Do you know the difference: poke, roll, flick?

This shot created a paradox. MLP trade receives 'F' grade.

February 17, 2025

With another NFL season in the books, it’s an all-out battle to claim the viewership left in the Super Bowl’s wake. The other major sports (and pickleball) are trying to find creative ways to fill the void of touchdowns and tackles.

  • The NBA All-Star Game rolled out a new format to increase the competitive efforts of their players

  • Pickleball had celebrity exhibitions in both San Francisco and Las Vegas

  • But most would probably agree the winner was the NHL, who debuted the 4 Nations Faceoff in lieu of an All-Star Game

The round-robin tournament pitted the US team against Canada, Sweden, and Finland.

Hockey fans are raving about a renewed international rivalry. A historic start to the US vs Canada grudge match, underscored by tense relations amid ongoing tariff disputes, featured a never-before-seen three fights in the first nine seconds.

Team USA ultimately avenged the Canadian crowd’s pre-game boos during the American National Anthem with a 3-1 W. Imagine a pickleball match starting like that.

In This Issue:

3️⃣ Know the difference between these 3 backhand volleys
🏆 MLP roster mayhem
🤔 Shot legality paradox

Anchors away.

Our Picks ☝️

🛳️ Dream Getaway: Breathtaking Destinations, Top-notch Instruction

Remember the floating pickleball court attached to a yacht that went viral on social media? Well, we’ve got news: you can book it for your next vacation and experience the exhilarating pickleball adventure for yourself. Play on a floating court surrounded by crystal-clear waters with this luxury 12-day journey aboard the M/V Aretha.

🤩 Celebrity Bash: Hunter Johnson Can’t Stop Winning

Fresh off a PPA Tour Championship, Hunter Johnson brought home another title in San Francisco. He and UNC basketball legend Tyler Hansbrough dunked on the other celebrity/pro pairings to win the first Celebrity Bash.

🎾 Pickleball Slam: Team Agassi Wins Again

Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and Mardy Fish brought home the Pickleball Slam 3 title on ESPN yesterday. They won three out of four doubles matches against Andy Roddick, Genie Bouchard, and John Isner.

➡ Next Gen: APP Tour Crowns Next Gen Champs in San Antonio

One of Australia’s top talents, Emilia Schmidt is collecting titles all over the world. The latest in the collection is an APP Next Gen Championship along with male counterpart and LA native Aidan Schenk.

3 Backhand Volleys Explained: Poke, Roll, and Flick

Not all backhand attacks are created equal. If you’ve been using the terms poke, roll, and flick interchangeably, it’s time for Zane Navratil to set the record straight. Each shot serves a unique purpose and can be a game-changer when used correctly.

The Poke

  • Purpose: Takes away time and space from your opponent.

  • Execution: Used at full reach with minimal wrist action. Aim for the opponent’s chicken wing (elbow area) or hip to create awkward returns.

  • Best Used When: Your opponent is transitioning or at the kitchen line.

The Roll

  • Purpose: Generates topspin for a more controlled and aggressive attack.

  • Execution: Requires dropping the body and paddle below the ball before brushing up the back of the ball with an upward swing. Engages full arm and body movement from low to high.

  • Best Used When: Your opponents are farther back, or you need a precise, spin-heavy shot.

The Flick

  • Purpose: A quick, deceptive attack that requires strong wrist action.

  • Execution: The majority of power and spin come from a fast wrist snap. Reach into the kitchen and intercept any dink attempt that floats a little too high.

  • Best Used When: You need a fast shot from the kitchen line to catch opponents off guard.

Each of these shots plays a crucial role in a strong backhand game. Work on all three to keep your opponents guessing and gain the upper hand on the court.

Pickleball Yacht Charter in Croatia?

You heard right. A pickleball yacht charter in Croatia. Sounds extravagant, right? Well, get ready to be surprised. This incredible 8-day journey aboard the luxurious M/V Aretha is more affordable than you might think.

Imagine playing pickleball on a floating court surrounded by crystal-clear waters, exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites, and learning from pickleball pro LeRoy Weighall and influencer Danea Zeigle.

From May 18-25, 2025, you'll sail the Adriatic, visit stunning destinations like Dubrovnik and the Blue Cave, and experience the ultimate pickleball adventure.

Don't miss out on this Croatian pickleball adventure – book now with Karen Noel and save $300 with code FTPL-CROATIA before spaces run out!

Chaos Erupts During MLP Trade Window

While you were kicking back on the couch all weekend long, MLP GMs were wheeling and dealing to get their rosters settled for the 2025 season. The first MLP trade window closed on Saturday and six more deals snuck in under the wire. (See the full list here)

Most notable is a Premier Level move that has some experts puzzled:

  • Phoenix Flames traded Andrei Daescu to the Columbus Sliders in exchange for Jay Devilliers and cash considerations

Daescu's stellar record and sponsorship from Proton (the new owners of the Flames) made this trade especially odd.

Other trades centered around drop requirements via contract restrictions or the mandatory one-drop rule.

  • Las Vegas Night Owls traded Rafa Hewett to the California Black Bears in exchange for Chris Haworth* and cash considerations

  • Brooklyn Aces traded Pablo Tellez to the Las Vegas Night Owls in exchange for Blaine Hovenier* and cash considerations

  • New Jersey 5s traded Mari Humberg to the Brooklyn Aces in exchange for Amanda Hendry* and cash considerations

  • New York Hustlers traded Vivian Glozman to the Atlanta Bouncers in exchange for Susannah Barr* and cash considerations

We also saw a three-team trade between Premier and Challenger Level teams:

  • Carolina Pickleball Club received Yana Newell* from the SoCal Hard Eights and cash considerations from the Las Vegas Night Owls

  • Las Vegas Night Owls received Brooke Buckner from the Carolina Pickleball Club and cash considerations from the SoCal Hard Eights

  • SoCal Hard Eights receive Judit Castillo from the Las Vegas Night Owls

* indicates a player who is ineligible to be kept by their team

Yesterday, MLP teams were under the wire to decide which players to keep and which players to drop. Expect those roster updates early this week.

🤔 Newsletter getting clipped? Click ‘view entire message’ or click here to read online

Shot Legality Paradox

Did you see this point in our Friday issue last week? It’s a high-IQ pickleball play where the player uses the rare opportunity to reach over the net and hit the ball straight down for a winner.

Unfortunately for him, there’s more here than meets the eye. Some commenters argue that he committed a fault in his swing and should have lost the point. Others are highlighting the rule book and calling for a replay.

  • Violation. He touched the net before the ball became dead. - @astro_stephen13/IG

  • Ball hit the horizontal bar - replay. Rule 11.L.5.b - @DrewDns/X

  • Legal if he did not touch the net. But play over because the ball hit the tube before the court - @villano_pr/IG

  • Nope, never suppose to wear black with blue shorts …should be banned for life - @broke_rich/X

Alright, that last one was just for fun. It’s hard to tell for sure in the footage if the paddle contacted the net. If it did, that player committed a violation a would lose the point.

If he didn’t hit the net, the point would be a replay because the ball hit the metal crossbar before it hit the ground.

Most players are reminded of a Ben Johns highlight where he pulled off this move. Ben somehow managed to avoid the metal bar while executing the same shot.

Whenever you’re playing on one of the nets with a low crossbar, keep Rule 11.L.5.b in your back pocket and know that a ball that contacts the metal bar results in a replay.

May doesn’t work? No Problem. Book the Croatian Pickleball Yacht Cruise in October.

So, if you can’t make the May Croatia trip, no worries Dink Fam. Via Croatia has another incredible adventure planned for you this October 17-28th.

You could be discovering hidden gems like Mljet and Korčula, wandering through ancient Roman ruins in Split, and exploring the natural wonders of Krka National Park.

Oh, and you’ll be playing on a floating court surrounded by crystal-clear waters, learning from three-time national gold medalist Brett Noel.

Spaces are limited, so give Karen Noel a call and don’t forget to use code FTPL-CROATIA and save $300.

UNC Has Their Tarheels Covered

The University of North Carolina is one of the OG’s in college pickleball. They won the inaugural DUPR collegiate national championships and helped spawn the pro career of Collin Shick.

They’re helping to push college pickleball to the next level with the announcement of a new shoe sponsorship from HEAD Pickleball. That’s right, the Tarheels will be wrapped in shoes from one of the biggest names in racquet sports.

As college programs continue to emerge they will need to find creative ways to fund and market their teams. As we’ve discovered in the NIL era of college sports, anything is possible in college sports these days.

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