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3 Techniques To Master The Middle Dink
Bad Habits, PB Scams, 5 Pros to Watch, Best Paddle for Top Spin, The Nasty Nelson, A PB Mansion and More!
FIT PICKLER
April 10, 2025
In partnership with
Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages
What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:
3 Techniques To Master The Middle Dink - Exploit The Gap!
Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: How To Pigeon Stretch Like A Pro
How Common Pickleball Bad Habits Lead To Big Injuries
The Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin
The Prevalence of Pickleball Scams
What Is A Nasty Nelson Serve In Pickleball, And Why Is It So Difficult To Play?
Wrexham FC Investor Sam Porter On Economics Of Soccer, Rise Of Pickleball
The Hottest Names In Pro Pickleball: 5 Players You Need To Know
In Los Angeles A Modern Farmhouse With A Pickleball Court Seeks $8.9M
Coach Mary: 3 Pickleball Strategies That Are Ruining Your Game
🥷 SKILLS
3 Techniques To
Master The Middle Dink
Coming In The Kitchen Hot
In pickleball, control of the kitchen often decides control of the game. Many players spend endless hours practicing crosscourt dinks — and while they’re important, it’s the middle of the court that often holds the real advantage.
The middle dink is one of the most underused and misunderstood shots in recreational play. When used correctly, it forces opponents into awkward decisions, creates easy attack opportunities, and breaks predictable patterns. It doesn’t take fancy spin or power. It just takes a little precision and smart timing.
Here’s how to master three simple middle dink techniques that will change how you control the court.
🏋️ STAYING FIT with GLENN
How To Pigeon Stretch Like A Pro
đź’Ş SKILL & HEALTH NEWS
How Common Pickleball Bad
Habits Lead To Big Injuries
The Death Grip! Bad Habit #1
Pickleball might look easy, but hidden habits could be setting you up for serious injuries—and you might not even realize it until it’s too late. From death-gripping the paddle to backpedaling on overheads, small mistakes add up fast, taking a toll on joints, muscles, and more.
Learn how to spot—and fix—the bad habits that can knock you off the court. Your body will thank you. See More Here…
🏓 GEAR NEWS
The Best Pickleball Paddles For Spin
You Spin Me Right Round Baby, Right Round Like A Record Baby…
If you’re serious about adding spin to your pickleball game, your paddle matters more than you think. From topspin flicks to slicing drops, the right gear can help you shape every shot—and leave your opponents scrambling.
See which top paddles deliver the spin you need to stay one step ahead.
⚖️ LAW & ORDER
The Prevalence Of Pickleball Scams
Can I Interest You In A Pickleball Court?
Pickleball’s explosive growth has been mostly good news—until now. Another massive scandal is rocking the sport, with executives behind a sprawling Arizona complex accused of pulling off a $280 million fraud. With forged documents, fake contracts, and dreams of pickleball glory, this story shows just how high—and how hard—the pickleball gold rush can crash.
See how one of the biggest scams in pickleball history unfolded, Click Here…
♟️ STRATEGY
What Is A Nasty Nelson &
Why Is It So Difficult To Play?
You Nasty!
One of the most controversial moves in pickleball isn't about finesse—it’s about catching your opponent off guard. The “Nasty Nelson” is bold, fast, and designed to rattle even the most seasoned players. Mastering it takes guts, precision, and a touch of strategy—and knowing how to defend against it might just save you a few bruises.
Find out how this infamous shot earned its name—and why it’s so hard to beat.
Get the full breakdown, click here…
đź’° FINANCIAL NEWS
Wrexham FC Investor Sam Porter On The Economics of Soccer And Pickleball
I’ll Dink To That!
Pickleball isn’t just winning over players—it’s catching the eyes of serious investors too. In a new episode of Portfolio Players, Wrexham A.F.C. investor Sam Porter pulls back the curtain on the economics behind team ownership and why pickleball’s explosive rise has captured the attention of the sports business world.
Get an inside look at how private equity, soccer, and America’s fastest-growing sport are shaping the future of sports investing. Watch the full interview here…
🏓 PRO NEWS
The Hottest Names In Pro Pickleball: 5 Players You Need To Know
Give me Five!
Pickleball’s meteoric rise has created a new class of stars—and they’re changing the way the game is played. From precision and power to show-stopping rallies, these five players are leading the charge and captivating fans around the world.
Meet the players making waves and setting the new standard for greatness.
See the full list here…
🏠REAL ESTATE NEWS
In Los Angeles A Modern Farmhouse
With A Pickleball Court Seeks $8.9M
Sotheby's International Realty - Brentwood Brokerage
If your dream home includes luxury, privacy, and a private pickleball court, this Bel Air stunner might just check every box. With resort-style features, an entertainer’s layout, and breathtaking views, it’s a rare find in one of L.A.’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Take a closer look inside this $8.9M modern farmhouse masterpiece, click here…
🤣 HUMOR
🧠COMMUNITY NEWS
RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
CHICAGO, IL: Zack Munoz, 73, A Poster Boy For Senior Pickleball
ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, FL: Nationwide Pickleball Fever Reaches City
FINDLAY, OH: New Pavilion And Pickleball Courts Bring Fresh Energy To Campus
DECATUR, AL: Council To Consider Buying Facial Recognition Security Cameras For Pickleball, Tennis Courts
GLENDALE, AZ: Nonprofit Plans World's Largest Pickleball Lesson In Glendale
HERMON, CA: Turf War Between Tennis And Pickleball Arrives In Northeast L.A.
SANDY, UT: Inaugural Employee Pickleball Tournament - Rally For A Good Cause
DUBAI, UAE: Pickleball Fever Grips Dubai, Sania Mirza Gears Up To Lead The Sport's Explosive Growth In UAE
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL NEWS TO SHARE? REACH OUT TO US AT
[email protected] and send us a link to your story!
HOLDING COURT with
COACH MARY
đź’Ş 3 Pickleball Strategies That Are
Ruining Your Game
3 PICKLEBALL STRATEGIES THAT ARE RUINING YOUR GAME, AND HOW TO FIX THEM!
Jordan Briones recently posted this video: be sure to watch it several times! He covers misconceptions about strategy, that have changed as the game has changed.
Misconception #1: The serve is just to start the point.
Jordan explains that 8 years ago, he emphasized just getting the ball in for the serve. Not anymore, with more tennis players coming to the sport, bringing more spin and slice to their returns. Your serve needs to put them on defense, so they cannot attack you!
He mentions the “bowling motion, or elephant trunk” serve – I use this analogy also. Instead of just bringing your arm straight back and straight forward, like a bowling motion, you need to mimic the golf or baseball swing, incorporating your hips, your core, and your shoulders. Your paddle is part of your shoulder and hip motion, rather than a separate arm swing.
Rather than using just your arm, you will use your hips, your lower body, and your shoulders to execute a strong serve. I will add that “low to high” is a good tip to add topspin to your serve. Lastly, you need to follow-through with your shoulders and your off arm, with your paddle arm finishing across your body. Be sure to watch the video! Do not stop your paddle after contact – finish high. Deep serve – target their backhand or into their body.
Misconception #2: “Dink until you die.”
This worked a few years ago. Now, with players getting better and stronger, we need to learn how to attack. Learn how to attack, off the bounce, and out of the air.
Off the bounce: Look for a ball that is out in front. This is a dead dink, or an attackable ball. Your paddle needs to come down, low to high. Jordan talks about pronation. Paddle is pointing down (6 o’clock), and you flick it over, using pronation, finishing at your opposite shoulder. Watch the video!
Look to attack to certain targets. Target your opponents’ dominant side. Force the “chicken wing” from your opponent. Try to think “speed up”, rather than a hard drive, since you are close to the net. Watch the video again.
Misconception #3: You must drop your third shot drop in the kitchen.
You should not become a banger, but you can strategically use not only the third shot drop, but the third shot drive, third shot Âľ, or the third shot lob.
If you are coming in on a short ball, this is an opportunity to drive it! Use topspin, and take this higher ball and target the middle, while your opponent is still moving in. This is also an opportunity to create a “Shake and Bake”. If you have a good drive that attacks your opponent as they are trying to get to the net, you can cause a pop-up or an attackable ball, where either you or your partner can attack with a poach or an aggressive response.
Lastly, if you hit a good third shot drive, your opponent will not be able to get the ball back deep to you. They will have to defend, so their fourth ball will be short. This allows you to come in and hit an effective 5th shot drop and get to the kitchen line. Again, watch the videos several times.
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