Happy Holidays!

We hope you're enjoying the end of 2023 and playing plenty of pickleball. Your time is precious... particularly this time of year. 🎁

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

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#1. 2024 USA PICKLEBALL RULES CHANGES TO KNOW 👀

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

USA Pickleball has announced several rule changes for the upcoming 2024 Rule Book. 📒 Amendments address criteria for "soft" and "degraded" ball play, clarification on double hits vs. carries, and more. How will your pickleball game change in the new year?!

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Featured Pickleball Tournaments from Pickleball Den​

​Naples Mixed Doubles Classic​ Kick off the new year competing in beautiful Naples, FL! Hosted by Eva Welsher and Randy Sussman, January 6th-7th, 2024. A portion of proceeds will go to Humane Society of Naples. ​ ​ ​ REGISTER NOW

​The Pickle Games Miami​ Get your paddles ready for the The Pickle Games Miami! The 2-day pickleball tournament and festival created for all skill levels will take place January 13-14, 2024 with thrilling tournaments, VIP fan experiences, entertainment and more all at the iconic, waterfront Miami Marine Stadium. ​ REGISTER NOW

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#2. THIS PICKLEBALL STRATEGY IS HOLDING YOU BACK ⚠️

Many pickleball players believe the serve is simply a shot to start the rally. As a result, these pickleball players will generally loft in a soft serve, focusing largely on keeping the serve in the proper service box. They do not focus on power, placement, spin, or any other strategy. Change your mindset when it comes to your serve in pickleball.👈

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​INTRODUCING THE FS TOUR SERIES​

The FS Tour Series provides competitive athletes of all backgrounds with elite performance elements in a paddle that’s been proven at the highest levels.

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#3. TOP 5 PICKLEBALL MISTAKES TO AVOID IN 2024

As we prepare to step into a new calendar year, we reflect on the common pitfalls of 2023 in an effort to avoid the same mistakes in 2024 on the pickleball court. Take note of these top 5 pickleball mistakes...upgrade your skills, outsmart your opponents and prepare to elevate your performance on the court in the new year!

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​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.

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#4. TWO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, TWO IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS FOR PICKLEBALL PLAYERS 🙇

Pickleball continues to hold the title of America's fastest growing sport. Players - from the young to the mature - find pickleball improves balance and heart health, enhances social connections and boosts mental health. That said, there is still much to understand about the physical impact of the sport. Two new studies in the International Journal of Exercise Science 📊 suggest several steps you can take to stay safe and avoid injuries on the pickleball court. 🤕

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#5. FIRST "QUIET" PICKLEBALL PADDLE HITS THE MARKET

USA Pickleball recently introduced a “Quiet Category” for pickleball products. As pickleball’s popularity grows and more courts open, the initiative aims to create equipment and solutions that enable communities to enjoy the sport without causing noise disturbances and without adversely impacting play or performance on the court. John McEnroe and Drew Brees joined USA Pickleball and pro players to test out the first product officially certified by USA Pickleball in its new "Quiet Category". 🤫

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#6. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS' BRACKET: THE PILGRIMS AND PICKLEBALL - THE UNTOLD STORY 🦃

“Most people aren’t aware that after stuffing themselves on turkey the pilgrims played the First Pickleball,” writes Perri Blackmer in the Dink Pickleball site. The whimsical idea of pickleball arriving in America on the Mayflower and being central in the first Thanksgiving is such a better story than real one.

We here at Murmurs from the Losers’ Bracket couldn't resist the opportunity to flesh out the unexplained details of Blackmer’s alternative origin story, not because it’s true, but because, well, pickleball deserves a world-class yarn. 🤭

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​​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! 📚

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#7. HOW TO WIN AT PICKLEBALL BY MAKING YOUR OPPONENTS MAKE FORCED ERRORS 🥊

At some point, pickleball players master their skills enough to be able to consistently get the pickleball back over the net and in between the lines of the court. In other words, pickleball players will consistently reduce or even eliminate their unforced errors. So, in order to win against these pickleball players, you need to turn to forced errors. Learn how to make your opponents make forced errors with good play yourself and win more pickleball games. 🌟

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#8. QUICK TIP: START BEHIND THE BASELINE ON THE RETURN 🤯

When returning a serve in pickleball, an important tip for court positioning is to start 2-3 feet behind the baseline. Too often, pickleball players stand at or on the baseline for the return. This results in players misjudging the serve, getting jammed up by deep serves, and failing to generate any momentum in coming into the Kitchen line.

In other words, by starting 2-3 feet behind the baseline for the return, you have the ability to better react 🙌 to the serve (including deep serves) and generate a step or two of momentum that will carry you into the Kitchen line (making you less vulnerable to making a mistake on your opponents’ third shot). So, be aware of your court positioning on the return and start 2-3 feet behind the baseline (rather than at or on the baseline).

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​​REGISTRATION LOTTERY OPENS SOON FOR THE US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS​

The Registration Lottery for the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships will be held January 10th-16th! Save the date and start securing your partners now! Need help finding a partner? Visit the ​US OPEN's Player Connections page on Facebook​!

The countdown is on for the ​2024 US Open Pickleball Championships!​ 🗓️ Be sure to mark your calendar for The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ April 13th-April 20th, 2024 in beautiful Naples, Florida! 🥳

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#9. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

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

• Virginia defeats North Carolina in Pickleball Collegiate National Championship​

• ​Pop up pickleball featured at Miami's Art Basel event
• Pickleball gets iconic blimp coverage at PPA tour event in California
• Trend Alert: This year's holiday office parties to feature more pickleball and guacamole (and less alcohol)

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#10. ON THE TOUR

• Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns dominated in 2023 as they each topped the podium again in singles and mixed doubles at the final PPA event of the year in San Clemente, CA. Waters and Catherine Parenteau claimed the women's doubles title, while the Johns brothers, Ben and Collin, took top honors in men's doubles.
• PPA honors professional athletes with End of Year Player Awards

• ​MLP proposes significant reduction in player compensation and operational budget cuts to establish sustainable business model for the future.
• APP debuts new professional pickleball format for 50+ players as well as a new amateur tournament format.
• ​Chicago Slices Through Orlando To Take The Major League Pickleball Super Final Title

Don't forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in 2024! 🗓

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​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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BALL'S IN YOUR COURT...

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