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Today is the day. The Dink Team is boots on the ground in St. Louis, MO where nearly 500 of the best amateur players in the world will battle for a shot at being crowned National Champions.

More than 100 teams will cash in their hard-earned Dream Tickets to gain entry into The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships at the Missouri Pickleball Club.

The winners will take home a piece of the $50K prize pool and earn a free trip to compete in Dubai at the 2025 Pickleball World Series. Watch the action here.

In This Issue:

🫲 Perfecting the backhand flick
💰 Pickleball’s economic impact
🏢 Setting the standard in Massachusetts

Let’s do this.

Our Picks ☝️

🎁 Holidays: Your Search is Over

Don’t waste your time trudging through the malls this holiday, everything you need for the pickleballers on your list can be found in The Dink Holiday Gift Guide.

🗣️ Quote: Parity welcome in pro pickleball

“Ben Johns is 267-37 in mens doubles in his PPA career. 18 of those losses have come in 2024. What has changed? I for one think parity is great for the sport.” - @JImmyMiller_PB on X

🏆 MLP Season Awards: MLP Selects 2024 Winners

• Premier Most Valuable Player: Anna Leigh Waters (New Jersey 5s)

• Premier Most Improved Player: Rachel Rohrabacher (D.C. Pickleball Team)

• Challenger Most Valuable Player: Jaume Martinez Vich (Atlanta Bouncers)

• Challenger Most Improved Player: Eric Oncins (Miami Pickleball Club)

📈 Skills: Armaan Bhatia Went from 3.4 to 6.2 in One Year

India’s no. 1 ranked pickleball player is still relatively new to the game but he studies more pickleball than anybody and has found a way to apply his learnings on the court.

The Best Backhand Flick in the Game

Mari Humberg broke out onto the pro scene in 2024. One of the biggest reasons for her success is her killer backhand flick.

In this instructional video from Ed Ju, Mari Humberg shares expert insights into her signature backhand flick, a deceptive and effective shot. Key takeaways include:

1. Grip and Setup: Mari uses a continental grip for versatility, allowing seamless transitions between shots. She emphasizes flexibility in the wrist for executing advanced techniques.

2. The Flick Motion: The flick relies on wrist action rather than shoulder power. Mari demonstrates that the motion is an upward, Frisbee-like toss that adds spin to make the ball dip quickly.

3. Controlled Power: Power isn’t the goal—placement and spin are key. Mari stresses aiming for awkward spots like the hips or shoulders to disrupt opponents’ positioning.

4. Practical Tips:

   • Start with an exaggerated low-to-high motion during practice to build consistency.

   • Maintain balance when executing the flick; avoid attempting it while off-balance.

   • Use flicks strategically, setting up your next shot rather than expecting a winner.

5. Advanced Applications: Mari showcases how the flick can be effective crosscourt or down the line, exploiting angles and catching opponents off guard. A slow, well-placed crosscourt flick can catch your opponent out of place and lead to an easy winner.

The flick isn’t about raw power but about control, spin, and precision. Pick your target and prepare for the putaway on the next ball.

It IS that easy to feel healthier

This isn’t hard.

Improved nutrition is simple. Seriously, this isn't just any greens mix; it's a secret weapon for better health.

Beam's Organic Greens Blend is jam-packed with 14 essential greens to keep your energy high and your shots sharp.

And because every pickleballer knows recovery is key, the added Mushroom Complex and Adaptogens in Beam Greens are there to support your immune system and manage stress, so you're always ready for the next match.

It's a daily dose of superfood power in a delicious, easy-to-enjoy scoop.

The Dink Fam gets 40%. Ya welcome.

Scoop, shake, and hit the court with confidence.

Bringing a $3.6M Boost to the Community

The 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships, held Nov. 9-17 in Mesa, Arizona, generated an estimated $3.6 million in economic impact. The event featured over 2,600 athletes from 47 states and 13 countries, competing in 3,835 matches across nine days.

Hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses in the area reap the benefits of an event of this magnitude. Over 10,000 spectators attended, with an additional 65,000 streaming online.

Notable highlights:

• Record Participation: Athletes aged 7 to 94 competed in divisions including Amateur, Junior, Pro, Pro Masters, and the first-ever wheelchair categories.

• Community Impact: USA Pickleball Serves hosted clinics for veterans and youth, donated a court and equipment to a community nonprofit, and supplied new tires to families in need.

• Volunteer Dedication: Over 150 volunteers contributed 1,600+ hours to support the event.

Find a recap of the event here and if you’re interested in competing next year you better start planning ahead. To qualify, players must win one of the Golden Ticket qualifier tournaments held throughout the country.

Watch the Biggest Team Event in History

Today is the day for team pickleball. The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship starts today in St. Louis, MO. More than a hundred teams from around the world will compete for a one-a-kind prize.

Throughout the year, teams battled to earn a Dream Ticket entry into the National Championship. Those who won one will put it all on the line for the chance to win a national title, part of the $50K prize pool, and a chance to compete in Dubai.

In the Minor League Pickleball format, teams of four players compete in different divisions based on their combined DUPRs. The divisions include DUPR 12, 14, 14 50+, 16, 16 50+, 18, 20, 22.

You can get involved in the action with fantasy pickleball from FansPlay. Draft your team of all-stars and climb the FansPlay leaderboard. Watch the drama unfold all weekend long on The Dink YouTube channel.

Want Your SpinPro by Christmas?

So, you’re on the hunt for that perfect pickleball gift, or maybe you’re just ready to finally nail those spin shots that have been eluding you. Either way, the SpinPro is calling your name.

It’s not just any training aid; it's like having a personal coach, minus the judgmental looks.

This isn’t about making do with makeshift training; it’s about precision-engineered help that fits into your game like that favorite paddle of yours. The SpinPro breaks down those tricky spins into bitesize chunks you can actually master.

Topspin, backspin, sidespin—you name it, you train it.

Here’s the deal: If you want the SpinPro hanging out under your tree, make sure you hit that order button by December 16th. Trust us, it’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving—shot after shot, game after game.

Grab your SpinPro, and let’s make those holiday games legendary.

21-Court Facility Sets Massachusetts Record

It’s no secret that the Northeast is late to the pickleball party. This region is hurting for courts as the number of players continues to rise.

Bosse in Natick, MA is hoping to change that. The 21-court, 100,000-square-foot eatertainment concept just opened in the Natick Mall.

The facility combines fine dining with America’s fastest-growing sport and a host of other entertainment options including golf simulators, a darts lounge, and a sports theatre.

Bosse is the largest pickleball facility in Massachusetts and opened just in time to allow players to keep competing through the cold winter months.

What do you think of this unique approach to a pickleball facility? With fine dining options and a sports theatre on site, is there ever a reason to leave?

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Live Updates: The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championships

• FAU and UF Dominate - Take Podium at APP Southeast Collegiate Regional

• Meet Erik Lange and Purple Jesus - A Story of Opposites Attracting

• Meet Armaan Bhatia - India’s Best Pickleball Player

Highlights

• Big exchange, BIGGER FINISH 🔥

• Just look at the control 🔎

• Big reputation, soft game 🕵️‍♀️

Missed a recent issue? We've got you covered

• The worst thing about pickleball

• Get active on your partner's third

• Pickleball con man in FBI crosshairs

A review from the Dink Fam...

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