Empower Pickleball Empower Pickleball celebrates every player with inspiring stories, helpful tips, and a welcoming community. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:41:48 +0000 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:44:33 +0000 2026-08-11T17:44:33Z 2026-08-13T04:41:48Z Sports News Copyright 2026, Empower Pickleball https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/publication/logo/d05f2a4c-48d9-4af2-b864-0c53ef39e7a0/EMPWR-ProfilePhoto.jpg Empower Pickleball https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/ https://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification beehiiv en-us support@beehiiv.com (Beehiiv Support) Not All Pickleballs Play the Same The one skill you didn't know needed training. Who's been eliminated from the MLP Playoffs? https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/not-all-pickleballs-play-the-same https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/not-all-pickleballs-play-the-same Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:44:33 +0000 2026-08-11T17:44:33Z Empower Pickleball

"This stupid thing" that's "killing" old people and keeping doctors "in heaven"? Charles Barkley's take on pickleball dropped this week on George Kittle's podcast. Let’s stick to basketball, Chuck.

Kittle didn't defend the sport either, flatly saying he's never stepping on a court. Sir Charles clearly hasn't seen a 4.5 bracket. Read the full rant.

Inside:

  • The favorites survive Dallas, playoffs head to Newport Beach

  • The simple rule for who takes the middle ball

  • Learn what “skited” means and why waiting for confidence is holding you back

🏆 The Favorites Flexed Their Way Through Dallas

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball

Round 1 wrapped in Dallas this weekend, and every single series ended in a clean 2-0 sweep, with the higher seed advancing every time. Brooklyn survived an all-time DreamBreaker classic against SoCal (down to a 24-22 nail-biter) to move on, while Dallas, Palm Beach, and Texas all handled their business too.

  • Eliminated: SoCal Hard Eights, Las Vegas Night Owls, Chicago Slice, and Atlanta Bouncers, all done for the season

  • Advancing: Brooklyn, Dallas, Palm Beach, and Texas join bye teams New Jersey, St. Louis, LA, and Columbus in the Quarterfinals

Newport Beach hosts the next round this coming weekend, August 14-16, when the top seeds draft their opponents from the group that just survived Dallas.

👉 See who the No. 1 seeds pick, and the full Quarterfinal schedule.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 What it’s really like building a career in pickleball
⏰ Your time to add the two-hander
🧠 The three mistakes ruining your drive
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Simple Rule for Who Takes the Middle Ball

Photo credit: APP

Nothing kills a doubles point faster than both partners freezing on a ball down the middle. Turns out there's a clear pecking order advanced teams follow, and it has nothing to do with who's closer.

  • Forehand beats backhand, every time, even if it means crossing into your partner's side

  • The stronger player leans in on balls that sit up or invite an attack

  • Whoever's already moving forward takes it, no reaching across a partner who’s already set

None of it works without calling it out loud, and that's the one habit that separates teams that rarely collide from the ones that do.

👉 Get the full decision order, plus how stacking makes it automatic.

⚡️ This Pain Cream Goes Beyond the Surface

Most pain creams sit on top of the skin, which can mean short-lived, surface-level relief. NanoXtreme takes a different approach. Its Nano Delivery System shrinks its ingredients to the nanoscale, helping them move through the skin’s layers and get closer to the source of joint, nerve, muscle, and inflammation-related discomfort.

Made in the USA with 19 natural ingredients, NanoXtreme is designed for the soreness that can linger after a long day on the court. Its formula offers 10x better absorption than the leading competitor—and every purchase is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.

👉 Try NanoXtreme and use code EMPOWER15 to save 15% on your order.

 🤷 Which Pickleball Ball Should You Actually Be Playing With?

Not all pickleballs play the same, and 2026 has brought a wave of changes to which ball shows up where. The Life Time LT Pro 48 is now the official ball of both the PPA Tour and MLP, while DUPR is switching from the Vulcan VPRO Flight to the JOOLA HC-40 on September 1.

  • Franklin X-40 stays the go-to for rec play and mixed-level groups, thanks to a softer, more forgiving feel (Use code EMPOWER10 at checkout)

  • Selkirk Pro S1 is the pick for cold weather, backed by a one-year no-crack warranty

  • GAMMA Photon Indoor is built specifically for gym floors, not acrylic hard courts

If you're prepping for a tournament, the ball you practice with matters more than you think.

👉 See which ball matches your court, conditions, and level.

💪 The Word Every Pickleball Player Needs to Learn: Skited

Scared and excited at the same time—that's skited. And it's exactly what you feel before playing up, entering a tournament, or finally trying the shot you've drilled a hundred times but never trusted in a real match. Most players wait for that feeling to pass before taking the leap. It never does, and waiting for it is what keeps your game stuck.

  • Courage is a skill, not a trait, built through reps, not one big brave moment

  • Confidence comes after action, not before it

One year from now, the only question that matters is whether you’ve built evidence or excuses.

👉 Coach Dotti teaches how to train courage like any other pickleball skill.

🏐 How One Guy's Volleyball Courts Turned Into Charlotte's Pickleball Hub

Allan Haseley didn't set out to build a pickleball empire. He just had 20 empty volleyball courts and a wife who came home raving about a beginner clinic. A few temporary nets and some taped lines later, that side project became Pickleball Charlotte, now 60+ courts across five locations.

  • His answer to what he's proudest of isn't the courts: it's "FRIENDSHIPS"

  • Even a North Carolina Tennis Hall of Famer switched sports after noticing how much more people laughed on the pickleball courts

  • His advice to nervous beginners: "It is just pickleball, y'all"

Fun, friends, fitness: that's the whole philosophy.

👉 Read the full story behind Pickleball Charlotte.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Are Opponents Targeting You on Purpose? Plus: National Pickleball Day, foot fatigue, new rankings, and more. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-opponents-targeting-you-on-purpose https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-opponents-targeting-you-on-purpose Thu, 06 Aug 2026 17:30:56 +0000 2026-08-06T17:30:56Z Empower Pickleball

How lucky are we that National Pickleball Day falls on a Saturday this year? Perfect timing.

Did you know a woman created it? Deirdre “Dee” Morris launched National Pickleball Day to bring more awareness to the sport and encourage players to give back through clinics, community events, fundraisers, and more.

Speaking of women making an impact on pickleball, we’ll be cheering on 99% Pickleball co-host Mari Humberg and the Atlanta Bouncers as they head into the MLP playoffs this weekend.

However you celebrate on Saturday—whether that’s getting out on the courts, introducing someone new to the game, volunteering, or supporting your local pickleball community—I hope you get a chance to be part of it.

But before then, here are a few stories to get you there.

TIPS & TRICKS

Why Women Get Targeted in Mixed Doubles

Photo by Major League Pickleball

If you play mixed doubles, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: the woman gets more balls. Drives come her way, speed-ups are directed at her, and opponents keep applying pressure until something changes.

According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, it’s usually a tournament strategy rather than a reflection of who the better player is. The key is expecting the extra pressure, staying composed, and using positioning, resets, and well-timed aggression to make targeting you a whole lot less effective.

💡 Why It Matters: Getting targeted can quickly become frustrating, which is exactly what your opponents want. Learning how to handle the extra balls without letting them affect your decision-making can turn their strategy against them.

👉 Learn how to handle being targeted in mixed doubles.

GEAR

The Best Pickleball Bottoms (According to Women Who Actually Play)

Every female pickleball player has been there. Shorts that ride up. Skorts with fake pockets. The awkward search for somewhere to stash an extra ball. And yes… “Chubby Rubby.”

From skorts and shorts to leggings and joggers, the right bottoms can help you stay comfortable, move freely, and stop thinking about your outfit between points.

💡 Why It Matters: When you’re comfortable on the court, it’s easier to focus on your footwork, your strategy, and the next point—not adjusting your clothes.

👉 Find the best pickleball bottoms for your playing style.

GEAR

Your Tired Legs Might Start With Your Feet

When you start slowing down after several games, it’s easy to blame your legs or conditioning. But every sprint, split step, pivot, and recovery starts at your feet, and as they fatigue, your movement can begin changing before you even realize it.

Foot fatigue can mean a slower first step, less stability during lateral movement, and poorer balance late in a session. Zelus Insoles are designed specifically for court sports to provide additional arch support and impact cushioning inside your shoes, helping reduce some of that unnecessary fatigue.

💡 Why It Matters: Small changes in balance and quickness can add up over a long day of pickleball. Giving your feet better support can help you maintain more consistent movement from your first game to your last.

👉 See what could be causing you to slow down late in games.

COMMUNITY

When a Pickleball Group Chat Became a Lifeline

What started as a simple WhatsApp group to organize pickleball games in Altadena, California, took on a different purpose after the Eaton Fire in 2025. As neighbors evacuated, players began sharing updates, offering places to stay, replacing essentials, and checking on one another. That same community eventually grew into the nation’s largest survivor-led wildfire recovery network.

Today, Joy Chen and the Every Fire Survivor’s Network continue that mission through Rally for Recovery, a pickleball event that brings survivors together for a day of connection, laughter, and support.

💡 Why It Matters: Pickleball communities are built one game at a time. Sometimes, those friendships end up being there for something much bigger than the sport.

👉 Read how a pickleball group chat became a lifeline for thousands.

Recovery Isn’t Just Physical

After a long day on the pickleball court, most of us think about recovery in terms of hydration, stretching, and rest. But sometimes the best thing you can do is slow your mind down, too.

Founded by former anesthesiologist Dr. Liz Lehman, Aluminate Life creates doctor-developed, crystal-infused aromatherapy designed to support moments of focus, calm, sleep, energy, release, and more. Whether you’re winding down after a tournament or simply trying to leave the day behind, it’s an easy addition to your recovery routine.

Each product is hand-poured in the USA, vegan, cruelty-free, and made without phthalates or parabens.

👉 Shop the Signature Collection and save 25% with code PICKLE25.

  • Mother-Daughter Duo Builds 20-Court Pickleball Club 👩‍👧 Olympic silver medalist and Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder teamed up with her daughter, Sierra Keeler, to create Pickle at the Palms, a new 20-court indoor pickleball club opening this month in Seattle.

  • PPA Introduces New World Pickleball Rankings 🌎 Starting with the 2026–27 season, the PPA will rank the world’s best all-around players using results across gender doubles, mixed doubles, and singles. The new leaderboard will also help determine tournament entries, byes, and qualification for the PPA Finals.

  • Free Pickleball Court Kits Are Going to Communities Every Week 🎁 Anywhere Pickleball is giving one school, park, senior center, or community organization a free court kit each week. The kits use existing hard surfaces to create regulation pickleball courts in under 10 minutes, with the first set to be distributed in September.

What Working in Pickleball Looks Like

A tournament match or a 60-second video might be what you see. It's a very small part of the job.

This week on 99% Pickleball, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado pull back the curtain on the very different careers they've built in pickleball.

Mari shares what life as a pro looks like beyond competition, including training, coaching, clinics, sponsorships, content, and a travel schedule that rarely slows down. Nikki shares the other side of the industry, from content creation and commentary to building community and turning an online platform into a career.

They also get into money, personal brands, work-life balance, creating your own opportunities, and what they both want their careers in pickleball to look like next.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Are We Wearing Pickleball Gloves Now?

I’ve been seeing pickleball players wearing gloves since I started playing, but apparently people have opinions. Some love the extra grip when their hands get sweaty, while others say a glove takes away too much paddle feel and would rather use a good overgrip.

If you’re on Team Glove (or curious enough to try one), the Aerow Recon Glove caught my attention. It uses leather and breathable mesh with exposed fingers, so you get some extra grip and cushioning without completely covering your hand. And at $18, it’s a pretty inexpensive way to test it out.

👉 Check out the Aerow Recon Glove.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> USA Pickleball Changed Its Paddle Rules The most electric event in MLP history. Places to play when no court is available. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/usa-pickleball-changed-its-paddle-rules https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/usa-pickleball-changed-its-paddle-rules Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:16:11 +0000 2026-08-04T17:16:11Z Empower Pickleball

MLP Orlando might go down as the most electric event in league history. The GOATs went head to head. The league's juggernauts squared off for the No. 1 seed. And a 13-year-old kept one team's playoff dreams alive with a stunning tiebreaker performance.

The three-week playoffs start this week in Dallas, where eight teams will battle to keep their title hopes alive.

Inside:

  • New Jersey 5s survive a 15-13 thriller for the No. 1 seed at MLP Orlando

  • The five footwork habits capping you at 4.0

  • USA Pickleball's new spin rate test kicks in October 1

  • Places to play when a court isn’t available

🏆 New Jersey 5s Grab the No. 1 Seed at MLP Orlando

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball

The New Jersey 5s and St. Louis Shock came into Disney tied atop the standings, and it took a Sunday winner-take-all match to settle it. New Jersey took it 3-1 in front of 2,000+ fans, clinching their fourth event title and the top playoff seed.

  • The mixed game between Khlif/Waters and Patriquin/Bright was an instant classic, with New Jersey surviving 15-13 after St. Louis erased multiple game points

  • Federico Staksrud made his 5s debut after last month's trade and closed it out, going 5-1 in mixed on the week

  • Waters and Ben Johns squared off again Saturday in a rare GOAT vs GOAT matchup

  • Chicago Slice eliminated the California Black Bears in a 25-23 Dreambreaker, clinched by 13-year-old Elsie Hendershot

👉 Playoffs kick off Friday at 2 p.m. from Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Leigh Waters explains what it is like raising a champion
🧱 Defend against the drive—how to block hard shots
🧠 Train your decision-making skills
🦶 Give your feet the support they deserve

 👣 Your Feet Are Costing You More Points Than Your Hands

If you're stuck at 4.0, stop blaming your paddle. Most breakdowns trace back to the same footwork habits: hitting while drifting backward, standing too upright, reaching instead of moving, and split-stepping a beat too late.

  • Backward contact kills your balance before the swing even starts

  • Upright posture slows your first step and forces bad reaches

  • Late split-steps leave you flat-footed right when you need to explode

Fix the feet, and the hands problems (blown resets, popped-up dinks) mostly disappear on their own.

👉 Here's exactly which footwork habit is capping your game.

Recovery Isn’t Just Physical

After a long day on the pickleball court, most of us think about recovery in terms of hydration, stretching, and rest. But taking care of your mind matters, too.

Founded by former anesthesiologist Dr. Liz Lehman, Aluminate Life creates doctor-developed, crystal-infused aromatherapy designed to support moments of Focus, Calm, Sleep, Energy, Release, and more. It’s a simple way to slow down and reset after a busy day—on or off the court.

Each product is hand-poured in the USA, vegan, cruelty-free, and made without phthalates or parabens.

👉 Shop the Signature Collection and save 25% with code PICKLE25.

🔍 USA Pickleball Just Changed How Paddles Get Approved

Photo credit: USA Pickleball

Starting October 1, 2026, every new paddle submitted for certification has to pass a Spin Rate Test, capped at 2,100 RPM. The big shift: USA Pickleball is no longer measuring surface roughness and grit and is now measuring the actual spin a paddle puts on the ball.

  • Already own an approved paddle? You're fine. It stays legal under the old rules

  • Manufacturers can now buy the same testing rig USA Pickleball uses, so they can validate designs before submitting

  • Expect the paddle arms race to shift from "How rough can we make it?" to core construction, dwell time, and consistent performance over the paddle's lifespan

It's the same logic behind the 2024 PBCoR power test: regulate what the paddle does, not what it's made of.

👉 Here's what it means for the paddle sitting in your bag right now.

🏕️ No Court, No Problem: 7 Places to Play Pickleball

Don't have a dedicated court nearby? You don't need one. All it takes is a flat surface, a portable net, and a little creativity. Players are proving it in some pretty unexpected spots.

  • Tennis courts and basketball courts are the easiest swap—just bring tape or chalk to mark your lines

  • Driveways and cul-de-sacs are where most pickleball stories start, from family practice sessions to neighborhood showdowns

👉 See all 7 places to play, plus how to mark your own court in under 5 minutes.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Leigh Waters Opens Up About Coaching Anna Leigh Plus the mental habit that could be costing you matches https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/leigh-waters-opens-up-about-coaching-anna-leigh https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/leigh-waters-opens-up-about-coaching-anna-leigh Thu, 30 Jul 2026 16:58:00 +0000 2026-07-30T16:58:00Z Empower Pickleball

Can you go on vacation without playing pickleball? Yeah… I can’t either. 😅 Luckily, my in-laws are just as obsessed, so we’ve ended up on the courts every evening.

And if you can't make it to the courts this weekend, you can still get your pickleball fix. Major League Pickleball is coming to Walt Disney World for the first time, with matches streaming on PickleballTV and Amazon Prime.

If you’re looking for even more pickleball, here’s what’s waiting for you in today’s newsletter:

  • Why you're freezing during fast hand battles—and how to react faster

  • A conversation with Leigh Waters on raising the most dominant player in pickleball

  • Pickleball courts that double as works of art, a business born on the court, and Japan's booming pickleball scene.

TIPS & TRICKS

Why Your Hands Freeze During Fast Hand Battles

Photo by Major League Pickleball

Fast hand battles aren’t usually won by the player with the quickest reflexes. According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, they’re won long before the ball is struck. The biggest difference comes down to preparation, positioning, and staying calm.

A strong ready position, a relaxed grip, and learning to read your opponent’s paddle earlier can all help you react faster at the kitchen. When those habits become automatic, fast exchanges start feeling a whole lot slower.

💡 Why It Matters: Most players assume fast hands are something you’re born with. In reality, they’re built through better habits, smarter preparation, and purposeful practice.

👉 Learn how to stop freezing during fast hand battles.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your Mental Floor Is Costing You Matches

Most players spend hours reviewing their technique, looking for better footwork, cleaner drops, or smarter shot selections. But according to Mental Performance Coach Dotti Berry, your match videos reveal something just as important: how you respond when the pressure is on.

Your body language, reactions after mistakes, and ability to reset between points all reveal your “mental floor”—the mindset you default to when matches get tight. Once you recognize it, you can begin training it just like any other part of your game.

💡 Why It Matters: Raising your mental floor can help you stay composed, make better decisions, and perform more consistently under pressure.

👉 Discover why your mental floor matters—and how to start raising it.

GEAR

The 5-Minute Reset Before You Hit the Court

Most of us don’t spend all day on the pickleball court. We spend it working, answering emails, sitting in meetings, then rushing to make open play. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t getting there—it’s mentally leaving the workday behind.

A simple pre-game routine can make that transition easier. Whether it’s stretching, taking a few deep breaths, listening to music, or using a wellness product like Aluminate Life’s Energy Essential Rollerball, small rituals can help you reset before the first point.

💡 Why It Matters: We spend plenty of time preparing our bodies to play. Taking a minute to reset your mind can help you enjoy the game more—and leave the stress of the day behind.

👉 See the simple routine that can help you reset before you play.

COMMUNITY

How Pickleball Changed One Woman’s Life

Years ago, Sophie Chiche never imagined sports would become part of her life. After transforming her health and mindset, she discovered pickleball—and found much more than a new hobby. The game became a place to build confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with herself.

Today, the psychologist and executive coach believes pickleball reveals the stories we tell ourselves under pressure. Whether it’s fear of failure, self-doubt, or learning to move on after a mistake, she sees the court as one of life’s greatest teachers.

💡 Why It Matters: Pickleball has a way of changing people in unexpected ways. For many players, the lessons they learn on the court carry into every part of life.

👉 Read how pickleball became part of Sophie’s transformation.

Legs Feel Dead After Playing? Firefly Fixes That

Long sessions. Back-to-back games. Travel. It all adds up.

Firefly Recovery is a wearable recovery device designed to keep your legs feeling fresh between sessions—whether you just got off the court or off a long flight. It works by gently stimulating your lower leg to increase blood flow, essentially acting as a natural pump which helps reduce soreness and speed up recovery.

It's already used by 1,300+ pro and collegiate teams—and it's FDA-cleared for recovery support.

No ice baths. No compression boots. No downtime.

👉 Recover fast and get back out there with Firefly Recovery. Save 10% on your order here.

  • Pittsburgh Just Turned Pickleball Courts Into Art 🎨 Pittsburgh’s newest pickleball courts are as much an art installation as they are a place to play. Artist Sharmistha Ray transformed two courts into a colorful geometric mural.

  • One Pickleball Match Led to a Growing Construction Company 🤝 Two Maryland entrepreneurs turned a backyard court project into a rapidly growing construction company. Today, they’re building courts for developers, apartment communities, and large commercial projects across the region.

  • Pickleball Is Booming in Japan 🇯🇵 Pickleball is taking off in Japan, where the estimated player base has grown from 45,000 to 330,000 in about a year. Companies are adding courts, hosting employee events, and embracing the sport as an easy way to bring people together.

Leigh Waters: Raising a Champion without Losing the Joy

There aren't many people who have experienced professional pickleball quite like Leigh Waters.

She went from practicing law to competing professionally alongside her daughter, Anna Leigh Waters, and eventually became the coach behind one of the most dominant players the sport has ever seen.

This week on 99% Pickleball, Leigh joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to talk about what she's learned along the way, from navigating the complicated line between parent and coach to keeping competition fun, adapting to different athletes, and watching pickleball transform around them in real time.

It's a conversation about raising a competitor, coaching a champion, growing alongside a sport, and making sure success never comes at the expense of why you started playing in the first place.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

A Deodorant Made for Long Court Days

Summer pickleball means long days, plenty of sweat, and hoping your deodorant keeps up. Doc & Glo’s No. 3161 Game Changing Deodorant is designed for active days, using active enzymes to fight odor while staying fragrance-free, aluminum-free, and gentle on sensitive skin.

It’s also refillable, doesn’t leave a white cast, and is small enough to keep in your pickleball bag for tournaments, group play nights with friends, or any day that turns into “just one more game.”

👉 Check out the game-changing deodorant.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Meet the 7 Most Expensive Paddles in the Game Weigh in on pickleball's Hollywood premiere. Find out if a tournament is right for you. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/meet-the-7-most-expensive-paddles-in-the-game https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/meet-the-7-most-expensive-paddles-in-the-game Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:55:20 +0000 2026-07-28T16:55:20Z Empower Pickleball

The highly anticipated release of The Dink took over the pickleball world last weekend, and it met mixed reviews. Right now, it's sitting at 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics split between calling it funny and irreverent and knocking it as predictable, more background noise than must-watch.

Now it's your turn to weigh in:

🏆 Dallas Flash Go Back-to-Back in Chicago

Photo credit: Dallas Flash

MLP rolled through Chicago's Life Time North Shore last weekend, and Dallas Flash needed a Dreambreaker tiebreaker to hold off Brooklyn, 21-10, for their second straight title. Eleven teams battled through pool play, but a few storylines stood out.

  • JW Johnson reminded the league that he can dominate on the singles court when he outscored Brooklyn's Chris Haworth, 7-1

  • The SoCal Hard 8s dropped a match due to unsportsmanlike conduct after this reaction to a high body shot

  • The city of Chicago welcomed the league with open arms and tagged Christian Alshon to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field

With one event left before playoffs, the race for the final spots is getting tight. See which teams are still fighting for a playoff spot.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 The inside story on pickleball’s Hollywood feature
📋 Cover the middle, force them to take a risk
💵 How much do those courts really cost?
🦶 Give your feet the support they deserve

 🤨 When to Attack the Dink (And When to Wait)

Photo credit: The APP

Every dink rally ends the same way: someone speeds it up. The question is whether they should've waited one more shot.

Advanced players don't guess; they read three cues before pulling the trigger:

  • Height: anything above the waist is fair game

  • Depth: short balls near the kitchen line are far easier to attack than deep ones

  • Opponent's paddle & feet: low paddle or off-balance feet are a green light

Attack too early, and you hand your opponent an easy counter.

👉 Here's exactly when to strike and when to hold.

Travel That Actually Understands Pickleball

VibeGetaways specializes in pickleball group vacations at Sandals and Beaches resorts, pairing scheduled court time with thoughtfully organized group experiences. No guesswork. No scrambling for courts. No pressure to participate in everything.

Each trip includes reserved pickleball sessions, group mixers, and plenty of space to unwind—whether that means joining open play, heading to the beach, or sitting out a session entirely.

And because VibeGetaways works directly with the resorts, their agents handle the planning details at no additional cost to you.

👉 See upcoming pickleball group getaways.

 🥇 Why Rec Players Skip Tournaments (And Why You Might Want to Try One Anyway)

"You should sign up for a tournament sometime." Every rec player hears it, and most never do. But it’s not because they lack competitive drive. It’s the pressure: a paid entry, committing to one partner, results posted online, and a room full of matching shirts can make even a beginner bracket feel official.

Turns out the anxiety isn't really about your opponent:

  • Fear of judgment, not skill, drives most tournament nerves

  • Rating protection turns matches into tests instead of games

  • Partner pressure makes players worry about letting someone down

Here's the twist: tournaments teach you things rec play never will.

👉 Here's why you should sign up anyway, even if it’s just once.

💰 These Are the Most Expensive Paddles in Pickleball Right Now

The Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik still tops the list as the priciest production paddle in the game at $333, built with carbon fiber faces, thermoformed construction, and custom weighting to chase every extra bit of spin and power. It's not alone up there, either. JOOLA, Proton, and Paddletek all have entries pushing well past $250, and one limited-edition collectible from JOOLA hit $999.

  • Premium price doesn't always mean a premium jump in performance; most players notice far less difference between $150 and $300 than they'd expect

  • The gap between mid-range and top-shelf paddles has shrunk fast as more brands chase the same technology

Curious who else made the cut?

👉 See the top 7 most expensive paddles in the game.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Exclusive: Our Interview with Mary Steenburgen 🎬 Plus why some players improve faster, a growing pickleball community in Mexico, and more. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/exclusive-our-interview-with-mary-steenburgen https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/exclusive-our-interview-with-mary-steenburgen Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:46:21 +0000 2026-07-23T16:46:21Z Empower Pickleball

It’s been a big week for pickleball.

Sure, it was another MLP weekend, and there’s been plenty of chatter about trades, standings, and match results. But the biggest story this week isn’t happening on the courts.

Across the country, Apple TV’s newest comedy, The Dink, held early screenings ahead of its official premiere tomorrow—and we were lucky enough to get an early look.

Who doesn’t love a good sports comedy? Happy Gilmore. Dodgeball. Talladega Nights. And now… one about pickleball? Honestly, this couldn’t be better for the sport.

So naturally, a lot of this week’s newsletter is centered around The Dink. We sat down with Academy Award winner Mary Steenburgen, watched the movie, and have everything you need to know before it officially lands on Apple TV tomorrow.

NEWS

The Dink Is Finally Here

When Hollywood announced a movie about pickleball, many players had the same reaction: Please don’t make us the punchline. According to Kim Bastien, The Dink does exactly the opposite. The film delivers plenty of laughs, but at its heart is a story about friendship, purpose, and the unexpected ways pickleball changes people’s lives.

Ahead of the Apple TV premiere, Kim sat down with Academy Award winner Mary Steenburgen, who shared how she fell in love with pickleball long before filming began—and why the sport has become such an important part of her own life.

💡 Why It Matters: The Dink celebrates the reasons so many people fall in love with pickleball, making it a movie players are likely to see themselves in.

👉 Read the full interview with Mary Steenburgen and see why The Dink feels different.

TIPS & TRICKS

Why Some Players Improve So Much Faster Than Others

Have you ever wondered why some players seem to get noticeably better every few months while others stay at the same level for years? According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, the difference has very little to do with natural talent.

The players who improve the fastest practice with intention. They drill instead of relying on games, train with a purpose, and use every session as an opportunity to build one specific skill rather than trying to win.

💡 Why It Matters: Players who improve quickly don't rely on talent alone. Intentional practice and consistent habits can help you build skills that carry into every match.

👉 See the habits that help players improve faster.

EDUCATION

Your Partner Might Be the Hardest Part of Doubles

Photo by Major League Pickleball

There’s a running joke that if your marriage survives mixed doubles, it’ll survive anything. While that’s funny, the truth goes well beyond couples. Every doubles partnership comes with its own mix of communication, trust, expectations, and personalities.

Whether you’re playing with your spouse, a close friend, or someone you just met, your partnership shapes every game. The way you communicate, respond to mistakes, and support each other has just as much influence on the outcome as the shots you hit.

💡 Why It Matters: Great doubles teams don’t happen by accident. Small changes in communication and expectations can make every game more enjoyable—for you and your partner.

👉 Learn what makes great pickleball partnerships work.

COMMUNITY

One Player. One Country. One Growing Pickleball Community.

Some of pickleball’s biggest growth stories aren’t happening only in the United States. Across Mexico, players like Mariana Fortes are helping introduce more people to the sport while representing their country on the international stage.

After representing Mexico internationally in karate, Fortes will now represent her country at the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Vietnam. She hopes her success encourages more players to pick up a paddle and show what’s possible as pickleball continues to grow throughout the country.

💡 Why It Matters: Every new pickleball community starts with people willing to invest their time, talent, and passion into helping the sport grow. Mariana is helping write that story in Mexico.

👉 Meet the player helping shape the future of pickleball in Mexico.

🤝 Pickleheads Is Powering USA Pickleball Leagues

USA Pickleball recently named Pickleheads its Official Technology Partner for Recreational Play, expanding on the platform’s role as the Official Court and Game Finder.

  • What’s new: USA Pickleball leagues, ladders, and round robins across the country are running on Pickleheads this summer

  • For players: live standings, matchups, and court assignments right in the app, so less time at the whiteboard and more time on the court

  • The payoff: competitive, balanced games every session, whatever your level

The leagues run on Pickleheads’ league management tech, built with the player experience in mind.

👉 Read more about the Pickleheads x USAP partnership or start your own league on Pickleheads.

  • $55 Million Mansion Comes With a Rooftop Pickleball Court 🏡 A newly listed waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale is turning heads with its rooftop pickleball court, infinity pool, and luxury amenities. The six-bedroom estate is one of the city’s most expensive homes ever listed.

  • This Pickleball Tournament Bans Paddles 🍳 A Kansas fundraiser for child abuse prevention is challenging players to ditch their paddles and compete with items like frying pans, tote lids, and notebooks. The most creative “paddle” will even take home a prize.

  • Study Finds Pickleball Helps Combat Loneliness ❤️ A Florida State University professor says pickleball’s greatest impact may be its ability to bring people together. Research shows the sport helps older adults build friendships, reduce loneliness, and strengthen their sense of community.

Ngoc Nguyen: The Strategist Shaping Pickleball in Entertainment & Philanthropy

What does it take for a sport to break into the mainstream?

This week on 99% Pickleball, entertainment strategist and Global Pickleball Federation board member Ngoc Nguyen joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss everything from Hollywood and celebrity involvement to global growth. She also shares an inside look at The Dink, the new pickleball comedy premiering on Apple TV on July 24, and why mainstream entertainment could become one of pickleball's biggest growth opportunities.

From celebrity pickleball events with Katy Perry's Firework Foundation to expanding the sport around the world, this conversation explores how entertainment, philanthropy, and community can help shape pickleball's future.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Lob Everything, Darling

I’ll admit it—I laughed when I saw VolleyBird’s new Darling Collection. The hats and visors feature playful sayings like “Lob Everything, Darling,” “Ace It, Darling,” and “I Called That Out, Darling,” giving female athletes a fun way to show a little personality without saying a word.

They’re equal parts classy and cheeky, and based on the early response, I’m clearly not the only one who thinks they’re fun. Several styles have already started selling out.

👉 Shop the VolleyBird Darling Collection.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Stuck at 3.5? Here's What's Holding You Back MLP just got its first superteam. Why athletes get cooked on the pickelball court. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/stuck-at-3-5-here-s-what-s-holding-you-back https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/stuck-at-3-5-here-s-what-s-holding-you-back Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:43:55 +0000 2026-07-21T16:43:55Z Empower Pickleball

The trade deadline just closed, and MLP looks nothing like it did a week ago. New Jersey built what might be the most loaded roster in league history, Dallas Flash proved they're a real threat after going 5-0 in San Diego, and LA is quietly entering panic mode with the playoffs around the corner. We've got the full breakdown inside—plus your 3.5 game might be stuck for a reason you haven't considered yet.

Inside:

  • MLP's roster chaos explained—the Staksrud trade, the San Diego results, and what the standings actually mean with one event left.

  • The 3.5 ceiling is real—and it's almost never about talent. Here are the four habits keeping players stuck.

  • Why great athletes struggle at pickleball—the instincts that made you good at every other sport are working against you here.

🏆 MLP Just Got a Superteam and a San Diego Champion

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball

The biggest story in MLP this week wasn't a match result. On deadline day, the New Jersey 5s acquired Federico Staksrud and Milan Rane from Orlando in exchange for Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and up to $400,000 in cash, giving them three elite men's players alongside the already unbeatable Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson.

In other trade news, Connor Garnett was dealt from Utah to the LA Mad Drops on deadline day—Utah received Tyler Loong from Miami plus cash, adding another wrinkle to an already chaotic roster shuffle across the league.

On the court in San Diego, the Dallas Flash had their own statement week:

  • Dallas Flash went 5-0 in San Diego, beating Columbus 3-1 in the final and taking down LA in group play for their first event win of the season.

  • Los Angeles finished fifth after losses to Atlanta and Dallas, raising real questions heading into the playoffs.

With one regular-season event left, the race between New Jersey and St. Louis is the most compelling storyline in pickleball right now.

👉 See the remaining schedule here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Reimagining the pickleball experience 
🧑‍🏫 Advanced players explain why they step back during speed ups
🎥 Movie stars, red carpets, and pickleball: watch the trailer for The Dink
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

 🤨 Why Pickleball Players Get Stuck at the 3.5 Level

The 3.5 level is where pickleball gets comfortable, and comfortable is exactly the problem. Most players stuck here aren't lacking talent. They're repeating the same habits every time they step on the court.

The biggest culprits:

  • Offense-first mindset: attacking from bad positions and forcing low-percentage shots instead of letting points develop.

  • No soft game: skipping drops, purposeful dinks, and resets, the shots that actually separate 3.5 from 4.0.

  • Random pickleball: reacting to every ball with no structure, instead of building points shot by shot.

  • Playing more instead of practicing smarter: more games just means more reps of the same bad habits.

The players who break through aren't the ones who hit harder. They're the ones who slow down, clean up their decisions, and get uncomfortable on purpose.

👉 The full breakdown of what's holding you back is right here.

🏡 Play More Without Leaving Your Home

If you’ve ever tried to coordinate court time, you already know how it goes—waitlists, crowded parks, and hoping a court opens up.

Having your own setup changes that.

VersaCourt’s Pickleball Performance Tiles are built for consistent play—comfortable underfoot, durable over time, and designed to handle real games without the upkeep of traditional surfaces.

And it’s not limited to pickleball. You can configure the space for basketball, shuffleboard, and more, so it doesn’t just sit there when you’re not playing.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for 10% off Pickleball Performance Tiles.

🏃‍♂️ Why Your Athletic Resume Means Nothing on a Pickleball Court

It happens on courts everywhere: a former college tennis player or ex-pro athlete shows up to open play and loses to a group of retirees. It's not an upset. It's pickleball doing what it does best. The sport doesn't reward the same instincts that made someone great elsewhere:

  • Tennis rewards aggressive shot-making. Pickleball rewards patience.

  • Power sports celebrate hitting harder. Pickleball rewards slowing down.

  • Most athletic backgrounds build the instinct to end points fast. Pickleball asks you to extend them.

The athletes who improve fastest are the ones who stop trying to play their old sport on a pickleball court. Once they develop a reliable third-shot drop, get comfortable in long dink exchanges, and trust the soft game, their athletic background becomes a serious advantage. Until then, the 70-year-old across the net who understands the rhythm of the game wins every time.

👉 Read the full article on why pickleball is the great equalizer.

📋 What's Your Rating and What Does It Actually Mean?

If someone at the courts has ever asked, "What's your rating?" and you had no idea what to say, this one's for you. Skill levels and ratings aren't the same thing, and understanding the difference makes it a lot easier to find good games and track real progress. Here's the quick breakdown by level:

  • 2.5: Learning the basics, sustaining short rallies, and developing consistency.

  • 3.0: Understands how the game works but struggles with directional control and backhands.

  • 3.5: Consistent serves and returns, developing third-shot drops, learning patience in rallies.

  • 4.0: Creating opportunities instead of just reacting, reliable drops, resets, and court awareness.

  • 4.5+: Winning points multiple ways, adjusting tactics mid-match, seamless partner communication.

DUPR is the dominant rating system today, used by USA Pickleball—and most clubs and tournaments. It updates based on match results against rated opponents, so a close loss to a stronger player can actually raise your rating while a blowout win against a weaker one might not. The takeaway: stop chasing the number and focus on reducing errors, improving your drop, and playing opponents who challenge you.

👉 The full guide to every skill level and how DUPR works is right here.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Most Beginners Skip These 7 Skills Plus a remarkable story of friendship, beginner tips, and this week's biggest headlines. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/most-beginners-skip-these-7-skills https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/most-beginners-skip-these-7-skills Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:02:00 +0000 2026-07-16T17:02:00Z Empower Pickleball

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is what women are capable of.

This past weekend at MLP, Tammy Emmrich competed in a dreambreaker while 4 ½ months pregnant. It immediately reminded me of Lindsey Newman winning mixed doubles gold at the 2021 USA Pickleball National Championships while 6 ½ months pregnant.

Pretty incredible.

It also feels like the perfect way to kick off this week’s newsletter because we’re highlighting a few women who are making an impact on the sport—from helping players improve their game to building stronger pickleball communities.

TIPS & TRICKS

The 7 Skills Every Beginner Should Master First

Every new pickleball player wants to improve quickly, but many skip the fundamentals and jump straight to advanced shots. According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, building the right foundation is still the fastest way to become a better player.

Start with skills like:

  • Developing a consistent, deep serve

  • Learning when and how to get to the kitchen line

  • Making smarter shot selections instead of forcing winners

These aren’t the only skills you’ll need, but they’re the foundation every strong player builds on.

💡 Why It Matters: The best players master the fundamentals first, making every advanced skill easier to learn later.

👉 See the seven skills every beginner should master first.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stop Playing Smaller Than You Are

Have you ever noticed how some players seem to get quieter as a game goes on? They stop calling the middle, pass up attackable balls, and apologize after every mistake—even when their partner has already moved on.

Confidence has a way of changing your game. Research shows that athletes with higher confidence make quicker decisions under pressure and recover from mistakes faster because they spend less time questioning themselves.

💡 Why It Matters: Confidence affects more than your mindset. It changes the decisions you make, the shots you’re willing to take, and how quickly you bounce back after a mistake.

👉 Learn how to build confidence that carries through every game.

COMMUNITY

At 79, Terry Sarver Found a Whole New Circle of Friends

Photo by Elisabeth Jimenez/Community Impact

After losing her husband, Ron, Terry Sarver kept returning to the TownLake YMCA in Austin, Texas. The people she and Ron had met through pickleball kept showing up. Over time, those court friendships became dinner invitations, game nights, phone calls, and a support system she never expected to find at 79.

Terry’s story reflects one of pickleball’s most powerful qualities: it gives people a place to connect during stages of life when making new friends can feel nearly impossible.

💡 Why It Matters: Pickleball can offer far more than exercise. For Terry, it became a way to rebuild her social life and find people who helped carry her through an incredibly difficult season.

👉 Read how pickleball gave Terry a whole new community.

Hear Better. Play Better.

We spend a lot of time thinking about strength, footwork, and injury prevention—but hearing plays a bigger role in pickleball than most of us realize.

Whether you’re calling the score, communicating with your partner, or catching conversations after the match, hearing helps keep you connected both on and off the court.

That’s why Phonak partnered with USA Pickleball to launch Hear to Win, an initiative that helps players better understand hearing health while introducing hearing solutions designed for the fast-paced, noisy environments that come with the sport.

👉 See how Phonak is helping pickleball players Hear to Win.

  • Electrified Fence Shocks Pickleball Player ⚠️ A California woman is suing the City of Chula Vista after being knocked unconscious by a chain-link fence carrying more than 100 volts at the Olympic Training Center.

  • Caribbean Pickleball Star Reaches World No. 200 🌴 Saint Lucia’s Meggan William is now the only Caribbean athlete ranked in the top 200 of women’s singles pickleball and has her sights set on breaking into the world’s top 100.

  • Sopranos Star Credits Pickleball in 150-Pound Weight Loss 🎬 Joseph Gannascoli, who played Vito Spatafore on The Sopranos, says pickleball is now part of his daily fitness routine as he continues his 150-pound weight-loss journey.

Sydney Steinaker: Reimagining the Pickleball Experience

Does every pickleball event have to look the same?

This week on 99% Pickleball, Sydney Steinaker joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss why she thinks the answer is no. From glow-in-the-dark pickleball raves and music festivals to social media and community building, Sydney shares how she's creating experiences that attract an entirely different audience to the sport and why thinking outside the box might be exactly what pickleball needs.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

For the Players Who Want to Get Serious

Let’s be honest—not everyone needs training equipment like this. But if you’re chasing a higher level in pickleball, competing in tournaments, or just looking to become a better athlete, the Tidal Tank is pretty cool.

It replaces traditional weights with moving water, forcing your body to constantly stabilize as you train. That means you’re building balance, core strength, rotational power, and stability—the kind of athleticism that carries over to the pickleball court.

👉 If leveling up your game is on your goal list, the Tidal Tank is worth checking out.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Fix Your Backhand Without Changing Your Whole Game One point. $20K on the line. Plus: why your mental game needs more than insight. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/fix-your-backhand-without-changing-your-whole-game https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/fix-your-backhand-without-changing-your-whole-game Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:36:11 +0000 2026-07-14T16:36:11Z Empower Pickleball

Picture it: one point, rally scoring, no side-outs, no do-overs. Win it, you walk away $20,000 richer; lose it, you walk away with nothing. That's exactly the spot an amateur player found himself in this weekend, staring down his own pro teammate for the win.

How would you handle the pressure? Is it better to unleash your best serve and try to end things early, or play it safe and wait for an opportunity to strike? Keep reading to see how this one ended.

Inside:

  • The small fix that could finally solve your backhand, no rebuild required

  • Why "insight" alone won't fix your mental game (and what actually will)

  • The best qualities to look for in a pickleball partner

🏆 St. Louis Shock Take the MLP Mid-Season Crown

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball

Grand Rapids just crowned a champion, and an amateur just walked away $20K richer.

  • The field: All 20 MLP teams plus four bonus squads (Team Australia, Team Canada, Team Europe, and a College All-Star team) battled for standings points and playoff positions

  • Champs: The St. Louis Shock ran the table at the Edward Jones MLP Mid-Season Tournament, dropping just one game in the entire bracket

But the real headline came from the amateurs. The first-ever Paddletek One Point Challenge threw 128 amateur doubles teams into a one-point, single-elimination bracket chasing a $20,000 prize. Past the Round of 16, MLP pros jumped in and drafted amateur partners to finish the draw.

  • Amateur Nathan Furness survived his four matches to reach the pro pairing stages

  • He and Zane Navaratil eliminated all of the remaining teams, leaving a 1-on-1 showdown

  • The finale: a single winner-take-all point, amateur vs. pro teammate

  • Furness won the point and the $20,000 grand prize

👉 Watch the championship match to see how the Shock iced out The 5s’ best player.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Building pickleball’s next dominant player
4️⃣ How to counter with an offensive fourth shot
🎥 Hollywood’s pickleball movie drops next week: watch the trailer 
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

 🧑‍🔧 Fix Your Backhand Without Overhauling It

Photo credit: Major League Pickleball

Your backhand doesn't need a full rebuild, just a few small corrections.

  • Arm distance: give the ball room so your arms stay relaxed, not cramped or overstretched

  • Body rotation: turn your shoulders and core into the shot instead of arming it

  • Non-dominant hand: let it drive a two-handed backhand while your dominant hand adds touch

  • Kitchen volleys: shorten the swing to a compact punch for better control

Small fixes, same stroke, way more consistency.

👉 Read the full breakdown here.

Your Feet Might Be Taking More Damage Than You Realize

Hard courts, constant movement, and playing multiple days a week can add up fast on your feet, knees, and joints.

Designed to help reduce impact and fatigue, Zelus Insoles use patented SmartCells cushioning technology to absorb force and support better alignment during play.

A few standout benefits:

  • Reduced foot and joint fatigue

  • Better cushioning during long sessions

  • Added support without bulky stiffness

  • Built for both performance and recovery

Less soreness. More support. More time on court.

👉 Use code EMPOWER15 for 15% off.

 🧠 The Leap Nobody Talks About

Players will dive for a ball with no hesitation, then freeze before a big serve because the physical game feels controllable and the mental game doesn't.

  • You can't control your game, you can only manage it

  • Insight is only 20% of the equation, daily training is the other 80%

  • Intention + Infrastructure = Impact™, and it shows up off the court first

The real leap is letting go of the comfortable version of yourself, and it only takes trust.

👉 Read more about the mental game here.

🤜🤛 What Makes a Good Pickleball Partner?

Great shots win points, but great teammates are why you keep coming back for more.

  • Chemistry: the best duos aren't always the ones with the highest DUPR; they're built on complementary strengths and rely on trust

  • Communication: the strongest teams talk during points, not just after them

  • Energy: great partners reset fast, a paddle tap beats a sigh every time

  • Court awareness: they move together instead of independently, so nothing ever feels like a surprise

The partners people remember aren't always the strongest players, they're the ones who make you want to queue up again.

👉 Know someone you'd partner with every time? Find out what makes them a keeper.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Have You Seen This Pickleball Rooster? 🐓 Faster hands at the kitchen, finding balance off the court, and the community behind one of pickleball's biggest events. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/have-you-seen-this-pickleball-rooster https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/have-you-seen-this-pickleball-rooster Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:03:00 +0000 2026-07-09T17:03:00Z Empower Pickleball

One thing about me is that I’ll always point out when I see pickleball on TV, and I feel like y’all probably know that by now.

One of my favorite binge-worthy Netflix shows, Sweet Magnolias, is back for another season.

Am I already halfway through it? Absolutely. But one scene immediately caught my attention. Maddie Townsend heads to the pickleball court with her son Kyle, quickly realizes it’s a lot more of a workout than she expected… and suddenly doesn’t want to leave.

Honestly, welcome to the club, Maddie.

Speaking of people who don’t want to leave the court, all 20 Major League Pickleball teams are in Grand Rapids this week for the Mid-Season Tournament. The St. Louis Shock and New Jersey 5s have been nearly unstoppable lately, but I’m curious if the revamped Dallas Flash or Columbus Sliders can make some noise—and whether one of the invite teams can pull off an upset.

While they’re battling it out in Michigan, we’ve got a few other stories this week that you’ll enjoy.

TIPS & TRICKS

Is Your Ready Position Slowing You Down?

Photo by Association of Pickleball Players (APP)

Advanced players always seem to react faster at the kitchen. More often than not, it’s because they’re already in the right position before the ball is hit.

According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, many recreational players lose valuable reaction time by dropping their paddle after every shot or standing flat-footed instead of staying active. The best players quickly return to a balanced ready position with their paddle up, knees bent, and eyes on their opponent’s paddle.

💡 Why It Matters: Your ready position affects every point. Building better habits before the ball is hit can lead to quicker reactions, stronger defense, and more confidence during fast exchanges.

👉 Learn how to build a ready position that helps you react faster.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

When Loving Pickleball Starts Feeling Like Work

Pickleball has a funny way of taking over your life. One game becomes three. Three days a week become five. Before long, your weekends revolve around tournaments, your YouTube feed is all pickleball, and you’re wondering what to do when it rains.

Some signs it may be time to take a step back:

  • Feeling guilty for taking a rest day

  • Playing through pain because everyone else is

  • Letting your mood depend on whether you got to play

  • Feeling anxious about missing a game or an event

💡 Why It Matters: Pickleball should make your life better—not become your entire life. Finding the right balance can help you enjoy the sport for years to come.

👉 Read why more players are talking about pickleball burnout.

COMMUNITY

How Beer City Open Became More Than a Tournament

Beer City Open has become one of pickleball’s biggest events, bringing together 1,200 amateur players and every Major League Pickleball team. But behind the competition is a community that has spent nearly a decade building something much bigger.

Powered by 600 volunteers, the tournament has helped contribute more than $1 million toward improvements at Belknap Park while creating an event players return to year after year.

💡 Why It Matters: Beer City Open shows what’s possible when a tournament invest in its hometown. The court, the community, and the event have all grown together.

👉 See how Beer City Open became one of pickleball’s signature events.

Meet the Brand Bringing Collectible Culture to Pickleball

You probably know Audrey better as Pickleballmama. After years of traveling the tournament circuit with her family, she wanted to create something that captured the fun side of pickleball again.

The result is Dinkii—a line of collectible plush bag charms inspired by the personalities and culture that make the sport so unique. The first character, Switch, is a purple sloth inspired by the patient, strategic player. It’s the first in what Audrey hopes will become a growing lineup of collectible pickleball personalities.

Like any good collectible, Dinkii releases happen in small batches. Switch is available during the current launch window, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. All orders ship July 23.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for free shipping and start your Dinkii collection.

  • Paddletek Makes a Major Move 👀 Paddletek has acquired paddle brand PIKKL and added JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, and Hurricane Tyra Black to its pro roster.

  • Pickleball Is Invading Reality TV 📺 One of the newest houseguests on Big Brother 28 is Delray Beach pickleball coach Rome Seymoure, who’ll compete for the show’s $750,000 grand prize when the new season premieres tonight.

  • There's a Pickleball Rooster on the Loose 🐓 A rooster named Pickles has gone missing from Hollywood, Florida’s pickleball community, and players are offering a cash reward to anyone who helps bring their unofficial mascot home.

Darrin Klinger: Raising Great Players—and Better People

What if developing great athletes starts with developing great people?

This week on 99% Pickleball, Darrin Klinger—father and coach of pro pickleball player CJ Klinger—joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado for one of the most thoughtful conversations we’ve had yet. They talk about parenting, coaching, sportsmanship, and how to help young athletes grow without losing the joy that brought them to the game.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

My House Is Basically Sponsored by HOKA

My partner should honestly be a HOKA ambassador at this point. He owns three pairs of running shoes, two pairs of boots, two pairs of sandals… and somehow still finds reasons to buy another pair.

I can’t make fun of him too much, though. I’m on my third pair myself, and I don’t think I’ll ever buy another off-court shoe. (On the court? Please don’t. That’s what court shoes are for. 😅)

Lately, I’ve been living in the ORA Recovery Slide 3. They’re ridiculously comfortable after a long day of pickleball.

What really sold me is that they earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, meaning they’ve been reviewed by podiatrists and recognized for promoting good foot health. After spending hours on hard courts, that’s exactly what I’m looking for in a recovery shoe.

👉 If your feet need a little love after pickleball, check out the ORA Recovery Slide 3.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Are You Breaking Pickleball's Unwritten Rules? 250 years of American sports history. The LA community builder to know. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-you-breaking-pickleball-s-unwritten-rules https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-you-breaking-pickleball-s-unwritten-rules Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:53:41 +0000 2026-07-07T17:53:41Z Empower Pickleball

The USMNT is out of the World Cup after a loss to Belgium last night, which means most of America can go back to pretending soccer doesn't exist for the next four years.

Good news: you've got somewhere better to put that energy this week. MLP's Mid-Season Championship tips off July 8-12 in Grand Rapids, with all 20 pro teams in action.

And if you're local, you can get in on the action yourself: the Paddletek One Point Challenge is open for registration, with $25K on the line for amateur teams playing alongside MLP pros.

Inside:

  • The unwritten etiquette rules every open play regular follows (and the ones you're probably breaking)

  • The grip style that could fix your topspin overnight

  • Meet the people turning pickleball courts into real community, on and off the court

📋 The Unwritten Rules of Pickleball Open Play

Nobody hands you a rulebook for open play, but the etiquette is real, and it matters. A few unwritten rules every regular follows:

  • Learn the paddle stack—one player, one paddle, no holding spots

  • Mix up your partners when a line is forming

  • Call the score loud before every serve

  • Call close balls in rather than debating them

Advanced players read the room and dial it back with beginners, and everyone plays better when newcomers feel welcome. At the end of the day, good open play etiquette is less about pickleball and more about being someone people want to share a court with.

👉 Find out which rules you didn’t know you were breaking.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 What happens when a pro pickleballer gets traded?
😵‍💫 Paddles that will take your spin game to the next level
🎥 Have you seen the trailer for the biggest pickleball movie of the summer?
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

✊ Grip It to Rip It

Your grip decides more than your swing does. Here's the fast version:

  • Continental—best for kitchen volleys, blocks, and slice drops

  • Eastern—great for topspin forehands and control on drives

  • Western/Semi-Western—max topspin power on forehands and serves, weaker on backhands

Most pros don't pick one and stick with it; they rotate grips shot by shot. Grip pressure matters too: firm on power shots, loose ("scrambled egg") at the net for touch.

👉 Read the full guide to know when to use each.

Hydration, Energy, and Focus in One Packet?

Most hydration mixes stop at electrolytes. Vibras takes things a step further with ingredients designed to support hydration, endurance, focus, and steady energy—all in a convenient stick pack.

The Pink Himalayan Limonada flavor has become a favorite among racquet sport athletes who want something they can use before practice, competition, or even a busy workday.

👉 Click here to grab 15% off your first order.

🏟️ The Games That Built Our Gathering Places

Sports didn't just entertain Americans—they created the demand for spaces where community could happen. The pattern repeats across 250 years:

  • Colonial era—horse tracks and village greens became gathering spots simply because people showed up to play

  • 1891 & 1895—basketball and volleyball were invented and gave people a place to play

  • 1965 to today—pickleball courts became the modern village green, built for connection first

Each new game created a new reason for a park, a court, or a backyard to become a community hub. The equipment and locations changed, but the need for a place to gather never did.

👉 Read more about how sports have shaped American history here.

🕯️ More Than a Candle: Aluminate Life on Wellness Beyond the Court

Pickleball takes care of the body, but recovery matters just as much. Our conversation with Dr. Liz Lehman, founder of Aluminate Life, turned into a conversation about rest, stress, and community. A few highlights:

  • Products are physician-developed, made in the USA, cruelty-free, and vegan

  • The Sleep Candle and Focus Candle are player favorites for winding down or resetting

  • Essential oil rollerballs make an easy addition to any tournament bag

  • A portion of every purchase supports NO MORE, an organization ending domestic and sexual violence

👉 Wellness off the court is just as important as strategy on it, and Aluminate Life makes it simple to start.

🤲 The Glue That Keeps the Group Together

Every pickleball community has someone quietly holding it together. In LA, that's Ifeanyi Ifediba. A few things that stand out about how he leads:

  • Community is built, not accidental—it starts with learning names, not just checking people in

  • Beginners get patient partners and a low-pressure first experience

  • Success isn't attendance—it's watching someone go from outsider to regular

  • He's also working to bring more of his Nigerian community into the sport

His philosophy sums it up: showing up consistently builds something people feel ownership over, long after he's left the room. We're excited to welcome Ifeanyi to the Empower Circle.

👉 Read more about LA’s thriving community here.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> We All Know This Type of Pickleball Player Footwork tips, pickleball personalities, and a festival that finally added the sport it was missing. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/we-all-know-this-type-of-pickleball-player https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/we-all-know-this-type-of-pickleball-player Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:05:28 +0000 2026-07-02T17:05:28Z Empower Pickleball

For the past 15 years, Pittsburgh has hosted one of the country's most unique festivals: Picklesburgh. And yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. Pickle-flavored food, pickle beer, pickle cocktails, pickle-eating contests... basically anything that can be turned into a pickle somehow ends up there.

But every year I've had the same thought: Where's the pickleball?

With more than 250,000 people attending the festival and an estimated 15,000 pickleball players in the Pittsburgh area, it always felt like the most obvious pairing imaginable.

Well, they finally figured it out.

This year's festival will feature newly painted pickleball courts just steps from the festivities, complete with a vibrant commissioned mural. And if that wasn't enough, Aslin Beer Co. is hosting a Pickle Ball afterparty with—you guessed it—even more pickleball.

If you're looking for a last-minute road trip, Pittsburgh might be the place to be July 16–19.

But first, we've got a few other things worth talking about.

TIPS & TRICKS

Stop Lunging at the Ball

Photo by Major League Pickleball

Most players think better shots come from better paddle mechanics. Senior Pro Gina Cilento says they often start with something much simpler: your feet.

Lunging is one of the most common footwork mistakes in pickleball. It throws off your balance, changes your contact point, and makes it much harder to recover for the next shot. Instead of reaching, strong players move their feet first so they can stay balanced and in control.

One of Gina’s favorite reminders comes from pro Jill Braverman: “Let your feet beat the ball.”

💡 Why It Matters: Better footwork leads to better balance, more consistent shots, and faster recoveries.

👉 See why better footwork leads to better shots.

OPINION

Which Pickleball Player Are You?

Every open play has the same cast of characters.

You know them:

  • The player who turns every close call into a courtroom case

  • The one who somehow gives coaching advice after every missed shot

  • The “I’m not very good” player… who then beats everyone 11-2

And, if we’re being honest, you’ve probably been at least a few of them yourself.

💡 Why It Matters: Every pickleball community has its own personalities. They’re part of what makes open play memorable—and the reason you’ll probably leave with a story to tell.

👉 Find out which pickleball personalities you are.

GEAR

Your Feet Take a Beating on the Court

This week, Gina talked about why better footwork leads to better shots. But all that stopping, planting, pivoting, and lunging also puts a lot of stress on your feet.

If you’ve ever finished a day on the courts with sore arches, aching heels, or tired feet, you’re not alone. While good court shoes matter, many players overlook the support inside them—and that can make a bigger difference than they realize.

💡 Why It Matters: Better movement starts from the ground up. Supporting your feet can help reduce fatigue, improve comfort, and keep you feeling stronger through every match.

👉 Learn what’s causing foot pain—and how to help prevent it.

COMMUNITY

Stephanie Lane Has Been Growing Pickleball Since 1988

Stephanie Lane was teaching pickleball decades before dedicated courts, pro tours, and packed tournaments became the norm.

Nearly 40 years later, she’s still sharing the game with anyone willing to pick up a paddle—from young children learning with balloons to adults finding confidence, friendships, and even moments of relief from illnesses like Parkinson’s disease.

💡 Why It Matters: Every thriving pickleball community has people quietly introducing new players to the sport. Stephanie has been doing exactly that for nearly 40 years, helping thousands of people experience the joy of the game.

👉 Read how Stephanie has been sharing the joy of pickleball for decades.

Recovery Isn’t Just Physical

After a long day on the pickleball court, most of us think about recovery in terms of hydration, stretching, and rest. But taking care of your mind matters, too.

Founded by former anesthesiologist Dr. Liz Lehman, Aluminate Life creates doctor-developed, crystal-infused aromatherapy designed to support moments of Focus, Calm, Sleep, Energy, Release, and more. It’s a simple way to slow down and reset after a busy day—on or off the court.

Each product is hand-poured in the USA, vegan, cruelty-free, and made without phthalates or parabens.

👉 Shop the Signature Collection and save 25% with code PICKLE25.

  • Pickleball Is Becoming Part of America's Story 🇺🇸 ESPN included the US Open Pickleball Championships as one of the stops on its America250 road trip, calling pickleball one of the country's most welcoming and multigenerational sports.

  • Floating Pickleball? 🌊 A community in North Miami just unveiled what it says is the first floating pickleball court at a residential property. The custom court sits on the community's seven-acre Crystal Lagoon.

  • From College Club to National Champion 🎓 JMU graduate Ryan Morneau leaves college as the nation's No. 1-ranked collegiate pickleball player, the first collegiate singles national champion, and someone who helped grow JMU's club into a nationally recognized program.

Inside Pro Pickleball Through Two Different Lenses

What does a Major League Pickleball weekend look like from the perspective of a pro player… and a content creator?

This week on 99% Pickleball, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado break down a packed Major League Pickleball weekend, covering Mari’s recent trade, the fan experience at MLP, standout moments from the weekend, and a few of their biggest pickleball pet peeves.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Okay… I Get the Hype Now

I’ll admit it—I used to roll my eyes a little whenever someone recommended a CBD cream. It felt like one of those products people swore by, but I wasn’t convinced.

Then I tried Aina Organics. Their topical relief cream combines hemp-derived CBD (zero THC) with ingredients like arnica, noni leaf, kukui nut oil, and Hawaiian chili pepper to help soothe sore muscles after long days on the court.

I’m always looking for ways to ease the post-match soreness after I get off the court, and this has become one of those products I find myself reaching for.

👉 Use code EMPOWER10 to save 10% on your first order.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> The Serve Rule Everyone Gets Wrong The scariest moment in MLP history. The X Factor Missing from Your Game. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/the-serve-rule-everyone-gets-wrong https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/the-serve-rule-everyone-gets-wrong Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:49:12 +0000 2026-06-30T17:49:12Z Empower Pickleball

One of the biggest complaints about pickleball is that it's too dangerous. Turns out, they were right. You can take a ball to the face, throw out your shoulder on a backhand, and now apparently the scoreboard is getting in on it too.

This week at MLP New York, a 30-foot LED board was blown over by a wind gust mid-match, landing directly on Brooklyn's Rachel Rohrabacher. Thankfully she walked off under her own power and was back competing by Sunday.

Full recap inside, plus:

  • Everything you're getting wrong about legal serves and how refs are now cracking down

  • Why your "spin paddle" probably isn't spinning the way it used to

  • The mental framework that separates players who perform under pressure from those who don't

🏆 New Jersey Makes It Three Straight at MLP New York

Photo Credit: MLP

Before we get to the scoreboard, we have to talk about what happened to it. On Thursday, a wind gust sent a 30-foot LED baseline board crashing onto the court mid-match, landing on Brooklyn's Rachel Rohrabacher.

She was helped off, walked out under her own power, and later shared a heartfelt post thanking everyone who rushed to her aid. By Sunday, she was back competing in mixed doubles, which is about the best possible ending to a scary story.

Now, the pickleball:

  • New Jersey 5s are the hottest team in the league, winning their third event and securing a playoff berth with a first-place finish.

  • Brooklyn showed real depth, finishing second in the standings despite playing most of the event without Rohrabacher, thanks largely to Hannah Blatt filling in seamlessly.

  • Texas Ranchers turned heads by handing New Jersey their only loss of the weekend in a Sunday Dreambreaker.

  • St. Louis didn't play this week but made the biggest news off the court, landing Hunter Johnson in a four-team blockbuster that also moved Elsie Hendershot and John Lucian Goins to Chicago and Mari Humberg to Atlanta.

👉 Catch up on the MLP action here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Building a professional-level pickleball community
🧑‍🔬 How to perform better under pressure
🎥 The most anticipated pickleball movie to date
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the solution, donate to Stop Alzheimer’s Now

🙅 Legal vs. Illegal Serves: What Players Still Get Wrong

Photo Credit: The APP

The serve causes more on-court arguments than any other shot in pickleball, and most disputes come down to a few rules players misread. Here's the quick version:

  • Volley serve: contact must be clearly below the waist, paddle head clearly below the wrist, and the swing must move in a clear upward arc.

  • Drop serve: no paddle rules at all, the ball just has to fall on its own, no toss, no push.

  • Spin: banned only on the release. Once your paddle contacts the ball, spin away.

Modern moves like the drop serve and high-arc spin serves are completely legal when the key requirements are met.

👉 Think your serve would hold up under a ref's eye? Find out here.

⚡️ Legs Feel Dead After Playing? This Fixes That

Long sessions. Back-to-back games. Travel. It all adds up.

Firefly Recovery is a wearable recovery device designed to keep your legs feeling fresh between sessions—whether you just got off the court or off a flight.

It works by gently stimulating your lower leg to increase blood flow, essentially acting as a natural pump which helps reduce soreness and speed up recovery.

It's already used by 1,300+ pro and collegiate teams—and it's FDA-cleared for recovery support.

No ice baths. No compression boots. No downtime.

👉 Recover fast and get back out there with Firefly Recovery. Save 10% on your order here.

🏆 Mental Edge: The X Factor™—What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

The system is the vehicle, the coach is your guide, but the driver has always been you. The X Factor isn't talent or a trait you either have or don't—it's the intersection of:

  • Awareness of what's happening inside you in real time

  • Recovery speed after the mistakes every match brings

  • Identity, the WHO you train yourself to be under pressure

  • Consistency in showing up for the mental reps no one sees

Coach B’s six columns laid the foundation. The bridge, built rep by rep, day by day, is what comes next.

👉 Your X Factor is waiting to be built.

😵‍💫 Best Pickleball Paddles for Spin That Last

That gritty new paddle won't stay that way forever, and which surface you choose determines how much spin you keep months from now. Spin comes down to four approaches:

  • Raw T700 carbon fiber: texture built into the face, dependable long-term spin.

  • Peel ply: a manufacturing technique that creates raw carbon's natural texture.

  • Sprayed grit: maximum spin out of the box, but it smooths faster with heavy play.

  • Engineered surfaces: Selkirk's InfiniGrit and 11SIX24's Hex Grit, built specifically to resist wear.

Our top picks for long-lasting spin include the 11SIX24 Power 2, Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik, and Franklin C45.

👉 The full guide breaks down all eight paddles by price and play style.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Are You Leaving the Middle Wide Open? Mari Humberg is headed to the Atlanta Bouncers, plus a health warning many players overlook and a story about finding community through pickleball. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-you-leaving-the-middle-wide-open https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-you-leaving-the-middle-wide-open Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:52:00 +0000 2026-06-25T16:52:00Z Empower Pickleball

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about Major League Pickleball lately, but things just got a whole lot more interesting.

This week brought MLP’s first-ever four-team trade, with players moving across four different rosters and our own Mari Humberg heading to the Atlanta Bouncers.

We’ll hear more from Mari next week on 99% Pickleball, as she shares what it’s like being traded in the middle of a season, what excites her about the move, and what she’s looking forward to with her new team.

Until then, we’ve got a few other things worth talking about.

TIPS & TRICKS

Most Teams Leave the Middle Wide Open

Photo by Association of Pickleball Players (APP)

Many players focus so much on protecting their sideline that they create an even bigger problem: a wide-open middle.

According to Coach Gina Cilento, strong teams understand that middle coverage isn’t random. The best partnerships communicate early, move together, and know when the forehand should take priority.

A few simple adjustments can eliminate confusion and make your team much harder to beat.

💡 Why It Matters: The middle is one of the highest-percentage targets in pickleball. Covering it correctly reduces confusion, prevents partner collisions, and helps your team win more points.

👉 Learn how to cover the middle without leaving open space.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Don’t Automatically Blame Age

A lot of pickleball players assume every ache, cramp, or sore muscle is just part of getting older.

Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t.

A few signs worth paying attention to:

  • Calf pain that shows up every time you play

  • Leg discomfort that improves when you stop moving

  • One-sided swelling, warmth, or redness

  • Fatigue that feels out of proportion to your activity level

This week, we’re looking at how circulation and vascular health affect performance, recovery, and your ability to stay active for years to come.

💡 Why It Matters: The difference between normal soreness and a potential health issue isn’t always obvious. Knowing what to watch for can help you stay on the court longer.

👉 See what pickleball players should know about vascular health.

COMMUNITY

The Beginner Pickleball Lesson That Changed Everything

Sarah (back middle) with her pickleball posse

Sarah Bowen Shea spent years building communities through running. As the co-founder of Another Mother Runner, she helped thousands of women balance fitness, family, and the demands of everyday life.

Then she tried pickleball during a trip to Mexico. It quickly became an obsession, introducing her to new friendships, weekly games, group chats, and a community she never expected to find. Today, many of her closest relationships revolve around the sport.

💡 Why It Matters: One of pickleball’s greatest strengths is its ability to create connections. Sarah’s story is a reminder that sometimes the people you meet become just as important as the game itself.

👉 Read how pickleball helped Sarah find a whole new community.

Can Your State Climb the Leaderboard?

The America250 National Pickleball Challenge is turning everyday rec play into a nationwide competition.

Every time you play, you can log your session and earn points for your state as part of the country’s 250th birthday celebration.

No tournaments. No qualifiers. No special events.

Just play pickleball and help your state move up the leaderboard.

👉 Sign up and start earning points for your state.

  • A Pickleball Argument Ended With Felony Charges 😳 A Florida woman is facing aggravated battery charges after allegedly hitting another player with a paddle following a dispute during a match. Authorities say the incident left the other player with facial injuries.

  • This Community Can't Get Enough Pickleball 📈 One Colorado community can’t build pickleball courts fast enough. A new 19-court complex in Highlands Ranch is packed daily, with youth camps up 162%, leagues up 84%, and demand still growing.

  • Fans Picked Their Favorite Tournament 🏆 The Franklin US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples was voted the No. 1 pickleball tournament for fans by USA Today readers after a record-setting 10th anniversary event that drew more than 60,000 spectators and players from 53 countries.

Adam Behnke Joins 99% Pickleball

What if we look back 20 years from now and can’t believe what pickleball has become?

This week, Adam Behnke, COO of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss the work happening behind the scenes to grow the sport—from Major League Pickleball and minor league programs to junior development, school partnerships, and community building.

If you’ve ever wondered how pickleball goes from a backyard game to a lasting sport, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people helping make it happen.

📺 Watch it on YouTube tonight at 4pm ET
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Thing You Hope You Never Need

Every pickleball group eventually has one of those moments.

Someone rolls an ankle. Someone jams a finger. Someone goes after a lob and immediately regrets it.

Most of us carry extra grips, overgrips, and backup balls. Very few players carry anything useful when an actual injury happens.

This pickleball-specific first aid kit includes things like cold packs, elastic wraps, finger splints, KT tape, blister care, and wound supplies—all organized in one bag.

Hopefully you never need it. But if your group plays often enough, there’s a good chance someone eventually will.

👉 Check out the All Sports First Aid Kit.

You’re the One Who Runs the Games

Every pickleball group has one person doing everything.

Setting it up. Managing the group chat. Fixing matchups when they’re off. Keeping things moving.

If that’s you, Pickleheads Pro can help.

It handles scheduling, payments, waitlists, and DUPR scoring in one place, so you’re spending less time organizing and more time playing.

👉 Use code EMPOWER30 for a free 30-day trial.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> The Trailer Everyone in Pickleball Is Talking About A stacked cast, smarter swings, and shifting MLP standings this week. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/the-trailer-everyone-in-pickleball-is-talking-about https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/the-trailer-everyone-in-pickleball-is-talking-about Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:45:27 +0000 2026-06-23T16:45:27Z Empower Pickleball

Pickleball players have spent years hearing the same jokes. Now we're getting a movie about them.

The trailer for The Dink dropped this week, bringing together a surprisingly loaded cast, a tennis legend, and what looks like two hours of inside jokes centered around the sport we can't stop playing.

Inside:

  • Why topspin is easier than most players think

  • The St. Louis Shock climb to the top of the MLP standings

  • Which app should all players have on their phone

🎥 The Pickleball Movie We’ve Been Waiting For

The trailer for The Dink just dropped, and it looks like pickleball is finally getting the comedy treatment it deserves. The Apple TV+ film doesn't premiere until July 24, 2026, but the first look suggests plenty of laughs, country club chaos, and tennis-vs-pickleball trash talk.

  • Jake Johnson stars alongside Ed Harris, Mary Steenburgen, Patton Oswalt, and Chloe Fineman in one of the most star-studded pickleball projects ever

  • Former tennis world No. 1 Andy Roddick also appears, adding some extra fuel to the tennis-versus-pickleball storyline

  • The film is produced by Ben Stiller and follows a former tennis prodigy who unexpectedly finds himself falling in love with pickleball

If the trailer is any indication, The Dink isn't trying to be the Remember the Titans of pickleball—it's aiming to be the funniest movie paddle sports has ever seen.

👉 Watch the trailer here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty bring the laughs on 99% Pickleball
💵 Save your money—the era of $300 paddles is over
🤔 Know when to attack and when to reset
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the solution, donate to Stop Alzheimer’s Now

😵‍💫 Topspin Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

Topspin gets treated like an advanced skill, but it's really just a small swing adjustment with a big payoff—a dipping ball is harder to attack and easier to keep in bounds than a flat one.

The mechanics boil down to a few simple things:

  • Low-to-high swing path—the biggest factor in generating spin

  • Brush, don't smack—graze the back of the ball instead of driving through it

  • Loose grip—a tight grip flattens out the brush every time

Modern paddles have made this easier than ever: textured, grit-coated surfaces grab the ball more effectively, and larger sweet spots forgive a slightly imperfect swing. Skip the wrist snap and the big loop—just swing low to high, brush up, and stay relaxed through contact.

👉 Get the full breakdown on building topspin into your game here.

Travel That Actually Understands Pickleball

VibeGetaways specializes in pickleball group vacations at Sandals and Beaches resorts, pairing scheduled court time with thoughtfully organized group experiences. No guesswork. No scrambling for courts. No pressure to participate in everything.

Each trip includes reserved pickleball sessions, group mixers, and plenty of space to unwind—whether that means joining open play, heading to the beach, or sitting out a session entirely.

And because VibeGetaways works directly with the resorts, their agents handle the planning details at no additional cost to you.

👉 See upcoming pickleball group getaways.

🎥 Which Pickleball App Is Worth Your Money?

We put SwingVision, PickleWatch, and PB Vision head-to-head to see which one actually helps you improve—not just track stats for fun.

  • SwingVision is the most feature-rich pick, turning your iPhone into a full analysis platform with highlights, coaching insights, and line calls—but it's Apple-only and starts at $14.99/month

  • PickleWatch wins on simplicity, turning your Apple Watch into a coach with zero setup, starting at $9.99/month, though it skips video entirely

  • PB Vision is the most pickleball-specific option, going deep on strategy like third-shot patterns and attack rates, with Android and browser support plus DUPR integration starting at $19.99/month

👉 Find out who the winner is in our app-by-app comparison here.

🏆 The Shock Take Over First Place in St. Petersburg

Photo Credit: Major League Pickleball

The St. Louis Shock swept Los Angeles 3-0 in Sunday's final at MLP St. Petersburg, their second straight Super Sunday sweep of the Mad Drops and a result that pushed them into first place in the league standings.

  • St. Louis went a perfect 5-0 through a brutal group that included Columbus, Palm Beach, Orlando, and Texas

  • Columbus debuted its new best-on-paper lineup with Tyra Black back from illness, but stumbled to 5th after losses to Palm Beach and St. Louis

  • Palm Beach turned chaos into points—down to alternates Casey Diamond and Stefan Auvergne after injuries to Dekel Bar and Tyson McGuffin—and still finished 4th, with Diamond landing on SportsCenter's Top 10 in his MLP debut

  • Florida Smash didn't win a match at their own home event, but Travis Rettenmaier got an emotional ovation from the St. Pete crowd anyway

St. Louis is now riding an 11-match win streak since their Columbus loss in May, and all eyes turn to the Mid-Season Tournament in July to see if they can finally close out a championship.

🔁 MLP Three-Team Trade Shakes Up Rosters

A multi-team deal went down today involving Bay Area, Las Vegas, and Miami, with each squad making a targeted roster move and cash changing hands to balance the deal.

  • Bay Area Breakers acquire Blaine Hovenier from Las Vegas

  • Las Vegas Night Owls receive Clayton Powell from Miami + cash from Bay Area

  • Miami Pickleball Club land Luc Pham from Bay Area + cash from Las Vegas

Waiver claims are still pending and will be finalized later today, which could further reshape the fallout from this deal.

👉 Catch up on the MLP action here.

💎 The Rise of Luxury Pickleball Clubs

Pickleball is no longer just about finding a court—it’s becoming a full-on lifestyle experience, and a new wave of premium clubs is leading the charge. These facilities go way beyond play, blending fitness, recovery, coworking, dining, and community under one roof.

  • Clubs like St. Pete Athletic and Replay Club offer indoor courts plus saunas, cold plunges, restaurants, and coworking spaces built for all-day stays

  • Lucky Shots and The Flying Pickle double as social hubs, with leagues, tournaments, food and beverage, and year-round structured play

  • The Pickleball Club at Lakewood Ranch leans into recovery, featuring red light therapy, hydromassage, and wellness-focused amenities for serious players

For frequent players, the value isn’t just court time—it’s convenience, community, and consistency that public courts can’t always match.

👉 Read the full breakdown of the five luxury pickleball clubs redefining the sport here.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Can Pickleball Help Bring Clean Water to Uganda? Achilles injuries, smarter speed-up defense, our funniest podcast yet, and a pickleball rug that somehow exists. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/can-pickleball-help-bring-clean-water-to-uganda https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/can-pickleball-help-bring-clean-water-to-uganda Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:46:00 +0000 2026-06-18T16:46:00Z Empower Pickleball

The number of commercials featuring pickleball has officially reached the point where I can’t tell if I’m watching sports or being recruited into a lifestyle.

Every commercial break seems to include someone on a pickleball court. At this rate, I’m expecting the next pharmaceutical ad to list “improved third-shot drops” as a potential side effect.

Fortunately, we’ve got better things to talk about this week.

And if you haven’t listened to 99% Pickleball yet, Mari and Nikki may have just delivered our funniest episode so far.

TIPS & TRICKS

The Best Players Sometimes Back Up

Photo by Major League Pickleball

Most players are taught to hold their ground at the kitchen line. According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, advanced players know there are times when taking a small step back is the smarter play.

When an opponent has an attackable ball, that extra space can help you:

  • Create more reaction time during speed-ups

  • Defend shots aimed at your body more effectively

  • Improve your chances of blocking or resetting the ball

  • Stay balanced instead of getting caught flat-footed

The key is recognizing the attack early, stepping back when necessary, and then working your way forward again after a successful reset.

💡 Why It Matters: Sometimes the smartest way to win a fast exchange is to give yourself a little more time to react.

👉 See why advanced players sometimes step back during speed-ups.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your Achilles Might Be the Most Important Muscle You’re Ignoring

Pickleball has a reputation for being relatively easy on the body, but Achilles injuries remain one of the most common lower-body injuries on the court. For some players, it starts as lingering soreness or stiffness. For others, it’s a sudden injury that can sideline them for months.

The good news is that many Achilles issues can be improved through proper warm-ups, calf strengthening, sensible workload management, and paying attention to early warning signs before they become something more serious.

💡 Why It Matters: Taking a few simple steps now may help keep you on the court and out of a walking boot later.

👉 See how to protect your Achilles while playing pickleball.

COMMUNITY

How One Pickleball Player Is Helping Bring Clean Water to Uganda

Pickleball introduced Melinda Alcosser to a community she never expected to find. Now, those same connections are helping support an effort to bring clean water to a village in Uganda, where families still face challenges accessing safe water every day.

Along the way, she’s used pickleball to support community projects around the world, proving a paddle can sometimes create impact far beyond the court.

💡 Why It Matters: We talk a lot about pickleball’s sense of community. This story is a reminder that those connections can create meaningful change for people thousands of miles away.

👉 Read how Melinda is using pickleball to help bring clean water to Uganda.

Stop Sliding Inside Your Shoes

Pickleball demands quick movement. Hard stops, lateral cuts, and explosive push-offs. But there’s a small problem many players overlook: their foot moving inside their shoes.

Even with quality court shoes, that internal movement can lead to toe jams, blisters, and less stability when changing direction. Many players assume the problem is their footwear when the issue may be their socks.

Squid Socks use strategically placed grip zones to help keep your foot secure inside the shoe, creating a more connected feel on the court.

More stability. More confidence. Less slipping around mid-rally.

👉 Save 20% on Squid Socks with code EMPOWER20.

  • Kids Are Spending Summer Break on the Pickleball Court 🏓 Students in Vermont wrapped up the school year with a pickleball fun day, and free summer camps and teen open play sessions are already filling up.

  • This Nurse Is Using Pickleball to Build Community ❤️ After years of working in northern communities, a Regina nurse is using pickleball to help residents stay active, learn new skills, and strengthen community connections.

  • A Popular Pickleball Hangout May Be Up for Sale 👀 Houston’s PKL Social says it’s business as usual despite reports that the property’s landlord is exploring a sale. For now, the courts are staying open and the paddles are still swinging.

Zane Navratil & Nico the Lefty Join 99% Pickleball

Content creation. Paddle reviews. Parasocial relationships. Community building.

This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado welcome Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty for a candid conversation about what it means to help shape the culture of pickleball. From building audiences to navigating criticism and fostering community, the group dives into the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities that come with having a voice in the sport.

It also happens to be our funniest episode yet.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

For the Person Whose Entire Personality Is Pickleball

Etsy truly has everything.

I recently stumbled across a customizable pickleball court area rug and just sat there staring at it for a minute. Somehow, it never occurred to me that you could turn an entire pickleball court into home decor.

You can personalize it with your name or even something like “Dink Responsibly.” It also comes in multiple sizes, so whether you’re decorating a game room, basement, or the world’s most pickleball-themed living room, there’s probably one that fits.

I can’t decide if it’s ridiculous or amazing. Maybe both.

👉 If your personality is now 90% pickleball, this might be for you.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Top Picks for Eye Protection in 2026 MLP Blockbuster Trade. A Paddle Company Built on Comedy. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/top-picks-for-eye-protection-in-2026 https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/top-picks-for-eye-protection-in-2026 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:22:13 +0000 2026-06-16T17:22:13Z Empower Pickleball

It was a historic weekend in sports—and pickleball wasn't sitting this one out.

The Knicks clinched their first championship in a generation, the Canes lifted the Cup, and the World Cup kicked off in front of roaring crowds. If you blinked, you missed something big.

But while the rest of the sports world was busy making history, pickleball was right there with it. MLP rolled into Austin with a stacked event, and APP brought the heat to Cincinnati. Two more reminders that our sport isn't just along for the ride anymore—it's part of the conversation.

Let's get into it.

Inside:

  • Why every beginner should learn the drive before the drop

  • How a comedy brand and a paddle startup became Friday Pickleball

  • The eyewear picks worth adding to your gear bag in 2026

🏆 The 5s Keep Rolling, Stewart & Munro Strike Gold

Photo Credit: Major League Pickleball

The New Jersey 5s are not slowing down.

  • Fresh off their MLP Columbus win two weeks ago, the 5s rolled into Austin Pickle Ranch and walked away with a second event win, taking down Columbus 3-1 on Super Sunday

  • Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson were the engine all weekend, they led the 5s to an undefeated 6-0 record in Austin

Trade news: Danni Townsend has been traded to Dallas with Tyra Black headed to Columbus in return. The move has people wondering if the Flash are shifting into seller mode—and if so, it could set up a reunion for JW Johnson and his sister Jorja, who'd be teaming up together in Clowntown

Double Gold on the Riverfront

The APP Vlasic Classic packed Cincinnati's riverfront, and two players made sure everyone left talking about them: Katerina Stewart and Jack Munro each doubled up on gold.

  • Katerina Stewart went two-for-two, claiming Women's Singles and Women's Doubles with Riley Bohnert

  • Jack Munro matched her stride for stride, taking Men's Doubles with Richard Livornese, Jr. and Mixed Doubles with Jill Braverman

  • Not to be outdone: Dusty Boyer broke through for his first career APP Tour gold in Men's Singles—the wait is over

👉 Catch up on the MLP action here or check out the APP fanfare here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 You’re guaranteed to learn something new about the game on 99% Pickleball
🥊 Give your serve the upgrade it’s been missing
🎨 This paddle is a work of art and could be yours
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the solution, donate to Stop Alzheimer’s Now

🧠 Why Beginners Should Learn the Drive Before the Drop

Everyone tells new players to master the third-shot drop. Here's the problem: it's one of the hardest shots in the game, and most beginners aren't ready for it. A controlled third-shot drive at 60% power is a better place to start—and it actually makes your drop easier to learn later.

Here's what makes it work:

  • 60% power, not full swing—enough pace to pressure the net team, but not so fast that you lose control

  • Topspin is non-negotiable—a flat drive sits up and gets put away; topspin makes the ball dip and forces a tough dig

  • The goal is the fifth shot, not a winner—a low, uncomfortable drive creates a weak return you can work with

The three mistakes that kill this shot: overhitting, gripping too tight through contact, and driving flat. Dial back the effort, brush up through the ball, and watch how quickly your third shot becomes a weapon instead of a liability.

👉 Read the full breakdown on how to build this shot from the ground up.

Your Feet Might Be Taking More Damage Than You Realize

Hard courts, constant movement, and playing multiple days a week can add up fast on your feet, knees, and joints.

Designed to help reduce impact and fatigue, Zelus Insoles use patented SmartCells cushioning technology to absorb force and support better alignment during play.

A few standout benefits:

  • Reduced foot and joint fatigue

  • Better cushioning during long sessions

  • Added support without bulky stiffness

  • Built for both performance and recovery

Less soreness. More support. More time on court.

👉 Use code EMPOWER15 for 15% off.

🎥 Meet the Brand That Skipped the Pros and Went Viral Instead

Friday Pickleball almost didn't exist—and now it's one of the fastest-growing names in the sport.

The brand's origin is a happy accident: Matt and André set out to build an affordable, high-performance paddle, while three friends in Kansas City—Jake, Scott, and Isaac—were separately building a comedy content brand under the same name. Instead of fighting over it, they merged.

That mashup is exactly why Friday feels different. Their motto, "It's Just Pickleball," shows up in funny skits and relatable content rather than spec sheets and pro endorsements.

They've also stripped the intimidation out of buying a paddle—no swing weight or carbon-face jargon, just simple options like the Original, Fever, and Aura. And the price tag backs up their whole philosophy: the Original starts at $69, while flagship brands elsewhere routinely run $250–$300.

Bottom line: Friday built a following before they sold a single paddle, then made sure the paddles were actually affordable once people showed up.

👉 Learn what’s next for Friday Pickleball here.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 APP Expands to Host Record-Breaking Birmingham Tournament

The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and Pickleball England announced an expanded partnership, signaling pickleball's growth well beyond American borders.

  • What: The 2026 English Open, August 11–16 at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre

  • Scale: Expected to draw 3,000+ players from 45+ countries—the largest indoor pickleball tournament in the world

  • Details: 120 divisions (junior, wheelchair, para, open), the Unity Cup team competition, and a $50,000 prize purse

Beyond the impressive numbers, the real story is what the sport represents: beginners, retirees, wheelchair athletes, and families all sharing the same courts. As APP founder Ken Herrmann put it, this is one of pickleball's standout international events—and a sign of bigger things to come for the game in England and Europe.

👉 Read more about the premier event here.

👓 Top Picks for Eye Protection in 2026

As pickleball gets faster, more players are adding sport-specific glasses to their gear bag—not just for style, but for safety and better ball tracking. Eye doctors report a rise in pickleball-related eye injuries, from minor scrapes to serious retinal damage, and regular sunglasses simply aren't built to handle a fast-moving ball.

When shopping for eyewear, focus on three things: protection (impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses), lens color (clear for indoor, amber/rose tones for outdoor contrast, gray/smoke for bright sun), and comfort (you'll only wear what doesn't fog or slide).

Top picks for 2026:

👉 Find the best budget and minimalist options here.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

Does your brand believe in growing the game and supporting the people who play it? Let’s make something happen.


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]]> Are Your Home Courts Holding You Back? The serve mistake most players make, a founder building community through pickleball, and why leaving your home courts might improve your game. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-your-home-courts-holding-you-back https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/are-your-home-courts-holding-you-back Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:30:40 +0000 2026-06-11T16:30:40Z Empower Pickleball

This week, a Utah man was arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman during a pickleball game because he felt her outfit was “too revealing.”

Let’s be clear: there is absolutely no place for violence on or off the court. This guy somehow managed to turn a friendly game of pickleball into a news story for all the wrong reasons.

Ladies, we don’t need to change what we wear to make other people comfortable.

Thankfully, most pickleball stories are a little more uplifting than that. This week, we’ve got women raising money for great causes, building communities through the sport, and finding new ways to improve their game.

And if you haven’t seen on Instagram yet, we’re currently giving away three RAD Pickleball paddles designed by artist Maxime Manga that I’m admittedly a little jealous of myself.

Let’s get into it.

TIPS & TRICKS

Your Serve Can Do More Than Start the Point

Many players view the serve as nothing more than a way to start the rally. According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, that’s a missed opportunity.

The strongest servers consistently:

  • Push opponents deep behind the baseline

  • Use topspin to create pressure

  • Vary placement and pace to keep returners from getting comfortable

Every serve should have a purpose. The more pressure you create before the rally begins, the easier it becomes to control what happens next.

💡 Why It Matters: A better serve creates weaker returns, more third-shot opportunities, and puts pressure on your opponent before the rally really begins.

👉 Learn how to improve your serve with depth, topspin, and smarter placement.

EDUCATION

Why Playing New People Makes You Better

Most players spend most of their time playing the same opponents on the same courts. While there’s nothing wrong with having a regular group, familiarity can make the game predictable.

Traveling for pickleball forces you to adapt. New opponents, different playing styles, unfamiliar court conditions, and changing weather all require adjustments that simply don’t happen when you’re playing the same people every week.

💡 Why It Matters: Some of the biggest improvements happen when you’re forced outside your comfort zone. The more situations you experience, the more adaptable you become when it matters most.

👉 See why traveling for pickleball may improve your game faster than you think.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Who Are You When the Score Gets Tight?

Most players spend their practice time working on shots. Coach B believes there’s something equally important that often gets overlooked: identity. Not what you do on the court, but who you become when the pressure rises.

Whether you’re the calm competitor, the relentless recoverer, or the player who thrives on intensity, your response to pressure is often the result of what you’ve trained long before match point arrives.

💡 Why It Matters: Pressure doesn’t create habits—it reveals them. The more intentional you are about the player you want to be, the more likely that version shows up when the stakes are high.

👉 Discover why your pickleball identity may matter as much as your mechanics.

COMMUNITY

How Maggie Zheng Found Her Crew Through Pickleball

When Maggie Zheng moved to Los Angeles, she picked up pickleball for the same reason many people do: to meet people. What started as a way to make friends quickly became something much bigger.

Today, Maggie is the founder of Court & Crew, but her philosophy remains the same: community comes first. Through tournaments, social events, and creative experiences, she’s helping people find the same sense of belonging that first drew her to the sport.

💡 Why It Matters: People often come to pickleball for the game, but they stay because of the connections. Maggie’s story is a reminder of how powerful those relationships can be.

👉 Read how one pickleball player turned community into something much bigger.

Hydration, Energy, and Focus in One Packet?

Most hydration mixes stop at electrolytes. Vibras takes things a step further with ingredients designed to support hydration, endurance, focus, and steady energy—all in a convenient stick pack.

The Pink Himalayan Limonada flavor has become a favorite among racquet sport athletes who want something they can use before practice, competition, or even a busy workday.

👉 Click here to grab 15% off your first order.

This Week on 99% Pickleball

Should pickleball be focused on getting into the Olympics? Are we investing enough in youth development? And what happens as the sport continues to grow around the world?

Sarah Ansboury joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to tackle those questions and more in this week’s episode of 99% Pickleball.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Vibration Plate People Might Be Onto Something

I’m chronically online, which isn’t something I love admitting at this stage in my life. Lately, it feels like every creator on the internet is standing on a vibration plate. I assumed they were another wellness trend that would disappear.

Apparently not.

When paired with simple movements like squats, planks, or calf raises, vibration plates can help increase muscle activation while staying relatively low-impact on your joints. Some research has also linked them to improved circulation, recovery, and bone health support.

The best part is you don’t need to spend a fortune to try one. Prices vary quite a bit, but there are plenty of beginner-friendly options available if you’re curious.

👉 If you’ve been vibration plate curious, there are plenty of beginner-friendly options that won’t break the bank.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

Submit your story

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]]> Smart Players Don't Attack First. They Wait for THIS. Here's how to know when to actually pull the trigger. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/smart-players-don-t-attack-first-they-wait-for-this https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/smart-players-don-t-attack-first-they-wait-for-this Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:07:38 +0000 2026-06-09T17:07:38Z Empower Pickleball

John McEnroe called pickleball "that damn stupid pickleball" on live TV—and Genie Bouchard was sitting right there.

McEnroe made the comments during his French Open alternate broadcast when Bouchard, who left tennis to go pro in pickleball, joined as a guest. He couldn't help himself.

Bouchard fired back immediately, pointing out that McEnroe had played it too.

His defense? "They paid me more money for two weekends than I made playing tennis." So apparently it's only stupid when other people do it.

The haters are loud—but they're still showing up to the court.

Inside:

  • The speed-up mistake that's costing you points

  • 5 bag items smarter than any paddle upgrade

  • Your chronic illness doesn't disqualify you from the court

🏆 The St. Louis Shock Just Put the Rest of MLP on Notice

Photo Credit: MLP

The St. Louis Shock dominated their hometown event at Chaifetz Arena this past weekend, winning MLP St. Louis in convincing fashion and cementing themselves as the team to beat in 2026. After finishing third in Dallas and second in Columbus, they came home with something to prove—and delivered.

Here's how it went down:

  • Pool play: The Shock went 4-0, dropping only two games all weekend (both in already-decided matches)

  • The final: A rematch against the LA Mad Drops—the same team that beat them in Dallas—ended in a clean 3-0 sweep: 11-1, 11-3, 11-5

  • Anna Bright and Kate Fahey handled women's doubles with ease, while Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio shut down Ben Johns and Max Freeman in men's doubles

The Mad Drops finished second, but their women's doubles duo of Catherine Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto went just 2-4—a real concern going forward. Brooklyn grabbed third despite losing Riley Newman to a foot injury, and Orlando took fourth. Up next: MLP Austin, June 11-14.

👉 See the full league standings here.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

🎧 Press play on this while you’re driving to the courts
👊 How to break the 3.5 level barrier
🏓 Paddle brands challenging the norm in 2026
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Be a part of the Empower Pickleball Fam and save 30% with code EMPOWER30

🎯 Stop Guessing When to Speed Up—Here's What to Look For

Most players attack out of impatience. The best players attack out of recognition. Speed up when you see these triggers:

  • Ball is floating above net height—this is your green light

  • Opponent's paddle is down or out of position

  • They're in transition or off-balance—a hard ball at their feet is nearly unreturnable

Just as important: know when to hold back. If you're mid-court, hitting a low ball, or your opponent is set and ready, a reset will serve you better than an attack. Speeding up into a prepared player usually hands them the point. Wait for the conditions, then go—that's what separates reactive pickleball from intentional pickleball.

👉 Get the full breakdown—including drills to improve your speedups here.

✨ Recovery Isn't Just Physical

Most athletes think about recovery in terms of hydration, stretching, and rest. But what about creating space to unwind mentally, too?

Founded by former anesthesiologist Dr. Liz Lehman, Aluminate Life is reimagining aromatherapy through doctor-developed, crystal-infused, essential oil-based products designed around emotional intentions. The Signature Collection includes scents created for Focus, Release, Sleep, Energy, Calm, and more, helping you create intentional moments of wellness throughout your day.

Each product is hand-poured in the USA, vegan, cruelty-free, and made without phthalates or parabens.

👉 Shop the Signature Collection and save 25% with code PICKLE25.

🎒 The Pickleball Bag Items Nobody Talks About (But Should)

Everyone has opinions on paddles. Fewer people talk about what's quietly sitting at the bottom of the smartest bags on the court. After a few seasons of trial and error, a handful of unexpected items have earned a permanent spot—and they have nothing to do with your game, until suddenly they have everything to do with it. A few hints:

  • Grip socks—because your foot slides more than you think

  • Anti-chafe balm—runners figured this out years ago, pickleball players are catching up

  • Electrolyte packets—for when "one more game" turns into three hours

The players who stay on the court the longest usually aren't the ones with the newest paddles—they're the ones who figured out the small stuff. There are five items total, and the last two might surprise you.

👉 See all 5 odd things that have earned a permanent spot in my bag.

💪 Pickleball Doesn't Only Belong to Healthy Bodies

Arthritis, diabetes, long COVID, multiple sclerosis, cancer recovery—pickleball courts are full of players managing more than most people see. But you don't have to earn your place on the court. The key isn't pushing through; it's learning to play smarter than the unpredictability of your own body. A few things worth knowing:

  • Talk to your healthcare provider first—especially if you're newly diagnosed or returning after treatment

  • Morning play, doubles over singles, lighter paddles, shorter sessions—there's no wrong version of the game if it keeps you coming back

  • Learn the difference between normal soreness and warning signs that deserve attention (chest pain, dizziness, sudden shortness of breath)

The goal isn't to prove how much you can handle. The goal is finding a version of pickleball that lets you keep showing up—and on the days you can't, that's okay too.

👉 Read the full guide on staying active with a chronic illness.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have a pickleball story you would like to share?

Tell us what’s happening at your local courts—the wins, the debates, and the moments everyone’s talking about.

We might feature your story in an upcoming newsletter.

Share Your Story

Partner With Us?

Every week, our newsletter lands in inboxes of players who live and breathe pickleball. They come to us for the latest news, gear, drills, and stories that celebrate the people behind the sport.

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]]> Who Makes Up the 99% of Pickleball? A new podcast, a bigger purpose, and why some of the biggest brands in the world are paying attention to pickleball. https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/who-makes-up-the-99-of-pickleball https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/p/who-makes-up-the-99-of-pickleball Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:02:50 +0000 2026-06-04T17:02:50Z Empower Pickleball

Last week we asked whether you’re a tournament player, and 71% of you said you’re either competing already or want to be. Apparently pickleball players aren’t afraid of a little competition.

Which makes Serena Williams’ return to professional tennis at age 44 feel oddly appropriate. Four years after retiring, she’s back on court proving it’s never too late to start something new, come back to something you love, or see what you’re still capable of.

Also… surprise. 🎙️

If you haven’t been following us on Instagram, you may have missed that our new podcast, 99% Pickleball, officially launched today with Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado. Scroll down to catch the first episode.

TIPS & TRICKS

The Return of Serve Deserves More Attention

Photo by The APP

Many players spend hours working on serves, dinks, and speed-ups while barely thinking about their return of serve. According to Senior Pro Gina Cilento, that’s a missed opportunity.

A deep return buys valuable time, pushes opponents farther behind the baseline, and makes it harder for them to execute an effective third shot. The best returners focus on depth, not power.

💡 Why It Matters: Consistently hitting deep returns helps you control rallies before they really begin.

👉 Learn how to hit deeper returns and put pressure on your opponents.

OPINION

Are Pro Pickleball Players Starting to Look Like NASCAR Drivers?

A few years ago, most pickleball sponsorships came from paddle companies and apparel brands already inside the sport. Now players are signing deals with beauty retailers, technology companies, eyewear brands, and just about everything in between.

That comes with more logos, more partnerships, and a growing debate about whether pickleball is following a path closer to golf or NASCAR when it comes to sponsorships.

💡 Why It Matters: The growing number of sponsorships is another sign that brands outside of pickleball are starting to see real value in the sport—and that’s a pretty big shift from where things stood just a few years ago.

👉 Read why pro pickleball players are becoming increasingly valuable to sponsors.

COMMUNITY

A Pickleball Tournament With a Bigger Purpose

Photo by Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce

Last weekend, a group of emerging leaders in Bowling Green, Ohio used a pickleball tournament to help address food insecurity in their community. What started as a class project quickly turned into a community-wide effort, bringing together players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters to raise funds and awareness for local organizations.

💡 Why It Matters: Communities are using the sport as a way to support causes that matter and bring people together around something bigger than competition.

👉 Read how one tournament helped make an impact off the court.

The Paddle Anna Leigh Waters Trusts

If you’ve been considering a paddle upgrade, Franklin’s C45 Carbon Fiber paddle has become one of the most talked-about paddles on the market for a reason.

Designed with a double-thermoformed construction and a textured carbon fiber surface, the C45 is built to deliver the combination most players are looking for: power, spin, and control.

It’s also the paddle series used by Anna Leigh Waters, and it comes in multiple shapes and thicknesses depending on your playing style.

👉 Shop the Franklin C45 series and use code EMPOWER10 to save 10% on your order.

Introducing 99% Pickleball

What does a bar, a pro player, and an accidental pickleball obsession have in common?

They’re all part of the story behind 99% Pickleball, our new podcast hosted by Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado.

In the first episode, the two share how they found pickleball, what pulled them into the sport, and why they wanted to create a podcast focused on the other 99%.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The Water Bottle I Didn’t Expect to Care This Much About

We had custom Ice Shaker Legend Series bottles made for Empower Pickleball, and I fully expected it to become just another water bottle sitting on my desk.

I was wrong.

The first thing I noticed was the straw design. Then the handle. Then the shaker itself. If you’re old enough to remember those plastic shaker bottles with the metal ball bouncing around inside, the twist-in agitator feels like a major upgrade.

I’ve been using mine for water, electrolytes, and protein shakes. It’s quickly become one of those products I reach for without thinking. It doesn’t hurt that they come in a ton of colors and can be customized too.

👉 Check out the Ice Shaker Legend Series and customization options.

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.

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