Happy Monday, pickleball fam!

Word to the wise: be careful who you finger wag out on the pickleball courts. During this past weekend's Tournament of Champions, Ben Johns finger wagged Riley Newman (who has done the same on occasion) and Matt Wright after winning Game 1. However, this finger wag ignited Newman and Wright so much that they came from behind to win the match. Post-match, Newman credited the finger wag for the "fuel" and the win. So, be careful who you finger wag, as you may be motivating them to beat you. ☝️

Let's get to the good stuff...

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#1. TWO PICKLEBALL TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME FROM THE WRIST DOWN

On the pickleball court, the slightest of movements can drastically impact the effectiveness of your shots. This is particularly true when you look at the body part that is directly holding your pickleball paddle—your paddle-side hand and wrist. Click here to learn two pickleball tips to improve your game from the wrist down. 💪

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#2. DINKING, STAGE RIGHT: ACTOR JEFF DANIELS WRITES PICKLEBALL LIVE-THEATER COMEDY

Pickleball is making its debut as material for live theater at The Purple Rose Theatre in Michigan. Actor Jeff Daniels wrote an original comedy featuring the fastest-growing sport that strives to be “smart funny”, and one in which pickleball players in the audience will enjoy through the recognition of familiar situations.

​Click here to learn more pickleball's first time on the live stage 🎭, as well as how actor Jeff Daniels may be embracing pickleball (or the other way around).

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#3. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS' BRACKET: WHY ARE PICKLEBALL TROPHIES SUCH A BIG DEAL?

Anyone else think that the pro pickleball trophies are ridiculously oversized? Murmurs from the Losers' Bracket discusses the why pro pickleball trophies are a big deal and offers a new rule for the growing sport of pickleball.

​Click here to have a laugh with Murmurs from the Losers' Bracket over some of the largest trophies in sports. 🏆

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​REVIEW OF MY PRO PICKLEBALL COACH SERIES: CLEAR, CONCISE INSTRUCTION ​

​Click here for the best value in online video lessons and improve your pickleball game now! Get access to over 140 clear, concise, and organized video lessons (or over 7 hours of lessons!) that break down every aspect of the sport of pickleball, including mechanics, strategy, advanced concepts, and drills.

But don't take our word for it, check out our latest review below...

​LAST CALL FOR THE SUMMER SALE!​

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#4. HOW TO GET RID OF THE "SERVING YIPS"

Have you heard of the “serving yips” on the pickleball court? The serving yips on the pickleball court can be very challenging to overcome and can take a toll on any pickleball player’s mental game.

If you are suffering from the serving yips, or know someone that may be suffering from the serving yips, try these pickleball tips! 🤗

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#5. WHAT IS THE "I" FORMATION STRATEGY?

In pickleball, the serving team usually stays back by the baseline until after the third shot. However, every once in a while, pickleball players will mix it up. Pro pickleballers Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters did just that by trying the "I" Formation 👩‍👧 for one point during the Skechers Invitational on CBS.

​Click here to learn what the "I" Formation is and why to do it. Plus, tips if you are brave enough to try it and tips if it is used against you!

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#6. PICKLER THE PODCAST - FROM ALMOST WORST TO FIRST! WITH MLP RANCHERS OWNER, TIM KLITCH

Tim Klitch, the owner of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) champions, the Ranchers, breaks down his team's run for the championship 🏆 on Pickler The Podcast with co-hosts, Stacie Townsend and John "The People's Champ" Davison. Klitch explains how he got into pickleball, why he invested in MLP, how he made decisions on the draft and trades, and how it paid off. Plus, he gives a few inside takes at MLP owner discussions, what is coming next for MLP, and more (including Klitch's other pickleball projects, like the Austin Pickle Ranch and his own backyard pickleball court). Learn more about the Ranchers and get an owner's perspective on one of the most exciting events in the sport of pickleball. Tune in now! 🎧

And, don't forget to subscribe to Pickler's YouTube page, so you never miss another Pickler video - whether it be a podcast, pickleball tip video, or other can't-miss video.

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#7. QUICK TIP - YOU HAVE MORE TIME THAN YOU THINK

Whether you are hitting your serve, return, third shot, dink, or any other shot on the court, take your time. Steady yourself from your feet up (including your paddle position), then execute your shot.

Oftentimes, players have a tendency to rush their shots, whether by pulling their head, jerking quickly to the point of contact, or pulling off the pickleball before following through. You have more time than you think on the pickleball court. So, set your feet. Prepare your paddle and your body. Then, execute your shot and follow through.

Bottom line – Use your time wisely to hit the best shot possible. ⏳

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​DO YOU LIKE PICKLEBALL & JOKES?​

If so, then this book, I Dink, Therefore I Am: Coming to Grips with My Pickleball Addiction, is for you. Have a laugh with longtime humor writer, Frank Cerabino, and grab some great pickleball tips! 📚

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#8. PICKLEBALL HITS MAJOR BROADCAST NETWORK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

Pickleball was broadcasted on a major network (CBS) for the first time in its history. Click here to learn a few fun facts from this milestone event, including how many people tuned in for the CBS broadcast. 📺

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#9. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT

Serving up your latest pickleball headlines... 🗞

Pickler The Newsroom is back and covering the latest news from August 8, 2022 to August 22, 2022. Learn how we are "One Nation, Under Pickleball" by checking out the video below 👇 or this link for the headlines in a more detailed, written form (including applicable links to stories)!

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#10. ON THE TOUR: TRIPLE CROWNS FROM EAST COAST TO WEST COAST

The APP Tour hosted the New Jersey Open on the east coast, followed by the PPA Tour's Tournament of Champions on the west coast. Although these two pickleball tournaments were hosted by two different tours, in two very different places, and largely featured very different players in the medal rounds, the two actually had similar outcomes. Learn how and get the recap! 🥇🥇🥇

And, don't forget to mark your calendars 🗓 for more pro pickleball this month!

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#11. RULES REFRESH - WILL THE SPIN SERVE STAY OR GO?

USA Pickleball is the keeper of the rules of pickleball, and has taken strides to be more transparent in the rule-making process in recent years. This includes updates to the rules process that can be found online here, as well as providing opportunities for member input and comment. The next deadline in the 2023 rules-making process is August 30th, in which USA Pickleball will share the Rules Committee’s proposed rule changes.

One notable rule for 2023 that many players have been keeping an eye on is whether to permit or prohibit the one-handed spin serve 🌪 on the pickleball court. There are vocal proponents and opponents on both sides. Last year, USA Pickleball only went so far as to ban the two-handed serve (or one-hand and one-paddle serve), but left the one-handed serve intact. Some pickleball organizations—notably, the PPA Tour—have already banned the one-handed spin serve. Will USA Pickleball join the PPA Tour?

Regardless of what the Rules Committee decides, there are still two more hurdles to cross for the final proposed 2023 rule change: (1) the USA Pickleball Board of Directors (which historically largely vote in line with the Rules Committee); and (2) a 30-day period for the public to get familiar with the rule and/or make comments (which may not be enough to change the final vote of the Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors).

Where do you stand on the one-handed spin serve? Should it stay or should it go?

For a deeper breakdown on all of the rules of pickleball, check out Pickler's Ultimate Guide to the Rules of Pickleball.

Have you had an interesting rules issue on the pickleball court? Send it to us at stacie@thepickler.com, so we can share with the rest of the pickleball community in a future newsletter.

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