Episode 52: Drill Zone

  

An Ace Up Their Sleeve: Midwestern Parents Find Joy on the Pickleball Court

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Tucked among the industrial buildings and strip malls of this modest Midwestern city, a pickleball revolution is underway. At the vanguard are Matt and Abby Brandenberger, parents to five daughters who have somehow found time to reignite their passion for sports through pickleball. Though they lack the flashy pedigree of professional players, their joy and enthusiasm for the game is infectious.

In their popular podcast “1 More Game,” the duo gives listeners an inside look at their journey to balance parenting, careers, and their obsession with paddles and plastic balls. While many podcasts feature interviews with celebrity players and coaches, Matt and Abby instead focus on the stories of ordinary people who play pickleball for the love of the game and the community it provides.

1. Good Group (0:09) In this episode, Abby returns from a morning pickleball session eager to share about the “good group” she played with. It’s a group focused on strategic play and getting better rather than just “kamikazi swinging away.” A visiting player named Jessie drove over an hour to join. Though Jessie considers herself merely an intermediate player, Abby can tell she’s more of a level 5.0 with impressive skills. The diversity of play styles in the group allowed everyone to enhance their game. 2. The Milk Guy (1:18) A pickleball regular named Doug has an interesting pre-game routine — he carries a gallon jug filled with raw, unpasteurized milk to every session. While the hosts consider whether this ritual has health benefits, it mostly strikes them as funny. Doug can apparently drink nearly half a gallon daily. They joke about having him on the podcast to discuss the milk and challenge youth group teens to a milk chugging contest. 3. Ace Pickleball Club/Matt’s Injury (2:55) This episode was recorded at Fort Wayne’s new Ace Pickleball Club facility. However, Matt is currently sidelined by a knee injury of unknown severity. He heard an alarming “pop” during a recent game. An MRI will determine if it is an ACL or meniscus tear. Matt has a history of knee issues, but Abby speculates this injury could simply be a benign Baker’s cyst based on her past hamstring injuries. Matt’s in a grumpy mood, but they have an affectionate exchange about communicating more positively. 4. Bang, Dink...Ow! (7:50) The hosts announce an extension of their podcast called “Bang, Dink...Ow!" co-hosted with Ryan Kars. It will showcase submitted videos and evaluate the good, bad, and ugly of players' games. They credit inspiration from other podcasters but came up with their unique name as an obscure pop culture reference they hope listeners will decipher. Matt found feedback from his sample video with Ryan very helpful for improving strategic positioning and other skills. 5. Drilling (10:24) The hosts explain why drilling is an ideal focus for indoor play during Fort Wayne’s long winter pickleball hiatus. At expensive indoor tennis facilities, large groups split court rental costs. But open play access at Ace allows members unlimited time to drill solo or in small groups without paying extra fees per hour. Though many players say they will drill indoors, busy family schedules often prevent that. Ace's ball machine and wide open spaces remove all barriers. 6. Drilling Can Be Boring (12:30) While some players truly enjoy practicing, drilling has a reputation for being boring. Matt argues it's a myth—drilling can be fun, social and build competitive spirit. Players just need the proper mindset, goals and games to stay motivated. Since drilling leads directly to skill development, boredom is no excuse to avoid it. Consistency is key. 7. Drill Session: Step by Step (13:01) Rather than playing points, a drill session focuses on techniques for skill building. Abby recommends starting with dynamic warm-ups like footwork patterns, court laps or jumping rope to activate muscles—not just stationary dinking. Ten minutes is sufficient. Then begin simplistically at the kitchen line practicing sustain volleys cross-court, switching sides to work both forehand and backhand. Gradually progress to more complex drills like targeting specific shots. 8. Kitchen Out - Cross Court Dinking Warm-Up (14:30) As a warm-up, Abby likes the game "Kitchen Out" where players start at the kitchen line rallying easy volleys cross-court. Include intermittent "Game On" points playing out the rally more aggressively at random then returning to cooperative rallying. Focus on consistency and control using different spins and speeds. Don't reinforce bad habits of punching cross-court power volleys. Use many balls instead of just rallying with two. 9. Mid Court (16:45) After warming up volleys at the kitchen line, move back to the mid-court transition zone. One player feeds from the baseline trying to bounce balls deep in the kitchen while the other player at mid-court tries redirecting volleys with touch, playing out points. Or cooperatively try dropping 20 volleys in a row into the kitchen to practice skill instead of competition. Mid-court is ideal for practicing placement over power and cross-court resets. 10. Switch Roles, Sides (18:34) Drill sessions allow players to assume different roles—switching between feeder and hitter for a new perspective. Additionally, alternate drill sequences on forehand and backhand sides. Try setting a goal number of quality repetitions for each drill before rotating. This builds complete muscle memory. 11. 7-11 (18:43) The 7-11 drilling game assigns different scoring requirements based on court position. The player feeding from the baseline must win 11 points, while the player at mid-court aims for 7. The mid-court player tries progressing closer to the kitchen to carve out scoring opportunities against the advantage of the baseline ruler. 12. Ground Strokes (19:15) While Abby admits she rarely practices ground strokes due to her doubles focus, reps improve ground shot power, placement and control. Players trade powerful cross-court and down-the-line drives, preferably with topspin, aiming to move opponents side-to-side then counter punch winners. Creative games test skills like “figure 8” drills where cooperative rallies switch directions forcing players to scramble and recover. 13. Skinny Singles (20:24) "Skinny singles" style drills with players stationed across the court promote realistic doubles shot scenarios. The podcast 40-LOVE recommends serving cross-court from opposite service boxes during straight-ahead rallies to mimic angles. Rally until someone scores then switch sides immediately to continually attack from both sides. Games stay honest by allowing appropriately aggressive shots while preventing excessively hard drives using designated serve boxes. 14. Video Recording (22:15) Matt advocates recording drill sessions or matches to monitor improvement and spot weaknesses. Share videos publicly or privately with coaches who can assess strengths and flaws in form or strategy. Use slow motion to break down strokes. Consistent feedback accelerates skill development no matter what level you play. Even professional players relentlessly study film to upgrade performances. 15. Ball Machine (24:50) Consistent ball repetition from a machine often produces better results than practicing with people. Controlling variables like ball speed, spin, placement and tempo allows focusing on proper swing mechanics. Since most players have limited time, zero in on one or two priority skills during each session like third shot drops or resetting baseline drives. Make it a fitness workout by combining cardio, footwork and strength moves during short ball retrieval breaks. 16. 3 Person Drills (30:30) Don't waste 3-person practice opportunities. Play games like "Cutthroat" or "Canadian" doubles where symmetrical teams use half-court positioning against a solo opponent ranging the entire court. Consider a creative variation called “Momentum Cutthroat”—whoever wins a point sprints to switch sides faster for quick-strike attacks against unprepared defenders. This supercharges fitness while amplifying risks and rewards. 17. 4 Person Drills (33:46) Increase shot diversity and court coverage through 4-person drills. Cross-court rally games like “Dinker Dinker” allow cooperative exchanges until someone misses, then teams play out points. Failure rewards attentiveness. Or start everyone at the kitchen line dinking cooperatively before yelling “Game On” to spark aggressive play. Forced patience builds longer points. Alternate these styles to advance skills. 18. Let’s Drill (36:42) Though Abby needs more recovery from hand surgery, and Matt awaits knee diagnosis, they daydream about future drilling sessions together. Matt remembers their former excessive indoor court rental costs just to access practice time. Now Ace welcomes members to drill freely while promoting holistic health. Consistent skill development and community connections motivate their participation as much as fitness—this trinity invigorates beyond just playing games. 19. Pain (37:15) Rehabilitating injuries prompts complex psychology surrounding athletic pain tolerance and maturity. Healing often requires patience and lifestyle wisdom that only life experience grants—something Matt and Abby now share as mid-40 year olds. They agree the false equation of practicing through severe pain equals mental toughness can backfire by worsening injuries. Listening to one’s body protects long-term health. Continuing activity moderately promotes healing if properly balanced. 20. Something You Love (39:27) Lightening the mood, Abby raves about a thoughtful Christmas gift from Matt—a roomy new pickleball backpack upgrading her smaller outdated model. They joke about advertising for sponsorship with gear brands, then discuss addiction as Matt describes his joy discovering coffee. Caffeine intake from occasional dark roast fits his health-conscious regimen better than Matt’s past excessive soda habit. Moderating improved self-care allows the couple to play harder on court.

The “1 More Game” podcast embodies recreational spirit building community across America’s heartland through a shared passion. Matt and Abby model how families can foster togetherness through pickleball’s inclusive engagement. Listeners feel embraced as this humble Midwestern couple invites everyone into their world through storytelling. We all crave just 1 more game in life—creating pathways toward meaning, wellness and human flourishing. Matt and Abby plant seeds by revealing their imperfect but earnest pilgrimage one podcast at a time.

1. 0:00 Good Group
2. 1:18 The milk guy
3. 2:55 ACE Pickleball Club/Matt's Injury
4. 7:50 Bang, Dink...Ow!
5. 10:24 Drilling
6. 12:30 Drilling can be boring
7. 13:01 Drill Session: Step By Step
8. 14:30 Kitchen Out - Cross court dinking warm-up (forehand/backhand), Game-On Game, Switch Sides
9. 16:45 Mid Court
10. 18:34 Switch Rolls, Sides
11. 18:43 7-11
12. 19:15 Ground Strokes
13. 20:24 Skinny Singles
14. 22:15 Video Recording
15. 24:50 Ball Machine
16. 30:30 3 Person Drills
17. 33:46 4 Person Drills
18. 36:42 Let's Drill
19. 37:15 Pain
20. 39:27 Something you love