How to become unattackable

10 things you'll hear on the court today. Anna Bright delivers the first pitch.

July 31, 2024

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You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth reiterating - pickleball has a viewership problem. You know what will fix that?

Get Snoop Dogg on the mic.

Snoop went viral for his commentary on a badminton match between the United States and China from the Olympics in Paris. Just imagine him calling a firefight between the best in the game on a Championship Sunday?

In This Issue:

🤺 Become unattackable
🗣️ The on-court catchphrases you can’t escape
⚾️ Anna Bright takes the mound

We’re Team USA, and we’re going all the way.

How to Become Unattackable

Most pickleball advice tells you how to attack or defend better. However, learning how to make yourself “unattackable” is just as important.

Here are a few ways.

Aim for the kitchen line

Beginning players are taught to drop or dink the ball inside their opponent's kitchen. While this isn't wrong, it’s incomplete.

Aiming to get the ball to land inside the kitchen can lead to “dead dinks.”

Dead dinks bounce high and soft, typically allowing your opponent to attack in any direction.

A better place to drop or dink the ball is on the kitchen line.

The trajectory of a ball that will land on (or pretty close to) the kitchen line forces your opponent to make a tough decision: should they take it out of the air or take a step back and let it bounce?

While they could still attack you, it becomes riskier and more challenging.

Aim left or right

Another way you can focus on becoming unattackable is by aiming your shots to the left or right of your opponent – never straight on.

By forcing your opponents to move, we allow them to be lazy or showcase their shoddy footwork.

This can cause them to be off-balanced or reach to hit the ball.

Reaching is one of the top ways to pop the ball up, which gives you a ball to easily attack.

However, even if they don’t pop it up or actually move to hit it, most players can’t (or at least shouldn’t) attack while moving.

Of course, some will still try, but you’ll be there to make them pay for that attempt.

How to practice

The best way to practice is by placing targets inside the kitchen (see image below) and drilling with a partner. Each of you should aim every dink aggressively toward one of the targets.

If you or your partner miss, they should attack it. 

Now that you can master the art of becoming unattackable, you’ll not only win more points but also frustrate any opponent unlucky enough to face you.

We’ve Got An OluKai Exclusive

Remember last week when we reported a trend at the Aloha Pickleball Showdown? Many players - including some Dink team members - were sporting OluKai's 'Anau pickleball shoes. Well, here's an exclusive update: OluKai has just released a Limited Edition style of the 'Anau, and they’re something special.

For the gentlemen, the 'Anau comes in a striking Green Kapa Leaf print, drawing inspiration from the lush landscapes of the islands. Ladies, you’re not left behind. Your version boasts the Light Blue Bright Sky Pa'i print, reminiscent of clear, sunny days - perfect for a match under the open sky.

What sets these Limited Edition shoes apart isn't just their eye-catching designs; it’s their exclusivity. These prints are here for a good time, not a long time. Each pair is designed not only to catch eyes but also to provide exceptional comfort and support.

Don’t let this chance slip by. The Limited Edition 'Anau shoes are a rare find, so snag your pair now before they’re gone!

Have You Heard This One?

Every sport has its own set of jargon and catchphrases. Pickleball is no exception. If you head out to any court in America you’re bound to hear at least one of these in the first 30 minutes.

Some have been beaten to death and others help keep the game light while playing with a new partner. But at least none of them contain the word “pickle.”

"Sorry ... not sorry." - When a mistake works out in your favor like a ball trickling over the net for a winner. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

"One more game?" - Someone is always leading the charge for one more rodeo.

"Same guy." - When a great shot is followed by an awful one.

The finger wag - Perfect for a block volley winner or a failed lob smashed back home. Let them know that won't fly here.

"Did someone order chicken wings?" - Most players learn this lesson the hard way. You gotta protect the chicken wing.

Calling a ball out when it was clearly in - Classic. Can’t get to a ball that's clearly in - call it out and watch everyone's head snap around to disagree.

Asking for money to give a ball back - "You can have it back for a dollar." This happens when a ball rolls onto another court and you ask for it back. Funny, not funny.

"So you're telling me there's a chance." - Or "We've got them right where we want them" for when you're down 10-1 and start believing in miracles.

"Two stops." - Another classic. That's what it takes to get your serve back, in case your partner forgot.

"Nice shot." - The tone on this one makes all the difference. You'll definitely hear it on the courts, but it won't mean the same thing every time you do.

Check out the inspiration for each of these sayings here. Let us know your honorable mentions and what needs to be on the list by replying to this e-mail.

St. Louis Welcomes the Shock

The St. Louis Shock got a taste of the hometown treatment last night. The Shock were honored before the game as the St. Louis Cardinals took on the Texas Rangers.

Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Kate Fahey and Anna Bright got to enjoy a little time on the field before the game. Bright received the honor of tossing out the first pitch.

Never afraid of a little feedback, Bright posted the pitch to her Instagram and asked for a rating. Most couldn’t help but be reminded of her less-than-stellar shooting display while on court at the Kia Center with the Orlando Magic. You keep doing you, AB.

Although it wasn’t a strike, the pitch inspired the Cards to an 8-1 win over the Rangers, including a fifth-inning grand slam from newly acquired Tommy Pham.

Busch Stadium will host its formal pickleball night on August 26th. Players from the Shock will be in attendance again, but fans of the team who can’t wait can catch Hayden Patriquin as the special guest on the PicklePod later this week.

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If this is what you want (and we’re guessing you do), hit up Branded Bills.

If Branded Bills look familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen them on the PicklePod. Branded Bills has some of the best designs in the game including the State and USA Collections.

Check out all of the options for yourself or customize hats for your group or company.

‘Team YouTube’ is Changing the Game

At their core, pro sports are all about entertainment. And in the age of social media, winning off the court can be even more lucrative than winning on it.

Two creators that you will no doubt recognize from YouTube, Instagram or TikTok have been helping the pickleball world level up, view by view. We’re talking about Kyle Koszuta (@thatpickleballguy) and Tanner Tomassi (@tanner.pickleball).

All of that time teaching has led them to the pro level themselves. At the APP Newport Beach Open, Kyle and Tanner teamed up to form Team YouTube.

Together they breezed through three qualifying matches and their first-round opponent. In the round of 16, Kyle and Tanner actually upset the No.1 seed, Rob Nunnery and Erik Pailet.

The guys ended that event just shy of the podium in fourth place, but they have more tournaments scheduled together this year. Find out more about their fascinating pasts from D-1 college basketball to professional gaming before pickleball became their main obsession.

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