Fistfight proves pickleball & politics don't mix

6 questions to ask your partner. Serve rules under fire.

September 25, 2024

The world’s largest pickleball lesson is coming to the Scottsdale area this fall. Mark Miller hosted the world’s largest tennis lesson at DePaul University and aims to do the same with pickleball.

The motivation is to get more youth players on the courts. The lesson is free to attend, but registration is required. With Arizona being one of the largest pickleball hubs in the country, we’re excited to see just how large one lesson can be. Stay tuned for the results after the event on November 2.

In This Issue:

📋 6 Questions to ask your partner
🥊 Picklebrawl leads to community consequences
📈 Can pickleball make you a better investor?

The more the merrier.

Our Picks ☝️

👀 Save the Date: Pickleball Slam 3 Coming in February 2025

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf return for the third rendition of Pickleball Slam. Their opponents will be Slam 1 participant Andy Roddick and newcomer Genie Bouchard. Slam 3 will also have a change of venue, moving to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on February 16th.

💬 News: Signature Paddle Announced for NBA Star

NBA all-star Trae Young owns the MLP Atlanta Bouncers and is an avid pickleball supporter. His signature sneaker is already in stores, and yesterday, Paddletek announced that a new signature paddle is in the works for Ice Trae.

🎥 Video: Latin Music Stars Host Clinic to Benefit Best Buddies

In Doral, FL, a pickleball clinic and celebrity tournament were hosted to benefit the Best Buddies International program. Latin musician ADSO headlined the event along with Carmen DeLeon and Lenny Tavárez.

📸 Image: Major League Pickleball Under the NYC Skyline

6 Questions to Ask Your Partner

On a recent episode of This Pickleball Life, Jill Braverman breaks down six questions she credits another pro, Allyce Jones, for introducing to her. She explains that these six questions help her and her partner prepare for any opponent.

If it's good enough for two of the top female pros in the game, we figure it's good enough for us.

The Six Questions

  1. Where are we returning?

  2. Where are we hitting our thirds?

  3. Who are we attacking in transition?

  4. What's our dink pattern?

  5. What combo of 1-2s do we want to put together?

  6. Where are we sitting on counters?

For this, we’re focusing on #5 and #6. Check out The Dink Pickleball site later in the week for a full breakdown.

#5 - What combo of 1-2s?

In boxing, a 1-2 combo is often a jab followed by a hook or cross. The jab forces your opponent to move, allowing you to land a stronger next punch.

A similar 1-2 combo in pickleball could be a third-shot drive followed by a fifth-shot drop. The drive forces a reaction, setting you up for an easier (thanks to their weak reply) drop on the next shot.

A more offensive-minded 1-2 combo is a planned speed up to one player’s backhand, with you and your teammate ready to smash a pop-up or weak counter.

Aggressive play with a plan is always better than uncoordinated attacks. Ask your partner what type of attacks they'd prefer to use throughout the game.

#6 - Where are we sitting on counters?

Most players have preferred spots to attack—some favor down the line, others aim for the middle. Once your opponent has attacked from a spot, there is a great chance they’ll do it again. Take note of where they attacked from (middle, forehand, or off the bounce), and the next time the ball lands in that position, move your body and paddle to counter it more easily.

Make them prove they can beat you from different angles instead of letting the same attack work multiple times.

When to use these questions

If you know your opponents, you should discuss these questions with your partner before the match. If you don't know the players yet, gather the information you need in those first couple of points.

When you see something, say something.

Selkirk’s VANGUARD Series Got an Upgrade

You've seen the teasers, and now it’s finally here! Introducing the Selkirk VANGUARD Pro, the latest marvel in the VANGUARD series.

With its four layers of 12k raw carbon fiber—double what you see in standard paddles—the VANGUARD Pro offers unmatched stiffness and multidirectional support. This means you get durability that lasts and spin that doesn’t quit.

The VANGUARD Pro also delivers control and power. Its thermoformed foam edge reduces vibration for a smoother play, letting you keep going with less fatigue. It comes in two paddle shapes: the Invikta for more power and the Epic for the biggest sweet spot.

Let the VANGUARD Pro be your ALL-COURT ally and see how it can transform your play.

Pickleball Fistfight Results in Community Consequences

A recent brawl at a pickleball court in Rossmoor, a senior community in Walnut Creek, has escalated into broader political tensions. The conflict began with a dispute over former President Donald Trump but has led to new restrictions on free speech, limiting demonstrations and political columns in community outlets.

Many residents feel these measures are overly restrictive, likening them to treating seniors like children. Meanwhile, Rossmoor officials cite safety concerns and the need for civility as reasons for the crackdown.

Pickleball is amazing at bringing people together, but these days, there’s no guarantee that those people will get along. Let’s keep it friendly on the court, Dink Fam. If you’ve got beef with another player, beating them 11-0 is less messy and just as satisfying.

Serve Rules Under Fire

Serve rule changes have dominated the recent conversation at the pro level. Last weekend’s MLP event in NYC added fuel to the fire, with multiple points being replayed due to “illegal” serves.

The United Pickleball Association is currently testing a new provisional serve rule. Thus far, the rule has not extinguished any contention around the serve. Or as the women’s top player Anna Leigh Waters said on X, “Pickleball’s biggest rivalry right now is the serve rule.”

Heading into MLP Virginia Beach, the rules have been refined yet again:

  • Teams will no longer be able to challenge the serve of an opponent

  • “If a referee identifies a service fault, they will stop play to identify the fault and call for a re-serve"

  • Players will be allowed one warning, resulting in a re-serve, per game

No matter what serve rules are instituted, players will push the boundaries to find an advantage. Currently, the pressure falls on the referees to quickly decide whether a serve is legal.

Unless the tour wants to adopt a drop serve only rule, refs will have to refine their ability to make the distinction between legal and illegal. But it will be hard to ignore if top players like ALW push for a change.

Feel Good, Play Better

Perfecting your game isn't just about practice—it's about feeling your best, too. That's where Hims comes in, offering more than just treatments; they offer science-backed treatment plans that fit your lifestyle.

Hims takes a fresh approach to weight loss. Unlike traditional weight loss programs, Hims considers the underlying factors affecting your weight and offers a personalized treatment plan based on your body, health history, and weight loss goals. It all starts from the comfort of your home, with a simple assessment, 100% online.

With Hims, you're not just losing weight; you're gaining an edge. After submitting your assessment, a licensed healthcare provider will cook up a personalized game plan just for you that may include an oral medication kit or GLP-1s.

And because we know you love a good deal, oral medication kits through Weight Loss by Hims start at just $79/month with a 5-month subscription, no insurance required. It’s not just about shedding pounds; it’s about elevating your entire game, from the court to your core.

Can Lessons Learned in Pickleball Really Make You a Better Investor?

The benefits of pickleball are both physical and social.

Any activity such as pickleball that increases our heart rate and gets us moving around supports physical strength and agility — and can even sharpen our mental clarity.

Pickleball is also quite social. Not only do players often talk during the game and share tips, but new friendships may develop.

Whenever we engage in a repeated activity, such as playing pickleball, we tend to develop new habits. Pickleball players may drink more water, stretch more often, and get more quality sleep. The effects of these positive habits are not limited to pickleball; they spill over to other parts of our lives that may include relationships and how we make decisions.

In that sense, lessons learned playing pickleball are very applicable to money and investing.

Whether it’s working with a coach, cutting out the “noise,” or identifying the right strategy, discover the potential similarities between pickleball and money management here.

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