This drop should be a no-brainer

Selkirk's surprising $65k investment. Massive MLP trade made official.

February 12, 2025

Kids these days have it easy. Pickleball’s collegiate revolution has changed the game for current students.

Imagine a world where you play for your school’s pickleball team, and study pickleball science in class. That dream can now become a reality at Washington State University. More on the below.

In This Issue:

🔀 Crosscourt drop for the win
🔬 Selkirk funds pickleball research at Washington State University
👟 Zane Navratil lands multi-year shoe deal with emerging brand

Class is in session.

Our Picks ☝️

🌉 Celebrity Showdown: Celebrities and Athletes Take the Court

The SF pickleball community will get the chance to see some of their favorite celebrities, former athletes, and pickleball pros on the court together. Mario Lopez, Terrell Owens, Chris Mullin, and more will participate in the first Celebrity Pickleball Bash, Feb 15-16 in San Francisco.

🏢 Courts: Prudential Building Receives Pickleball Renovation

Meet me in the lobby. What would you do if two pickleball courts were inserted into your workplace? It’d be hard to make it to the elevators if you had to walk past these beauties every day.

🏓 Paddles: UPA-A Announces Approved Paddle List

The United Pickleball Association released their list of paddles that have received provisional approval. The current list already contains paddles from 26 different manufacturers and will be updated weekly.

🔀 Trade: Massive MLP Trade Confirmed

It’s official. The Phoenix Flames have acquired Tyson McGuffin, Meghan Dizon, and cash considerations from the Orlando Squeeze in exchange for Dylan Frazier and Lacy Schneeman.

Convincing Case for Dropping Cross-Court

John Cincola shared some third-shot drop fundamentals in a recent video. He makes a convincing case for why you should be sending your thirds cross-court.

More margin for error

Aiming cross-court allows more margin for error. The safe zone for landing a drop in the kitchen becomes much larger when aiming cross-court.

The net is lower in the middle

It may not seem like much, but the height of the net makes a huge difference in pickleball. In the middle of the court, the net hangs at 34 inches, and at the sidelines it is 36.

The extra height is the difference between a ball that clears the net and one that ends the point. Using the height difference to your advantage can give you the small edge needed to win a close match.

Less erne threat

One trap that beginners fall into is hitting the ball too close the sideline. It can work at lower levels but once the opposition learns to erne, it becomes off-limits.

A ball down the line is infinitely easier to erne than one hit cross-court.

Partner protection in transition

The last and most interesting reason is the concept of partner protection. Cincola explains how dropping cross-court helps get your partner involved in the point.

After hitting the third, you're likely to be deeper in the court than your partner. A smart opponent will try to target the deeper player with their fourth.

Because your partner has free reign, they have the opportunity to poach on that fourth ball.

This protects you while you’re on the move through the transition zone. A poach is also a great way to catch your opponent off guard and set yourself up to win the point. Revisit John Cincola’s third shot fundamentals.

Give the Gift of Project 008

Let's be honest, sometimes finding the perfect Valentine's Day gift can be a real dink. But fear not, pickleball players, because Selkirk LABS Project 008 is here to save the day.

This ain't your average paddle. It features a revolutionary PureFoam core that's built to last, so your partner can dominate the court for years to come.

Project 008 isn't just about power; it's about precision. The PureFoam core delivers a larger sweet spot, enhanced responsiveness, and the ability to generate some serious spin – perfect for impressing their opponents (and maybe you).

Choose from three shapes, including the all-new Tour, boasting the longest handle and paddle shape for maximum reach. Trust me, this gift will score higher than any box of chocolates.

Shop Project 008 now and show your Valentine you know what they really want: a paddle that will elevate their game (and your love life).

Zane Inks Multi-Year Shoe Deal with SQAIRZ

SQAIRZ, a brand known for footwear in golf and baseball, is now stepping onto the pickleball court—and they’re doing it with one of the sport’s most opinionated and dynamic pros, Zane Navratil (no favoritism here at all).

Zane has signed a multi-year deal with SQAIRZ and launched the XRZ™, a new shoe built specifically for the quick pivots and lateral lunges of pickleball. SQAIRZ has already proven its ability to optimize traction and foot mechanics in other sports, so this partnership marks an exciting debut in the world of pickleball.

Navratil, never one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, played a pivotal role in refining the XRZ™. He highlighted features like the wide toe box, which allows for better toe grip, and the 'teeth' on the shoe's exterior, providing added stability during lateral movements. With this collaboration, both Navratil and SQAIRZ aim to elevate the game for players at all levels.

Take a look at the new XRZ™ shoes and how they’re changing the game.

🤔 Newsletter getting clipped? Click ‘view entire message’ or click here to read online

Selkirk Funds $65k of Paddle Research Where?

Big news for pickleball nerds and weekend warriors alike—Selkirk just threw down a $65K grant to fund Washington State University’s deep dive into the science of the game. We’re talking paddle tech, ball physics, and player biomechanics getting the full lab-coat treatment. The goal? To crack the code on what makes a shot nastier, a paddle pop harder, and players more dominant.

One specific avenue the group will focus on is adding weight to a paddle. Lloyd Smith, the Director of the Sports Science Lab, noted, “Nobody has quantified the effect of weight on performance. I think we will find that adding that weight is a hack around their standard.”

If you’re a student at WSU, it’s time to change majors. The team will be conducting research in controlled laboratory settings and ‘out in the field’ with human players.

As far as we can tell, there’s no better way to dink your way to a PhD.

Let Nike Complete Your Pickleball Look

Okay, so you've got the paddle locked in. Now it's time to focus on your courtside style. Enter Nike.

Forget boring uniforms. Nike brought the heat with a killer collection of pickleball apparel. We're talking sharp polos, stylish skirts, and accessories that'll make you the envy of the court.

But it's not just about looking good. Nike gear is designed to move with you, keeping you comfortable and confident on the court.

So ditch the drab and step onto the court in style. Nike's got you covered.

“Can You Stop Body Bagging Australians?”

Zane went down under to compete in the first-ever PPA Australia Open. While on-site he sat down with PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe, and Australian pickleballers Joey Wild, Roos Van Reek, and Pickleball Australia Executive Officer Brendan Lee.

Hear how the country embraces pickleball from coast to coast including at the tennis Grand Slam, the Australian Open. Watch the new episode here.

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