Home Podcasts Pickleball Tips - 4.0 To Pro, A Pocket-Sized Pickleball Podcast
Pickleball Tips - 4.0 To Pro, A Pocket-Sized Pickleball Podcast

Pickleball Tips - 4.0 To Pro, A Pocket-Sized Pickleball Podcast

Michael O'Neal & Mircea Morariu 70 Episodes Jul 21, 2026

Pickleball Tips - 4.0 To Pro is a podcast dedicated to improving pickleball skills. Each short episode focuses on a single shot, tip, or strategy, covering serves, returns, drives, third-shot options, dinking, and faster hands. Aimed at players from the 4.0 level to professionals, it promises to make listeners better with every episode. The podcast also offers additional tips on Instagram and accepts listener questions at picklehelp.com.

Episodes

69: Embracing The Suck.  What It's Like To Learn A New Shot As A Top-Tier Pro
69: Embracing The Suck. What It's Like To Learn A New Shot As A Top-Tier Pro Jul 21, 2026 2061 In this episode, Michael and Mircea dig into one of the biggest offensive upgrades in modern pickleball: the two-handed backhand dink. Mircea, a former tennis and squash player, shares what it's like to relearn a shot as a high-level competitor, while Michael reflects on his own journey picking up the "twoie" back in 2023. Together they break down technique, drilling strategy, and how the shot sho
68: Stop Thinking About the Third Shot. START Thinking About the Fifth.
68: Stop Thinking About the Third Shot. START Thinking About the Fifth. Jun 23, 2026 2235 Most players are asking the wrong question. "Should I drop or drive?" treats the third shot as a single moment — but it's actually the opening move in a sequence. In this episode, Michael and Mircea break down how advancing players shift from shot-by-shot thinking to combo thinking, and why that mental shift is what separates Pros from 4.0 players. What we cover: The four stages of pickleball th
67: Pounce on It: How to Recognize, Attack, and Finish Floaters!
67: Pounce on It: How to Recognize, Attack, and Finish Floaters! Jun 2, 2026 1541 It's the shot we all play for: that big, fluffy, juicy floater hanging in the air, begging to be put away. So why do so many players blow it? In this episode, Michael O'Neal and Mircea Morariu dig into one of pickleball's most mismanaged opportunities, the floater, and break down exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it. From collapsing on the space (or as Mircea prefers, pouncing) to limiting y
66: Stacking Revisited - Why You Should Stack More in Pickleball, at ALL levels.
66: Stacking Revisited - Why You Should Stack More in Pickleball, at ALL levels. May 25, 2026 1756 What We Cover This Episode Stacking comes up constantly in rec play, and most players either resist it, misunderstand it, or simply never try it. Michael and Mircea break down why you should at minimum stack on serve, how to think about court positioning based on skill sets, and why ego is quietly costing recreational players games every single day. Key Takeaways Why players resist stacking (an
65: Back on Court: Pro Event Takeaways, DUPR Frustrations, and Three Quick Fixes
65: Back on Court: Pro Event Takeaways, DUPR Frustrations, and Three Quick Fixes May 19, 2026 2539 Michael O’Neal (@solohour) and Mircea Morariu (@brainsdoc) return to the 4.0 to Pro pickleball podcast, recap Michael’s visit to the PPA finals in San Clemente and what stands out in person about open pros’ hand speed, defense, resets, and dinking pressure, and announce plans to publish more regularly. They discuss CRBN's Barrage paddle (promo code 402P at checkout at crbnpickleball.com) and its p
64: Watch Yourself Win: How Video Analysis Instantly Improves Your Pickleball Game
64: Watch Yourself Win: How Video Analysis Instantly Improves Your Pickleball Game Mar 19, 2026 1843 If you’re serious about getting better at pickleball, one of the fastest ways to improve isn’t drilling more—it’s watching yourself play. In this episode, Michael O’Neal (http://instagram.com/solohour) and Mircea Morariu (http://instagram.com/brainsdoc) break down how video analysis can dramatically accelerate your progress. From simple positioning mistakes to advanced pattern recognition, seeing
63: Tournament Prep PART 2!
63: Tournament Prep PART 2! Mar 10, 2026 2851 Michael and Mircea record live from the Pickle Brawl — a charity Pro-Am event at Dink & Dine Pickle Park in Mesa, raising awareness and funds for fentanyl addiction treatment. This is Part 2 of their tournament prep series. Event Highlights Played alongside NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry (age 82!) — still incredibly competitive Met outstanding junior players aged 12–17 — the future of pickle
62: Tournament Prep 101 (Part 1)
62: Tournament Prep 101 (Part 1) Mar 2, 2026 2912 Michael O'Neal and Mircea Morariu kick off a “Tournament Prep 101” series for rec players thinking about entering their first pickleball tournament. They explain why tournament play feels so different from rec: unfamiliar opponents, more pressure, and weaknesses getting targeted early and often. While it can be humbling, they argue tournaments accelerate improvement by revealing exactly what break
61: Attacking in Pickleball: When to Speed Up (and When Not To) — 4.0 to Pro
61: Attacking in Pickleball: When to Speed Up (and When Not To) — 4.0 to Pro Feb 9, 2026 2727 In this episode of 4.0 to Pro, Michael O’Neal and Mircea Morariu break down one of the most important strategic decisions in modern pickleball: when to attack. As paddles become more powerful and the game continues evolving into a more offensive style of play, knowing when to speed up — and when to stay patient — can be the difference between winning and losing at higher levels. Michael shares e
60: Cold Court, Hot Ball: Adjust Your Game for Winter Pickleball
60: Cold Court, Hot Ball: Adjust Your Game for Winter Pickleball Feb 2, 2026 1582 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
59: If You Want To Get Better At Pickleball This Year, Start HERE
59: If You Want To Get Better At Pickleball This Year, Start HERE Jan 6, 2026 2987 Tripod: https://amzn.to/4q4JnD3 Jump Rope: https://amzn.to/4pu8Jtd Jump Rope Workout: https://youtu.be/1BZM2Vre5oc?si=RXud8Vl3zIxzYA1S 4.0 to Pro - 2026 Goal-Setting Punch List Use this checklist to train with intention and make real progress this year. SET ONE CLEAR RATING GOAL Choose a ½ point or 1 full point max for 2026 Example: solid 4.0 → 4.5 Focus on process, not
58: Right Side Play (Revisited)
58: Right Side Play (Revisited) Dec 24, 2025 1781 Today we crank out another episode about playing the right side. If you want the "definitive" right side playbook, venture into episode 36 first and then come back to this bad boy. Today we talk about a few "plays", strategies, and scenarios for the right side player to be aware of. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! - Michael and Mircea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

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