60: Cold Court, Hot Ball: Adjust Your Game for Winter Pickleball

with Michael O’Neal & Mircea Morariu

Winter pickleball isn’t just “pickleball but colder.” The ball plays faster and harder, touch shots behave differently, and the injury risk spikes if you warm up like it’s July. In this episode, Michael O’Neal and Mircea Morariu break down the practical adjustments that help you stay loose, keep the ball in, and win more points when temperatures drop.

• Why staying warm directly reduces mistakes and injury risk

• Hands are everything: glove vs no glove, grip tweaks, and maintaining dexterity

• Layering that works for movement:

  • base layer (compression or Under Armour style)

  • insulation (fleece)

  • optional shell for wind

  • the underrated puffy vest for pickleball

• Hats and headbands for heat retention

• Why your warm-up should be 2–3x longer in cold weather

• Off-court warmups: bike, jumping jacks, jump rope

• On-court dynamic warmups: lateral shuffles, staying low

• Keeping blood flowing between points (the “bounce” habit used by top pros)

• Why cold weather injuries are more common—especially over age 40

• Plastic stiffens → ball feels harder

• Less dwell time → less spin and control

• Ball flies faster with less resistance

• Bounce becomes less predictable

• Expect balls to crack more (especially outdoor balls like Dura and Franklin X-40)

• Shorten your backswing

• More compact strokes

• Choke up on the paddle for better touch

• Expect weird timing on volleys, dinks, and resets

• Use safer, more consistent drop mechanics

• Drives often beat drops in cold weather

• Pressure creates more popups than usual

• Attack knees, thighs, body more than perfect feet

• Shorter points favor aggressive modern players

• Reduce sidelines by 15–20% — aim bigger, safer targets

• Consider standing slightly off the kitchen line for reaction time

• Hot paddles become even hotter in the cold

• Softer control paddles can be easier to manage

• Consider keeping a “winter paddle” in your bag

• Hand warmers (QB-style) can be a real advantage

• Stop trying to play “summer pickleball” in winter

• Expect your touch to feel off

• Simplify everything

• Play higher margin shots

• Give yourself grace — conditions matter

• Cold weather still dehydrates you

• Lower blood volume = higher injury risk

• Hydration keeps tissues elastic and responsive

• Expect balls to crack more → bring extras

• Warm up longer, stay warm between points

• Shorten your swing, reduce power

• Less spin, more popups

• Drives and pressure outperform patient grinding

• Improve margins, aim safer

• Keep hands warm

• Hydrate like it’s summer

• Shorter points usually win

Cold weather favors players who:

• simplify

• stay aggressive

• warm up properly

• and adapt instead of fighting conditions

Winter pickleball isn’t worse — it’s just different.
And if you adjust, it can absolutely become an edge.

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