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Here’s a trend we can get behind: According to Zillow, the number of U.S. homes for sale with a pickleball court is up 25% from last year. Better yet (and we can’t believe we’re actually saying this), “man caves” are still a thing, apparently, but their popularity is trending in the other direction.

In This Issue:
— Popular pickleball YouTuber shut down by league
— How to harness wrist lag for effortless power
— The new Ben Johns paddle you can’t buy

Friday vibes.

Four brave content creators are attempting a new (and, frankly, kinda nuts) Guinness World Record for longest pickleball doubles marathon: playing for 40 hours nonstop (the current unofficial mark stands at 36). They’ll be at Pickleball Xscape in Westminster, CA, tomorrow beginning at — wait for it — four in the morning. Stop by, bring caffeine.

World #2 Anna Bright has joined the ranks of pickleball pros selling instructional content online. But hers is a little different: it’s for advanced players only, and space is limited to a select few. We don’t know the exact price yet, but training begins Dec. 1. Now fall in line, soldier.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball is generating some major buzz leading up to next month’s National Championship: a record 1,100 of the country’s top amateurs have earned their shot at the $100,000 prize purse. That’s triple the participation from 2024.

A new JOOLA paddle was just approved for pro play. It’s called the Perseus Pro 1 Max, and it was made exclusively to suit Ben Johns’ singles game. It’s so exclusive, in fact, that he’s the only player who will ever use it. JOOLA told us this is one paddle they won’t be mass-producing or selling anywhere. A true one-of-one. Must be nice.

Superior pickleball power doesn’t come from big muscles or even some newfangled paddle technology. It comes from a technique called “wrist lag.”

Here’s how it works: When you start to accelerate your arm forward, your forearm naturally lies back as your elbow comes forward.

This kinetic chain is the key to unlocking all your dreams of effortless forehand power. And it’s easier to unlock than you might think.

✅ It’s a full-body motion. Like any effective pickleball shot, this starts with your legs and culminates in snapping your arm and wrist like a whip through contact. This means your entire upper body is coiling and rotating into position, not just your arm.

✅ Loosen up. Your grip pressure is critical to allowing the type of flexy wrist motion required here. Play around with this, but try holding your grip with the pressure of shaking someone's hand, not a death grip. If anything, less is more.

✅ Start the kinetic chain As the ball is arriving, loosen your grip and let your paddle tip drop toward the ground. Now, naturally accelerate in this order: arm, elbow, wrist, and paddle face through impact. If you maintain a loose grip, wrist lag will happen magically by itself.

The result of all of this is a more natural, effortless swing that translates to easy power and aggressive topspin. Just like that, proper technique has you punching above your weight class.

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Chris Cali has been posting videos to his “Sorry Not Sorry” YouTube channel since 2023, an irreverent look at pro pickleball through highlights, humor, and a healthy dose of taking the piss, often at players' expense (he even ran a series called “Hooks of the Week” after Zane Navratil suggested it).

The crux of Cali's content involves match commentary; his videos often feature him expressively talking over MLP or PPA clips playing in the background.

For over a year, he had a content partnership with Pro Pickleball. But a few weeks ago, he was informed via email that his access had been denied indefinitely.

He says he doesn’t know why. And so far, the league hasn’t offered any public explanation.

This brings us to present day, where Cali is looking for answers and the fate of his popular YouTube channel hangs in the balance.

One thing that does seem certain: he’s not going anywhere.

"My name is Sorry Not Sorry," he said. "I will never be sorry for saying what I'm saying."

➡️ Read our full story.

Alright, so earlier we were talking about getting your protein in and doing your part to take care of your body. Cool. Now let’s talk recovery.

Trulieve is helping a ton of players get there with plant based wellness that supports relief and recovery without making it complicated. They have a full lineup of reliable cannabis products built to help you feel better, move better, and stay consistent.

And their store associates are very helpful, not just trying to sell you random stuff.

Check out trulieve.com and get yourself set up to feel better on and off the court.

Move over, man caves; there’s a new hot housing accessory taking the country by storm.

According to Zillow’s 2026 Home Trends Report, prospective homeowners are seeing a 25% spike in listings that mention a pickleball court, right on par with those that feature golf simulators.

Basement dwellers aren’t so lucky, though. The prevalence of “man caves” is down 10% from this time last year. Honestly, we’re kind of shocked that’s even still a thing.

The pickleball court appeal seems fairly straightforward:

But before you go busting out the bulldozer, know this:

Oh, and then there’s the price: a properly installed, pro-level pickleball court will run you anywhere from $30,000 to well over $100,000.

Here’s an oldie but a goodie: When should you actually call out another player for using an illegal paddle?

Pro Zane Navratil says it largely depends on what’s at stake.

In rec play, this can get a bit awkward. It kills the vibe. It’s a bit presumptuous. But if it’s tournament time? All bets are off.

✅ Tournament Play. These have stakes. Prize money. Rankings. Bragging rights. If someone's using equipment that violates USAP rules, that's a legitimate competitive advantage, and it needs to be addressed. Call an official over and let them handle it. Done and done.

✅ Rec play is a different animal entirely. This is where most of us spend our time, where the goal is to have fun and get some exercise. Zane’s advice here is refreshingly pragmatic, if not a tad controversial: "Who cares?"

If they’re losing, he says, let it go. Water under the bridge. If they’re legitimately walloping you with what feels like a hot paddle, treat it like a challenge. Try to gain the tactical advantage. Exploit their weaknesses.

And just think of how much sweeter it will feel when you beat them.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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