Bait your opponent into bad ATPs

Mookie Betts is a big pickleball fan. Teachers demolish students in pb tournament.

September 16, 2024

He’s just like us. Two-time World Series Champion and MLB MVP Mookie Betts was mic’d up in last night’s Dodgers game and was raving about pickleball.

Betts said “I love pickleball” and “That’s my jam” about the game. Just like any newly obsessed player, Betts says he goes to random parks and plays with random people. No matter who you are, the courts are always calling. Watch the interview here.

In This Issue:

🎣 The new type of bait ball
🏆 Results from the Atlanta Slam
📚 A classic rivalry between students and teachers

Play ball!

Our Picks ☝️

 📰 Headline: My tennis club banned pickleball – here’s what happened next

In a little news from Down Under, one Australian writer tells the tale (paywall) of her tennis club that has flip-flopped on pickleball. The club added lines to existing tennis courts and advertised pickleball to attract new members. Months later, the club has nixed all things pickleball to satisfy the noise complaints.

✍️ Exhibition: Chicago Slice vs St. Louis Shock

The Chicago Slice will take on the St. Louis Shock in an exhibition match tomorrow. But this isn’t just any average warmup for MLP NYC. The match will be played outside of Wrigley Field in Gallagher Square before the Chicago Cubs take on the Oakland A’s.

📱 Fantasy Pickleball: Create Your Dream Team

FansPlay, the fantasy pickleball app, debuted at The Dink Minor League's Oklahoma Paddle Royale 007 over the weekend. Over 160 players were able to draft teammates and fellow competitors to their fantasy team with the chance to win prizes based on their performance. Soon you'll be able to draft yourself (no pressure) and friends at amateur tournaments across the country.

🗳️ Poll: Results Serve First or Serve Second?

Last week we asked if you prefer your team to serve first or second in a game where both sides of the court are equal. Here are the results:

A player in the majority group said, “Great feeling and good omen to win the first point of the game to gain confidence and know you won’t get pickled,” which is one way to look at it.

There is also this strategy when entering the game: “Hit them with a quick side out then we have two chances to score.”

The New Type of Bait Ball

Most amateur players hate giving up an ATP. It gives the other team a confidence boost and of course, Jerry is going to remind you of it after the game.

But giving up an ATP isn’t always a bad thing. On this week’s PicklePod, Zane and ThatPickleballGuy discuss how they use the ATP as a bait ball to turn the point in their favor.

Zane explains how he likes to hit a bait ATP at least once a game.

Here’s how you can try baiting your opponent into a bad ATP situation:

  • Aim an aggressive dink to the backhand of the left-side player

  • Make sure it’s wide enough that it gives them a look at the ATP, but it won’t be an outright winner if they hit it

  • Add depth to make it more difficult and force them to be farther out of position after their attempt

He knows his ATP defense is strong enough to get the attempt back and cause the other team to scramble back into position. As they discuss on the podcast, if done correctly now you’re playing 2 vs 1 against the player left standing on the court.

Just like missing the occasional serve or speeding up a ball that might be a little too low. If you’re not taking some risk then you’re leaving free points on the table. Don’t be afraid to dink out wide because of the threat of an ATP. Use the opportunity to defend the ATP and flip the point in your favor.

Feel the Difference

If you’ve been following pro pickleball this year, you’ve probably noticed Proton pickleball paddles making waves. Their Series 1 paddles are so sought after they’re practically flying off the shelves. But if you've missed out on those, don’t worry — there are more in the lineup that deserve your attention.

Take the Series 2 paddle, for instance. Proton claims it’s the softest paddle on the market, offering a level of control and feel that's hard to match. It's not just about soft play; this paddle is a proven winner, frequently clinching medals at PPA events, particularly among players ranked 3.0-4.0.

Then there’s the Series 3, an elongated control paddle with a gritty, natural texture. Its design ensures longer dwell times and provides ample tack for spinning shots, making it a favorite for pro players like Kaitlyn Christian.

Head over to Pickleball Central, the exclusive retailer for Proton paddles. And don’t forget to use code THEDINK for $25 off your paddle.

Students vs Teachers Pickleball Tournament

Credit: Elizabeth Cruz, Scot Scoop

Everyone loves a good students vs teachers game to start the school year. Traditionally, you might see a basketball game, but let’s be honest, no one wants to see the science teacher pull a hamstring in front of the whole school.

Carlmont High School decided to create a trend of their own and hosted a pickleball tournament. From the headline to the quotes, this thing sounds like it was a complete success.

  • Headline: Carlmont staff demolish students in pickleball tournament

  • “There was a lot of tension; I was kind of hoping that we’d win so during class, Mr. Stone wouldn’t brag about it,” said the student who finished in second

  • From one of the winning teachers, “I think it was a nice reminder to them that we’re about double their age and still running circles around them on the court”

A team of teachers won in both the intermediate and advanced divisions of the event. Teachers might hold the edge for another couple of years, but once pickleball takes off in high schools, it might be a different story.

Oops!… They Did it Again

The high stakes of the Atlanta Slam led to some surprising results, and one player went home with their first PPA Gold.

From ‘In the Hunt’ to the Top Spot
No one celebrated harder than Hunter Johnson on Championship Sunday. After a long road to reach the finals, Johnson made the most of his opportunity, defeating Connor Garnett 11-2, 8-11, 11-9, and capturing his first PPA Championship.

They Did it Again
Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau were 112-1 heading into Championship Sunday. The nearly unbeatable duo’s only loss came from Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher at the Austin Open.

Yesterday, Bright/Rohrabacher defied the odds again. It took four games for ‘The Girlies’ to grind out the win in another historic upset.

Back in the Driver’s Seat
Well, look who’s back on top of the podium. The Johns brothers entered Atlanta with a 5-month gold medal slump. They silenced the haters with an impressive performance against teams they had struggled against recently.

Double Gold
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters both finished with two golds on the weekend. ALW snagged the women’s singles title to start the day, then she and Ben closed out the event with a three-game sweep in mixed. The duo overcame a 2-10 deficit to win game three.

Check thedinkpickleball.com later today for a full recap of the Atlanta Slam, including highlights and other breakout performances.

PPA Atlanta Slam Results

Lace Up Like the Pros

Ever wonder what powers a pro on the pickleball court? Meet the shoes making strides alongside top players like Travis Rettenmaier. He doesn’t just wear K-Swiss for the brand—he wears it for the performance. The Pickleball Supreme and Express Light models are specifically designed for pickleball, supporting every step you take on the court.

Decked out in vibrant colorways, from the men's electric blue and yellow combo to the women’s striking turquoise and purple, these shoes don’t just perform—they turn heads. And with Travis Rettenmaier's stamp of approval, it’s clear these shoes are built for those who take their pickleball seriously.

Step into a pair of K-Swiss court shoes, and feel the difference quality footwear can make to your game.

New Offensive Tactics, Pickleball Analytics, and Good vs Bad Coaching

If you're a true pickleball fan, then you've definitely seen a video (or five) from @thatpickleballguy. He's been creating entertaining and instructional pickleball content for a few years now and has amassed one of the biggest followings in the game, all while working on his pro pickleball career.

On the PicklePod, we cover how analytics will change how the game is played, what good vs. bad pickleball coaching looks like, and a new offensive shot that you've probably never tried. Catch the new episode here.

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