Happy Wednesday! 🎉

You might have noticed that The Pickler recently received a refresh. ✨ It's not just the colors that we've changed... We're introducing a new website, access to extra content, and a brand new partner! Continue reading to learn more about how these updates benefit you! 👇

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

#1. THE PICKLER - SAME GREAT CONTENT, NEW LOOK AND FEEL

🎉 Now introducing the new and improved ThePickler.com! With a new look and feel, you can now find the pickleball tips, rules, strategies, stories, and news you’re interested in more easily than ever! Our updated site gives you access to even more content than before and keeps you up-to-date with The Pickler’s latest articles.

We have also updated the access to “My Pro Pickleball Coach,” The Pickler’s video course. With our updated site, you receive instant access upon purchase to 140 video lessons and a corresponding e-book that breaks down every aspect of the sport of pickleball.

Visit ThePickler.com to enjoy these enhancements and a sample video from our video course.

#2. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS’ BRACKET: MASTERING THE DIPLOMACY OF ROUND-ROBIN SCHEDULING

If you’re organizing a round-robin for a fun session of rec play, you’re going to need more than a spreadsheet to get through it. With that in mind, here’s a guide to help you navigate the nuanced minefield of round-robin invitations. 📖

Featured Pickleball Tournaments from Pickleball Den​

​4th Annual Pickleball For Sea Turtles Tournament​ Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to register now to play in beautiful downtown Port St. Joe, Florida overlooking Saint Joseph Bay. The event takes place March 14th-17th, 2024. Proceeds benefit the Florida Coastal Conservancy in Gulf County. ​ REGISTER NOW

​2024 BODYARMOR State Games Winter Tournament​ Registration opens February 28, 2024! Get your paddles ready for the The BODYARMOR State Games! The three-day pickleball tournament takes place March 14-17, 2024 in North Carolina. The event features women's, men's and mixed doubles, and newly added in 2024, men's and women's singles. ​ LEARN MORE

QUOTES FROM RECENT TOURNAMENTS

#3. WHAT IS THE “PROGRESSION DRAW” FORMAT IN PICKLEBALL?

The progression draw format is making its way to pickleball. The progressive draw will be used at some of the larger PPA Tour tournaments in 2024. Learn what the progression draw format is, the arguments for and against it, and how it works. 🤔

SAVE THE DATE - US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP COURT TICKET LOTTERY​

Don't miss your chance! 📆 Starting February 2, 2024, you can enter the Ticket Lottery for your chance to witness the iconic pickleball action on Championship Court at the US Open Championships.

Don't forget to enter the Minto US Open Sweepstakes for your chance to win one of three grand prizes or weekly instant win prizes. 🙌

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! 🥳

#4. THE PICKLER PARTNERS WITH KITCHEN TALK: PICKLEBALL EDITION TO SERVE UP PICKLEBALL INTERVIEWS

The Pickler is excited to announce our partnership with Kaitlin Miller and her podcast, Kitchen Talk: Pickleball Edition. This partnership helps to support The Pickler's goal to provide reliable, informational, and exceptional content for passionate picklers. 🤝

#5. KITCHEN TALK: PICKLEBALL EDITION WITH KAITLIN MILLER

Episode 7: Australia Launches its First Team-Based Professional League with a $100,000 Cash Prize ​ Episode 7 dives into the world of pickleball down under as we explore the launch of Australia's first professional pickleball league, the National Pickleball League (NPL). 🇦🇺 ​​​

Episode 8: Pickleball Royalty: A Queen's Court of Stephanie Lane ​ Episode 8 highlights the story of pickleball legend Stephanie Lane. From being the trailblazing first-ever sponsored Paddletek player to securing medals at the US Open, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 👑 ​​​

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#6. WIN MORE POINTS WITH THIS PICKLEBALL READY POSITION

One of the most important concepts in pickleball is the ready position. The ready position is important for a number of reasons, including cutting down on reaction time and hitting better, stronger shots. With that said, what ready position should you use to win more points on the court?

​SELKIRK SLK REFLEX BUNDLE​

​The SLK Reflex Bundle has everything you need to get started on the pickleball court: 2 SLK Reflex Paddles, 3 SLK Hybrid Pickleballs, and 1 SLK Sling Bag. ✅ Created by the pioneers of today’s ickleball paddle technology, SLK by Selkirk combines the latest developments with comfort, balance, and affordability. Fully compliant with all USAPA requirements for tournament play, the Reflex Bundle paddle is the paddle set of choice for players new to pickleball. 👌

Pair Up & Play On: Your Pickleball Journey Begins Here!

#7. RULES REFRESH Q&A - WHERE'S THE WAIST?

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

QUESTION: The Official Rulebook for pickleball requires the serve to be hit below your navel at the point of contact. Where do you find that the definition of waistline is below the navel? How can I demonstrate to others that the pickleball rule is navel and not hip for the definition of waist?

ANSWER: The last time the navel was listed in the Rulebook as the reference point for the waist was 2020. 📖 It was removed because the navel didn’t provide much of an advantage in determining a volley serve legality than just using the waist itself. The hip has never been used as a ‘waist’ reference point in the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook.

The rule that applies here is associated with the volley serve and is 4.A.7.c; at the point of contact, the ball must not be struck above the waist. The location of the waist is, admittedly, difficult to determine with a consistent degree of accuracy from person to person, especially when ‘hidden’ by loose-fitting clothing. That is why opponents can’t call illegal serves on servers and why referees are taught to call illegal volley serves that are ‘above the waist’ only if it is obvious; i.e. the referee is certain. There is no good, repeatable or consistent way to determine where someone else’s waist is, but every person knows where their waist is. 🤔

#8. WILL PLAYING SINGLES PICKLEBALL HELP YOUR DOUBLES GAME?

Pickleball is most commonly played as a doubles game but can also be played as a singles game. Although singles & doubles are very different games, one common question is whether playing singles pickleball will help your doubles game. Learn why the answer is a resounding yes. 🙌

​​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 📢

• Looking for a one-of-a-kind pickleball experience? The DinkDunk Pickleball Spa is serving up dinks, cold dunks, and spa treatments in the frosty Canadian wilderness! ❄️

• Pickleball is continuing to transform lives… This time from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. With a goal of shifting the culture of the prison and improving relationships, staff and residents came together for the Center’s inaugural pickleball tournament. 👏
• Pickleball has its sights set on the Olympics, and China has its sights set on taking the gold! 🥇 As a powerhouse in ping pong and badminton, will China lead the world in pickleball?

#10. ON THE TOUR - NEW WINNERS IN THE NEW YEAR

The APP Tour kicked off its 2024 pro season in Punta Gorda, Florida January 17-21, 2024. ⛱️ The new year brought new pairings and new faces to the winner’s podium. During men’s singles, Chris Haworth defeated the APP’s top men’s player, Hunter Johnson, to earn his first pro gold medal. 🥇 The doubles brackets saw some shake ups with new teams taking home the gold. The (unrelated) mixed doubles duo of Jorja Johnson and Yates Johnson, and women’s doubles pair Milan Rane and Bobbi Oshiro, both triumphed in their respective brackets. After Andrei Daescu and Rob Nunnery pulled out after one game in the finals due to injury, Will Howells and C.J. Klinger earned the gold in men’s doubles. 🏆

For a full recap on this event, check out the following:

• ​Lots Of First-Time Winners At The Association Of Pickleball Players 2024 Punta Gorda Open​​

Don't forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in February! 📆

​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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