Pickleball is often more than just a game you look forward to playing X times per week. For some, it's a lifeline.

Consider the two players we highlight this week in our Feature & Trending slots below.

Whether they use pickleball to heal from an irreversible disease, or to raise awareness for mental health, these players act as beacons of hope for the community. We can't wait to tell you their stories - keep scrolling for more.

Also in this issue:

• A glimpse at the sport’s future in one point

• A very seasonal question 🎃 

• Mastering point control

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

GIVEAWAY

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER!

We are excited to partner with JOOLA to give away 10 BRAND NEW PADDLES! Winners get to choose from any Mod TA-15 or 3S paddle! (We break two of those down below).

10 winners will be chosen on 10/27.

THIS IS A NEWSLETTER ONLY GIVEAWAY…so CLICK HERE TO ENTER and follow the steps to earn bonus entries!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

What Pickleball's Future Looks Like

Full-ride pickleball scholarships are coming soon. Watch this point from the pickleball collegiate regionals between Arizona State & Utah Tech to see why schools should drop $$$ on this.

Not only is it emblematic of what we can look forward to from the next generation, I think it shows how the game may change once these students graduate to the pros:

• They aren't afraid to lob from the baseline. Current thinking from the pros states you should only use lobs sparingly, from the kitchen line.

• They're pushing for the left side to cover more, contrary to the typical right-sider player mentality.

College pickleball is our sport's future.

POLL

An Important Question:

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever seen on the pickleball court?

That’s what we asked our Facebook Group recently…and some of the responses are a little more terrifying than we ever expected.

But if you’re not in our group (and you should be!), we still want to hear from you. Join here to weigh in, or simply respond to this email with your answer.

INSTRUCTION

Point Control > Most Pickleball “Tips”

Want to win more pickleball games? Stupid question, we know you do. But actually doing so requires you to dig deep for better court control.

It’s the “Michael’s Secret Stuff” of pickleball…It’s how top pros like Ben Johns make almost every point go their way.

• Your movement, your footwork, your swing; everything needs to be fluid and under control

• It isn't how fast the game goes in terms of time on court, but whether the game is quick, with a lot of speed ups, or slow, with more dinking

• Athleticism and mechanics all play a crucial role, but to be elite, you need to be able to force your opponents to play on your terms

You can actually practice this skill. Find out how.

FEATURED STORY

Pickleball: The Life-Saving Game

Bob Gress is living proof that pickleball can be life-saving.

At 66, Bob wasn’t just dealing with the usual wear and tear of aging—he was in a battle with Parkinson’s, a disease that could’ve sidelined him completely.

But thanks to his wife Jeanette’s tough love and a random encounter with pickleball at his local YMCA, Bob discovered a lifeline.

His journey back to the court wasn’t easy: falls, struggles with balance, & the relentless symptoms of Parkinson’s are a constant challenge.

But Bob keeps fighting—and pickleball gave him a reason to keep moving. It wasn’t just the physical benefits of the game, though. Bob found a community on the court, a safe space where he could push himself while being supported by friends who understood his battle.

Today, Bob has defied the odds, playing at a competitive level with a 4.0 rating. He’s a testament to resilience, showing that Parkinson’s doesn’t have to define you—it’s the fight that matters.

See how Bob did it here.

NETS

Need a Net?

Nets come in all price points & for all use cases, but let’s keep it simple:

• On the left, you’ve got the best professional net there is, the net we chose for our permanent court at The Kitchen HQ in Austin. If you’re setting up a home court or permanent court elsewhere, you can’t beat C&D nets.

• On the right, you’ve got the Swiftnet, aptly named since it’s quick & easy to set up and is a great pick for those who want something ultra portable. Literally takes 5 min and it doesn’t blow over in the wind. Buy it here.

For every price point & need in between these two, check out more suggestions in our full net guide.

In case you were looking for another story about how pickleball can be a lifeline...

➝ Chong Kim is traveling to all 50 states to play pickleball & promote mental health awareness, inspired by the loss of a friend from his local pickleball league.

While other pickleball-related challenges over the last year have raised money for charities through setting world records, Kim's approach is focused on how pickleball can be the perfect icebreaker to start tough conversations.

Find out how to follow #50StatesOfPickleball's progress here.

WHERE IS TEAM KITCHEN?

📍Lima, Peru

The Kitchen’s co-founders are partying in Peru this week for the second annual Pickleball World Cup, where 30 countries and over 500 athletes are competing.

If you’re there and see anyone wearing The Kitchen merch, come say hi!

And catch the event streaming live this week on Pickleball World Cup’s YouTube channel.

QUICK HITS

• Aww: I want to be a part of this pickle squad

• LOL: “Doctor Dink” plays pickleball during shift

• Competition: Send this to a lefty player

• Impressive: This might be the coolest pickleball club in the country

REFERRALS

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• 40 referrals = JOOLA bag

• More rewards to come

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