The strategy behind spin

Can pickleball be the greatest sport ever?

Aren’t you sick of hearing about the “war” between tennis & pickleball? Who on our side even cares? We just want places to play.

But leave it to the US Tennis Association to drop a tit-for-tat attack on us for using some empty tennis courts.

More on that below.

Also in this issue:

  • An actually-questionable court location

  • The strategy behind spin

  • Is pickleball being held back?

  • Alcaraz & Djokovic cooking on the pickle court

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY — 10 New ONIX Supercell 22mm Paddles!

We are excited to partner with Onix to give away 10 of their newly released Supercell 22mm pickleball paddles!

We’ll be choosing 10 winners on September 8th. Enter HERE and boost your chances of winning by completing the bonus steps!

HIGHLIGHTS

Around-the-Back, Perfected

Most around-the-back shots only end up being clipped in 10-second-or-less highlights across pickleball social media. They're impressive, but there's no real form to them, right?

Wrong. Look at the confidence in this incredible shot. That dude's done it before.

But we don't stop the clip there. The point's action continues as both sides put up a respectable battle for dominance. I’d give my left ear for just one of my rallies in rec to look like this!

FEATURED STORY

US Tennis Association Coming for Pickle

There's a case to be made that the US Tennis Association is led by one of the most childish adults you've ever seen.

Their president recently told the AP: "...Pickleball advocates just came in and said, 'We need these tennis courts.'...It was a little anti-tennis."

Sounds like someone who never learned how to share.

Why do we take such a combative stance? Because the USTA is now promoting a smaller version of tennis to be played on pickleball courts, seemingly as a response to pickleball creeping into spaces formerly associated with tennis.

Red Ball Tennis, a format of the game used by USTA typically to instruct younger players, has existed for some time. But now, the USTA president is actively advocating for it to be played on pickleball courts.

Again, childish: a classic, "You did this to me, I do this to you" mentality.

We don’t want to see tennis players put out. But we know from experience that many tennis courts which are either fully or partially converted to pickleball are often done so because they don't receive much of their original intended use.

To insinuate pickleball's organic growth is an intentional "war on tennis" seems to miss the point entirely. Read more about what they’re doing here.

INSTRUCTION

Spin Strategies

I often over-rely on spin. It's too fun, and I come from a table tennis background. But it doesn't win me many points.

Conversely, if you've already mastered the basics of flat shots, it's time to learn spin...and if you've just gotten the hang of how to do it, it's time to learn when.

Spin in pickleball is about more than technique, it's about strategy. Here's what you should know about putting topspin, backspin, & sidespin on a pickleball:

  • Topspin: Ideal for aggressive serves, returns, and baseline rallies. It allows you to hit harder while keeping the ball in play.

  • Slice (backspin): Best used in dinks and defensive shots. It slows down the play and keeps the ball low, making it hard for your opponent to attack.

  • Sidespin: Useful for serves and strategic placements, sidespin can curve the ball around your opponent or force them into awkward positions.

Find our full guide to spin strategy here.

And if you’re looking for the most spin-heavy paddle we’ve ever tried, check out the Proton Series 1 Type A.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

The New Double-Sided Drill Partner

The Dink Master Pro just got an upgrade:

  • Honeycomb aluminum core feels like hitting against another paddle

  • Reversible board features a hard side that mimics hard hands battles, plus a soft side that mimics the soft game

Each Dink Master Pro comes with a free mini course packed with drills, so you'll have everything you need to sharpen your skills. Get yours here.

TRENDING

Florida, pickleball's vacation home, was the site of protests, legal threats, & more after the state Department of Environmental Protection introduced the "Great Outdoors Initiative" last week.

The plan proposed significant changes to several state parks across Florida:

  • At least 25 pickleball courts spread across seven state parks

  • Golf courses, disc golf courses, & cabins of various sizes

The initiative sparked widespread opposition from residents, environmental groups, & lawmakers across the political spectrum...and I can kind of see why.

On one hand: it's great to develop land for uses that residents ask for (esp. in Florida, where pickleball is especially hot).

On the other: the initiative would have likely disrupted the natural beauty and serenity that state parks are intended to provide, never mind legal action incurred against the DEP by the American Indian Movement of Florida.

But all of that is in the past, for now. Governor Ron DeSantis, whose administration proposed the changes, wisely withdrew the plans as of Aug. 28th.

Read more about the story here.

DON’T MISS THIS

Can Pickleball be the Greatest Sport Ever?

Pickleball is the greatest sport in the world…or at least, it can be.

Bold move to say that in a pickleball newsletter, we know. But hear us out.

There are several key factors that are creating limitations for the sport to breakthrough from its current state to something much bigger:

  • Pickleball lacks consistency in the way leagues are governed & organized

  • Despite growing attendance numbers, the pro scene lacks widespread viewership

  • The sport needs to put more butts in seats during live events

But we're not about posing problems without offering solutions. Find our suggestions for tackling these problems.

POLL: What else do you think is holding pickleball back? Submit your answer here.

GOATS

In Better Tennis News…

While American tennis may be causing trouble, international tennis GOATs have decided to give pickleball a chance.

The Kitchen team caught these legends playing some pickle in NYC while waiting for the US Open:

Yes, that’s Alcaraz & Djokovic having fun on the pickleball court.

We’re 100% convinced that Carlos Alcaraz would be the #1 pickleball player in the world within a month. Check out our viral footage of Djokovic’s antics & Alcaraz’s (un)surprising talent.

RESULTS

Your Answers: Is the Serve Too Powerful?

Last week, we analyzed the current serve controversy and asked you to weigh in:

Obviously, most of you feel as though this is a non-issue, as one reader summed it up:

“I play in five different venues near my home, and travel all over the country and get in a game as often as possible. Yes, there are a few strong players that hit the ball hard. There are some that can add effective spin. These cases are very limited and taking a step back solves the problem in most cases (3.9 DUPR speaking). I seldom see a service fault unless it's a line call.”

Reader, Steve L.

But a vocal minority felt quite the opposite:

“With new paddles and grit serves seem to be more powerful! Also everyday I confront or see servers serving illegally. Paddle tip not below the wrist. Sometimes I say something but most of the time I don’t.”

Reader, pmhensley

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