Paddle bandits caught on tape

Five hinges that control your game. Early upset at the World Championships.

November 06, 2024

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In This Issue:

🦾 Using body hinges for better control
🎥 Pandle bandit confronted on camera
🏆 Fighting for more than a season championship

Let’s do this.

Our Picks ☝️

💰 Wager: Sports Betting is Back for the World Championships

We’ve seen it come and go, but allegedly betting on the PPA Tour will be in effect this week in 11 states. Look for lines on matches starting today.

🏊 Train: Former Olympic Swimmer Trains With Remote Coaching

Former professional swimmer Thomas Liess reignited his competitive spirit on the pickleball court. Now he trains with remote coaching to reach the next level.

🏝️ Expansion: Hawaii Convention Center Adds 45 Courts

A pickleball landmark was recently established at the Hawaii Convention Center. A renovation added a whopping 45 courts to become the largest court provider on the islands.

🤠 Dedication: Pickleball Enthusiast Honored in Paris, TX

Sue Hays played a pivotal role in obtaining grant funding and donations to transform two tennis courts into four pickleball courts in Paris, TX. In recognition of her efforts, the facility was named in her honor, and she had the privilege of cutting the ribbon at the grand opening last weekend.

Using Body Hinges for Better Control

Dinking is essential in pickleball, but with so much advice out there—lock your wrist, hinge from the shoulder—it can be hard to know what works best. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to use different body hinges to refine your dinks.

Lower Body Hinges: Knees and Waist

Using your knees to bend helps you lower your body without affecting your paddle angle, which keeps your shots steady and controlled. Avoid bending at the waist, as it can tilt your paddle unintentionally, altering the ball’s trajectory.

Upper Body Hinges: Shoulder, Elbow, and Wrist

For most dinks, hinging from the shoulder gives you a consistent paddle angle. Locking your elbow and wrist, and moving mainly from the shoulder, is ideal for steady, controlled shots, especially slice dinks.

However, for topspin dinks, elbow movement is key. Hinging here allows your paddle to roll up on the ball, creating spin while keeping control. Finally, advanced players can add finesse with the wrist for roll shots, though it requires a high level of control to avoid errors.

Finding Your Style

Dinking isn’t one-size-fits-all. Try isolating each hinge on the court to see what suits you best. Avoid using multiple hinges at once, as this makes shots unpredictable.

By honing in on one hinge per shot, you’ll improve consistency and control, giving you a reliable dinking game that’s ready for any opponent.

Don’t Miss a Whisper on the Court

Imagine amping your game with a bit of German precision. Horizon IX by hear.com isn't your average hearing aid—it's like having a courtside assistant. With dual processors, it zeros in on the sounds you need to hear and keeps the background noise under control. This means you could tune into your opponent’s game plan during those crucial timeouts.

It's discreet, pairs with your smartphone for calls using Bluetooth, and recharges easily. No clunky gadgets, just a sleek design that you'll forget you're wearing.

Skeptical? No worries, there’s a 45-day risk-free trial to make sure it fits your lifestyle. Check out hear.com and see how you could keep a sharper ear out on the court.

Paddle Bandit Confronted on the News

Paddles are being ripped off of shelves across the nation and now north of the border. City News reported on a new string of robberies from The Racquet Guys in Ontario, Canada.

Thousands of dollars worth of paddles have been stolen from the store but thanks to the unique stickers added to the paddles, there might be a chance for recovery.

The stolen paddles were posted on Facebook Marketplace with visible images of the store’s stickers. Pat Taney from City News met up with the women who posted the paddles to confront her on air.

She claims to have purchased them from another reseller but you be the judge if you think she’s telling the truth.

No formal charges have been made and the investigation of the case still remains open.

The World Championships Are Here

It’s time for the big one. The PPA Tour World Championships are currently underway in Dallas and it’s expected to be the biggest pickleball tournament to date.

The Fourth and Final Slam
Worlds are the fourth and final slam in 2024. It’s one of the final chances for players to earn points toward their 2024 total and qualify for the PPA Finals in December.

A big performance in Dallas could push a couple of players above the cut line for the finals. Most notably, Kate Fahey’s incredible second half of the year could finally move her into the top eight.

Mixing it Up
A new partnership to keep eyes on is a first-time pairing between fan favorites Anna Bright and Quang Duong. Two former frenemies turned partners, James Ignatowich and Christian Alshon will also test their hand in a deep men’s doubles field.

Early Upset
The new partnership of Jack Sock/Callie Smith stumbled out of the gates and fell in the round of 64 to the 52-seed Maria Klokotzky/Etienne Blaszkewycz.

Matches to watch today:

Men’s Singles: Jack Sock vs Cason Campbell
Women’s Singles: Judit Castillo vs Maria Klokotzky
Mixed Doubles: Tyson McGuffin/Maggie Brascia vs Pablo Tellez/Mary Brascia
Men’s Doubles: Riley Newman/Hayden Patriquin vs Grayson Goldin/Christopher Haworth
Women’s Doubles: Lauren Stratman/Jessie Irvine vs Genie Bouchard/Kaitlyn Christian

Find full predictions for the World Championships and where to watch each match here.

Diversify Your Retirement with a Gold IRA

Are you worried about market swings hurting your retirement? Gold IRAs could be your safe haven.

Gold has a history of performing well during economic downturns and protecting against inflation. And with analysts predicting a gold price increase this year, diversifying with a Gold IRA could be smart.

*The information provided in this email is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice.

Promotion to the MLP Premier Level

The Major League Pickleball playoffs had more at stake than just a title at the Challenger Level. The top four finishers in the 2024 season earn a promotion to the Premier Level in 2025.

This made last weekend’s quarterfinals even more important for the teams in play.

Miami PB Club vs Frisco Pandas
Late-season heroics helped the Frisco Pandas land in sixth place and sneak into the MLP playoffs. Their luck ran out in the quarterfinals against the Miami Pickleball Club.

Miami won in two matches to send the Pandas packing and earn not only a spot in the semifinals but also promotion to the Premier Level next season.

Atlanta Bouncers vs Las Vegas Night Owls
The Bouncers and Night Owls battled it out for the final spot in the semifinals. The series was split 1-1 after Las Vegas won an epic Dreambreker on Friday night.

This matchup came down to mixed doubles and the Bouncers team of Jaume Martinez Vich and Susannah Barr were just too strong. The Bouncers closed the series with a regulation win in match three to advance and seal the promotion.

Find a full breakdown of last weekend’s MLP Quarterfinals here.

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