Your Free Tournament Prep Plan

🏆 It’s Tournament Season! How Can You Prepare to Play Your Best?

At AIM7, we’ve trained champion athletes at all levels. The secret sauce is having a plan… and we have one for you!

There are 4 key components to your ideal pickleball training plan:

1) Match Schedule - avoid playing more than 1 tournament per week to reduce burnout & injuries.

2) Practice Schedule - a mix of hard practice (game-speed), light practice (low-impact skill building), or stimulatory practice (priming yourself for an upcoming match).

3) Training Schedule - build strength & endurance in the gym. During tournament season, try to stick to one resistance training session per week.

4) Off Days & Travel Schedule - most players feel fatigued after tournaments and travel days. Off days are critical, and should consist of active recovery methods.

But how do you bring it all together for an easy-to-follow tournament prep plan?

That’s where AIM7’s performance science team comes in.

Download this FREE Weekly Scheduling Guide to help you stay sharp throughout the tournament season!

Why is Hip Pain So Common for Pickleball Players?

Quick, explosive movements in pickleball place a significant amount of stress on your lower body, so it’s no surprise that a large number of players experience hip pain while playing. When you lack strength and mobility in your hips, pain comes knocking at the door.

The main culprit? A lack of rotational hip mobility. 

Specifically, internal rotation is usually the first range of motion we lose, and the most neglected aspect of hip training.

Dr. Kyle Richmond, AIM7’s mobility & rehab specialist, says that 10 minutes of mobility work per day can likely alleviate your hip pain and prevent if from happening in the future.

👇 Get started with these 3 hip mobility exercises! 👇

Remember, you should avoid any movements that cause pinching or pain in the hip. These exercises are designed to help you safely improve your hip mobility and function.

Ready to take your mobility training seriously? We’ve got you covered.

Start your 12-week guided mobility program with Dr. Richmond in the AIM7 app. The program is specifically designed to help pickleball players move pain-free on the court!

The Hidden Danger of Playing Better Pickleball

The better you get, the longer and more intense the rallies become. Intermediate & advanced players routinely trade 10-20+ shots per point. Inevitably, high-level players experience significantly greater physical and cognitive load from each match.

But is your brain and body ready for that? 

Your training can’t just be about hitting better shots—it must include off-court preparation.

• Start with strength: Focus on legs and core for better lateral movement and rotational power. Squats, lunges, and Russian twists are your friends.

• Add reaction drills: Try shadow footwork with random cues (left/right calls), quick-twitch ladder work, and partner reflex ball tosses.

• Don’t skip mobility work: A tight hip or stiff ankle can throw off your whole kinetic chain.

• Train your brain: Mindfulness & breathwork can help you stay focused for longer matches and tap into energy reserves when you need it most.

Each rally is an opportunity to break your opponent mentally and physically. Get your body & mind to the place where that’s possible!

The New AIM7 Store: Be Weird. Warm Up!

Warming up before your matches can feel a little weird… but if you care about winning and staying healthy, we know that won’t stop you.

And now is your chance to wear it on your sleeve - literally.

All performance tees (the crowd favorite), sweatshirts, and hats are under $55. Get yours today and make a statement: Warming up matters!