Catherine Parenteau Pro Tips

One of the most prominent players in the pickleball world is Catherine Parenteau, a professional pickleball player from Montreal, Canada. Catherine is currently ranked #2 in women’s singles and #3 in women’s doubles by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA). She is also a former tennis player who played for Michigan State University.

In this article, we will explore who Catherine Parenteau is, how she became one of the best pickleball players in the world, and what are her top training tips and strategies for improving your pickleball game. We will also help you understand the basics of pickleball, the importance of strategy, and how to implement Catherine’s advice into your own practice.

Who is Catherine Parenteau?

Catherine Parenteau was born on July 17, 1995, in Montreal, Canada. She started playing tennis at the age of 5 and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She competed in many tournaments throughout her junior career and earned a scholarship to play for Michigan State University in 2013.

At MSU, Catherine was a standout player who earned many accolades, such as being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2014, the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2017, and the ITA Central Region Senior Player of the Year in 2018. She graduated with a degree in kinesiology in 2018.

While at MSU, Catherine was introduced to pickleball by her tennis coach Simone Jardim, who is also a professional pickleball player. Catherine was immediately hooked by the fast-paced and fun nature of pickleball. She started playing competitively in 2018 and quickly rose to the top ranks of the sport.

Career Highlights of Catherine Parenteau

Since turning pro in 2018, Catherine Parenteau has achieved many impressive results in pickleball tournaments. Some of her career highlights include:

• Winning the gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2019 US Open Pickleball Championships with Simone Jardim.
• Winning the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2019 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships.
• Winning the gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2020 PPA Mesa Grand Slam with Simone Jardim.
• Winning the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2020 PPA Las Vegas Open.
• Winning the gold medal in women’s doubles at the 2021 PPA Orange County Cup with Simone Jardim.
• Winning the silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2021 PPA Orange County Cup with Ben Johns.

Catherine Parenteau is known for her aggressive and consistent style of play, her powerful serves and groundstrokes, her excellent volleys and dinks, and her mental toughness and resilience. She is also admired for her sportsmanship, professionalism, and positive attitude on and off the court.

Catherine Parenteau’s Impact on Pickleball

Catherine Parenteau is not only a successful pickleball player, but also a passionate ambassador for the sport. She is actively involved in promoting pickleball to new audiences, especially young people and women. She is also a certified instructor who teaches clinics and camps across North America.

Catherine Parenteau is an inspiration for many aspiring pickleball players who want to learn from her skills and strategies. She is also a role model for many Canadian pickleball players who want to follow her footsteps and represent their country on the international stage.

Catherine Parenteau has made a significant impact on pickleball by demonstrating excellence, dedication, and passion for the sport. She has also contributed to the growth and popularity of pickleball by sharing her knowledge and experience with others.

Understanding the Game of Pickleball

Before we dive into Catherine Parenteau’s top training tips and strategies, let us first review some of the basic rules and concepts of pickleball. If you are new to pickleball or need a refresher, this section will help you understand how to play pickleball correctly and effectively.

Basic Rules of Pickleball

Pickleball is played on a court that measures 20 feet by 44 feet (6.1 meters by 13.4 meters), divided by a net that is 36 inches (91.4 centimeters) high at the sidelines and 34 inches (86.4 centimeters) high at the center. The court has two service areas on each side, separated by a centerline, and a non-volley zone (also known as the kitchen) that extends 7 feet (2.1 meters) from the net on both sides.

Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, with each team having one or two players. The game starts with a serve, which must be hit underhand and below the waist, diagonally across the court, and past the non-volley zone. The serve must land within the boundaries of the opposite service area. The server gets one fault if the serve is out of bounds, hits the net, or lands in the non-volley zone. The server gets two faults if they serve from the wrong position or commit a foot fault (stepping on or over the baseline before hitting the serve).

The receiving team must let the serve bounce before returning it. The serving team must also let the return bounce before hitting it. This is called the two-bounce rule, which means that each team must play their first shot off the bounce. After the two bounces have occurred, the ball can be either volleyed (hit in the air) or bounced (hit off the ground) until a fault is made.

A fault is any action that stops play due to a rule violation. A fault can be committed by either team and results in a loss of serve or a point for the opponent. Some common faults are:

• Hitting the ball out of bounds
• Hitting the ball into the net
• Missing the ball
• Hitting the ball before it bounces (except after the two-bounce rule)
• Volleying the ball from within or while touching the non-volley zone
• Touching the net, the net post, or any part of the court with your paddle, body, or clothing during play

The server continues to serve until they commit a fault. In doubles, each player on a team gets to serve until they commit a fault, except for the first service of each side at the beginning of each game, when only one player on each team gets to serve. The serve then passes to the other team. This is called a side out.

A team scores a point only when they are serving and their opponent commits a fault. The game is played to 11 points, but a team must win by 2 points. The score is announced by the server before each serve, stating their score first, then their opponent’s score, and then their server number (1 or 2).

Importance of Strategy in Pickleball

Pickleball is not only a physical game, but also a mental game. Strategy is an essential part of pickleball, as it can give you an edge over your opponents and help you win more points and games. Strategy involves making smart decisions on how to play each shot, where to place the ball, when to attack or defend, and how to communicate and cooperate with your partner.

Some of the basic principles of pickleball strategy are:

• Aim for consistency and accuracy over power and speed. It is better to keep the ball in play and force your opponent to make a mistake than to hit risky shots that may go out or into the net.
• Target your opponent’s weaker side, which is usually their backhand. Most pickleball players have stronger forehand shots than backhand shots, so hitting to their backhand can make them uncomfortable and prone to errors.
• Hit deep shots to push your opponent back and open up space on their side of the court. Deep shots can also make it harder for your opponent to hit aggressive shots or reach the net.
• Use different types of shots to vary your game and keep your opponent guessing. You can use drives (hard and low shots), drops (soft and high shots), lobs (high and deep shots), dinks (short and low shots), volleys (quick and direct shots), and smashes (powerful and downward shots) depending on the situation and your opponent’s position.
• Try to get to the net as soon as possible and control the non-volley zone. The net is where you can apply more pressure on your opponent and finish points with volleys and smashes. The non-volley zone is where you can prevent your opponent from hitting volleys and smashes.
• Avoid hitting unforced errors and giving away easy points to your opponent. Unforced errors are mistakes that you make without any pressure from your opponent, such as hitting out of bounds, into the net, or missing easy shots. You should try to minimize unforced errors by playing within your abilities and choosing safe shots over risky ones.
• Play as a team with your partner and communicate effectively. You and your partner should work together to cover the court, support each other, and create opportunities for winning points. You should also communicate with your partner verbally or non-verbally to indicate who will take which shot, where you will hit the ball, what strategy you will use, and how you will adjust to your opponent’s game.

Catherine Parenteau’s Top Training Tips and Strategies

Now that you have a basic understanding of pickleball and Catherine Parenteau, let us learn from her top training tips and strategies for improving your pickleball game. Catherine Parenteau has shared her insights and advice on various aspects of pickleball, such as serving, returning, keeping your paddle up, contact point, and the kitchen. In this section, we will explore each of these topics and how you can apply them to your own practice.

Mastering the Serve and Return in Pickleball

The serve and return are two of the most important shots in pickleball, as they set the tone for the rest of the rally. A good serve can give you an advantage over your opponent, while a good return can neutralize their advantage and put you in a better position to attack. Catherine Parenteau has some valuable tips and strategies for mastering the serve and return in pickleball.

Catherine Parenteau’s Approach to Serving

Catherine Parenteau is known for her powerful and consistent serves, which often put pressure on her opponents and force them to make errors or weak returns. She uses a variety of serves to keep her opponents guessing and off balance, such as:

• The flat serve: This is a hard and low serve that skims over the net and bounces deep into the service area. It is difficult for the opponent to return because it gives them less time and space to react. Catherine uses this serve when she wants to be aggressive and take control of the rally.
• The spin serve: This is a serve that has either topspin or sidespin, which makes it curve or bounce unpredictably. It is tricky for the opponent to return because it requires them to adjust their paddle angle and footwork. Catherine uses this serve when she wants to surprise and confuse her opponent.
• The slice serve: This is a serve that has backspin, which makes it slow down and stay low after bouncing. It is challenging for the opponent to return because it forces them to bend down and hit up. Catherine uses this serve when she wants to create an opportunity to attack the net.

Catherine Parenteau’s tips for serving are:

• Use a continental grip, which is a versatile grip that allows you to hit different types of serves with ease. To find this grip, hold your paddle as if you were shaking hands with it, with your index finger pointing along the edge of the paddle.
• Use a smooth and fluid motion, which involves a backswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. Avoid jerky or tense movements that can affect your accuracy and power.
• Aim for specific targets on the court, such as corners, lines, or weak spots of your opponent. Visualize where you want the ball to land before hitting it.
• Vary your speed, spin, direction, and depth of your serves to keep your opponent guessing and off balance. Do not be predictable or repetitive with your serves.
• Practice different types of serves regularly and experiment with different angles, heights, and distances. Try to master at least two or three types of serves that suit your style and strengths.

Strategies for Effective Returns

Returning a serve is not easy, especially if your opponent has a strong or tricky serve. However, returning a serve well can give you an edge over your opponent and put you in a better position to attack. Catherine Parenteau has some effective strategies for returning serves in pickleball.

Catherine Parenteau’s strategies for returning are:

• Stand near the baseline or slightly behind it, which gives you more time and space to react to the serve. Do not stand too far back or too close to the net, as this can limit your options and angles.
• Use a ready position, which means having your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, your weight on the balls of your feet, your paddle in front of you at chest level, and your eyes on the ball.
• Watch the ball carefully from the moment it leaves your opponent’s paddle until it bounces on your side of the court. Do not look at your opponent or their paddle, as this can distract you or mislead you.
• Anticipate the type of serve that your opponent will hit based on their grip, stance, swing, and previous patterns. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for the possible scenarios that may occur.
• Adjust your paddle angle and footwork according to the speed, spin, direction, and depth of the serve. Use small steps to move quickly and efficiently to the optimal position to hit the ball.
• Hit the ball early and in front of you, which gives you more control and power over the shot. Do not let the ball bounce too high or too close to your body, as this can make it harder to hit.
• Aim for a deep return that lands near the baseline or in the corners of your opponent’s court. This will push them back and open up space for you to move forward and attack the net. Avoid hitting short or weak returns that can allow your opponent to take charge of the rally.
• Use a neutral or defensive return if your opponent has a very strong or tricky serve that you cannot handle well. This means hitting a soft or high return that gives you more time to recover and get ready for the next shot. Do not try to hit an aggressive or risky return that can result in an error or a counterattack.
• Practice returning different types of serves regularly and experiment with different paddle angles, footwork, and placement. Try to improve your reaction time, accuracy, and consistency with your returns.

Importance of Keeping Your Paddle Up

One of the most common and useful tips that Catherine Parenteau gives to pickleball players is to keep your paddle up. This means holding your paddle in front of you at chest level or higher, with your arm slightly bent and your wrist firm. Keeping your paddle up has many benefits for your pickleball game, such as:

Benefits of Keeping Your Paddle Up

• It allows you to be ready for any shot that comes your way, whether it is a volley, a dink, a lob, or a smash. You can react faster and hit the ball earlier and more accurately.
• It reduces the distance and time that you need to move your paddle to hit the ball. You can save energy and avoid unnecessary movements that can affect your balance and coordination.
• It prevents you from dropping your paddle below the net level, which can make it harder to hit the ball over the net or into the court. You can avoid hitting into the net or out of bounds.
• It helps you maintain a good posture and stance, which can improve your stability and mobility. You can avoid slouching or leaning forward, which can cause fatigue and injury.
• It shows confidence and aggressiveness, which can intimidate your opponent and give you a psychological edge. You can signal that you are ready and willing to attack or defend.

How Catherine Parenteau Incorporates This in Her Game

Catherine Parenteau is a great example of how keeping your paddle up can enhance your pickleball game. She always keeps her paddle up when she is at the net or moving towards the net, which allows her to dominate the non-volley zone and finish points with volleys and smashes. She also keeps her paddle up when she is at the baseline or moving back from the net, which allows her to handle deep shots or lobs with ease.

Catherine Parenteau’s tips for keeping your paddle up are:

• Use a continental grip, which is a versatile grip that allows you to hit different types of shots with ease. To find this grip, hold your paddle as if you were shaking hands with it, with your index finger pointing along the edge of the paddle.
• Use a ready position, which means having your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, your weight on the balls of your feet, your paddle in front of you at chest level or higher, and your eyes on the ball.
• Keep your arm slightly bent and your wrist firm, which gives you more control and power over the shot. Avoid extending your arm too much or flexing your wrist too much, as this can affect your accuracy and speed.
• Keep your paddle parallel to the net, which gives you more options and angles to hit the ball. Avoid tilting your paddle too much up or down, as this can limit your choices and make it harder to clear the net or hit into the court.
• Keep your paddle close to your body, which gives you more stability and balance. Avoid holding your paddle too far away from your body, as this can make it harder to move or adjust your paddle.
• Practice keeping your paddle up regularly and make it a habit. Try to keep your paddle up throughout the rally, regardless of where you are on the court or what shot you are hitting. Do not let your paddle drop below the net level or behind you.

Perfecting the Contact Point in Pickleball

The contact point is the moment when your paddle meets the ball. It is one of the most crucial aspects of pickleball, as it determines the direction, speed, spin, and height of your shot. A good contact point can make your shot more effective and accurate, while a bad contact point can make your shot more ineffective and inaccurate. Catherine Parenteau has some helpful tips and strategies for perfecting the contact point in pickleball.

Tips from Catherine Parenteau on Contact Point

Catherine Parenteau is known for her excellent contact point, which allows her to hit consistent and powerful shots that put pressure on her opponents. She uses a combination of visual, physical, and mental cues to achieve a good contact point, such as:

Visual cues: 

These are things that you look at or focus on to improve your contact point. Some of the visual cues that Catherine uses are:

• The ball: Catherine always keeps her eyes on the ball from the moment it leaves her opponent’s paddle until it bounces on her side of the court. She does not look at her opponent or their paddle, as this can distract her or mislead her. She also watches the ball closely as it approaches her paddle, and tries to hit it at the optimal height and distance from her body.
• The target: Catherine always has a clear idea of where she wants to hit the ball before she hits it. She visualizes the target on her opponent’s side of the court, such as a corner, a line, or a weak spot. She also adjusts her target according to the situation and her opponent’s position.
• The paddle: Catherine always keeps her paddle in front of her at chest level or higher, with her arm slightly bent and her wrist firm. She does not drop her paddle below the net level or behind her, as this can affect her contact point. She also keeps her paddle parallel to the net, which gives her more options and angles to hit the ball.

Physical cues: 

These are things that you feel or sense to improve your contact point. Some of the physical cues that Catherine uses are:

• The grip: Catherine uses a continental grip, which is a versatile grip that allows her to hit different types of shots with ease. To find this grip, she holds her paddle as if she were shaking hands with it, with her index finger pointing along the edge of the paddle. She does not change her grip too often or too much, as this can affect her contact point.
• The swing: Catherine uses a smooth and fluid motion, which involves a backswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. She does not use jerky or tense movements that can affect her contact point. She also uses different types of swings depending on the type of shot she wants to hit, such as a short and compact swing for volleys and dinks, or a long and full swing for drives and lobs.
• The impact: Catherine tries to hit the ball early and in front of her, which gives her more control and power over the shot. She does not let the ball bounce too high or too close to her body, as this can make it harder to hit. She also tries to hit the ball with the center of her paddle, which gives her more accuracy and consistency.

Mental cues: 

These are things that you think or say to yourself to improve your contact point. Some of the mental cues that Catherine uses are:

• Positive affirmations: Catherine uses positive affirmations to boost her confidence and motivation. She says things like “I can do this”, “I am ready”, or “I am strong” before or during each shot. She does not use negative words or thoughts that can lower her self-esteem or performance.
• Breathing: Catherine uses breathing techniques to calm herself down and focus on each shot. She breathes deeply and slowly before each shot, and exhales as she hits the ball. She does not hold her breath or breathe too fast or too shallowly, as this can affect her contact point.
• Relaxation: Catherine tries to relax her mind and body before and during each shot. She does not stress out or worry about the outcome or consequences of each shot. She also does not tense up or tighten up her muscles or joints, as this can affect her contact point.

Catherine Parenteau’s tips for perfecting your contact point are:

• Practice hitting different types of shots with different types of balls (such as hard balls, soft balls, indoor balls, outdoor balls) and different types of paddles (such as wood paddles, composite paddles, graphite paddles) to improve your feel and touch for the ball.
• Practice hitting against a wall or with a partner to improve your timing and consistency for hitting the ball.
• Practice hitting with different speeds, spins, directions, and heights to improve your control and accuracy for hitting the ball.
• Practice hitting with different visual, physical, and mental cues to find what works best for you and your contact point. Experiment with different combinations of cues and see how they affect your contact point.

Embracing the Kitchen in Pickleball

The kitchen, also known as the non-volley zone, is one of the most important and unique areas of the pickleball court. It is the area that extends 7 feet (2.1 meters) from the net on both sides, where players are not allowed to volley (hit the ball in the air) unless the ball bounces first. The kitchen is where many pickleball rallies are won or lost, as it is where players can apply or relieve pressure on their opponents. Catherine Parenteau has some useful tips and strategies for embracing the kitchen in pickleball.

What is the Kitchen in Pickleball?

The kitchen is a term that originated from the early days of pickleball, when it was played on a badminton court with a lowered net. The players used the kitchen line, which was the short service line for badminton, as a boundary for volleying. The term stuck and became part of the official rules of pickleball.

The kitchen has several functions and implications for pickleball, such as:

• It prevents players from hitting volleys or smashes too close to the net, which can be unfair or dangerous for their opponents.
• It creates a gap between the net and the players, which can be exploited or defended by using different types of shots, such as drops, dinks, lobs, or drives.
• It encourages players to move forward and backward on the court, which can create dynamic and exciting rallies.
• It tests players’ skills and strategies, such as touch, control, patience, anticipation, and communication.

Catherine Parenteau’s Strategies for the Kitchen

Catherine Parenteau is an expert at playing in and around the kitchen, which allows her to control the pace and direction of the rally. She uses a variety of strategies to embrace the kitchen in pickleball, such as:

• Getting to the kitchen as soon as possible after serving or returning. Catherine tries to move forward and reach the kitchen line before her opponent hits their next shot. This gives her an advantage over her opponent, as she can hit more aggressive shots or prevent them from hitting aggressive shots.
• Using drop shots to get to the kitchen. A drop shot is a soft and high shot that lands near the kitchen line on the opponent’s side of the court. It is used to transition from the baseline to the net by forcing the opponent to hit a weak or high return that can be easily volleyed or smashed. Catherine uses drop shots when she is at the baseline or moving towards the net, and aims for a low and slow arc that clears the net by a few inches.
• Using dinks to stay in the kitchen. A dink is a short and low shot that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. It is used to maintain a position at the net by engaging in a soft exchange of shots with the opponent until one of them makes a mistake or creates an opportunity to attack. Catherine uses dinks when she is at the net or moving back from the net, and aims for a high and soft arc that clears the net by a few inches.
• Using lobs to get out of trouble in the kitchen. A lob is a high and deep shot that lands near the baseline on the opponent’s side of the court. It is used to escape from a difficult situation at the net by forcing the opponent to move back and hit a weak or high return that can be easily volleyed or smashed. Catherine uses lobs when she is under pressure or out of position at the net, and aims for a high and fast arc that clears over her opponent’s head.
• Using drives to put pressure on the opponent in the kitchen. A drive is a hard and low shot that lands near the baseline or in between the baseline and the kitchen line on the opponent’s side of the court. It is used to put pressure on an opponent who is at or near the net by forcing them to hit a weak or high return that can be easily volleyed or smashed. Catherine uses drives when she sees an opening or weakness in her opponent’s position or defense at the net, and aims for a low and flat arc that skims over the net.

Catherine Parenteau’s tips for embracing the kitchen are:

• Use a continental grip, which is a versatile grip that allows you to hit different types of shots with ease. To find this grip, hold your paddle as if you were shaking hands with it, with your index finger pointing along the edge of the paddle.
• Use a ready position, which means having your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, your weight on the balls of your feet, your paddle in front of you at chest level or higher, and your eyes on the ball.
• Keep your paddle up, which means holding your paddle in front of you at chest level or higher, with your arm slightly bent and your wrist firm. This allows you to be ready for any shot that comes your way, whether it is a volley, a dink, a lob, or a smash.
• Use a soft touch, which means hitting the ball gently and with finesse, rather than hard and with force. This allows you to control the pace and direction of the ball, and avoid hitting out of bounds or into the net.
• Use different types of shots to vary your game and keep your opponent guessing and off balance. You can use drops, dinks, lobs, drives, volleys, and smashes depending on the situation and your opponent’s position.
• Practice playing in and around the kitchen regularly and experiment with different paddle angles, footwork, and placement. Try to improve your feel and touch for the ball, your timing and consistency for hitting the ball, and your control and accuracy for placing the ball.

Implementing Catherine Parenteau’s Strategies into Your Game

Now that you have learned from Catherine Parenteau’s top training tips and strategies, you may wonder how to implement them into your own game. In this section, we will provide you with some practical exercises and suggestions for applying Catherine’s advice to your own practice and improvement.

Practical Exercises for Training

One of the best ways to improve your pickleball game is to practice regularly and deliberately. Practice means not only playing games or matches, but also doing drills and exercises that focus on specific skills and strategies. Drills and exercises can help you develop your muscle memory, refine your technique, and enhance your performance.

Here are some drills and exercises inspired by Catherine Parenteau’s tips and strategies that you can try with a partner or a group of players:

• Serve and return drill: This drill focuses on improving your serve and return skills. You and your partner take turns serving and returning from the baseline, trying to hit different types of serves and returns with different speeds, spins, directions, and depths. You can also aim for specific targets on the court, such as corners, lines, or weak spots of your partner. You can keep score by counting how many times you or your partner hit a good serve or return, or how many times you or your partner make a fault or an error.
• Drop shot drill: This drill focuses on improving your drop shot skills. You and your partner start at the baseline, and one of you hits a deep drive to the other. The receiver then tries to hit a drop shot that lands near the kitchen line on the opposite side of the court. The hitter then tries to run forward and hit the ball back over the net. The receiver then tries to volley or smash the ball back. The rally continues until one of you makes a fault or an error. You can switch roles after each rally or after a certain number of rallies.
• Dink drill: This drill focuses on improving your dink skills. You and your partner start at the kitchen line, and one of you hits a dink that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. The other then tries to hit a dink back over the net. The rally continues with both of you hitting only dinks until one of you makes a fault or an error. You can switch sides after each rally or after a certain number of rallies.
• Lob drill: This drill focuses on improving your lob skills. You and your partner start at the kitchen line, and one of you hits a dink that lands in the opponent’s kitchen. The other then tries to hit a lob that lands near the baseline on the opposite side of the court. The hitter then tries to run back and hit the ball back over the net. The receiver then tries to volley or smash the ball back. The rally continues until one of you makes a fault or an error. You can switch roles after each rally or after a certain number of rallies.
• Drive drill: This drill focuses on improving your drive skills. You and your partner start at the baseline, and one of you hits a drive that lands near the baseline or in between the baseline and the kitchen line on the opposite side of the court. The other then tries to hit a drive back over the net. The rally continues with both of you hitting only drives until one of you makes a fault or an error. You can switch sides after each rally or after a certain number of rallies.

You can modify these drills and exercises according to your level, preference, and goal. You can also create your own drills and exercises based on Catherine Parenteau’s tips and strategies.

Evaluating Your Progress

Another important aspect of improving your pickleball game is to evaluate your progress and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluation means not only measuring your results, but also analyzing your performance and feedback. Evaluation can help you track your improvement, recognize your achievements, and address your challenges.

Here are some ways to evaluate your progress based on Catherine Parenteau’s tips and strategies:

• Keep a journal or a logbook where you record your practice sessions, games, matches, drills, exercises, scores, stats, notes, comments, observations, reflections, goals, plans, etc.
• Use a video camera or a smartphone to record yourself playing pickleball from different angles and perspectives. Watch the videos later and look for areas where you can improve or where you did well.
• Use a radar gun or a speedometer app to measure the speed of your serves, drives, volleys, smashes, etc.
• Use a stopwatch or a timer app to measure the time it takes for you to hit different types of shots, such as serves, returns, drops, dinks, lobs, drives, volleys, smashes, etc.
• Use a tape measure or a ruler app to measure the distance and height of your shots, such as serves, returns, drops, dinks, lobs, drives, volleys, smashes, etc.
• Use a scale or a weight app to measure the weight of your paddle, which can affect your speed, power, and control of the ball.
• Use a coach, a trainer, a partner, a friend, or a family member to watch you play pickleball and give you feedback, tips, suggestions, compliments, criticisms, etc.
• Use a rating system or a scale to rate yourself on different aspects of your pickleball game, such as skills, strategies, techniques, tactics, fitness, mental, etc.
• Use a checklist or a questionnaire to assess yourself on different aspects of your pickleball game, such as skills, strategies, techniques, tactics, fitness, mental, etc.

You can use these methods and tools to evaluate your progress regularly and systematically. You can also compare your progress with your previous records or with other players. You should celebrate your progress and achievements, and work on your weaknesses and challenges.

Conclusion

Pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, skill level, or background. It is also a sport that can be improved by learning from the best players in the world, such as Catherine Parenteau.

Catherine Parenteau is a professional pickleball player from Montreal, Canada, who has achieved many impressive results and accolades in her career. She is also a passionate ambassador and instructor for the sport, who shares her knowledge and experience with others.

In this article, we have learned from Catherine Parenteau’s top training tips and strategies for improving your pickleball game. We have covered topics such as serving, returning, keeping your paddle up, contact point, and the kitchen. We have also provided you with some practical exercises and suggestions for implementing Catherine’s advice into your own practice and evaluation.

We hope that this article has inspired you to try pickleball or to improve your pickleball game. We also hope that you have gained some valuable insights and skills from Catherine Parenteau, one of the best pickleball players in the world.

The Influence of Pros like Catherine Parenteau on Pickleball

Pros like Catherine Parenteau have a significant influence on pickleball, as they not only demonstrate excellence, dedication, and passion for the sport, but also contribute to the growth and popularity of pickleball by promoting it to new audiences, especially young people and women.

Pros like Catherine Parenteau also inspire and motivate many aspiring pickleball players who want to learn from their skills and strategies. They also set high standards and goals for themselves and others who want to compete at the highest level of pickleball.

Pros like Catherine Parenteau also create a positive and supportive community of pickleball players who share a common love and respect for the sport. They also foster a culture of sportsmanship, professionalism, and positivity on and off the court.

Pros like Catherine Parenteau are the role models and leaders of pickleball, who shape the future and direction of the sport.

Continuing Your Pickleball Journey with Catherine Parenteau’s Strategies

If you want to continue your pickleball journey with Catherine Parenteau’s strategies, here are some resources and suggestions that you can use:

• Follow Catherine Parenteau on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, where she posts updates, videos, photos, tips, etc. about her pickleball career and life.
• Watch Catherine Parenteau’s matches and highlights on YouTube channels such as PPA Tour, Pickleball Channel, or Pickleball Global, where you can see her skills and strategies in action.
• Read Catherine Parenteau’s articles and interviews on websites such as Pickleball Magazine, Pickleball Central, or Pickleball Portal, where you can learn more about her background, achievements, goals, etc.
• Sign up for Catherine Parenteau’s clinics and camps on websites such as EngagePickleball or Pickleball Trips, where you can get personal coaching and feedback from her.
• Support Catherine Parenteau’s sponsors and partners such as EngagePickleball, Jigsaw Health, or Selkirk Sport, where you can buy her signature paddle, apparel, supplements, etc.
• Play pickleball with your friends, family, or local club members using Catherine Parenteau’s tips and strategies. You can also join online communities such as USAPA, PPA, or Pickleball Forum, where you can connect with other pickleball players around the world.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article and learned something new from it. We wish you all the best in your pickleball journey with Catherine Parenteau’s strategies. Thank you for reading! 😊