Happy Monday. It’s time for another round of pickleball trivia - hard mode.

Bonus round: In which state did that facility open? Answer is at the bottom of this email.

We had to convince our shipping department…

But they finally agreed. Today is the last day to order The Pickleball Box to receive it in time for Christmas.

Purchase as a one time gift for the holidays, or order yourself a quarterly or annual subscription: $250+ of value in each box for only $99.

Anyway…

In This Issue:
 
🛑 Stop trying these shots if you’re still new
🎥 Behind the scenes of pro broadcasts
🔥 Heating up in AZ

Onward.

Do Not Try This At Home

It’s only natural to try to imitate Ben Johns or Catherine Parenteau if you want to play like the pros.

But until you’ve put in the time, there are some things you should leave to them. Zane Navratil has a list of 8 things amateurs shouldn’t do.

1. Add a ton of lead tape to your paddle

Sure, everybody wants more power, but weighing up your paddle can eliminate your control. More mass means the ball is going to fly off your paddle.

Drops that usually fall in the kitchen will sail too high. Volleys will launch off of your paddle and out of bounds. Not to mention your hand speed will be slowed with added weight to move around.

2. Attempt tweeners

Not much more to say here. It’s a low percent shot with a high risk of embarrassment or injury.

3. Flicking the wrist and low speedups

These skills take time to learn. It is not something you can walk onto the court and master. Wrist movement allows the ball to get off target with any flaw in technique. Low speedups are a recipe for hitting the ball into the net or sailing it deep.

4. Changing grip at the kitchen line

A well-executed grip change can give you more spin and open up what’s possible on the court. The problem is it will also lead to mistakes if not done well. Save it for the pros for now.

We will share the rest of the list with you on Friday. If you can’t wait until then, you can find the full list and everything else to meet your pickleball needs at thedinkpickleball.com. 

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Elevate your game on and off the court with Selkirk's Core Bag Line. Get yours today and experience the difference!

Surprising Take from the NY Post

The New York Post is like that friend we all know - the one who trash talks pickleball until finally picking up a paddle to play.

So you’ll believe our shock when we saw a positive pickleball headline coming from The New York Post – the site known for its truly incessant pickleball bashing.

It may not win them any Pulitzers, but we’ll take the good press wherever we can get it: Pickleball helps boost seniors’ mental health, offers ‘adaptability and accessibility’: Study.

We already know pickleball is the best sport in the world and has a ton of health benefits - but the article did have a take we hadn't thought of before.

It reports on a survey study of 1,000 Americans regarding the impact of pickleball on their psyche.

The main points:

• 70% of older adults reported reduced stress and anxiety after playing

• 64% called the game “uplifting”

• 1/3 of the seniors surveyed said they experienced enhanced cognition and increased self-esteem

Again, nothing we wouldn’t expect to see in a study like this. But one interesting aspect did come up: “the game also provides seniors with the opportunity to spend time with younger family members.”

The study found 36% of Gen Z and millennial players use physical activities like pickleball as a means to connect with older family members.

“This not only challenges today’s narratives about digital disconnection but also emphasizes the power of shared experiences in strengthening family bonds,” one of the researchers told The New York Post.

So there you have it - we’re bridging the gap between young and old and reconnecting with our family members.

Behind the Camera at APP

Anyone who has tuned in to a professional pickleball event will have witnessed the very best and, sometimes, very worst of events cough nationals cough.

If you’ve ever seen a pro pickleball match in person, you know how unpredictable they can be. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to broadcast those events?

The APP Tour lifted the curtain to show what goes into producing each broadcast – and it’s a lot more than you probably imagine.

Here are some of the more interesting facts about each APP broadcast:

• Commentators work over 6 hours, whereas NHL, MLB and NFL broadcasts only typically last 3-4

• Commentator AJ McCord has five minutes to organize her notes before interviewing them on-camera

• Chad Edwards, on the other hand, doesn’t write anything down beforehand – his extra experience with the players allows him to improvise

• The broadcast booth is sometimes in earshot of the players, leading to some accidental player coaching and antics not often picked up by the feed

• Bets are made on certain words to avoid during broadcast. A push-up bet was made to avoid the word hot on a 100 degree day

We can be a tough crowd to please when it comes to pro-event streaming (just read the YouTube comments).

But we’d like to give a shoutout to everyone who brings these events to our screens - y’all are the MVPs.

Find the Balance Right For You

Gryp Pickleball introduces the Balance 1 paddle, a true game-changer for pickleball enthusiasts.

The Balance 1 shines with its ability to adapt to your playing style. Thanks to its innovative Adjustable Weight Technology, you can tailor the paddle to suit your game, whether you're aiming for more power or greater control.

Its design ensures swift, aerodynamic swings, reducing drag and enhancing your speed and responsiveness on the court. The paddle's construction is crafted for durability, with a focus on preventing common issues like handle crush, ensuring your gear stays in top condition.

If you're ready to get a GRYP on your game, head over to their website and use code DINK10 for a great deal on your purchase.

It All Comes Down to This

The #1 seed Gilbert Gladiators (5-0) and the #2 seed Peoria Pythons (4-1) are ready to battle to the last point. This match determines which team reigns supreme in the Arizona Pickleball League! We predict a battle for the ages.

The Gladiators: Ashlee Candelaria, Arielle Butler, Augie Ge, and Craig Johnson

The Pythons: Lauren Mercado, Rachel Rettger, Patrick Kawka, and Michael Lloyd

HOW TO WATCH: Tickets to see the match live are SOLD OUT. You can catch the action on The Dink YouTube – Tue Dec 19 @ 8pm ET / 5pm PT.

Striking Fear into the Players

The dust still has not settled from the MLP/PPA merger. A newly formed Players Collective is seeking transparency and a level playing field among players.

GM Stone makes his case for a position in 2024 and shares some sad news about a legend of the game.

Watch here or listen here.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• The paddle with cutting edge aerodynamics

• Your all-in-one pickleball scorekeeping solution

• Getting started with pickleball strength training

• ICYMI: Pickleball rule changes for 2024

Highlights

• The ‘W’ stands for WALL

• I know what I’m asking for this Christmas 🎁

• So good, she lost her paddle

• The tweener lob

A review from the Dink Fam...