Today: Woman loses husband to pickleball

MLP invades New York City. Dinking isn't dead yet.

September 18, 2024

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In This Issue:

🎣 Dinking isn’t dead yet
🏆 City considering a ban on private pickleball courts
🗽 MLP takes NYC

Be a friend, tell a friend.

Our Picks ☝️

📈 Statistic: $350 million spent to cover pickleball injuries

In 2023, $350 million was spent to treat injuries related to pickleball. Here are the most common injuries that affect pickleball players aged 50 and older:

  • Strains and sprains: These account for 33.2% of pickleball-related injuries in seniors

  • Fractures: 28.1% of injuries are fractures

  • Contusions and abrasions: These make up 10.6% of injuries in older players

  • Wrist injuries: Particularly common in older female players, who are nine times more likely to suffer a wrist fracture than male players

🏙️ Exhibition: Brooklyn Aces vs New Jersey 5s

To kick off MLP week in NYC, two of the local teams will face off in an exhibition match. You can see Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, and more in action at LifeTime at Penn 1 later today.

🇺🇸 Play: Pickleball Returns to the National Mall

This unique pop-up pickleball event returns to Washinton D.C. Sept 27-29. Your chance to reserve a court opens today, Sept 18 at noon ET. Gather your pickleball crew and create a memory you won’t soon forget.

🎙️Teaser: Gary Vee Joins the PicklePod

We couldn’t be more excited to welcome world-renowned entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk to the PicklePod. Gary Vee is the owner of the New Jersey 5s and an early adopter of the game of pickleball. Check out the episode we shot with him in 2022 and keep an eye out for the new episode coming soon.

Dinking Isn’t Dead Yet

Mark Twain said, “The Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

The same could be said about dinking in pickleball because if you were to watch any 4.0-5.0-level rec game, you’d think dinking is dead. However, analytics show dinks are still the most common shot hit in games.

So, while dinking might be less popular than it was a few years ago, they’re still a massive part of the games we play daily.

In this Up Your Game, we’re drawing on the teachings from Selkirk-sponsored Jordan Briones to learn how to hit better slice and topspin dinks and when to use each.

What is a Slice Dink?
A slice shot creates backspin by coming underneath the ball. This technique helps keep the ball low after crossing the net, making it tough for your opponent to respond with an offensive shot.

To execute a slice dink:

  • Footwork is key: Shuffle your feet and aim to make contact with the ball between your knees and hips.

  • Start level with the ball: Avoid chopping down; swing across from your shoulder at thigh level.

  • Keep your wrist stable: Too much wrist movement creates inconsistency. Use your shoulder for control.

What is a Topspin Dink?
Topspin, in contrast, involves brushing up on the ball, causing it to dip quickly after clearing the net. This shot is great for offense, especially when you're in a strong position.

To execute a topspin dink:

  • Footwork first: Position your feet before thinking about your paddle.

  • Drop the paddle low: The topspin begins with the paddle low, and if using a two-handed backhand requires more non-dominant hand control.

  • Brush up the ball: Finish your swing near your ear, like you’re making a phone call.

When to Use Each

  • Use a slice when you receive a fast, low ball or want to slow down the game.

  • Use topspin when in an offensive position, especially if the ball is higher or your opponent is off-balance.

Mastering both shots allows you to adapt to different situations and can make you a more well-rounded pickleball player.

90 Percent of Pickleball Injuries Happen to Players Over 50

Pickleball is a fantastic way to stay active, but as the sport grows, so do the number of injuries—especially for players over 50. In fact, 90% of pickleball-related injuries affect players aged 50 and older, with strains, sprains, and fractures topping the list. While staying fit is important, protecting your health is just as crucial.

Wearing proper shoes, warming up before games, and staying hydrated can help prevent injury. And remember, it’s better to take a break than push through pain. But even with all the right precautions, accidents can happen.

Make sure you’re covered in case something goes wrong on the court. It’s always better to be prepared so you can focus on what you love—playing the game and staying healthy.

Emerge helps your peace of mind off the court, so you can concentrate on your performance while on it.

City Considers Ban on Private Pickleball Courts

The Bay Area city of Ross, CA is considering a ban on private pickleball courts for its residents. Um, excuse me, isn’t this America?

The Town Council heard a presentation from the staff at its meeting last week about implementing the pickleball court regulations because of home courts and the potential noise disturbances they create.

“The council was very close to banning it,” said Council member Mathew Salter.

While an outright ban seems over the top, certain considerations would be understandable. Noise is obviously a problem as we’ve mentioned previously. Perhaps a regulated distance from any neighboring houses would mitigate the noise issue while still allowing players the experience the home court dream.

Major League Pickleball Invades the Big Apple

It’s MLP week in NYC and pickleball is taking over the city. Twelve teams made the trip to New York to compete at the iconic City Pickle courts in Central Park.

Matches begin on Thursday but multiple teams are using the time together to do a little team bonding and win over the NY crowd.

  • The Brooklyn Aces hosted Pickle in the Street last night at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 2

  • Jack Sock and the NY Hustlers have a meet & greet scheduled for today at the Hugo Boss Store at 10 Columbus Circle

  • The Brooklyn Aces vs. New Jersey 5s exhibition match will start at 5 pm ET today at LifeTime at Penn 1

But that’s not all. At noon ET today, MLP is giving a new meaning to watching the ball drop in Times Square. Together with Vulcan, they’re giving away 1000 Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT balls to create “The Largest Ball Drop in Times Square.”

MLP has also secured a number of digital billboards throughout Manhattan to showcase players and highlights from the event.

The first of thirty matches starts tomorrow at 10 am ET between the NY Hustlers and the Carolina Pickleball Club. Find the full schedule and more event details here.

Control the Court

Have you guys tried the Energy Series paddles from Pickleball Apes yet?

These aren't just any paddles; they introduced raw aramid fiber to the pickleball world, offering a sturdy alternative to traditional carbon fiber.

What's to love about the Energy Series? It's all about finding that sweet spot between control and power. The unique aramid fiber surface boosts your ball's spin and speed.

What makes the Energy Series truly special is not just its performance, but the confidence it instills in players. With accolades from numerous paddle reviewers and a hassle-free 30-day return policy, choosing an Energy Series paddle means you're gearing up for success.

Pickleball Widows: The One Who’s Left Behind

Today.com published an all-too-true account of one woman’s experience becoming a “Pickleball Widow.” To be clear her partner has not passed, she lost him to his new obsession, pickleball.

As empty nesters, she expected to spend a lot more time 1-on-1 with her husband but he was spending more and more time at the courts.

  • New paddles, new shoes, and all sorts of bad pickleball pun merch started showing up at the house

  • He started playing at all times of the day, from open play, to leagues, and eventually tournaments, the obsession was growing

  • Finally, she decided to try the game for herself but decided it was not for her

Her situation is extremely common and is something that is happening all over the country. Most pickleball players will play for hours a day, every day, if you let them. Often that leaves a spouse or significant other at home, alone, again and again.

Luckily her perspective on the situation is a positive one. She appreciates his passion for the game and recognizes the benefits to his health including a desire to eat healthy and exercise, even if it is strictly to be a better player.

Whether you’re the “Widow” or the “Decedent”, pass this one along to your counterpart for a little perspective from both sides of the coin.

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