A new pickleball world record is set

The evolution of the right-side player. Tips to overcome your plateau.

August 19, 2024

Do you have what it takes to set a pickleball world record? Could you and a friend display the patience, stamina, and coordination to string together more than 10,000 consecutive volleys?

If you’re going to try, do it like the Rossetti brothers, who just raised more than $200K for charity. More on that below.

In This Issue:

🧘 The new ‘meta’ in pro pickleball
🌎 A new pickleball world record
🏆 Quang Duong snags his first PPA gold

One for the record books.

The New Right Side Player

How many of you change the way you play when you're on the right side vs the left?

One of the biggest trends in 2024 is a change in the role of the right-side player. For years, we have seen a pattern where the right-side player is the assist person to the left-side player.

The John Stockton to the left-sided Malone (Karl not Post). A passive Robin to allow Batman to spread his wings.

Previously their role was to:

  • Be consistent

  • Set up the left-side player by out-dinking the cross-court opponent

  • Block or counter when attacked

In recent months, there has been a shift toward a more aggressive right-side player. One of the prime examples is Gabe Tardio, who just won gold at the Selkirk Kanas City Open.

On the latest episode of the PicklePod, we discussed how the new right-side player has changed:

  • They are able to attack off the bounce

  • Their position allows them to attack straight ahead at their opponent and have the looming forehand of the left-side player loaded to clean up the next ball

A great way to do this is to aim at the backhand of the player in front of you. Based on the triangle rule, the ball should come back to the middle of the court and hopefully lead to a winner for your team.

Lace Up Like the Pros

Ever wonder what powers a pro on the pickleball court? Meet the shoes making strides alongside top players like Travis Rettenmaier. He doesn’t just wear K-Swiss for the brand—he wears it for the performance. The Pickleball Supreme and Express Light models are specifically designed for pickleball, supporting every step you take on the court.

Decked out in vibrant colorways, from the men's electric blue and yellow combo to the women’s striking turquoise and purple, these shoes don’t just perform—they turn heads. And with Travis Rettenmaier's stamp of approval, it’s clear these shoes are built for those who take their pickleball seriously.

Step into a pair of K-Swiss court shoes, and feel the difference quality footwear can make to your game.

The Rossetti Brothers Claim Another World Record

Photo credit: Joe Fernandez/Pickleball America

The Rossetti Brothers have done it again. Angelo and Ettore Rossetti are now the proud owners of four Guinness World Records in racquet sports.

On August 17, the brothers set out to claim the world record for consecutive pickleball volleys. Their record attempt was part of the Pickleball Rally for Charity, a special event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the global humanitarian organization, Save the Children.

Together they successfully raised over $250,000 for the cause on Saturday.

Without an official record in place, Guinness set the bar at 10,000 volleys. After two long hours on court, the brothers strung together enough consecutive volleys to surpass the threshold. The tape will be reviewed by Guinness before an official record is awarded and the final count is confirmed.

Congratulations to the Rosettis on the record and the funds raised for a great cause.

Duong and Alshon Break Through in Bristol

The Year of Quang Duong
Quang Duong continues to defy the odds in 2024. He leapfrogged the Challenger Level in MLP after going undrafted. He is a threat in all three disciplines on the PPA Tour and won his first gold medal yesterday in Bristol, Tennessee.

Duong and Texas Ranchers teammate Christian Alshon took down Ben and Collin Johns in three straight games in yesterday’s finals. Duong/Alshon benefitted from an unlikely upset in the Round of 16, where Michael Loyd/Todd Fought eliminated JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier.

Back 2 Buck
Brooke Buckner is red hot in the second half of the year. She recovered from a slow start in game one of the finals to defeat Kaitlyn Christian 3-11, 11-3, 11-7 to take women’s gold.

Ben Makes it 5-0
Federico Staksrud has racked up singles results at a steady clip this year, enough to surpass Ben Johns in the tour rankings. But when it comes to head-to-head, put your money on Johns. Johns defeated Staks to win yet another gold medal, 11-4, 11-9.

3.64 Points Per Game
Players aren’t just losing to Anna Leigh Waters, they’re getting demolished. ALW’s opponents average 3.64 PPG in both mixed doubles with Ben Johns and in women’s with Catherine Parenteau. Needless to say, she won gold in both this weekend.

Find more highlights and top moments from Bristol in our full recap here.

Jump in the Cold Plunge and break out the Theragun, the next tournament starts Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

PPA Bristol Open Results

Winning Summer Starts Here

Got plans to hit the courts this summer? Let’s make sure you’re all set with the Pickleball Box. It’s your summer survival pack for the game.

Inside, you’ll find Tifosi's SWANK sports glasses to keep those harmful rays out of your eyes and help you spot the ball better under the glaring sun. You’ll also get a Dink-branded hat and T-shirt that aren’t only stylish but also save your skin from UV rays.

And because we know how games can get intense, there’s Jelly Belly Sports Beans to keep your energy up and Jigsaw Health's Pickleball Cocktail to keep you hydrated — sip it chilled from the cool Ice Shaker we’ve thrown in. Oh, and for those scorcher days? There’s a MISSION cooling towel in there to bring the temp down a notch after a hot match.

Really, the Pickleball Box has got you covered for a perfect summer on the courts. Grab one today and keep the focus on your game, not on gathering gear.

Overcome Your Pickleball Plateau

Have you reached a plateau in your pickleball journey? You’ve surpassed the 3.5 level but can’t seem to break into the 4.5 ranks?

Pro player Eric Roddy shares some tips to focus on three key areas that can help push you forward in your improvement.

Focus more on fitness and get in shape
In order to hit your shots more accurately, powerfully, and consistently, your body needs to be able to withstand the exertion and energy needed to hit those shots. There’s a reason so few pros and high-level players are not in phenomenal shape – it is too hard to reach and sustain that level otherwise.

You may start a game as a 4.5, but by 8-8 your game might have dropped a level because your legs are tired.

Eliminate the baseline from your practice routine
The truth is, most amateurs will start to plateau around the 3.5-4.0 level. However, to get over that development plateau and reach the upper levels of the game, you are going to have to master the soft stuff.

Once you reach that 3.5-4.0 skill rating, I would put away the drive and the power shots for good. Save them for tournament play or when you need to let off some steam against your family during rec play. Instead, work to master the transition zone, specifically hitting resets from all areas of this part of the court.

Work on your decision making
Arguably the best way to develop your decision making is to study good decision makers. Head over to YouTube or PickleballTV and watch the professionals play. Their decision making is almost flawless, and if it isn’t, that is usually the main reason they lose (unless they just get outplayed, which happens).

More rec play reps aren’t the fastest way to improve. Approach the game with a multi-faceted approach and you’ll see results that were seemingly out of reach not long ago.

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