Shunned pickleballers fight back

The court of pickleball opinions. Principles to attack the stack.

August 14, 2024

One of the best things about pickleball is that absolutely everyone is playing it. You never know who you’ll run into the courts.

We’ve heard countless tales of celebrities and athletes mixing in the paddle rack at public courts. The latest is guitarist Daniel Sermon from Imagine Dragons, who paid a visit to Bash Pickleball Club in Michigan.

In This Issue:

🎧 Shunned pickleballers fight back
🏎️ The first PPA Tour stop in Tennessee
🤺 Principles to attack an unwinding stack

Whatever it takes.

Court of Pickleball Opinion

This week on Reddit we found an all-too-common story from the courts. Read this and tell us what you think.

“I play rec games with a group of friends. There is no money involved. There is a woman in the group who will consistently call the ball out if it lands anywhere close to the line, giving her team the point or side out.

Even if her partner says the ball was in, she will insist on calling it out. We’re all playing for fun. However, this is getting pretty annoying. How do I tell or show her proper pickleball etiquette?”

Rec Player

Unwinding the Stack Attack

Selkirk-sponsored pro Kyle Koszuta shares his third-shot drive strategies

Toward the end of a Kyle "ThatPickleballGuy" Koszuta (a Selkirk-sponsored pro) video, A Third-Shot Drive Strategy Masterclass, he shares an advanced concept he calls "Unwinding the Stack Attack."

This attack exploits stacking opponents by targeting three places with your third-shot drive.

  1. Target where they are going

  2. Target the protecting partner

  3. Target between the players

Here’s each strategy in more detail:

No. 1 - Target where they are going

Target the spot where your opponent is going

As the player sprints to their preferred side, they are often outstretched and off balance. By hitting the ball to where they are heading, you can catch them on the move, leading to weak returns or pop-ups that are easy to put away.

This approach capitalizes on the opponent's vulnerability during movement.

No. 2 - Target the protecting partner

If you notice their partner poaching, hit behind the person at the net

When the opponent's partner at the net anticipates a drive towards the moving player, they often shift to cover the middle.

By recognizing this, you can aim behind the partner, particularly targeting their backhand. This can result in an error or a clean winner as the partner struggles to adjust.

No. 3 - Target between the players

Confuse your opponents by hitting between them

In an unwind-the-stack scenario, particularly when a player moves from the right to the left, there's a sweet spot between the partners.

Hitting this zone creates confusion — should the partner with the backhand cover the shot, or should the incoming player take it with their forehand?

This indecision can lead to a winning shot.

Use these strategies the next time you play against players who stack, and you're guaranteed to win some free points off of them. Check out the video for the full third-shot drive strategy.

Cap Off Your Game

Hey Dink Fam, ever thought a hat could be your best partner on the pickleball court? Meet melin's North Seas collection — where style meets court-ready tech.

These hats are a real game-changer, crafted to endure any pickleball match. Featuring a buoyant visor core that floats, they won't disappear with the wind, and their water-repellent finish means neither sweat nor a sprinkle can dampen your play. Plus, each hat includes a hidden besom pocket — ideal for stashing spare keys or some cash when you're in a bind.

So, before you hit the courts, make sure to grab a melin for your melon! Check out the North Seas collection and gear up for your next game.

Shunned Pickleballers Fight Back

Back in May, we covered the story of four Vancouver area courts being shut down. Noise complaints from neighbors and alleged “bullying” from pickleball players led Mayor Peter Jones to close down the courts.

However, players from the North Saanich Pickleball Association (NSPA) are not taking “No” for an answer. Thanks to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the group was able to conduct a little investigative work.

“The FOI showed there was no bullying or harassment towards staff, mayor or council or the neighbors, there was actually reverse bullying or harassment from some of the neighbors,” according to association president Brad Watson.

NSPA is attempting to find a solution, including offering to foot part of the bill for sound mitigation barriers. Some have taken a more radical approach and “filed a petition for judicial review of the mayor’s motion to shutter the facility, claiming the municipality failed to follow its own procedural bylaw.”

Keep fighting the good fight. We’ll keep you posted.

Recover Like a Pro

Pickleball is no joke — just ask the pros. Long matches and intense training can leave even the fittest athletes feeling the strain. That’s why top players trust their recovery to tools like Theragun. It’s not just about playing hard; it’s about recovering smarter.

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For a limited time, snag your Theragun Prime with a sweet deal — use code DINK10 for 10% off, and you'll also receive a Prime Case for free. Now, that’s how you score both savings and smart recovery!

Stay on top of your game without the pain. Give the Theragun Prime a try and feel the difference in your post-game recovery.

PPA’s Maiden Voyage to Bristol, Tenn.

Bristol is most well-known for hosting NASCAR events at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway. Now the region is adding to its events calendar by hosting a PPA Tour event for the first time. It also has plans to host the most-attended MLB game in history next year.

Return of Royalty
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are back in the singles pool in Tennessee. They will look to return to double triple-crown status this week.

New Partnerships in Mixed
Anna Bright is also making her return in Tennessee. Bright and Christian Alshon will be a dangerous combo in the mixed field. We will also get a first look at a new Catherine Parenteau/Andrei Daescu partnership.

Can They Do It Again?
Federico Staksrud and Gabe Tardio won gold together last week in Kansas City. Can they make another title run in a loaded men’s doubles field?

Tune into the singles play starting tomorrow 11 am ET on PickleballTV and Grandstand Court on the PPA’s YouTube.

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