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How to win points in tight spaces

How to win points in tight spaces

Yes, you DO need to warm up.

July 17, 2023

In 1976, Tennis Magazine wrote an article about “America’s newest racquet sport,” which to our knowledge was the first major news article about pickleball.

Yet, within the last year, I think I’ve seen that headline approximately…*crunches numbers*…4,600 times.

We’re not saying The Media needs to be more original. We’re saying they need a time machine.

In This Issue:

🧠 Opening up your dink options
🧘Yes, you DO need to warm up
🎾 King of the Court on MLP Draft

Let’s move.

PPA Denver Open Results

Kitchen Renovations

Higher levels of pickleball are all about creating a small advantage in a tight space. You need to find a way to get your opponent off balance or catch them moving.

This can be hard to do on such a small court. That's why the best depend on precise dinking to create an advantage. One drill you can use to improve your dink game is the Z Drill.

Zane Navratil outlines the Z Drill in a new video here.

One partner sends their dinks straight ahead and the other partner dinks at an angle.
This moves the ball in a Z-shaped pattern.
The pattern alternates forehands and backhands for each player and covers a variety of shots you will see at the kitchen.

The key is to practice being aggressive with a target. Get reps in where you are trying to win the point with your dinking. You're going to need it.

Be sure to switch roles with your partner. By the end of the drill, the small kitchen space should feel large. There should be a variety of shots you can hit straight ahead or at an angle, varying pace, and spin.

For more kitchen line strategies, check out 81 dinking combinations to win at pickleball.

Pickleball Apparel Reinvented

Dilly Life is redefining the pickleball apparel game, offering you a range of styles that not only look amazing but also deliver exceptional functionality.

Their apparel is crafted with high-quality, moisture-wicking materials that keep you dry and comfortable, even during intense matches. With built-in UV protection, you can confidently take on the sun while staying cool and protected.

Take advantage of their exclusive offer: Get 20% off your first order with the code DINK20, and enjoy free shipping on orders over $75. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your pickleball experience with Dilly Life!

Lonely at the Top

Championship Sunday welcomed a number of new challengers but none of them could unseat the champs. In fact, only one game was surrendered by Ben Johns or Anna Leigh Waters on their way to triple crowns on Sunday.

It went to the new duo, Lacy Schneemann and Vivienne David, who surprised the women's doubles field. We highlighted two pairs on Wednesday and David/Schneemann defeated them both on their way to the final.

Pablo Tellez and Federico Staksrud reached another Championship Sunday and continue to build their reputation. They were no match for the Johns brothers who disassembled them 11-7, 11-4, 11-4.

New duo Callan Dawson/Hayden Patriquin had one of the best bouts with the bros on Saturday and stole the bronze medal.

Irina Tereschenko pushed ALW in game one but could not prevent Waters from winning her 5th straight triple crown.
Christian Alshon's Championship Sunday debut came up flat. Johns was clearly determined to not drop another match to the newcomer.

A number of pros will make the trip to Grand Rapids for the Beer City Open this week. As for the PPA, they’ll head to Washington for the first-ever Seattle Open.

Tales from the Court, Part 4

This unusual pickleball experience comes to us from Micah M. Send in your own interesting pickleball stories here.

I’m a 26 year old, athletic guy who’s been playing pickleball for about 2 years. I usually try to stretch before playing, but this one time I arrived at the court I barely had time to put my shoes on before they ushered me into a game.

I was in front of the server at the kitchen line (left side) and my partner had returned a serve but stayed back, which created an opening. I knew they’d drive the ball to him, so I came in with a poach to catch them off guard.

The ball was just at the end of my reach, I swung out to volley and just felt my shoulder pop out. I had never dislocated my shoulder previously but I knew it had happened. I’ll be out of commission for months at least, and possibly need surgery.

The point thankfully ended soon after I dislocated my shoulder, in the same motion that I was swinging my arm out and it popped out of its socket. I somehow managed to finish the swing and volley the ball at the opponents feet that had rushed up.

One of my opponents, whom I had never met before, was kind enough to help me grab my stuff, put it away in my car, and drive me to an urgent care.

Make sure to stretch guys! At least I got the point though.😂

What You Don’t Want to Hear, But Should

(Cred: Paseo Club Valencia)

About that story above…

Pickleball culture needs to evolve such that players of all ages and ability levels start warming up, even before rec games.

Our wager: at least 60% of you don’t warmup before a rec or competitive game. Let’s see if we’re correct.

Do you warm up before most games? Be honest

We don’t mean to sound like the lame Phys Ed teacher from middle school, but as you can see, injury can happen to anybody.

The point is that you should want to warm up, anyway, if not for the safety benefits than for any of the following reasons:

A dynamic warm-up elevates our heart rate and core temperature, directing oxygen-rich blood to our muscles so we are able to perform explosive movements.
Warming up increases the excitability of the nervous system by improving the mobility of the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine, which all aid in performance.
A dynamic warm-up can improve performance by 79%.

So, yes, you DO need to warm up. Read more about the why and how here.

Easy, Safe, Fun: Lectric

Forget the hassle of finding parking at pickleball courts.

The XP Lite is a unique eBike with easy maneuverability, a twist grip throttle option, a basket to hold your things, and five levels of pedal assist.

Learn more about this fun transportation option here.

“This Will Probably Get Me In Trouble”

It’s a special edition of PicklePod from the Morning Brew podcast studio in Manhattan. The King of the Court crew joins the pod to dissect the eventful MLP draft. The guys cover who won the draft, who lost the draft and who was left out in the cold.

Watch here or listen here.