Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages

What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:

• 10 Unique Drills to Skyrocket Your Pickleball Skill Level

• Profile: Hear The Story Behind Dinky Balls:
  The Whackiest Pickleball Gear On The Courts

• 11 Great Cities for Pickleball Lovers To Retire In

• Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: Quick Test To See If You Have Tight Lats

• FBI Raids Home of Pickleball “Entrepreneur” in Alleged
  $50 Million Ponzi Scheme

• Humor: Did That Go The Way You Through It Would Go?

• Florida Senator Files Bill To Keep Pickleball Courts Out Of State Parks

• “Pickleball In Prison” Documentary Set for December Release

• Rally Rundown: Local Highlights

• Announcements: RPPA: The Only 100% Pickleball Social Network

• Coach Mary: Why Pop Ups Happen and How To Avoid Them

🥷SKILLS

10 Unique Drills to Skyrocket Your
Pickleball Skill Level

Improving your pickleball game goes beyond repetitive practice. To truly excel, you need drills that challenge your precision, adaptability, and mental fortitude. The following 10 unique drills are designed to do just that. Each exercise offers a blend of strategy, finesse, and focus, helping you level up while keeping practice sessions engaging. Whether you're mastering deception or honing your accuracy, these drills will help you gain an edge on the court.

1. The Deceptive Flick Drill
   Deception can be a powerful weapon on the pickleball court. The Deceptive Flick Drill trains you to disguise your shots effectively, keeping your opponent guessing.

   How It Works
   • Set up at the baseline while your partner stands at the net.
   • As you are about to contact the ball, rotate your wrist subtly so that you adjust the paddle face. This will redirect the ball.
   • Make the flick motion controlled and tight, originating mostly from your wrist rather than your whole arm.
   • Keep your body language consistent to avoid giving away your true target.
   
   Common Mistakes
   • Telegraphing the flick too early.
   • Losing ball control with overly ambitious mis-directions.
   
   Pro Tips
   • Record yourself to identify any unintentional cues in your body language.
   • Practice in slow motion to fine-tune your paddle control before increasing speed.
   
   This drill builds confidence and gives you a strategic edge, especially during tight rallies.

🫶 PICKLEBALL PROFILES

A Chat with the Founders of
DINKY BALLS: The Whackiest
Pickleball Gear on the Courts

Fit Pickler: Lisa and Dustin, thanks for joining me. I would love to hear about your inspiration behind Dinky Balls? Where did the idea come from?
Lisa: It really started from our time owning and running an indoor pickleball club called Pickles. We were one of the first dedicated indoor pickleball facilities on the East Coast, opening in March 2020. Spending all that time behind the counter, I got to know so many players, and their personalities really stood out. We started joking about how you see the same types of people on every court—no matter where you go.
Dustin: Lisa would come home with all these stories about the different personalities she’d meet. I started sketching out fun characters based on her stories, and it just snowballed from there. The more we thought about it, the more we realized that these personalities are universal. That’s what makes pickleball so special—it’s this amazing mix of people from all walks of life who come together on the court.

Fit Pickler: Can you describe some of these personalities for our readers?
Lisa: Of course! One of the most recognizable is “The Ambassador.” Almost everyone who plays pickleball loves it so much they want to share it with everyone they meet, so they’re like a walking billboard for the game. Then there’s “The Legend.” These players have been around forever—they might have started playing decades ago or just have the wisdom and experience that makes them stand out.
Then there’s “The Banger.” You know the type—hat backward, cut-off shirt, smashing every ball as hard as they can. They’re usually in great shape and having the time of their life. And of course, there’s “The Wacko Fanatic,” the player who spends hours on the court every day, taking lessons, playing games, and just never wanting to leave.
Dustin: There’s also “Buzzy,” the one who’s always chatting and sharing court gossip—sometimes harmless, sometimes not. And “The Coach,” who always has advice to share, whether you asked for it or not. Another classic is “The Newbie,” someone who’s been playing for years but still claims they’re new to the game whenever they mess up.

Fit Pickler: Those are so relatable! How did these characters you met morph into the brand Dinky Balls?
Lisa: We realized these personalities were the heart of what makes pickleball so fun.
Dustin: We wanted to create something that celebrated the spirit of the game. That’s why we came up with the name Dinky Balls. It’s a playful term that pickleball players will recognize, and it felt like the perfect fit for these fun, quirky characters.

Fit Pickler: I understand that your club was one of the first of its kind. Can you share a little about its history?
Lisa: Yes, we opened Pickles in March 2020. At the time, there were only a handful of dedicated pickleball facilities in the country. We were one of the first on the East Coast, and it was 100% focused on pickleball. We weren’t a restaurant or an entertainment venue. We just wanted to create a space where people could play and feel like they belonged.
Dustin: When we first started, people thought we were crazy. They’d say, “No one is going to pay to play pickleball.” But pretty quickly, we had hundreds, then thousands, of players registered. It showed us how much people love this sport and want to connect with others through it.

Fit Pickler: Dinky Balls clearly celebrates the community-aspect of the sport of pickleball. Was that part of your goal?
Dustin: Definitely. One of the things we noticed at the club was how pickleball brings people together. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from—when you step onto the court, you’re part of the same community. That’s what we wanted Dinky Balls to represent. It’s about embracing who you are and connecting with others through the sport.
Lisa: We’ve seen so many stories of people building friendships and finding joy through pickleball. Whether it’s players coming together after a tough time in their life or just finding a group they connect with, it’s incredible to see. We wanted to celebrate that through Dinky Balls.

Fit Pickler: What’s the message you hope to leave with players?
Dustin: Be yourself. That’s really what Dinky Balls is all about. On the court, you don’t have to pretend to be someone else. You can just enjoy the game, embrace your personality, and have fun. Go out there, have fun and we’ll see you on the courts!

SAVE 20% Store Wide on DINKY BALLS MERCHANDISE - FIND GREAT GIFTS!
Use code RPPA at checkout! Dinkyballs.com

🏋️ STAYING FIT with GLENN & BRIANNA

QUICK TEST TO SEE IF YOU
HAVE TIGHT LATS

🏖️RETIREMENT NEWS

11 Great Cities for Pickleball Lovers
to Retire In

Retirement should be about more than just relaxation—it’s the perfect time to embrace hobbies and build connections. For pickleball enthusiasts, certain cities offer exceptional amenities that combine active living with a sense of community. From state-of-the-art courts to dedicated clubs and leagues, these destinations provide the ideal backdrop for your golden years.

Find out which cities are perfect for retirees who love pickleball and start envisioning your active, fulfilling retirement today: Click Here…

⚖️ LEGAL NEWS

FBI Raids Home of Pickleball “Entrepreneur”
in Alleged $50M Ponzi Scheme

The case against Rodney Grubbs, former CEO of Pickleball Rocks, has reached a critical turning point. Federal agents executed a search warrant at his Indiana home as part of an investigation into accusations of defrauding investors out of millions. With over 335 creditors stepping forward, this marks a significant escalation in a case that has shaken trust in the pickleball community. See how the investigation is unfolding and what it could mean for those involved. Read more here…

The FBI is looking for more potential victims who have not yet come forward If you were a victim or have information contact the FBI - CLICK HERE

🤣HUMOR

Did That Go the Way You Thought
It Would Go?

🏛️ POLITICAL NEWS

FL Senator Files Bill to Keep Pickleball
Out of State Parks

A new bill in Florida’s legislature could change the landscape of state parks by banning the construction of pickleball courts and other sports facilities. If approved, this measure would restrict recreational opportunities for pickleball enthusiasts while prioritizing conservation-focused activities.

See how this proposed legislation might reshape state parks and what it could mean for the pickleball community. Read more here….

🤩 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

“Pickleball In Prison” Documentary
Set for December Release

Pickleball is more than a game; it’s becoming a transformative tool in unexpected places. Recently, a documentary crew captured the impact of pickleball within six California prisons, showcasing how the sport fosters rehabilitation and community among incarcerated individuals.

As participants learn teamwork, strategy, and focus on the court, they find a sense of relief from daily stress and a pathway toward personal growth.

See how a simple paddle and ball are breaking barriers and reshaping lives behind prison walls—read on for the inspiring details, click here…

📜 ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOIN RPPA TODAY
The Only Social Network that is
All Pickleball All The Time

The Recreational Pickleball Players Association RPPA - Use CODE BF50 to save 50% off of PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP UPGRADE! Yearly dues, only $25/year!

As Founding Members, you will have a say in the future of the Association. Join as a Founding Member Today! Learn more about RPPA here…

RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

SANTA CRUZ, CA: BMX Riders Rise Up Against The CIty's First Proposed Pickleball Courts
MARSHALL, MN: Ryan Anthony Gives Back To His Roots Through Pickleball Success
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In A Happy Pickle: Coleman's Pickleball Obsession Lands Him National Deaf Crown
NEWPORT, RI: Hearing Set In Newport Pickleball Lawsuit
RICHMOND, VA: More Pickleball Courts Part Of Richmond's $152M 2025 Capital Budget
MCLEAN, VA: Pickleball Club Run By 300 Students Wins VA State Championship
CANADA: Latest Twist In Pickleball Controversy Leaves P.E.I. Town Without New Courts - And Mayor
DENVER, CO: Pickleball Quietly Returns To Denver Park

DO YOU HAVE LOCAL NEWS TO SHARE? REACH OUT TO US AT
[email protected] and send us a link to your story!

  💪 Why Pop Ups Happen &
How to Avoid Them

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