If you’ve played pickleball long enough, chances are you’ve thought about joining a tournament. The truth is there’s just something so exhilarating about being in a competition and the potential of taking home first prize.

However, if you’re a first-timer, preparing for a pickleball tournament can be daunting. A lot can go into your preparations more than you realize. How do you make sure you’re ready for the big day? Do you need to pack a lot of things? Are there things you need to know beforehand?

Today, we’ll be walking you through seven keys to success as you get ready for your first pickleball tournament.

Success Tip #1: Pick the Right Partner

If you intend to play doubles pickleball, then you need to find the right partner. Pickleball is a very social game so you have to make sure that you’re completely in sync with the person you are playing with both skills-wise and strategy-wise. This is particularly helpful in tournaments where the competitive nature of people is heightened.

Your pickleball partner should be someone who not only has the same skill rating as you but also has the same goals and expectations going into the tournament.

Having a shared mindset makes for a better playing experience especially when you’re in competitive play. You’ll be able to communicate and perform better at the court.

Success Tip #2: Understand What You’re Getting Yourself Into and Be Mentally Prepared for It

Tournaments are a whole other playing field than casual play. More often than not, people are there to win so it’s important to know what to expect when you’re there.

Since you’ll be playing for the first time in a competitive environment, chances are you’ll meet and might even play with people who have more experience than you. The truth is the best players have to beat you first before you can become better.

Remember that your first tournament doesn’t have to be taking home the gold prize however nice that idea is.

Focus on giving your best in the competition and don’t get so riled up about winning. Set your goals with your partner to manage your thoughts and expectations. Manifest positivity so that come game day, you’ll have a fulfilling experience.

Success Tip #5: Do Your Research

It’s never a good idea to come to a match clueless and without a proper plan. That being said, it’s important to do your research weeks before the tournament actually begins so you wouldn’t find yourself dumbstruck and unable to perform on the day of the competition.

First of all, you have to familiarize yourself with the tournament format. Is it going to be a double elimination, a round-robin, or luck of the draw? Get to know the rules inside and out.

It’s also important to know the playing environment at the tournament. Will you be playing indoors or outdoors? Make sure that you have plenty of time practicing in the setting similar to what will be used during the competition so you are acclimated early on.

Lastly, get used to the ball that will be used during the tournament. Balls used in this sport come in a wider variety of types and each one performs differently than the others. Get to know the official ball that’ll be used in the tournament and have plenty of practice with it.

Success Tip #4: Enjoy Yourself

If you’re new to tournaments, it can be pretty daunting and stressful sometimes. While having an “in-it-to-win-it” attitude helps in pumping you up for matches, it’s also important to know that you’re there to have a good time too.

Don’t forget that pickleball is a fun game even in a competitive scenario. For tournament newbies, having a positive overall experience should be much more important than obliterating your opponents.

Take your first tournament as a positive learning experience. Consider it as a chance to hone your skills, to learn new things, and to meet and play with players who may have a higher skill level than you.

You may not take home a medal immediately but by enjoying yourself, you can take home great memories and a can-do attitude for the next tournament you’ll sign up for.

Success Tip #5: Prepare Your Body

Pickleball tournaments can be taxing to the body. As with any sport, it’s important to keep your body in top condition before, during, and after the tournament.

First of all, keep your body hydrated. In a tournament, you’ll most likely be running around the court and exposed to the sun. You’ll be sweating like crazy and this will deplete your water stores, cause your body to overheat, and even cause cramping.

Be sure to have plenty of water with you at all times and load up in between matches. Avoid sugary and caffeinated beverages like soda and coffee as well.

Another way to prep your body for a tournament is to eat nutritious food. Eat balanced meals every day in the weeks leading up to the competition and of course throughout the duration of the tournament. Stock up on vegetables, grains, healthy meats, nuts, and seafood.

By making sure that your body is sustained with the right food, you can maximize your energy during matches and perform at your best.

Most importantly, be sure to warm up before your matches. Hours before the game starts, have a warm-up session with your partner. Stretch your muscles and practice your dinks, serves, returns, and the like. This gets you started on a good rhythm so you are already in sync once your game starts.

Success Tip #6: Bring the Right Tools and Equipment

Packing for a tournament is a whole lot different than just preparing for casual games at your local club. Tournaments are much more intense so you need to bring the right tools and equipment so help you play your best during matches.

Since you’ll be sweating a lot as you move from one match to another, it’s helpful to bring a big towel and extra clothes. You’d want to change into dry clothes in between matches so you remain comfortable at all times.

You also need to pack extra shoes and socks. You’ll be running around all day trying to hit the ball across the court. To prevent blistered feet, be sure to bring extra socks and shoes you can change into in between matches. You may also bring a pair of sandals to give your feet a break from shoes.

It’s also a good idea to bring extra paddles and balls. You’ll never know what’ll happen to your paddle during a match or during your practice sessions. Likewise, a couple of extra balls is also helpful particularly if you want to practice before your game.

If you’re playing outdoors, be sure to bring sunscreen. Make sure it’s sweat-proof and be sure also to apply it as often as you can.

Most importantly, pack your bag the night before. You wouldn’t want to be rushing on the morning of the tournament shoving random things in your backpack. Do yourself a favor and prepare what you need the night before so you don’t have to stress about it the next day.

Success Tip #7: Participate in Pre-Tournament Clinics

Some hosts hold pre-tournament clinics for participants. Not only is it a great place to socialize and meet the players you’ll be competing with but it’s also a great venue to learn more things prior to the actual tournament.

Sometimes, professional players also come to these clinics to give out valuable instructions to tournament participants. Who would want to miss out on an opportunity to learn from the best?