#1026: Are You a Tournament Virgin?
#1026: Coach Veronica Alteri just started playing pro pickleball herself, but she remembers the mental challenges of the first time she played in a tournament. She and Tracie talk about the thrills and chills of playing competitively and how to deal with the way things change (for you and for your partner) when the score actually counts.
In this episode you’ll hear:
Why your first tournament should probably be small, local, and low-drama
How to think about entering at the right level
Why 3.0 may be a smart starting point for many first-timers — but not if you’re already crushing everyone at rec play
What DUPR does and does not tell you
Why tournaments are often more about handling pressure than hitting perfect shots
What changes when every point suddenly feels important
How foot faults, kitchen lines, and referees can become a whole new little world of stress
Why good manners still belong on the court, even when you’re trying to win
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