There are some things about pickleball that don’t change much even across levels and divisions. Get to the kitchen line, dink a little, wait for a chance to attack. That’s a tried and true strategy.

But in the senior divisions there are some ways you can make the game easier on yourself, even if things are getting harder from a physical standpoint. Today we’re breaking down 5 tips that players can lean on in 50+ play to win more matches. Learn more below.

In this issue:

• Anna Leigh Waters goes full send 💥

• JOOLA releases first full-foam paddle 👀

• Breaking down the benefits of VAIR+ 💪

• Why Thrive paddles feel custom made 😍

• Our favorite pro player nicknames 🤣

Let’s cook! 👨🏻‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

You don’t want to see Anna Leigh Waters winding up like this

Earlier this year Anna Leigh Waters started using the lob serve more often. It was a new wrinkle and her opponents still haven’t quite figured out the best way to respond.

Some have tried to counter with a lob return, but as Meghan Dizon and Lacy Schneemann found out on this point, that’s maybe not the best idea.

Waters took a full cut at a third-shot drive and hit a clean winner through the middle. We’re guessing the rest of the field saw this and decided to scrap that strategy.

🔗 Check out this clip on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok

PADDLE CORNER

JOOLA releases brand’s first full-foam paddle

JOOLA just officially entered the full-foam paddle game with the highly anticipated POWER FX, which was released Wednesday.

Built with JOOLA’s patented Propulsion Core design, the POWER FX is made to deliver effortless power on every shot. It also features a higher-grit surface that adds enhanced spin while keeping the pop players expect from a full-foam paddle.

For now it’s only available in the 16mm Perseus shape — a popular choice for previous JOOLA paddles — and it is debuting in the eye-catching Daydream colorway, with more colors to come.

🔗 Check out the all-new JOOLA POWER FX here

THE PROS

Ranking our favorite pro player nicknames

Nicknames tend to take on a life of their own in pro pickleball. Some are coined by the announcers. Others start on social media and gain traction among fans. And a few just make sense when you see the player in person.

Below are a few of our favorites that have caught on in recent years.

James Ignatowich aka Big Poppa Jimmy: The fun loving pro player turned paddle engineer has a loyal fanbase.

JW Johnson aka Flick Wizard: His backhand flick seems like dark magic.

Hayden Patriquin aka Big H: This started as an oxymoron when he was a short teenager on the come up. Now it fits his game and persona perfectly.

John Lucian Goins aka Looch: Hard to beat a good one-syllable nickname.

Roscoe Bellamy aka The Dragon: When you see his 6-foot-5 frame in person, this one makes a lot of sense.

🔗 Check out more of our favorites here

FEATURED STORY

Thrive bringing customization to the pickleball paddle industry

If you look closely on most pickleball paddle websites, you’ll see a range for a paddle’s weight under specs – such as 8.0-8.2 ounces or sometimes even a wider range, like 7.8-8.2 ounces.

For Thrive owner Scott Phillips, that’s unacceptable. If somebody is going to pay $200 or more for a product, they should know exactly what they’re getting.

That’s why Thrive makes a point to take detailed measurements of every single paddle that goes out the door, something they’ve done since Phillips founded the company in 2023. He personally inspects each paddle and documents its static weight, swing weight, twist weight and balance point, which allows players to select their exact specs when they order one of Thrive’s paddles.

“I never understood why you could just buy a paddle online and they’d ship it to you without knowing exactly how much it weighed or what the actual specs were,” he said. “In other industries like golf, you pick the type of shaft, the stiffness, the weight – all of that stuff is very custom. So when I started Thrive I wanted the consumer to get to choose what they wanted, because every player has different preferences and different needs.”

THRIVE’S CURRENT LINEUP

True to the brand’s DNA, Thrive has continued to offer more and more options for players as the company has grown over the past couple years.

They have a premium “Gen 3” option – the Thrive Fury – that has been very popular since its release in 2025.

They also have a “Gen 4” paddle – the Thrive Ignite – that was released earlier this year and has gotten overwhelmingly positive reviews. It’s a power-focused paddle that features Thrive’s new Clear Fusion Grit Technology, which delivers great spin with long-lasting durability that won’t wear down after extended play.

🔗 Learn more about Thrive here or shop all Thrive paddles here — used code “KITCHEN” at checkout for 10% off!

INSTRUCTION

5 tips geared toward senior pickleball players

Tony Roig is a senior pro pickleball player and well-known coach. In recent years he has dedicated thousands of hours to helping players understand the game at a deeper level instead of just collecting tips. He discusses strategy, the mental game and the decisions that decide pickleball rallies in his teaching.

In this video he shares 5 critical pieces to his game that allow him to succeed in high-level senior matches.

TIP #1: GETTING TO THE LINE

A mistake Roig sees among many players is hitting a return of serve that is low to the net and hard. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to run up to the kitchen line after the return, which means you’re vulnerable to a third-shot drive or aggressive drop while on the move. As a 55-year-old player, Roig gives himself more time to get up to the kitchen line by aiming his return of serve higher over the net with moderate pace.

TIP #2: ALWAYS EXPECT AN ATTACK

A lot of times players get lulled into a false sense of security during a dinking rally. After a few consecutive dinks, it’s easy to assume that the next shot will be a dink as well. If you’re not expecting an attack, you’ll get caught with your feet planted and your paddle out of position. Whereas if you’re expecting an attack and the shot ends up being a dink, you’ll have time to adjust and respond accordingly.

TIP #3: GET THAT PADDLE UP

This builds on the last two tips. Let’s assume you’re up at the kitchen line and you’re expecting an attack. The question is, what is the best paddle position to have in order to be ready for that attack? A lot of younger players, particularly pro players, will have their paddle in a lower position. This works for them because they’re young and they have faster reflexes than older players. Once you’re no longer a young player, you’re better off having your paddle further up in your in the strike zone that you’re going to defend.

🔗 Find more tips geared toward senior pickleball players here or learn more about Tony Roig Pickleball Camps here — use code “KITCHEN” for 10% off your camp enrollment.

PICKLEBALL RATINGS

VAIR+ membership: Breaking down the benefits and cost

By now you may have heard about VAIR, the performance-based rating platform designed to bring greater accuracy, transparency and structure to amateur and competitive play.

VAIR uses skill assessment by trained experts alongside AI to combine “data science, probability theory and adaptive modeling to accurately account for age, gender, mixed play and wheelchair classifications.”

Today we’re breaking down the exclusive benefits that come with a VAIR+ membership, which is the rating platform’s premium offering.

WHAT YOU GET WITH A VAIR+ MEMBERSHIP

The VAIR+ offering is $54 per year and comes with several perks that aren’t available with a free VAIR account.

Comprehensive stats & intelligence: Tells you your win probability before you play, score outcome predictions and full competitive history — yours and your opponent’s. Know who you’re facing before you step on the court.

Full stats suite unlocked: Free accounts see only their last 2 games. VAIR+ removes every limit and adds competitive intelligence no free player can access. This includes unlimited match history (searchable and filterable), performance trends to see how your game is improving over time as well as opponent stats & level history.

Accidental medical insurance: If you’re injured on the court, accidental medical insurance can save you thousands by covering your medical bills.

🔗 Learn more about the VAIR+ membership benefits here

QUICK HITS

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