Paddle testing under scrutiny

Illegal substance DQ's paddle. The stars return to GA.

May 15, 2024

Pickleball is great for networking. Real estate agents, insurance salesmen, and anyone looking to make a friend have all added to their Rolodex thanks to the game.

Well, 2024 is an election year and now politicians are using the game for a chance to shake hands and tap paddles. A candidate for Governor is advertising a “pickelball” event in what feels like a missed storyline from Veep.

What do you think is most important in a pickleball paddle?

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In This Issue:

🚓 Steal a free point
💫 Stars return in Atlanta
🎙️ Illegal substance found on paddle

Let the games begin.

Need a Free Point?

Why is the 11th point always the hardest to win? Everyone gets tight and the trailing team is playing with their backs against the wall.

After dropping a couple of game points, the pressure can build. The last thing you want to do is choke away a chance to win a game.

If you get stuck on 10, give this play a shot to steal the last point.

  • On your third shot drop have the left-side player advance to the kitchen line.

  • The right-side player fakes like they are coming up but only takes one step forward, then retreats behind the baseline.

The apparent indecision will almost always draw a ball in that direction. The other team will try to push the ball deep and pin the right-side player at the baseline.

With that information in their pocket, the left-side player can fully commit to a poach. They can intercept the ball intended for their partner and finish the game with a smash.

This strategy requires that the drop shot be at least decent. A high drop on this play will get your partner hit or have the opponent exploit the situation.

The concept is similar to a shake-and-bake, but you’re not trying to overpower the opponent with a drive. Call this one the bait and poach.

We’re Serving Up Surprises

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Exit Velocity Incoming

Gen 3, aka foam core paddles, have dominated the news lately both at the pro and amateur level. All of the sudden, the game got "50% faster overnight” and has left players wondering are paddles too powerful?

The growing concern appears to have accelerated USA Pickleball’s movement toward an exit velocity test to regulate the power of paddles. USAP is scheduled to demonstrate a new coefficient of restitution test next week.

Is it too little too late or just a minor blip on the overall growth of the game?

The coefficient of restitution is commonly used to quantify exit velocity. By definition it is “the ratio of the relative velocity of separation after collision to the relative velocity of approach before collision.”

When standardized, the test will be able to quantify the power of a paddle and can be used to set an upper limit. A test like this is common in other sports like baseball for example, and has been requested by some of the top players.

But what happens when a new upper limit is established? Sure paddles could be banned from future USAP-sanctioned events but does the burden fall on amateur players to enforce the rulings everywhere else?

Will the new limit be based on paddles that already exist on the market? Or will an arbitrary limit be set to protect the concept of pickleball from years past?

The demonstration should help answer many of the burning questions around the topic. Look for an update next week.

Stars Return to Georgia

The Devil went down to Georgia and the pickleball world joined him. The PPA Tour’s second slam of the year started on Monday and all of the stars have come out for their shot at 2000 PPA points.

Return of ALW
Anna Leigh Waters has been absent from women’s singles for over a month. She looks to reclaim the throne in Atlanta.

A new #1
Ben Johns won’t have his normal top-left position in the men’s singles bracket. Federico Staksrud has a chance to defend his No. 1 ranking this week. Can he make it 10 straight finals?

Partner Shuffle
The Staksrud/Tellez breakup caused a shuffle in the men’s game. Look for Fed/Matt Wright (No. 3 seed) and Pablo/James Ignatowich (No. 4 seed) to see who wins the breakup.

All eyes will be focused on a potential rematch between Andrei Daescu/Gabe Tardio vs the Johns Brothers. The Johns’ have been upset in their last two meetings.

Speaking of a Rematch…
All signs point to a women’s doubles rematch between ALW/Catherine Parenteau vs. Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher. Bright and Rohrabacher have been closing the gap and might have reached rivalry status.

Since the event is one of the PPA’s Slams, it will follow the progressive draw format. Weather will likely be an issue throughout the week with storms in the forecast. Find the action on PickleballTV and YouTube.

Let It Glow

Brighten up your game with the vivid SLK by Selkirk Halo pickleball paddles, now in radiant pink and lime green!

Select between the 16mm Control Core for strategic placement and the 13mm Power Core for that extra oomph in your shots. And with the longer XL handle, you're in for enhanced reach and spin, making every shot count.

Don't blend in; visit Selkirk's website to explore these colorful wonders and elevate your game today!

Paddle disqualified for 'illegal substance'

What's your DUPR? Are you above or below the average player? DUPR CEO Tito Machado breaks down how to the game is exploding with younger players and in other countries.

Plus, Zane and Thomas recap events from MLP Atlanta, including illegal substances, players earning penalties, and a dust-up between The 5's and Hustlers. Watch the new episode here.

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