The Dink Newsletter
Posts
New paddle bans for 2025

New paddle bans for 2025

Nominees announced for Nike Dink Awards. Steal the advantage from tall players.

December 30, 2024

^Advertise^|^{The Dink Home}^|^{The Pickleball Box}^|^Subscribe

Zip open your bag and check your paddle; it might just be illegal in 2025. Last week USA Pickleball released a list of paddles that exceed their new Paddle/Ball Coefficient of Restitution (PBCoR) standard.

The seven paddles on the list will be “sunset” on July 1, 2025. This means they will no longer be legal in USAP-sanctioned events after that date. See if your paddle is on the list below.

In This Issue:

🔌 USAP pulls the plug on controversial paddles
🗳️ Nominees announced for the Nike Dink Awards
📏 Don’t be intimidated by taller players

Thanks for another great year Dink Fam. We will see you in 2025!

Our Picks ☝️

🎥 Video: The point that has gotten 4 million views on TikTok

The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships attracted talent from around the world. Watch the delegates from Puerto Rico keep this point alive against all odds.

📓 Reminder: New Rules in Effect on Wednesday

USA Pickleball updates its rulebook every new year. See the rule changes that go into effect in 2025.

🎙️ Podcast: How Pros Think About Lead Tape

On the most recent PicklePod, Hunter Johnson and Zane Navratil share their approach to adding lead tape to their paddles. If you’ve considered adding weight to your paddle then you’re going to want to hear this.

🎬 Clip: Family Guy Early to the Pickleball Scene

FOX’s animated sitcom ‘Family Guy’ was early to the pickleball satire. The family’s dog, Brian, made his way through a local tournament by disqualifying his opponents with ‘grievances’ in a 2017 episode. Watch @fit2serve’s take on the portrayal here.

Taking the Advantage from Tall Players

Taller players may have the upper hand with their reach, power, and court coverage, but with the right strategies, you can turn the tables.

This video from Morgan Evans breaks down actionable tactics to exploit their weaknesses, such as agility, balance, and hand speed. Key tips include:

Accelerated Play: Drive the ball aggressively after the serve to try to catch them in transition to the kitchen line. Don’t let them get established at the line where their reach and access to angles give them an advantage.

Deceptive Swings: Use longer backswings to bait their paddle in the wrong direction. They’ll likely be slow to adjust after committing to the wrong direction.

Bait and Counter: Tempt them into committing to a shot, then use quick movement and precise counters to capitalize on their slower recovery.

The takeaway? Tailor your game plan to your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses for smarter, more effective play. Watch the video for in-depth examples.

Time’s Running Out!

As the clock ticks down on 2024, so does GAMMA’s chilliest sale of the year. Yup, their Holiday Collection deals are about to melt away faster than snow on a sunny court.

You've only got a few days left to scoop up some serious pickleball swag, including the sleek Obsidian Paddle for just $129.99—serious performance doesn’t usually come at such a nice price.

And while you’re at it, why not stock up on those Winter Pickleball Accessories? They’re 30% off and perfect for gifting or just giving your own game a seasonal upgrade. Tick tock, the countdown’s on, and December 31st is the cutoff!

Swing by GAMMA’s Holiday Collection and make sure your pickleball gear is as ready for the new year as you are.

USA Pickleball Cracks Down on Popular Paddles

The biggest change in pickleball in the year 2024 was the creation of Gen 3 paddles with foam in the core. They spread like wildfire through the pro and amateur circuit and changed the way the sport was played.

The most common example of the foam core paddles was the Gen 3 paddles from JOOLA that went through a USAP approval and de-listing that led to customers being issued refunds and a lawsuit between JOOLA and USAP.

In an effort to “ensure fair play and maintain the sport’s competitive balance,” USAP introduced the PBCoR test late last year. The first round of paddles to fail the new test was announced on Dec 27th. The list includes:

JOOLA: Perseus 14mm MOD TA-15
JOOLA: Perseus 16mm MOD TA-15
Gearbox: Pro Power Elongated
ProKennex: Black Ace Ovation
ProKennex: Black Ace Pro
ProKennex: Black Ace LG
ProKennex: Black Ace XF

The paddles will not be de-listed immediately. Paddle manufacturers and players will have 6 months to react to the news. JOOLA has already released a statement on their plans moving forward.

For many players, this decision was long overdue and might be too late to return pickleball to the game it once was. USAP’s decision only affects USAP-sanctioned events which means these paddles are unlikely to disappear from your rec courts in the near future.

At the pro ranks, the UPA-A will have big decisions to make on whether to follow suit or rely on their own testing to determine legal paddles for competition in 2025.

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

Just Ordered my Second Pair

PB5star’s engineering team continues to sprint ahead and we can’t get enough.

Their new Court 2’s just dropped and feature breakthrough patented Dynamic Stability Assist™ tech that sets this gear apart in a way that’s noticeable on the court.

The company continues to impress with technology investments moving the needle further than what we thought was possible in their pursuit to create the lightest, most precise, and durable sneaker in the sport.

Our pick for the Dink Fam is the on-trend all-white Court2’s. You will start seeing these everywhere.

The Nike Dink Awards 2024

It’s that time of year. With 2024 coming to a close, it’s time for you to choose The Dink Award winners for last season. We are proud to announce Nike as the official title sponsor of this year’s awards.

Voting opens up on January 1st where you’ll be able to vote for your favorite players in categories like:

Men’s/Women’s Player of the Year sponsored by Six Zero
Men’s/Women’s Most Improved Player of the Year
Rising Star - Next Gem sponsored by Six Zero
Upset of the Year powered by DUPR
Best Beef

Find a full list of this year’s categories here.

The Ben Johns Sweepstakes

The new year is quickly approaching and there is still plenty of mystery surrounding the men’s doubles division. Last week we asked who you think Ben Johns will partner with in 2025.

The overwhelming majority selected Gabe Tardio and one reader said, “He’s just what Ben needs for fast hands and keeps improving and I predict, will eventually surpass Ben in skill.”

The second most common option was ‘other’ and the write-in votes poured in for a couple of lefties and two of the game’s most versatile stars. Write-in votes included:

Augie Ge
CJ Klinger
Hayden Patriquin
Dylan Frazier

If Ben and Gabe were to pair up, that would leave JW Johnson as a free agent in 2025. Depending on who JW and Dylan decide to partner with, we could have four or five teams in contention for gold at every event.

If you missed the poll last week, submit your answer here: