Ageism in pickleball

On social media, varying the capitalization, LiKe tHiS, indicates that the author is mocking someone or something. There’s your social media lesson for the day.

And now that we have that established, allows us to say: “"PiCkLeBaLl iS FoR OlD PeOpLe.”

We’ve heard it ad nauseam. And honestly, it’s true. But that’s because it’s for all people, old people included.

But it also overlooks the truth: The fastest growing segments for two consecutive years are Millennials and Gen-Z.

In today's issue:

• Don’t let the ball sail behind you

• MLP weekend

• Talking back to ageism

• Pickle show incoming

Let's go!

Keep the Ball in Front

Tired of having the pickleball slammed down your throat? What if I told you there was an easy way for you to hit fewer pop-ups?

Well, it won’t be me telling you. Pro pickleballer Callie Smith provides an easy solution for you in a new video.

According to Callie, where you contact the ball will influence what shot you’re able to hit. A common mistake she observed with her students is that they let the ball bounce past them.

Beginner players (or lazy ones) will let a ball bounce near their feet travel past their bodies, then try to reach back to keep the ball in play. This almost always results in an error.

Planted feet are the enemy in this situation. It’s more advantageous to retreat backward. Move your feet so you can keep the ball in front of your body.

“As soon as the ball is hit behind you, you have to lift with your paddle. This causes the ball to lift higher and gives your opponent a high shot,” Callie says.

Playing the ball in front of your body leads to more consistency and control. It allows you to keep the ball low and prevents you from earning any more pickleball-shaped tattoos.

Easy, Safe, Fun: Lectric

Forget the hassle of finding parking at pickleball courts.

The XP Lite is a unique eBike with easy maneuverability, a twist grip throttle option, a basket to hold your things, and five levels of pedal assist.

Learn more about this fun transportation option here.

Started from the Bottom

The Bay Area Breakers are assembled and named perfectly for the MLP Dreambreaker. The defending Challenger Level champions are off to a 3-0 start in Daytona Beach.

When it comes to the singles tie-breaker, no team in the challenger level can hang with THE Breakers. If anyone wants to upset the champs, they’ll need to move in doubles.

The shuffle draft proved fruitful for four of the Challenger Level teams. The three teams that finished last in Mesa all made a roster move in the draft and have reached the knockout stage.

• Dallas PB Club added Daniel De La Rosa and traded for Jill Braverman

• Columbus PB Club traded for Megan Fudge

• Miami PB Club added Brendon Long

• Texas Ranchers added Scott Doerner

Today, the Premier Level squads take over Pictona. The world’s best players will compete in pickleball’s most exciting competition. You can stream the event all weekend long on the MLP YouTube.

Show your favorite team some love and we’ll return the favor. Save 10% with code 10DINK at the all-new MLP merch shop.

Ageism in Pickleball

Adam from The Dink team here. A recent comment in the Pickleball Forum FB group has us pondering ageism in pickleball – but not necessarily coming from those within the community.

“Today I was telling someone about pickleball. They commented ‘that old people sport.’ This is probably the 100th time I’ve heard something like this. What do you reply?”

This is no doubt a familiar situation for many in the community. But the fact that we have to do any explaining whatsoever reeks of ageism.

As a 30-year-old, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been positively slaughtered by someone twice my age…or even by somebody older than that.

We recently posted a clip on our TikTok and Instagram accounts of a point from a senior match. The rally had everything you’d expect to see in a fast-paced, high-level game with younger pros: a dive, speedups, even a bodyshot.

But whether I can be defeated by an older player, or whether a match played by seniors has lots of action; none of that is what really matters.

The phrase “old people” is often used in a negative context when those from outside the sport talk to players about pickleball.

Your first instinct may be to “defend” the game away from what is perceived as a negative stereotype. “Well, the #1 player in the world is 16 years old” may be your response.

But again, that misses the point. Older players don’t need us to defend the game away from associating it with them. Pickleball should be for everybody, regardless of age.

So like the player who made that Facebook post, we’d like to turn the question to you, our readers: what do you say when someone who doesn’t know pickleball equates it with a “sport for old people?”

Reply to this email to let us know.

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Diadems 3xL Core Molding System perfects the Icon’s original carbon fiber construction, increasing the size of your sweet spot and strengthening the outer paddle edge.

Of course this paddle wouldn’t be an Icon without the replaceable edge guards, giving you the ability to match your style while protecting your paddle. Get yours here today!

Competitive Pickleball Show in the Works

After Stephen Colbert’s Pickled special last year, it seems competitive pickleball and reality television have a future together.

A new series from LA production company Batal Boys aptly named “Pickleballers” will feature some of the best amateur pickleball players in the US along with professional pickleball coaches and a host of pickleball-enthusiast celebrities (maybe Colbert will make an appearance?)

Thousands of potential contestants will vie for 12 spots on two teams. Four players on each team will be selected based on their skills and go on to the final pickleball match and a chance to win $100,000 and a minor league pickleball contract.

The two coaches will be Sam Querrey, a rising pickleball star and former tennis champ, and Wes Burrows, a pro player in Major League Pickleball, both pictured above.

High-Quality Pickleball Excursions

World-class pickleball instruction. Beautiful locations. Oh, and world-class pros Dekel Bar & Collin Johns at the helm.

All the travel planning done for you. Learn more — before your favorite location sells out!

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Pickleball explodes in popularity - CBS Minnesota

• Grand Rapids named 3rd most 'pickleball-obsessed' city in the United States

• Pickleball round robin raises $3,000+ for kids club

Highlights

• How mad would you be?🤣

• Riley Bert Newman: the best middle name in pickleball

• It grows the economy🤫

• Pelvic thrusts, major key

Homecourt Havens

This homecourt beauty is close to 10/10. The only possible flaw is the sport court tiles. But you know what, I’m not still not turning down the invite.

A review from the Dink Fam...