Pickleball misconception debunked

PPA preview. Words for pickleball. Serve like the big man.

January 09, 2023

Many players believe the left side is reserved for the better player. Anna Leigh Waters disagrees:

And if you've been reading/listening to us for a while, then you know we subscribe to the Collin Johns philosophy that doubles pickleball is not meant to be played 50/50. Both fly in the face of traditional pickleball teachings. Something to consider.

Oh, and a quick reminder: we're giving away free paddles for life to two lucky readers. Click here to learn more.

Let's go!

The Big Man's Big Serve

Dekel Bar has one of the biggest serves in the world of pro pickleball, partially because he is 6'3" and a former pro tennis player. But also because he pushes the limit on what makes a serve legal.

According to USA Pickleball rule 4.A.4.a. "At least one foot must be on the playing surface behind the baseline." Bar's serve meets that rule by the skin of his teeth; or should I say, "the tip of his sneaker."

He lunges forward in his serving motion like Justin Verlander striding towards the plate. Like the Cy Young award winner, Bar uses the stride to incorporate his legs into the motion and add power to his serve.

If your serve could use a little more oomph, check out how the big man does it and add the technique to your arsenal.

Be cautious of where you end up on the serve. A lengthy stride into the court leaves you vulnerable for a deep return at your feet. Be sure to retreat in time for a balanced third.

Pickleball Wear that Lasts

Think of the last time you found an article of clothing that felt tailor-made for you. Was it made in the USA? Did it last very long?

American Giant wants to help pickleball enthusiasts connect on the court in style by creating a durable and polished collection that’s as inclusive as the sport it’s named for.

Each durable cotton piece is designed to breathe, stretch, and hold up to your hardest-hitting moments on the court. These hoodies, jackets, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts & tees make excellent gifts, too!

PPA Masters Preview

The Masters was one of the most notable stops on the PPA calendar last year. All white attire and John Deere green courts offered Wimbledon vibes and made tennis players feel at home. Mix in some strawberries & cream and a little Pimm's and we might even fool Prince Harry into making a visit.

The 2023 Masters event starts on Thursday this week and is the first stop on the Carvana PPA Tour calendar.

It is also the first time the pickleball world will see Anna Leigh Waters teamed up with Anna Bright. ALW is filling the Mama Waters void in 2023 with partnerships with Catherine Parenteau and Bright.

One dangerous mixed doubles team to keep an eye on is Jessie Irvine and Riley Newman. This duo might have the best potential of disrupting a perfect 2023 season for ALW and Ben Johns.

There is no shortage of players chomping at the bit to get back on the court. Massive registration numbers include 76 players in men's singles, 54 teams in men's doubles and 48 teams in mixed doubles.

It all starts on Thursday with men's and women's pro singles. Tune into the event on PPA TV.

This week is a pro pickleball doubleheader with the APP Tour hosting an event in the Sunshine State. Catch a preview of the Punta Gorda Open in Wednesday's issue.

Selkirk's Tour bag, one of the most popular in the game, now looks a little different.

An insulated food/drink pouch, ventilated shoe compartment, easy access through the top and the front, a laptop sleeve, larger mesh bottle pockets, room for two paddles, and a hard EVA top which stores your cell phone...all wrapped in a new polyfiber performance material.

Click here to learn more about the Selkirk Regal series: pickleball bags with no compromise.

The Peoples' Sport

When we saw this post on Pickleball Forum asking players to respond with one positive thing the game has given them, our initial thoughts centered on all things technical: hand-eye coordination; strategic thinking; physical stamina.

But once we scrolled through the replies, it was clear that there was something greater to focus on.

We made a word cloud of all the most common words used in responses to that post. The larger words are used most often. Notice anything?

At least three of the most common words involve friends, friendships, or people. Tellingly, we also see words like “joy,” “sanity,” “health,” “feel,” and, of course, “fun” on this list.

We may not have objective numbers yet to back up pickleball’s superiority over other sports’ cultures, but we do see its recent record-breaking participation numbers as a sign that increasingly more people are finding similar results with the sport as those above.

And, let’s be honest: when was the last time you heard a football fan talk about “the people” when describing what makes their game great?

(Just in case you don't have any pickle friends yet: PicklePlay can help you find some).

A MESSAGE FROM MARLOW:

The Pillow for Side Sleepers

The ideal sleeping position is on the side, but without the proper support, a good morning is not in the forecast. With an adjustable design, the Marlow Pillow adapts to give side sleepers the support they need. It's made with a proprietary fill of memory foam and polyester fiber made using NASA technology and a unique zippered design for easy adjustability, allowing users to find the exact loft profile that fits them.

At the same time, cooling-infused memory foam and ventilated zipper gussets help create better airflow and regulate your body temperature, so you stay cool during the night, while its antimicrobial shell repels unwelcomed guests like dust mites and bacteria.

The pillow has been perfected over eight years with numerous research, surveys, and prototypes, but to ensure satisfaction, it's also backed by Brooklinen's best-in-class customer service and a risk-free warranty.

Gearing Up for 2023

Rob and Stone are back from a holiday hiatus for a new and improved episode of It Feels Right. Rob visited Tyson and the crew in Coeur d'Alene for training and fancy coffee. The guys tackle a PPA Masters preview and special guest Corrine Carr stops by for a women’s doubles breakdown.

Catch the all new episode here or watch it here.

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