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New rule enhances player safety

New rule enhances player safety

MLP teams starting from scratch. Anticipate the next attack.

February 19, 2025

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How do you deal with reckless speedups? We’re talking about a player who has the power but hasn’t exactly mastered control.

When they speed up a ball it could be on target, just over the net, or be head-high and fly into the back fence. Think Wild Thing from Major League.

Do you take offense and try to body bag them back or chalk it up to part of the game? The UPA-A took notice of a series of over-the-top speedups and implemented a new rule to help keep players safe.

Honestly, something like this would be good to have at all levels of pickleball.

In This Issue:

🪄 Now you see me, now you don’t
🫳 MLP team drops their entire roster
🏆 Mesa means more

Keep it below shoulder level folks.

Our Picks ☝️

📝 New Rule: UPA-A Adds New Targeting Rule for Player Protection

A new rule from the UPA-A allows referees to issue a point penalty for intentional or reckless shots above shoulder level. The penalty will also include a $2,500 fine for the offending player.

⚾️ Spring Training: Chicago Cubs Embrace Pickleball Spirit

Cubs manager Craig Counsell says that he and the rest of the Cubs coaching staff take their paddles everywhere they go on the road. The only problem they encounter is finding courts without a wait time.

🏓 Paddles: That Paddle Belongs in the Trash

Check this off your 2025 bingo card. Simple Human (the trash can and soap dispenser brand) just released their own line of … you guessed, pickleball paddles.

Defend Against Speed-Ups

How well do you know your pickleball opponents? If you’re playing with the same group every week then chances are you know their game better than your own kids. Heck, after a full best-of-three match it’s pretty common to pick up on a player’s tendencies.

So how do you use that to your advantage? When you see an attack coming, adjust your position and prepare for the perfect counter. A new video from the Pickleball Playbook shows us how.

Shift Your Body - The paddle side hip and shoulder are common attack targets in pickleball. If you think the ball is headed in that direction, you can improve your position by shifting a step to the left or right.

Open Your Paddle - After shifting you’re pot-committed to a forehand or backhand (depending on which direction you shifted). Turn your paddle to the side so that the face is looking at your opponent, this will save you much-needed time if they're speeding up at you.

Now their would-be attack is headed straight for your paddle. Slap a counter at their feet and give them a Dikembe Mutombo finger wag as you head back to the baseline.

Pickleball Pain is Real. Relief Just Got Real-er.

Pickleball’s a blast. Waking up sore like you went ten rounds with a pro? Not so much.

That’s where the Kineon Pain to Possible Bundle comes in—a powerhouse combo designed to get you back on the court faster.

RELIEF+ delivers deep muscle relaxation, easing those stubborn knots and tight spots. The MOVE+ light therapy device is compact and flexible, so you can target sore knees, shoulders, elbows—wherever the game leaves its mark. Together, they don’t just mask pain—they help your body recover faster and smarter.

Trusted by 35,000+ users. Backed by science. And for a limited time? 40% OFF!

Skip the ibuprofen—treat the root cause, not just the symptoms. Your pickleball game (and your body) will thank you.

Quick Pickleball Pain Check-Up

Pickleball is booming, no doubt. But so are the stories of nagging aches and pains we hear on the courts and online. Think pickleball elbow is just "part of the game?" Maybe not.

Kineon just launched a free online pain quiz specifically for pickleball players. It's designed to give you a quick personalized pain report and some actionable steps to consider. They're also running a 2-week "Pain to Possible Challenge" tied to it, for those wanting to dig deeper.

Could be a useful resource if you're wondering whether your post-game soreness is just…well, pickleball, or something you could actually address proactively.

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MLP Team Cuts Their ENTIRE Roster

There’s never been an MLP offseason quite like this. Four franchises moved up from the Challenger Level to the Premier Level, and on Sunday, teams were forced to decide how many players to keep (and pay the price) and how many players to drop (and leave things to chance in the draft).

New Year, New York
The most shocking result came from the New York Hustlers who decided to wipe the slate clean. They were required to drop Susannah Barr then chose to drop Jack Sock, Lea Jansen, and newly acquired Riley Newman.

They’re not the only ones with an empty roster, the Chicago Slice dropped their four players for various reasons and will be busy on draft day filling a roster of six.

Big Names on the Block
There are big names up for grabs when the Premier level drafts on May 2nd. It was a bit surprising to see the St Louis Shock let go of one of the most improved players from 2024, Kate Fahey.

Other top names dropped by teams include James Ignatowich, Quang Duong, Vivienne David, Callie Smith, and more.

See who your favorite team dropped and find out who might be replacing them here.

“Oh Mon Dieu”!

Meet Abby from Oxford Maryland. Abby never had a pickleball trip through Europe on her bingo card — but after experiencing it she couldn’t believe what she had been missing: “The private tour of Monte Carlo coupled with the dinner, the vineyard tasting, the weather—oh mon dieu!!”

Now, she’s planning to bring friends and do it again—and you can experience it too! Join us for an extraordinary pickleball getaway in the French Riviera, where every moment is designed to wow you.

You'll train with top USA pros, refining your pickleball skills with 15 hours of expert coaching, personalized drills, and strategy sessions in a small-group setting. Whether you’re on the court or savoring a Michelin-worthy meal, this trip blends sport, culture, and luxury for an unforgettable experience.

The Tuscany trip is completely sold out and there are limited spots for the French Riviera so reserve yours today!

Mesa Means More

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since the PPA Tour hosted their first tournament in Mesa. Now the tour is back and celebrating Mesa in a big way with a ‘Cup’ level event rewarding 1500 points to gold medalists and warranting a progressive draw format.

New Paddle, Who Dis?
After an uncharacteristic loss in Tucson, Federico Staksrud has made the surprising decision to play with his old JOOLA paddle despite signing a new sponsorship deal with Adidas. Fed is still dripping in Adidas gear but might be holding off until his signature paddle is ready to debut.

The Stars Return
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters return to all three categories in Mesa, which is bad news for the competition. Fans will get to see the long-awaited debut of the Ben Johns/Gabe Tardio partnership that could be dominant in 2025.

Gabe had an early exit in singles thanks to Aussie Tom Evans. Evans is the one who upset No. 1 ranked Federico Staksrud in Tucson, you can catch him on a new PicklePod tomorrow morning.

Can He Do It Again?
Our guy Erik Tice is predicting another title from Hunter Johnson on Championship Sunday despite the loaded men’s singles field. Can he go back-to-back in Mesa?

Top Matches to Watch Today
MS: (15) Gabriel Joseph vs (20) Donald Young
WS: (11) Cami Blake vs (19) Helena Jansen
MXD: (14) Kate Fahey/Dylan Frazier vs (23) Connor Garnett/Brooke Buckner
MD: (12) CJ Klinger/Quang Duong vs (24) Jack Sock/Eric Roddy
WD: (5) Allyce Jones/Callie Smith vs (25) Michelle Esquivel/Olivia McMillan

Catch the full preview of the event including predictions for each category here. Tune into the action on PickleballTV starting at 1 pm ET.