Happy Thursday! 🎉

Now that we are in the month of April that means we can officially celebrate National Pickleball Month! 🥳 We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this incredible sport than by taking part in The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World!™ The US Open Pickleball Championships kicks off in exactly TWO DAYS in Naples, FL. We hope to see you there! Keep reading to learn more and for a 🚨SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 you won't want to miss! 👇

So, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips, strategies, stories, news, and more... 👏

​Click here to access the online version of this newsletter​

#1. GAMIFICATION OF PICKLEBALL PRACTICE

By Greg Hansen

One thing is crystal clear: mixing fun and practice can work wonders in improving your pickleball game. 😁 If you find drills boring, try gamification to take it up a notch! These drills with a competitive twist will help you stay engaged and motivated while working on your skills.

​ANNA LEIGH AND LEIGH WATERS FREE CLINIC AND Q&A AT THE US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Fresh off Anna Leigh Waters' 100th PPA win, join Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters during the US Open Pickleball Championships for an interactive clinic followed by Q&A with Anna Leigh and Leigh! 🎙️ Paddletek prizes will be awarded during the clinic. All are welcome and kids 12 and under will be invited on court. Advance registration is now open!

#2. ARE YOU READY FOR THE US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS?

The final countdown is on for the ​​2024 US Open Pickleball Championships!​​ ⏰ We hope to see you at The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ April 13th-April 20th, 2024 in beautiful Naples, Florida. Here are some important reminders, helpful information, and tips to make sure you are ready for The Open.

#3. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS’ BRACKET: THE ETIQUETTE CRISIS WITH “OPEN PLAY”

It’s hard enough on the pickleball court without needing to drill on our verbal-rally-skills off the court. With more and more players flocking to pickleball, it’s time to brush up on our pickleball etiquette. Let’s work together to bring some much-needed order to open play and make the game even more enjoyable for everyone. 🧐

#4. KITCHEN TALK: PICKLEBALL EDITION WITH KAITLIN MILLER

Episode 17: Inside the 2024 MLP Draft with MLP Team Owner Kaitlyn Kerr ​ Kaitlyn Kerr is the owner of the Las Vegas Night Owls and a well-known host in the MLP community. Kaitlyn shares her insights into the 2024 MLP Draft and discusses how it's different this year following the major merger between PPA and MLP. She delves into her recent adventure to the luxurious Necker Island Pickleball Forum alongside top pros, A-list celebrities, and influential investors. ​​​

Episode 18: From a Dream to Reality: The Story Behind Necker Island Pickleball Forum ​ We delve into the fascinating backstory behind the iconic Necker Island Pickleball Forum & Pro Am event, hosted on Sir Richard Branson's luxurious private island in the Virgin Islands. Join us as co-founder Casey Brown shares the incredible journey of how this star-studded event came to be, from its inception to its realization with stars like Drew Brees, Morgan Evans, Tyson McMuffin, and several more. ​​​

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FEATURED PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENTS FROM PICKLEBALL DEN​

​Barstool Pickleball Open - Pickle Haus​ Barstool is setting out to deliver a pickleball experience that will bring together Stoolies and Pickleball fanatics alike. Get ready for the second of Bartsool's one-of-a-kind tournaments in Chicago, Illinois on June 1st. Register now for an experience you won't want to miss! ​Learn more about the other dates of the Barstool Pickleball Open. REGISTER NOW

Get your paddles ready for the The BODYARMOR State Games Summer Tournament! The four-day pickleball tournament takes place June 20-23, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event features women's, men's and mixed doubles, men's and women's singles, and a newly added open advanced doubles event. ​ REGISTER NOW

QUOTES FROM RECENT TOURNAMENTS

#5. QUICK TIP - STRATEGIZE, BUT QUICKLY

When it comes to competitive pickleball—in other words, playing to win—the winner is oftentimes the team/player that can figure out their opponent first. In other words, the first team/player to identify the other team/player’s weaknesses, and then execute and exploit them.

So, to win on the pickleball court, it is imperative to not only strategize, but strategize quickly. To do this, watch your opponents earlier in the day if possible. If not possible, watch your opponents during warm-ups to get some insights into their style of play, strengths, and weaknesses. 👀 If all else fails, play to your strengths to start a pickleball match and/or attack the middle of the pickleball court. Then, tweak your strategy from there as you start to identify weaknesses or patterns of play. Target your opponents’ weaknesses and remember to mix up your shots to remain unpredictable, while also remaining true to your strategy. 💪

Lastly, beware of the trap of not constantly evaluating your strategy on the pickleball court. Oftentimes, pickleball players will identify a strategy and then, when their opponents adjust their strategy, fail to counter or fail to respond to the opponents’ new strategy. It is important to constantly be thinking and evolving during a pickleball match—from game to game, point to point, and even shot to shot.

Get more tips to play better pickleball with The Pickler’s video series, My Pro Pickleball Coach!

#6. WHY THE MIDDLE MAY BE THE BEST PICKLEBALL STRATEGY

Does hitting down the middle truly “solve the riddle” on the pickleball court? 🤔 What is the middle strategy and why is it so effective in doubles pickleball? Discover the power of hitting shots "down the middle" and how to perfect your execution!

​PRO S1 PICKLEBALL BY SELKIRK​

Designed to outperform, the Pro S1 Pickleball embodies an advanced aerodynamic design with its patented 38-hole pattern, delivering consistent ball flight on every shot. The seamless construction of the Pro S1 gives players the finesse that they’re looking for with more speed and optimal spin.

#7. RULES REFRESH Q&A - AT FAULT

By Mark Peifer, USA Pickleball Certified Referee; Past Chairman, USA Pickleball Rules Committee

QUESTION: If the ball hits your hand while you’re returning a volley, is that a foul?

ANSWER: The answer to this question is found in Rule 7.H of the Official USA Pickleball Rulebook. The Rulebook is provided for free at this link: https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/​

Your question was specific to a volley. If a live ball hits you anywhere on your body, it is a fault, regardless whether it was a volley. There is one exception to that rule, however.

The only part of the body that can be hit by a live ball and not be a fault is the part of your hand below the wrist as long as that hand is in contact with the paddle. In other words, it is not a fault if the hand in contact with the paddle is hit somewhere between your fingertips and your wrist. ✋

#8. ON THE TOUR - ANNA LEIGH WATERS EARNS HER 100TH GOLD MEDAL

The PPA North Carolina Open saw top players back on the medal stand despite some early upsets in the brackets. After defeating Catherine Parenteau in singles, Vivienne David & Lacy Schneemann in women’s doubles, and Tina Pisnik & Dekel Bar in mixed doubles, Anna Leigh Waters simultaneously earned her 👑👑👑 24th triple crown and 100th gold medal 🥇 on the PPA Tour! Ben Johns also earned a triple crown with the help of Waters in mixed doubles and brother Collin Johns in men’s doubles.

The APP Tour headed to Delray Beach, Florida 🌴 and it seemed that there was a hometown advantage at play with Florida residents JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Megan Fudge, and Gabriel Tardio all securing a gold medal during the event. JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier earned the gold in men’s doubles. Jorja Johnson and Gabriel Tardio teamed up to earn the gold in mixed doubles. With the help of Jill Braverman, Megan Fudge came out on top in women’s doubles, but earned the silver in single’s after being defeated by Judit Castillo.

For a full recap on these events, check out the following:

• ​Waters Wins her 100th Career Professional Pickleball Title in Cary​
• ​Florida's Best Shine on Championship Sunday in Delray Beach​​

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in April! 📆

​UP YOUR GAME & HAVE A LAUGH!​​

Have a laugh and learn some great tips to take to the pickleball court with longtime humor writer Frank Cerabino's book ​I Dink, Therefore I Am: Coming to Grips with My Pickleball Addiction​! Plus, this book makes a great gift for your favorite player or partner! 📚

#9. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

Check out the latest headlines to stay in the know on all things pickleball 📢

• Wondering which pro players were selected in the MLP draft? Get the recap on who will be battling it out in the Premier League and Challenger League. 🏆
• Celebrate National Pickleball Month by hosting a pickleball party. 🎉 One company even designed festive pickleball party goods perfect for the occasion!

• Los Angeles is all in on pickleball. We all know that more and more homes and communities are adding pickleball courts in an attempt to meet the demands for courts in their area, but many hotels are also getting in on the pickleball action. 👏

​GRAB 10% OFF!​

Up your game by grabbing 10% off a new paddle, shoes, and more pickleball necessities from Fromuth Pickleball (some exclusions apply) with the code 10PICKLER! 💸

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