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7 Strategies to Win More Kitchen Battles
Pickleball In The Olympics Prediction, Blindfolded PB, Longevity, Katie Couric & More!
FIT PICKLER
December 19, 2024
Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages
What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:
7 Strategies to Win More Kitchen Battles
Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: 3 Exercises to Strengthen Your Core
Pickleball In The Olympics Prediction
From One Court To Another: Domenika Turkovic's Story
Katie Couric Debuts Pickleball Related Bruise
Pickleball For Longevity: Learn The Benefits
Humor: Holiday Pickleball Wish List
Blindfolded Man Executes 41 Pickleball Serves In One Minute
95 & Still Playing, What’s Your Excuse?
Rally Rundown: Local Highlights
Announcements: RPPA Free Membership
Coach Mary: Why Your Third Shot Drives Are Going Out
🥷SKILLS
7 Strategies To Win More Kitchen Battles
This Is My Kitchen!
The kitchen, or no-volley zone, is the center of pickleball strategy. It’s where the game slows down, fast-paced exchanges unfold, and crucial points are won or lost. For intermediate players, mastering the kitchen is not just about consistency but about developing nuanced strategies that disrupt opponents, create attackable opportunities, and maintain control of the rally.
These seven secrets provide advanced insights and actionable techniques to help players dominate one of the most critical areas of the court.
Manipulate Your Opponent with Dink Placement
Winning at the kitchen often comes down to controlling where the ball goes and how your opponent reacts to it. Strategic dink placement is an essential skill for forcing errors and creating attackable openings.Key Focus: Use precise targeting to force opponents into weak returns.
Advanced Strategy: Employ sharp crosscourt dinks to pull opponents out wide, then follow up with a straight dink to their opposite side or a flick into the mid-court.
Common Mistakes: Over-relying on predictable patterns, such as always dinking straight back or exclusively targeting the crosscourt. This allows opponents to anticipate and defend effectively.
How to Improve: During practice, train yourself to recognize an opponent’s paddle position and foot placement. When their paddle drops or their feet are out of position, target their backhand or non-dominant side to exploit their weakness.
🏋️ STAYING FIT with
GLENN & BRIANNA
3 Exercises to Strengthen Your Core
🗞️NEWS
Pickleball In the Olympics Prediction
Are We There Yet?
Could pickleball be heading for Olympic gold? Tennis legend Andre Agassi seems to think so. With its growing global appeal and a unique ability to unite players of all ages, the sport is making waves far beyond the courts.
Agassi’s bold prediction comes as the Pickleball World Ranking DUPR India League gears up for its debut, fueling excitement about the sport's potential inclusion in the world's most prestigious athletic event. Find out why this fast-growing game might soon make its Olympic debut.
🤩 CELEBRITY NEWS
Katie Couric Debuts Nasty
Pickleball Related Bruise
Fore………
Katie Couric’s latest pickleball game left her with more than just laughs—she’s now sporting a sizable bruise after a paddle mishap. Sharing the evidence on Instagram, Couric showed off her forehead shiner, humorously chalking it up to a self-inflicted pickleball paddle accident.
Despite the bump, her spirit (and sense of humor) remain intact. As Couric joins the growing list of celebrities embracing the sport, let’s hope she’s back on the court soon—this time without the bruises. Paddle on, Katie!
See the aftermath here…
👏 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
From One Court to Another:
Domenika Turkovic’s Story
Domenika Turkovic
Domenika Turkovic’s journey from tennis courts in Croatia to pickleball courts in the U.S. is as inspiring as it is unconventional. After a stellar collegiate tennis career at ASU and earning dual degrees, Turkovic has embraced pickleball with the same passion that drove her to NCAA championships.
Now a professional pickleball player, she’s combining her competitive spirit with a newfound joy for the game. Discover how her transition to pickleball is reshaping her athletic journey and bringing her full circle to the courts she once called home.
🤣HUMOR
Holiday Pickleball Wish List
Click to See The Dance!
👨🔬 HEALTH NEWS
Pickleball For Longevity:
Learn The Health Benefits
Live Long And Pickleball!
Pickleball isn’t just a pastime; it’s a secret weapon for longevity. Studies show that activities like pickleball can improve cardiovascular health, boost mental well-being, and even add years to your life. But it’s not just the physical benefits—it’s the friendships, the laughter, and the sense of community that keep players coming back, proving that staying active isn’t just about fitness; it’s about living fully.
Learn how this dynamic game supports a longer, healthier, and more vibrant life.
Click Here…
😳 UNUSUAL NEWS
Blindfolded Man Executes 41
Pickleball Serves in One Minute
Was That IN?
David "Record Breaker" Rush has done it again—this time smashing the record for blindfolded pickleball serves in one minute. With 41 serves officially landing in the service square, Rush didn’t just break the previous record of 23—he obliterated it. Fueled by his determination and a knack for unconventional challenges, Rush now holds yet another Guinness World Record. And he’s not stopping there—he’s already planning a second attempt to push the limits even further.
👏 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
95 & Still Playing!
Don O’Brien during morning pickleball in Euclid Square Park
| Photo by Hope Baker (Wednesday Journal)
At 95, Don O’Brien is proving that age is just a number—and pickleball is the perfect game for every generation. As a daily fixture on the courts at Euclid Square Park, Don not only keeps his body moving but also brings a community together. From drying the courts before matches to inspiring players decades younger, he’s a true local legend.
See Don in action here…
📜 ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOIN RPPA TODAY and GET
50% OFF DUES & FREE 6-Pack
of DIADEM Official Pickleballs
You Spoke, We Listened! New Features Added Regularly
The Recreational Pickleball Players Association has just added several new features on our way to becoming your ONE STOP SHOP for all things Pickleball. As Founding Members, you will have a say in the future of the Association. Our first members asked for Court Scheduling Software - We got it! They asked for a Court Finder - We got it!
They wanted to find coaches who worked remotely - Done! They wanted a Forum to share thoughts and advice - Ready! This is in addition to our Exclusive Discount Travel site!! PS: FREE memberships available as well!
Learn more about RPPA here…
🧭 COMMUNITY NEWS
RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
WESTFIELD, IN: Holiday Festival Supports Organizations Through Pickleball Play
COLUMBIA, SC: 'It's Not Just Inclusion, It's Belonging': Special And General Education Students Bond Over Pickleball
SIOUX CITY, IA: Sioux Center Students Pitch Pickleball Project To City Council
LIVERMORE, CA: Planning Commission Rejects Pickleball Courts Planned For Marlin Pound Park
WESLEY CHAPEL, FL: At The Florida Senior Games, Pickleball Is The Crown Jewel
BRAWLEY, CA: Pickleball Tournament Raises Funds For Renovation
SEATTLE, WA: Largest Pickleball Facility In Washington State Coming To Seattle
GARY, IN: Ex-Gary Cop Could Avoid Criminal Record For Playing Pickleball On Worker's Comp
OJAI, CA: Council To Consider 'Temporary' Pickleball Hours Until Parks And Rec Commission Able To Meet
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
💪 Why Your Third Shot Drives are Going Out
Why Your Third Shot Drives Are Going Out
Watch the attached video from Universal Rackets:
“Top 3 Reasons Why Your 3rd Shot Drives Go Out: How to Keep Drives In.”
Simple, easy to understand, good demo and good cues.
Keep your grip loose. 4 out of 10. “If it is tight, it won’t go right.” Squeeze your wrist with your non-dominant hand – this will help keep your grip loose. Grip with your index finger and your thumb only. Let the paddle do the work.
Paddle face is in the wrong position. Close your paddle face or keep it square. This will help you create a low to high brushing stroke, which creates topspin. Point the end of your paddle down to the ground: “6 o’clock” on your short backswing. He does a good job showing you the right and wrong finishing stroke.
Failure to finish with a long follow-through. You should not stop on contact. Let the paddle go, let the paddle finish to your target.
Hints:
· Finish with your elbow up, pointing to your target.
· Finish looking at your watch.
· Finish with the butt of your paddle grip facing your target.
Get someone to drill with you! Have them feed you balls so you can practice! Or get a ball machine! These hints are not just for third shot drives. You want to create topspin on serve returns and on some of your serves!
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