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Pro pickleball has a new rulebook. The 71-page document leaves no stone unturned, laying out clear guidelines for everything from on-court behavior to paddle challenges to hindrances and distractions.

It even makes a ruling on whether it’s legal to blow the ball over the net. (It’s not.) It’s a brand new day for the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball. We lay out all the big changes below.

In This Issue:
— A paddle throwing crackdown
— Anna Bright’s flick guide
— 4 stylish pickleball totes

Rules are rules.

Some of us (guilty) are always on the hunt for the new perfect paddle. But does it even exist? Perhaps, one Reddit thread is wondering, there comes a point when your money is better spent on lessons instead? Don’t shoot the messenger.

According to the new UPA-A Rulebook (more below), “not all paddle throws are treated equally.” But all are assessed seriously. What’s more, blowing the ball over the net now results in an automatic fault. See what else is new.

More than 1,000 people backed a Kickstarter product that promises to scoop up 60 pickleballs from a court in mere seconds. Better yet? It doubles as a hopper. If you’re a coach or prolific driller, it might be your new best friend.

Pro Alex Crum took to X to point out what’s got to be a PPA Tour first: “Right now in Atlanta there are two people of the same name playing each other in Qualies. Ed Kim vs. Ed Kim!” What are the odds?

Anna Bright went from zero one-handed ability to developing one of the best backhand flicks in women's pickleball.

Here's exactly how she did it and how you can too.

✅ It starts with your stance. Squat low and keep your butt out. A stable, active posture gives you the base to generate the whip you need from the ground up.

✅ Next, you need to understand something about developing a backhand flick: you don't start with the wrist. You start with the shoulder. This is the hinge that gets your paddle in position to inflict maximum damage.

✅ At the point of contact, you want to hinge at the hips, keep your posture upright and let your wrist do the heavy lifting.

✅ Make contact with the ball with your paddle tip facing down toward the court. The more exaggerated this is, the more spin and power you’ll inflict on the ball.

✅ The swing motion is not a windshield wiper. Your wrist should snap outward through the ball, with the paddle top moving from pointing down to pointing at your target.

If you’ve done all this, you’ve sent a nasty flick sailing at your opponent. It looks simple, but the technique requires reps to get just right. And also, Bright stresses, don’t skip those forearm exercises on gym day.

➡️ Watch and learn.

Some paddles get hype. Others just… start winning games.

The FLiK F1 Paddle is quietly sitting at the top of the power tier, fully USAP legal, and built for players who want to finish points—not just extend them.

You feel it right away:

And then there’s the deal: $50 off with GasMeUp AND stack another 10% off with code THEDINK.

All in, you’re looking at about $126 for a $190 paddle.

That’s not a “maybe later” price. That’s a “see what happens when you add real power to your game” price.

Unlock our exclusive F1 deal here.

The United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) just dropped its first official rulebook, governing rules, officiating, and player behavior for the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball.

The new standards take effect May 22, 2026, at the opening event of the MLP 2026 season in Dallas.

And the timing is no coincidence: the UPA-A just received the green light from the IRS to become a not-for-profit, fully independent organization.

Here are a few worth knowing:

As the rulebook states: “Rules do not limit competition, they make it possible.”

We’ll see what the players think soon enough.

➡️ See all the new rules.

The final PPA Tour event of the season is upon us. It’s a Slam, meaning it’s worth 2,000 rankings points. Next stop: PPA Finals next week in San Clemente, CA.

Given the stakes, every pro will be on the court for this one, battling it out for one last shot at points.

Our pro expert Erik Tice has a full event preview. Here are a few of his top storylines:

Of course, there are major PPA Finals implications for this event as well, including a tight race for the two final spots in men’s singles.

➡️ For a full download on all the action, check out our preview.

Stuffed pockets. Paddles bouncing around. Shoes squeezed in wherever they fit.

At some point, your setup just stops keeping up.

ADV Pickleball Bags are built for players who are on court a lot—and carry more than just the basics. Structured compartments, dedicated paddle space, and a layout that actually makes sense when you’re packing up for a long session.

No digging around between games. No shifting everything just to find one thing. Just a cleaner, more dialed-in setup from the moment you show up.

Find your ADV setup here and use code THEDINK for 10% off.

There's nothing as satisfying as knowing you've got the right gear for the job.

Your paddle is dialed. Your shoes are locked. But what about your bag?

Pickleball backpacks are ubiquitous on rec courts. Pros often prefer larger and roomier tour bags. But one option that's being slept on? Totes.

A good pickleball tote bag can take you from work to the courts with ease and style. Plus, their no-fuss designs make them easy to pack and use whether it's a full day on the courts or just a quick session among friends.

Laptop? ✅
Paddles? ✅
Shoes, water bottle, balls, change of clothes, massage gun, snacks, sunscreen, hat, speaker... Oh yeah, you get the idea.

If you want a great pickleball backpack, we get it. But consider trying a pickleball tote instead. Take it from us; you might never go back.

We rounded up four we’re loving right now — each offering different sizes, colors, features, and prices.

➡️ Get yours now.

A review from the Dink Fam...

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