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Happy Halloween, Dink Fam. Hopefully, you received more treats than tricks last night.

Shout out to any house that passed out pickleballs or full-sized candy bars.

Now that we’ve reached November, it’s time to get down to business. For many players, the year’s worth of hard work comes down to a few key November events.

• DUPR Collegiate National Championships Nov 1-3

• Major League Pickleball Playoffs Nov 1-3, 22-24

• UPA Lapiplasty World Championships Nov 4-10

• 2024 BIOFREEZE USA Pickleball National Championships Nov 9-17

Due to a unique circumstance, one player will play in three out of four events. Jack Munro is a member of an MLP team, the Chicago Slice, and a college team, the University of Texas.

Thanks to the Slice earning a bye, Munro is freed up to represent Texas at the DUPR Collegiate National Championships before playing in the MLP playoffs and Nationals. Talk about a busy month for one of the game’s youngest veterans.

In This Issue:

🔓 Less wrist = more consistency
🗳️ Who ya got in the MLP Playoffs
🗓️ The longest-running pickleball tournament?

It’s the first of the month.

Our Picks ☝️

🧙 Imitation: Dress Like a Pro, Play Like a Pro

Last year, it was all about the McGuffin Mullet. This year, the James Ignato-WITCHES ruled the court.

🎃 Photo: Lucy Kovalova Wins the Costume Contest

Pickleball may not be in the Olympics, but that didn’t stop pro pickleballer Lucy Kovalova from dressing as Olympic standout breakdancer RayGun from Team Australia for trick-or-treating.

🎥 Video: A Tennis Player’s Worst Nightmare

It’s a horror movie like you’ve never seen. This is what is keeping tennis players up at night.

🎙️Podcast: Dave Fleming’s New Catchphrase

Dave Fleming’s been dubbed ‘The Voice of Pickleball’ for calling some of the game’s biggest matches. His catchphrases have warranted their own drinking game and bingo card. On next week’s PicklePod, we add a few more to the catalog.

Ben Johns Explains the Mistake KILLING Your Game

Ben Johns is known for making the impossible possible on the pickleball court. But what might be more impressive is his consistency in maintaining his status at the top of the game month after month.

On the PicklePod, Johns identified a major mistake that is detrimental to the consistency of amateur players: trying to control or add to your shot with wrist movement.

Johns explains, “Your wrist is a hinge that is entirely for controlling the direction of the ball. You should not be moving it as you're hitting. There are some exceptions that rule, but the general rule, especially for amateurs, is to lock your wrist out.”

• Johns explains that any minor movement in the wrist will significantly affect the direction the ball travels. For most amateurs, that level of fine-tuning creates more errors than winners.

• He also adds that the wrist hinging doesn’t add significant power to your shot. It has a huge impact in sports like badminton, but it is not worth the increased risk in pickleball.

Remember, it’s all about consistency and being able to repeat and rely on your shots. Sure, you might add that highlight shot 1/10 times, but that’s not going to turn into consistent wins.

Or as Johns says, “If you use this (your wrist) as you're hitting, sure, you can hit a sick shot occasionally, but it's very hard to time that. And it's just not strong at all.“ But don’t take our word for it; hear it directly from the GOAT.

Keep Your Gear and Treats in Check

Still snacking on Halloween candy? Stow it alongside your pickleball gear in the Selkirk Pro Line Tour Bag.

This bag doesn’t just carry; it organizes and protects with specialized compartments for every necessity—paddles, shoes, tech, and yes, even your snacks.

Its robust design and sleek look make it a top pick for players who take their gear (and post-game treats) seriously.

Which Ball is the Standard for your Crew?

We asked, and you answered. With all of the new pickleballs flooding the market, what is everyone pulling out of the bags at your court?

The Franklin X-40 received an overwhelming majority of the votes and still seems to be the go-to among recreational players.

Many voters weighed in that temperature is a major contributor to their ball choice.

• “The Franklin seems to be the most common but the Selkirk and Vulcan are both harder and more fun to play with. The Dura has gone the way of the Dodo! It all comes down to outside temperatures and what plays best. Harder balls on warmer days, softer ball on cooler/cold days.”

• “We cracked 4 balls yesterday morning, temperature around 50 degrees, the Selkirk S1 was the only ball to hold up.”

Just like with paddles, the right ball comes down to personal preference. If you want a fast game, there are options for you. If you prefer something a little slower where drives and aggressive play are less effective, then a different ball can control for that.

Whichever ball you choose, make sure your pickleball bag is stocked (use code: 10DINK). Don’t be the guy who leaves the court with more balls than they arrived with.

Major League Pickleball Bracketology

The MLP Playoffs start today in Dallas. As a reminder, each round of the playoffs is a best-of-three series between the two teams. This weekend you’ll see:

Premier Level Quarterfinals
(3) Dallas Flash vs (6) NY Hustlers
(4) D.C. Pickleball Team vs (5) Texas Ranchers

Challenger Level Quarterfinals
(3) Miami Pickleball Club vs (6) Frisco Pandas
(4)Atlanta Bouncers vs (5) Las Vegas Night Owls

The top seeds have byes through the quarterfinals and directly into the semis. Will that time off hurt them in the long run? Will they be rested or rusty heading into Championship Weekend in late November?

We want to know who you predict to win it all:

The first match starts today at 1 pm ET on Pickleball TV. Don’t miss a special ESPN 2 broadcast of the Dallas Flash vs. New York Hustlers at 5 pm ET. Find your complete guide to the MLP playoffs, including predictions for each round from our guy Erik Tice, here.

Up Your Game with Remote Coaching

Get coached by top pros no matter where you live. Bounce is giving 15 players a FREE remote lesson with the coach of your choice!

• Connect with Top Coaches: Choose from our roster of experienced pickleball and tennis coaches

• Improve Your Skills: Get personalized feedback and tips tailored to your game

• Learn Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility of remote coaching from the comfort of your home

Check out all the coaches offering remote pickleball and tennis lessons.

The 40th Annual ‘Vlasic Classic’

This year marks the 40th anniversary of a unique tradition: a group of friends who gather annually for their own pickleball tournament, the Vlasic Classic.

There’s no big prize for the winners, no TV cameras, and no fans in attendance. It’s simply a group of friends who set aside one day each year to prioritize pickleball and uphold the bond they’ve built together.

Held just outside Seattle, the tournament happens every year without fail. No matter what’s going on in their lives, they all make the effort to return for the event.

Keeping friendships intact through life’s transitions isn’t always easy. Over the years, they’ve witnessed marriages, children, career changes, and more.

While some friends plan golf trips, group vacations, or holiday gatherings to stay connected, for these friends, their annual pickleball tournament—and the shared competitive spirit—is the glue in their decades-long friendship.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• Dink Minor League Pickleball to Offer Largest Prize Pool in DUPR 22 History at National Championship

• The Most Overlooked Shot in Pickleball: The Fourth Shot

• DUPR College National Championships Set To Break Records with $30k In Scholarship Prize Money

• ICYMI: The Key to Hitting a Perfect Around the Post (ATP)

Highlights

• Tennis fans’ biggest nightmare 😱

• A spin move into the perfect lob 🤯

Miss a recent issue? We've got you covered

• What's the best paddle shape?

• The stats you need to win at every level

• Which ball do YOU use?

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