The Future of Coaching: How to Use Google Gemini AI to Analyze Your Pickleball Matches
- Greg Hung
- Nov 25
- 4 min read
How to Use AI to Analyze Your Pickleball Matches If you are serious about improving your pickleball game, you’ve probably been told to "watch the tape." Recording your matches is standard advice for seeing bad habits that you don't notice in the heat of the moment.
But let’s be honest: sitting through an hour of raw footage, trying to manually count how many third-shot drops you missed or figuring out exactly where your opponents were attacking you, is tedious. It’s hard to be objective about your own play.
This is where Googles new AI model Gemini 3 Artificial Intelligence steps in.
A recent video highlighted an incredible leap forward in sports technology: using AI to automatically analyze pickleball matches.
Here is your guide to using AI for pickleball match analysis.
What is AI Match Analysis?
In simple terms, AI match analysis uses "computer vision." You provide a video file of your match, and software trained specifically on pickleball watches it.
It identifies the court lines, the players, and the ball. It tracks movement and recognizes specific shot types (dinks, drives, lobs, serves). Instead of just watching a video, the AI turns that video into hard data, statistics, and interactive visual aids.
It takes the guesswork out of improvement.
The Process: How to Get Started
Based on the tools currently emerging (like the one demonstrated in the video), the process is surprisingly user-friendly:
Step 1: Record Your Match
You don't need a professional camera crew. A smartphone mounted on a fence tripod high enough to see the whole court is usually sufficient. The cleaner the footage, the better the AI results. Personally I like to use the Gopro 11 and a Jawclamp mount.
Step 2: Upload the Footage
You upload your raw video file to Youtube and get the video link
Step 3: Let the AI "Watch"
Log into google gemini ai and use the Think mode on Gemini 3. You have limited free use.
Step 4: Use this Prompt in Gemini AI
Act as an experienced pickleball coach and analyze this pickleball. match https://youtu.be/LLyQlzrVcng (replace this link with your video link)
You will get a detailed match breakdown complete with timestamps. Below is a sample using this video below
Here is my coaching analysis of the match between Greg & Ernest (Near Side) and Brad & Tony (Far Side). ### The Matchup: Power vs. Finesse This was a classic "Clash of Styles." *Greg & Ernest (Near Side):** Self-identified aggressive power players. They look to speed up the ball, crash the net, and use swing volleys to end points quickly [[01:51](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=111)]. *Brad & Tony (Far Side):** The "Dinking Strategists." They prefer a slower game, utilizing crosscourt dinks, precise drops, and lobs to frustrate their opponents [[05:23](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=323)]. ### Tactical Breakdown 1. The "Dinking War" & Patience The title "Dinking Wars" is accurate, but it was often a war of patience. Brad and Tony excelled here. They forced the game into a slow rhythm, waiting for Greg or Ernest to get impatient and speed up a ball that wasn't quite there. *Coach’s Tip:** Greg noted accurately at [[06:23](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=383)] that "you can't win some of these points with one shot." At the 4.0 level, your opponents will get the ball back. You must construct the point, wait for the pop-up, and then attack. 2. The Art of the Lob Tony (Far Side) utilized a very effective top spin lob and "toss and lob" strategy. *Why it worked:** It disrupted the aggressive net positioning of Greg and Ernest. By tossing lobs from the kitchen line [[01:25](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=85)], Tony forced them off the line, turning their offense into defense instantly. *The Counter:** To beat this, you need excellent overhead mobility and communication. Greg and Ernest got caught a few times letting these drop or not smashing them decisively. 3. Aggressive Net Play (Crashing) Ernest showed a great example of "crashing the net" [[06:50](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=410)]. *The Play:** After a good drop or drive, he immediately moves forward to close the distance. This puts immense pressure on the opponents to hit a perfect shot. *The Risk:** If you crash too early or on a floating ball, you leave yourself vulnerable to a lob or a hard drive at your feet. ### Technical Highlights & Specific Shots *The "Flop Serve" / Forehand Flick:** Tony revealed a unique "flop serve" [[03:34](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=214)]. Taking the ball early on the rise denies the receiver time to set up. It's a great disruption tactic, even if it looks unorthodox. *Two-Handed Swing Volley:** Greg showcased the modern "swing volley" [[02:35](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=155)], using hip rotation to generate power on balls taken out of the air. This is a great weapon, but it requires perfect timing; mistime it, and it's an unforced error. ### Areas for Improvement 1. Resetting vs. Counter-Attacking: There were moments where the near team (Greg/Ernest) tried to speed up balls from below the net height or from a defensive position [[09:39](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=579)]. *Correction:** If you are pressed or the ball is low, reset into the kitchen with a soft dink. Don't try to win the point from a disadvantageous position. 2. Handling Spin: The match featured heavy slice returns and spin serves. At [[04:43](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=283)], a slice return stayed low and caused an error. *Correction:** When facing heavy backspin (slice), you must bend your knees and lift the ball more on your drop shot to clear the net. ### Final Verdict Brad and Tony (Far Side) often controlled the tempo because they dictated the style of the game. They forced the power players to play a slow game. However, Greg and Ernest’s aggression kept them in it when they connected. MVP of the Match: Tony. His mix of unorthodox serves, well-timed lobs, and patience at the kitchen line [[04:25](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLyQlzrVcng&t=265)] kept the opponents guessing constantly.
Final Thoughts
For years, elite tennis players have had access to this kind of data like Hawk-Eye technology. Now, thanks to accessible AI, pickleball players at local clubs can get the same level of insight.
If you feel like your game has plateaued and you don't know what to work on next, it’s time to stop guessing. Record a match, let the AI crunch the numbers, and discover exactly what’s holding you back.