Ankle and foot injuries - Next up, we've got ankle sprains and foot injuries, making up 20% of all injuries. That's a lot of ouchies!
Shoulder and elbow injuries - Ah, the shoulder and elbow are next on the list, accounting for 15% of all injuries. These can be pretty painful, especially if you're a server or a receiver.
Knee injuries - Knee injuries are up next, making up 10% of all injuries. And let's be real, knees can be pretty tricky to deal with.
Back and spinal injuries - Last but not least, we've got back and spinal injuries, accounting for 5% of all injuries. These can be pretty serious, so make sure you're taking care of your back on the court.
Now, when it comes to age demographics, the most common age group for injuries is 65-74 years old. That's right, folks - even if you're not getting older, you're still at risk for injuries on the court.

And finally, let's talk about gender trends. It turns out that men are more likely to suffer from injuries to the upper extremities (shoulders, elbows, wrists), while women are more likely to suffer from injuries to the lower extremities (ankles, feet). And women are more likely to suffer from injuries to the back and spinal region, while men are more likely to suffer from injuries to the knee and lower extremities.

So there you have it, folks - the top injuries that can happen on the pickleball court. Now that you know what to look out for, make sure you're taking care of your body on the court. Here are some concrete, evidence-based prevention strategies to help you avoid these injuries:

Warm up with 10-15 minutes of light cardio and dynamic stretching before playing
Wear shoes with a non-marking sole and a snug fit to reduce the risk of slipping and falling
Use a paddle with a lightweight and balanced design to reduce the risk of injury to the arm and shoulder
Take regular breaks to rest and stretch your muscles
Avoid overexertion and fatigue
By following these tips and being mindful of your body on the court, you can minimize your risk of injury and stay healthy and happy for years to come. Happy pickleballing, everyone!

READ THE FULL 2026 Pickleball Injury Report ---> https://gchanmako.com/pickleball-injury-report-2026/

08/16/2026

Here's a stat that surprised us: in a nationwide survey of nearly 1,800 pickleball players, the oldest players in the study, those 78 and up, did NOT have higher injury odds than players in their twenties.

Players in their forties and fifties actually got hurt more.

Researchers are calling it the adaptive play effect. The most experienced older players have learned to warm up more deliberately, pace themselves, and take injury prevention seriously, and it shows up in the data.

We broke down what the research actually found and what players of every age can steal from it. Link in the comments.

08/08/2026

I am a big fan of Charles Barkley and of Pickleball so when he stated that:

"And let me tell you something. They got this stupid thing going around called pickleball, which is the way old people out here are getting hurt all the time."

https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/charles-barkley-dunks-pickleball-old-people-killing-themselves

I was surprised, mildly outraged and had to disagree! Its not pickleball that is hurting people, it is the players who are hurting people.

ITS NOT THE COURT, ITS THE PEOPLE.

Read more about this in our article in the comments section...

Charles Barkley calls pickleball 'the gift that keeps giving' for doctors, warning George Kittle about sports injuries plaguing older players.

08/08/2026

Ever had one of those games where you miss a basic 3rd shot drop, and then watch your whole performance fall off a cliff for the next four points?

Most coaches tell you to "just relax" or "focus harder," but science shows that trying harder actually triggers "paralysis by analysis," locking your brain into emergency mode and ruining your fine motor control.

I used to get caught in these exact point spirals myself, so I dug into the actual psychology and data behind Attentional Control Theory to find out how to stop them. I'm open sourcing my exact 4 stage neurological reset protocol to help you shut down the mental loop, clear your head space, and protect your d**ks under heavy pressure. No masterclasses or fees just real data to help you drive your own self learning.

Read the full breakdown here: 👇

🔗 https://gchanmako.com/pickleball-snowball-effect/

07/30/2026

💥 FITVILLE AMADEUS VS. SELKIRK COURTSTRIKE PRO 3.0: THE BRUTAL TOE BOX TRADEOFF! 💥

Are you tired of cramped toes destroying your kitchen-line game, or are you sacrificing elite court speed just to play pain-free? 👟🔥

I spent months putting two of the most talked-about shoes on the market to the ultimate test: the ultra-roomy, budget-friendly FitVille Amadeus and the premium, high-performance Selkirk CourtStrike Pro 3.0.

My conclusion? I keep both in my bag—but they force you into a massive tradeoff between total anatomical freedom and locked-in performance stability.

👇 In my latest deep-dive breakdown, I uncover:
✅ The Reality Test: Total forefoot freedom vs. premium athletic lockdown.
✅ The 3.0 Confinement: Why the newer Selkirk toe box feels tighter than the 2.0 (and how to fix it!).
✅ The Outsole Showdown: Weighing the financial math of Selkirk’s ironclad 6-Month Sole Warranty vs. half-the-cost alternatives.
✅ Bonus: The step-by-step "Broad Base" lacing hack to give your toes instant relief.

Whether you are a casual player hunting for pure comfort or a 4.5+ competitor demanding maximum lateral agility, your feet deserve the right armor. Stop guessing on your gear.

👉 Click the link in the bio to read the full comparison and claim your court dominance! 🔗 https://gchanmako.com/wide-toe-box-pickleball-shoes-fitville-vs-selkirk/

07/25/2026

THE 180-DAY SHOE RULE: STOP LEAVING MONEY ON THE KITCHEN LINE.

If you are an aggressive pickleball player racking up heavy mileage on abrasive outdoor courts, stop paying retail price for new footwear every few months.

Many players have absolutely no idea that premium brands back their flagship models with a strict 6-month outsole guarantee. If you burn through your rubber tread blocks and expose the midsole material within 180 days of your original purchase, you qualify for a completely free replacement pair.

If you are throwing your smooth shoes in the trash without filing a claim, you are handing your hard-earned money right back to the manufacturer.

We just broke down exactly how this warranty system works, what sneaky wear patterns are excluded, and how the top-rated court shoes handle the heat.

👉 Read the full breakdown here: https://gchanmako.com/selkirk-courtstrike-pro-3-0-review-sole-warranty/

📌 SHARE this post to your local pickleball group or profile so your drilling partners stop throwing away free gear!

07/22/2026

Playing too much Pickleball, lets talk about pickleball burnout. See complete article in the comments.