Three dads invented pickleball to entertain their bored kids. In honor of pickleball's founding fathers and all the other pickleball-loving dads out there, be sure to celebrate Father's Day this coming weekend on a pickleball court near you! ❤️
And, if the pickleball-loving dad in your life is a San Francisco Giants or Denver Rockies fan, don't forget it's your last chance to sign up for the inaugural Ballpark Series™: ⚾️
- sfgiants.com/pickleball for San Francisco; and
- rockies.com/pickleball for Denver.
Now, let's dive straight into your pickleball tips, strategies, stories, news, and more... 👏
#1. WHAT CONSTITUTES A "BIG SERVE" IN PICKLEBALL?
Have you ever heard of the phrase “big serve” on the pickleball court? Learn what constitutes a “big serve” and how to hit one. 💥
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#2. MURMURS FROM THE LOSERS' BRACKET: IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MANY PADDLES?
Do you suffer from a paddle problem? Or, are you simply still on the hunt for the perfect pickleball paddle? Have a laugh with Murmurs from the Losers' Bracket, as Pickler's Frank Cerabino describes his rotation of paddles to hopefully improve his game. 😂
| HAVE A LAUGH |
#3. 7 TIPS TO CONQUER TOUGH SHADOWS ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT
Have you ever found yourself on a pickleball court with strange shadows running across the play area? Maybe half of the court is covered in shadows from a nearby building or tree? Learn 7 tips to help you play through difficult shadows on the court. 😎
| GET THE TIPS! |
SELKIRK SPORT: HALO PADDLE OF CHOICE FOR BEGINNER TO PRO
The Halo line of paddles with T700 Raw Carbon is the paddle of choice for beginner to pro-level pickleball players alike, who are looking for optimal spin and control in their paddle. 🔥 The Halo is available in both the 16mm Control Core and 13mm Power Core to give you your choice of performance while also giving you maximum spin in both models. The Halo line also features:
- Edgesentry: A low-profile, lightweight, durable edge guard for a well-balanced, solid paddle
- T700 Raw Carbon Fiber: Developed to dominate the game, T700 Raw Carbon Fiber featuring Raw Spin Technology provides control and ultimate spin
- SLK Faux Leather Grip: Created for a confident hold, the cushioned SLK faux leather grip is stable and ultra-comfortable with a classy look on the court
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#4. PICKLEBALL IN THE RAIN: A POEM FOR PEOPLE WITH A PICKLEBALL ADDICTION
Have you ever played pickleball (or even a dinking game) when the courts are wet from rain? Have a laugh with Pickler's Frank Cerabino, as he shares a relatable story about pickleball in the rain through a poem. 🌧
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#5. IS NOISE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO GROWTH FOR PICKLEBALL?
One of the biggest obstacles to pickleball's growth is the noise that results when a paddle hits a pickleball. Although most players may love to hear that sound, neighbors of the courts do not always agree. Learn why the noise is a problem for pickleball and how one pickleball player—Bob Unetich—is trying to solve this problem. 💥
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#6. RULES REFRESH - BE WARY OF YOUR FEET ON THE OVERHEAD
When a player is at the Kitchen line and the pickleball is sent high into the air for a lob, that player has a tendency to step forward before stepping back to striking the lob with an overhead shot. This tendency to step forward can lead to an inadvertent foot fault, as the step forward touches the Non-Volley Zone (and we all know that there are no volleys allowed in the Kitchen). 👣
So, when you find yourself ready to crush an overhead off of a lob, be careful not to step forward before pushing off of the court (rather, push off directly from your parallel stance at the Kitchen line). If you step forward too much, be sure to re-establish your feet outside of the Kitchen—just like pro player Anna Bright does in the video below 👇 (to note, as identified by the broadcasters, the referees missed the call (as they misinterpreted the rule) because Bright effectively re-established her feet after stepping in the Kitchen).
#7. QUICK TIP - STRONG LEGS
When pro players are struggling with their game, they have been known to blame it on their “lack of legs.” In other words, to help turn their game around, they focus on using strong legs.
Engaging your legs on each shot on the court is essential for several reasons. First, it provides a strong foundation and stability, allowing you to maintain balance and control during your shots. Second, leg engagement generates power and explosiveness, enabling you to hit the pickleball with more force and accuracy. Lastly, using your legs helps with quick movement and agility, allowing you to cover the court efficiently and be prepared for the next shot. By actively involving your legs, you enhance your overall shot execution and improve your performance on the pickleball court.
Bottom line: Use your legs! 🦵
LOOKING FOR SOME SUMMER READING?
If so, then look no further! Have a laugh and learn some great tips to take to the court with longtime humor writer Frank Cerabino's book I Dink, Therefore I Am: Coming to Grips with My Pickleball Addiction! 📚
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#8. A PICKLEBALL GIF IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Have you heard of a pickleball GIF? Learn about pickleball GIFs (including the first-ever series of pro pickleball GIFs launched by the APP Tour) and engage with pro players in a new way. 🔥
| LEARN NOW |
#9. HEADLINES FROM THE COURT
Serving up the latest pickleball headlines over the last two weeks... 🗞
- Some pickleball trivia for you… What U.S. city has the most pickleball courts per capita? 🤔 The answer is at the end of the headlines below. 👇
- Learn how pickleball is offering more gender equity than most other sports.
- Elon Musk made headlines after he tweeted out that pickleball is “probably going to crush tennis” 🎾 because it is “[w]ay more convenient.” He’s not wrong…
- For the first time in the history of USA Pickleball events, an adaptive referee called matches throughout the Atlantic South Diamond Regional in Opelika, Alabama. 👏
- Earlier this year, USA Pickleball announced that its coveted National Championships would be moving from Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California to Brookhaven Country Club in Texas. Ahead of the newly located event, Brookhaven Country Club, which is outside of Dallas, will invest $5 million into its racquet and paddle facilities. Registration is now open for the event, which will take place November 5-12, 2023 and feature more than 4,000 amateur and pro players.
- Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott 🏈 joined the long list of celebrity athletes that have become owners of a Major League Pickleball team, as Prescott inked a deal to become a part-owner of the Frisco Pandas (alongside the Dude Perfect).
- If you guessed that Seattle, Washington has the most pickleball courts per capita, then you would be right! St. Petersburg, Florida comes in a close second. 📈
#10. ON THE TOUR - ANNA LEIGH WATERS EARNS 16TH TRIPLE CROWN
The past two weeks have featured back-to-back PPA Tour stops in Rockwall, Texas with the Texas Open, followed by the Orange County Cup in San Clemente, California. Across these two stops, one name—Anna Leigh Waters—continued to steal the show 🚀 with her 4th consecutive triple crown (not to mention grabbing the Sports Illustrated daily cover page as the proclaimed “Pickle Prodigy”). Waters has now claimed 16 total triple crowns 👑👑👑 on the PPA Tour—one for each of her years of age. Ben Johns also snagged 5 out of 6 gold medals 🥇 across the two events, only missing out on men’s singles at the Orange County Cup (which went to Tyson McGuffin).
The pro players now will take a break from the traditional tour format and switch to team play with Major League Pickleball (MLP). The final event of Season 1 of MLP will take place June 15-18, 2023, with the “Season 1 Super Finals” airing on ESPN2 on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET. 📺
Don't forget to mark your calendars for more pro pickleball action in June! 🗓
#11. 9 COMMON REASONS WHY YOU'RE POPPING UP THE PICKLEBALL
Are you losing points because you are popping up the pickleball? Learn 9 common reasons why you may be popping up the pickleball and losing points. Plus, learn how to fix it! 👏
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GRAB 10% OFF!
Get ready for summer 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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