UPA-A takes next step in paddle testing

Giving up an ATP isn't always a bad thing. Preview the Selkirk Kansas City Open.

August 07, 2024

Imagine seeing this sign at your local courts.

Some might be offended, but you’ve got to love any attempt to get equally skilled players on the court together.

This rule leaves a little wiggle room with players needing to lose more than one game before demotion, but it still allows players to get their chance to play at a higher level.

Skill-based separation helps create more competitive games. The downside is that it also creates a bottleneck at lower-level courts. However, this solution allows for fluctuation based on the skill level of players at the park at any given time.

In This Issue:

👊 Permission granted to give up more ATPs
📋 UPA-A introduces Interim Certification Program
🍗 The PPA Tour returns to action in KC

Happy (early) National Pickleball Day!

Start Giving Up More ATPs

ATPs rock, plain and simple. Going around the post is an instant highlight-reel shot and leaves newcomers stunned and asking, “Wait, is that even legal?”

Sadly there are not enough ATPs in the wild. At the intermediate level, there seems to be a fear of giving up an ATP like it carries more weight than any other point. News flash, it doesn't.

Fear of giving up an ATP should not prevent you from using the full width of the court. You need to get your opponent moving side to side and the only way to do that is to use the whole court.

We’re not saying to give them cupcake balls out wide to allow for an easy winner, just that you should make them earn it. Make them prove they can hit one before completely shying away.

Particularly against the left-side player:

  • A backhand ATP is probably twice as hard as a forehand ATP

  • There is a huge benefit to getting them (and their forehand) out of the middle of the court and out wide

  • Combine a middle dink followed by a dink out wide to get them moving and open up the middle of the court

Giving up one or two ATPs will not kill you and getting reps defending them is difficult to recreate while drilling.

Zane Navratil would argue that you should miss more serves to ensure you’re pushing your limits. We’d argue you can apply the same logic to dinking out wide.

Add a Splash of Color to Your Game

If you haven’t checked out Selkirk’s AMPED Pro Air series yet, you’re missing out. Born from the innovative Selkirk Labs Project 005, the AMPED Pro Air steps up with some serious upgrades tailored for top-notch performance.

It features a new open throat design that’s all about extending dwell time on the paddle. Add to that a FiberFlex+ fiberglass face and a thick 16mm honeycomb core, and you've got a paddle that delivers a killer combo of power and finesse. And for those of you looking to extend your reach without losing control, the Invikta shape is the way to go.

So, if you’re in the market for a paddle that hits just right and looks sharp while doing it, give the Selkirk AMPED Pro Air a swing.

Interim Paddle Performance Limits Established by the UPA-A

Back in May, the United Pickleball Association announced the formation of its own governing body, the UPA of America (UPA-A). The UPA-A removed the need to rely on USA Pickleball and would establish its own rulebook, paddle regulations, and sanctioned events.

Yesterday, the UPA-A released the guidelines for its Interim Certification Program. The program establishes an upper limit for both the Acceptable Deflection Force (46) and maximum RPM threshold (2200) that must be sustained throughout the life of a paddle.

This evolution provides regulation based on the performance of the paddle as a whole, rather than just materials-based regulation. Based on data from The Pickleball Studio, we don’t expect many paddles to exceed the RPM threshold. The bigger unknown is how deflection will impact testing.

More information is expected to be released in September.

PPA Tour Returns to Action in KC

It’s been over a month since the last PPA Tour stop at the end of June. The tour makes its return on the heels of MLP Kansas City and will piggyback the event at the same venue — Elite Tennis and Wellness.

Singled Out
The tour’s top billing will sit out singles in Kansas City. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are both in Aspen for the Pickle N’ Pucks event but will return for doubles on Friday.

This leaves the door open for Catherine Parenteau to potentially snag her first singles title of the year.

Speaking of firsts, Jack Sock will also aim to win his first pickleball singles title on his old tennis stomping grounds. Sock will partner with NY Hustlers teammate Lea Jansen in mixed and Collin Shick in men’s.

Mixed Doubles Recipe
Two new teams will try to crack the Ben/ALW code this week. Look out for Etta Wright/Christian Alshon and Catherine Parenteau/Federico Staksrud to shake the status quo.

Return of Daescu
After serving a 60-day suspension and paying a $50K fine, Andrei Daescu returns to the PPA Tour. Daescu will partner with Meghan Dizon in mixed and reunite with fellow Austin Open Champion - Matt Wright - in men’s.

Get all the details on this week’s PPA Tour event from our resident pro pickleball guru Erik Tice, who has a comprehensive preview with predictions.

Hydration That Hits Different

When it comes to hydration, let’s face it – we all could use a little H2Oomph. That’s where GOODONYA Organic Hydration comes to play.

It was created by Olympic athlete-turned-pickleballer Kris Buchanan, who was searching for an alternative to high-sugar sports drinks on the market and found the solution in six simple ingredients, derived straight from nature.

GOODONYA is crafted with vital minerals and electrolytes that help your body operate optimally, and packs a punch with just 1g of sugar and a light lemonade flavor that’ll transport you back to nostalgic lemonade stand days. It’s the perfect addition for anyone looking to up their hydration game, while still being mindful of what they’re consuming.

It’s simple. Add H2O, and you’re G2G.

Hydrate the right way. Enjoy 20% off your first purchase with code THEDINK20.

A Dividing Line Forms in MLP Premier Level

The results of MLP Kansas City were somewhat overshadowed by the ‘leaked’ document detailing Collin Johns’ grievances with MLP.

Play concluded Monday with four Premier Level matches. The D.C. Pickleball Team racked up two regulation wins to stay firmly in the playoff picture.

The separation between the top six and bottom six teams got wider over the weekend. The difference in points per game from first through sixth is 0.28 ppm. While the difference between sixth and seventh place is 0.66 ppm.

At the Challenger Level, the SoCal Hard Eights have caught fire since adding Yana Newell during the first waiver period. The Eights went a combined 7-0 in Salt Lake City and Kansas City.

On the flip side is the Bay Area Breakers. After starting the year in first place, the Breakers reconstructed their whole team and have gone 1-6 over the last two events.

We have reached the halfway point in the MLP season with four regular season events left on the calendar. Next up is the Big Apple, NYC, where we are expecting an exciting announcement on the venue selection.

MLP New York City will take place Sept 19-22 with MLP Virginia Beach to take place the following weekend.

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