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Pickleball saw one of its most gruesome moments ever last weekend. A player was knocked out cold on the court after an altercation with their opponent.

The video has caught attention around the internet and has people questioning, in what world is pickleball that serious? More on that story below.

In This Issue:

🗡️ When to use top-spin vs slice
🏆 MLP playoff preview
📋 Worlds by the numbers

Happy hump-day.

Our Picks ☝️

💥 Slam: John Isner and Mardy Fish join the Pickleball Slam roster

The third annual Pickleball Slam is scheduled for Feb 16 in Las Vegas. Originally billed as a mixed doubles event between Andy Roddick & Genie Bouchard vs Andre Agassi & Steffi Graf, it was announced yesterday that Isner will join team Roddick and Fish will join team Agassi.

🎄 Meme: In case you were wondering…

🎙️ Podcast: The Hot Paddle Effect

It’s no secret that paddles are hotter than ever. Can they be responsible for a player's full skill level improvement? Hear what the pros had to say.

🙌 Giveaway: Win the paddle of your choosing

Have you been waiting all year to buy a new paddle? Save that cash for holiday gifts and win a paddle of your choosing here.

When to Use a Topspin vs. Slice Drop

In pickleball, knowing when to hit a topspin drop versus a slice drop can make a big difference in your control and strategy on the court.

Here’s a quick guide – with tips from Selkirk pro James Ignatowich – to help you decide when to use each shot and tips for executing them effectively.

Topspin Drop: When and How to Use It

• A topspin drop is your go-to when you’re further back on the court, especially near the baseline. With a topspin drop, the ball’s forward spin pulls it down quickly, giving you more control over its placement and allowing it to land in the kitchen area more reliably.

• Pro Tip: Topspin is less affected by wind, so it’s a great choice on windy days or when you need the ball to stay down rather than float up, especially from a deeper position on the court.

Slice Drop: When and How to Use It

• The slice drop is best when you’re closer to the net, typically around five feet from the kitchen line. The backspin in a slice shot makes the ball float slightly, creating a softer landing that prevents easy attacks from your opponents. However, since it’s more affected by wind, it’s a shot best used from mid-court or closer.

• Pro Tip: Aim for the center of the court when using a slice drop to limit your opponent’s angles for a return shot. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to reset the point and avoid giving your opponents a chance to attack.

By incorporating both the topspin drop and slice drop into your game, you’ll be better equipped to handle any situation and keep opponents guessing. Practice these shots regularly to build confidence, and soon you’ll have a versatile toolkit of drops that can help you gain the upper hand on the court.

Selkirk’s newest apparel just dropped - The Pro Line!

Selkirk just rolled out their Pro Line, and it’s everything you’d expect.

It’s made just for pickleball players like us, cooling tech to keep you comfy, sleek designs that are wrinkle resistant, and that snug, athletic fit for long days of play.

It’s practical but looks good too, making you feel like a pro whether you’re dinking or driving.

Grab yours and play like you mean it.

Pickleball’s Knockout Kick

It’s okay to hate your opponents during a match. If the anger helps fuel you to play harder then by all means use it. Michael Jordan famously did.

But that only applies when hitting the pickleball. At a match last weekend, things went way too far. Watch the video here.

After celebrating the win in a tension-filled match, Peter Shonk from the winning team met the losing team at the net for the customary paddle tap. Shonk’s enthusiasm knocked the paddle from the hand of one of the losing team members.

Shonk quickly bent over the net to pick up the paddle off the ground. In an instant, he was brutally kicked in the face and knocked out cold by a member of the opposing team. Everyone on the scene was in shock and it was one of the scariest moments to witness on a pickleball court.

Reports indicate that Shonk was knocked unconscious by the blow and taken to the hospital. There appear to be no lasting injuries and Shonk has elected not to press charges. The kick went viral as the internet couldn’t believe anyone was taking pickleball to the level of physical violence.

Major League Pickleball Playoff Preview

It all comes down to this. The teams were drafted way back in April. They’ve been competing together since May. This weekend in Orlando, the final four teams at each level will battle it out for the season title.

New Jersey 5s vs Texas Ranchers

The top-seeded New Jersey 5s selected the Texas Ranchers as their semifinal opponents. The 5s were dominant throughout the regular season finishing with a 20-3 record.

The most telling stat, however, is their 6-0 record in Dreambreakers. With tight margins in the playoffs, we’ll no doubt see a Dreambreaker this weekend and the 5s are the only team with a clean Dreambreaker record.

The Texas Ranchers took a big risk by adding an unproven Quang Duong to their roster early in the season. The move has paid off and the timing appears to be right for the Ranchers Etta Wright, Tina Pisnik, and Christian Alshon as they head into the weekend.

St Louis Shock vs Dallas Flash

The Shock and Flash are two teams that combine veterans with players on the rise. Anna Bright leads the Shock and her teammates Gabe Tardio, Kate Fahey, and Hayden Patriquin, are all having the best year of their young pickleball careers in 2024.

The Flash are anchored by the brother-sister duo of JW and Jorja Johnson. Their counterparts are Augie Ge who broke out this year in men’s and mixed doubles, and Hurricane Tyra Black who made a big splash in women’s singles last year and closed the gap with her doubles game this year.

The 5s are favorites heading into the weekend but it ain’t by much and realistically any of the four teams left have a shot at the title. Catch the first match at 4 pm ET on Friday, Nov 22 on Pickleball TV.

Keep Your Game Face On

Hours on the court can strain more than just your muscles; it can wear on your skin too. The cold season means tougher games and harsher weather, but OneSkin’s Limited Edition Holiday Bundle has your back—or, more accurately, your face.

This isn’t just skincare; it’s your ally in owning how you age, loaded with OS-01 to revitalize your skin. Scoop up this exclusive bundle, a $149 value for $99. And because we’re all about scoring points, take an extra 15% off by using code DINK.

Worlds by the Numbers

The UPA World Championship was the largest tournament in pickleball history. The event brought in record numbers of attendees and participants.

Here’s a look at the data:

• 55,000 Attendees

• 4,200+ Participants

• 49 States represented plus DC

• 30+ Countries represented

Worlds week in Dallas blended together a PPA Tour Slam, the quarterfinals of the MLP playoffs, the DUPR Collegiate National Championships, a massive amateur tournament, and more.

You can get a taste of what it looked like from the PicklePod recorded on-site. The event is one that you surely don’t want to miss and will be on our calendar again next year.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• The Pickleball Scene Just Got a Whole Lot Better

• Howells and Oshiro earn Gold 2x - USAP Nationals Recap

• PPA Milwaukee Open - Tournament Recap & Best Dressed 

• ICYMI: WORLDS GAUNTLET Pt. 1 w/ KOTC, Dow, Manasse, and Blackwood

Highlights

• He wasn’t THAT good 🙏

• Another day another tweener 💫

Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered

• Pickleball club targeted in robbery

• Don't settle for slow serves

• One mayor's pickleball vendetta

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