Print your own paddle?

A masterclass in defense.

September 12, 2024

It's the age-old question in our sport: when do I speed up? Even pro players lose points because they pull the trigger too soon.

It’s not even just a patience thing. It’s about situational awareness. We dive deep into what to watch before you hit — keep reading for more.

Also in this issue:

  • A defensive masterclass

  • Pickleball’s biggest changes

  • Complete guide to speedups

  • The ideal doubles partner

  • Meme of the week from our FB group

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY — 10 New HEAD Boom Series Paddles!

We are excited to partner with HEAD to give away 10 of their brand new Boom series paddles!

10 lucky winners will be revealed in our newsletter the week of September 22st. Enter HERE and boost your chances of winning by completing the bonus steps!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

You Can’t Beat This Defense

Just call them The Wall. The team on the far side of the court in this epic point manages a few impressive feats in one rally:

  • They quickly get into perfect position from a stacked start

  • They easily defend a hard-drive ATP

  • They dig deep to return FIVE off-court slams

If their opponent hadn't shot one into the net, I'm sure they'd STILL be playing that point. You just can't get past The Wall.

FEATURED STORY

How Pickleball Has Evolved

Ask anyone who played pickleball before the pandemic and they'll tell you: the sport is so, SO different now than it was even four years ago.

Not that change is a bad thing. Every year, the pro leagues and their increasing focus on athleticism and speed seems to earn more legitimacy for pickleball as a viewable, televised sport.

But how did we get here? What about how the game is played has changed the most in the last decade?

We spoke with a couple players who've been around the pickle block to ascertain the things in pickleball that have changed the most and WHY they've changed.

This is what we found after speaking with them & analyzing footage from old matches:

  • There are several shots that couldn't exist before the late 20-teens. The advancement of paddle grit & spin paved the way for backhand flicks, rolls, & more.

  • The changing role of the serve shifted strategy forward 10-fold. The progression from formality to aggression completely changed the meta of your average pickleball point.

  • An extra hand on the paddle changed the pace of play across gender lines. Men started taking cues from women, placing two hands on backhand drives & forever pushing the speed of the game forward.

Find our full story on How Pickleball Has Evolved.

INSTRUCTION

When Should You Actually Speed Up?

They say the game is getting faster, and they're right. Even still, there's really only a few situations where speeding up is the right move:

You Are Balanced: If you're off-balance, a speed up is risky.

The Ball Is Attackable: This usually means the ball is above the net and allows for a downward shot. A ball below the net should typically be played safer unless you have a grip on topspin or flick shots.

Your Hands Are Quicker: A speed up often leads to a fast-paced exchange. If you know your hands (and your partner’s) are faster than your opponents’, it's a green light.

Your Opponents Can't Handle It: Some players simply aren’t comfortable handling fast balls. Use this knowledge to your advantage.

Wondering about HOW to speed up, WHERE to place fast shots, & how to PRACTICE them? We have you covered.

FUNNY

POLL

Below, we analyze what the pickleball community thinks are the best qualities in a doubles partner.

But we want to hear it from you:

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN THE IDEAL PICKLEBALL PARTNER?

Submit your response here & see if it matches up with what we found below.

DON’T MISS THIS

Be the Best Doubles Partner

Most pickleball players play doubles. But not every pickleball player is a good doubles partner.

We've seen countless posts across social media about what it takes to be a truly great partner.

Here's what we found after analyzing them:

  • A blend of intensity (taking the game seriously) & positivity (but not THAT seriously) seems to be key to most partnerships in this sport; even at the expense of chemistry

  • Many said they'd take a moderately-skilled partner who communicates over an incredibly skilled partner who doesn't

We know that for many of you, none of this will be surprising. But ask yourselves: are you really bringing this balance to the court with you consistently?

After analyzing the space, we think we've come up with a guide to being the best pickleball partner. Find it here.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

The Dink Master Pro is 20% Off This Week!

This two-sided drilling partner features one side for dink practice & another for perfecting speedups.

The Dink Master Pro’s aluminum core feels like hitting against another paddle.

IMPRESSIVE

Print Your Own Pickleball Gear

After we reported on a 3D-printed pickleball, our curiosity spiked. How else can 3D printing benefit the sport and its players?

We asked our Facebook group members to tell us about their own 3D printed pickleball projects.

Turns out that many are already using the technology to make their lives just a little easier on the court — such as the solutions above.

Check out all of the projects we uncovered — plus the first 3D-printed paddle we’ve seen — right here.

QUICK HITS

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