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Dink, Dink...Lob
Bainbridge Island Pilgrimage, Weed & Pickleball, 5 Exercises
FIT PICKLER
September 05, 2024
In partnership with
Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages
What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:
Mastering The Dink to Lob Transition
Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: Hip Opening Secret Stretch
Welcome To Pickleball’s Bainbridge Island
The Economics Of The Tennis vs. Pickleball Contest
Last Call for Pickleball Wellness Cruise Early Bird Info
Mixing Weed and Pickleball
Humor: And Yet, I Come Back Every Time
5 Exercises To Take Your Game To The Next Level
Finding Self-Worth in a CT Prison Through Pickleball
The Fit Pickler Survey Contest: Enter Today!
Rally Rundown: Local Highlights
AZ Pickleball League Featured In New Amazon Prime Documentary
Coach Mary: To Drive or Drop, That is The Question
🥷SKILLS
Mastering The Dink to Lob Transition:
Dink, Dink…LOB
Duck, Duck….Goose!
In pickleball, the ability to mix up your shots and keep your opponents guessing is a valuable skill. One particularly effective strategy is the transition from a dink to a lob. This maneuver combines the finesse of a dink with the strategic advantage of a lob, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s positioning and gain the upper hand in rallies. In this lesson we’ll explore the concept of dink to lob transitions, why they’re effective, how to execute them properly, common mistakes to avoid, and drills to help you master this skill.
What is a Dink to Lob Transition?
A dink to lob transition involves starting with a dink—a soft, controlled shot that lands in the non-volley zone (NVZ)—and then surprising your opponent with a lob, a high shot that arcs over your opponent’s head and lands near the baseline. The dink lures your opponent close to the net, while the lob exploits the space behind them, forcing them to backpedal and scramble for the ball. This transition disrupts your opponent’s rhythm and can turn a defensive situation into an offensive opportunity.
Why Use Dink to Lob Transitions?
There are various scenarios when this is the perfect tactic to disrupt your opponent’s game plan. Here are a few reasons why this transition is so valuable:
🏋️ STAYING FIT with
GLENN & BRIANNA
Hip Opening Secret Stretch
⛴️ TRAVEL
Welcome To Bainbridge Island
A Pickleball Pilgrimage
Pickleball’s Origin Story
Bainbridge Island is more than just the birthplace of pickleball—it has become a nostalgic, awe-inspiring pilgrimage for fans of the sport. With its roots traced back to a simple backyard game in 1965, the island now buzzes with courts packed even on the chilliest of days, where locals and tourists alike play in the footsteps of the sport’s founders.
From the iconic Founders Courts to the original cracked concrete surface in a local yard, Bainbridge is steeped in history, passion, and community. Discover the stories behind the island’s transformation into pickleball’s “Mecca,” where every court tells a tale, and every player finds a piece of home.
Read more to uncover the legacy and modern-day spirit that makes Bainbridge Island a must-visit for any pickleball enthusiast.
💼 BUSINESS NEWS
The Economics Of The
Tennis vs. Pickleball Contest
Paddle/Racket Economics
The escalating tension between tennis and pickleball players isn’t just a battle over courts—it's an economic lesson in managing scarce resources and consumer demand. Much like the ski vs. snowboard rivalry of the past, this clash highlights how public spaces and funding are being divided between the two fast-growing sports.
But while some see pickleball as a threat, others argue it could actually complement tennis, driving a shared demand for more courts and encouraging cross-participation. Could this rivalry ultimately benefit both sports? Dive into the analysis to understand the potential economic impact and the USTA's unique stance. Read More Here…
🛳️ PICKLEBALL & WELLNESS CRUISE PLANNED
Come Sail Away
BE THE FIRST TO SEE THE OFFER
Ever dreamed of combining your love for Pickleball & Fitness
with a luxurious getaway? Last Call for Early Bird Info!
Sign up now to be the first to hear about an exclusive Pickleball Wellness Cruise from LA to Cabo coming June 2025. Don't miss out on this unique adventure—wellness sessions, expert-led clinics, and breathtaking ocean views await.
💼 BUSINESS NEWS
Mixing Weed and Pickleball
Is Ben high on that 100 note?
Weed and pickleball—what happens when these two worlds collide? While that might evoke images of stoned players stumbling into the kitchen, fear not! The real story is all about economics.
Trulieve, Florida's largest medical marijuana chain, is making a strategic play by partnering with major tours like the PPA and Major League Pickleball. They aim to mix cannabis and competition in a way that could reshape both industries. The move raises questions about the future of recreational marijuana and its potential impact on sports culture in general.
Curious how this unconventional pairing could change the game? Read on to explore the surprising blend of cannabis and pickleball culture.
Click here…
🤣HUMOR
And Still, I Come Back Every Time
@fluxpickleball And i come back everytime 😅 Tag someone who does this 😂 #pickleball #pickleballplayer #pickleballpaddle #ppa #pickleballhighlights #pickle... See more
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Read by CEOs, scientists, business owners and more
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🏋️ FITNESS
5 Exercises To Take Your Game
To The Next Level
Cross Train to Improve
Want to crush your next pickleball match? Leveling up your fitness can make all the difference on the court. From lowering your center of gravity to improving grip strength, these expert-approved exercises target the key movements you need to outmaneuver your opponents and stay injury-free.
Curious about the exact exercises that can boost your game? Discover the full list and step up your pickleball performance, read more here...
👏COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Finding Self-Worth in a CT Prison
Through Pickleball
Pickleball in Prison
Inside the walls of MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, something remarkable is happening: pickleball is giving incarcerated individuals a new sense of purpose and connection.
Through the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League, coach Angelo Rossetti and his team are bringing more than just a game to these players—they're offering respect, empathy, and a chance to reclaim self-worth.
From reducing loneliness to fostering positive interactions, the program is making a tangible impact on participants' lives, inspiring them to look beyond their past mistakes. Discover how this unexpected pairing of pickleball and prison is transforming lives, one serve at a time, read more here…
🤩ENTERTAINMENT
AZ Pickleball League Featured In New Amazon Prime Documentary
Dink Delivery
Arizona pickleball just hit the big leagues with the Amazon Prime debut of "Breaking Pickleball." This six-episode docu-series isn’t just about the sport—it’s about the drive, passion, and quirky fun of the Arizona Pickleball League™, complete with rubber chickens and pyrotechnics.
Follow the journey of five teams as they battle it out for the Orchard Championship Cup, and see why this isn’t your standard pickleball match.
✅ SURVEY CONTEST ✅
🧭 COMMUNITY NEWS
RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
WICHITA, KS: Prominent Wichita Pickleball Figure Launches His Own Line Of Paddles
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO: New Pickleball Tournament To Support Wildfire Mitigation Efforts
SIREN, WI: Siren Pickleball Court Project Complete
BRENTWOOD, TN: Citizens Credited With Saving The Life Of A Pickleball Player In Brentwood
COLUMBUS, GA: Pickleball Courts Are Coming To Columbus State University
LINCOLN, NE: Dance Marathon Hosts Pickleball Tournament
OCEAN PINES, MD: DDSC Pickleball At The Beach Scheduled For September
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
😉 As Shakespeare once famously said:
To Drive or Drop, That is the Question!
SIMONE JARDIM’S VIDEOS BELOW OFFER GREAT ADVICE
ON THE EXECUTION OF THE 3RD SHOT DROP:
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN:
The third shot is executed by the serving team, and it is a strategy used to get to the net.
The third shot drop travels low and slow, and lands in front of your opponent, who is already at the NVZ line. It should be un-attackable, so it needs to be low enough so that your opponent cannot drive it back at you.
The third shot drive is a hard shot, hit with pace and topspin.
How do you decide which one to choose?
Simone says it depends on both the height and depth of the return.
1. If the return is a higher ball = drive it. If it is a lower ball = drop it.
2. If the return is deep = drop it. If the return is short = drive it.
3. If the return is short and high = drive it. If it is short and low = drop it.
4. If the return is flat and deep, drive it.
Another consideration is your own body positioning.
You need to get low and get under a third shot drop, contacting out in front and below your waist.
With a third shot drive, you want to contact it waist-high and out in front of you. Topspin is effective, and the middle is a good target zone, since the new is lower.
Simone executes both in a live situation. Be sure to watch the demos several times!
One mistake we see is the tendency to drop it all the time. If you hit a deep serve, and you see your opponent is struggling to get to the net, that is a great time to drive it! If you drop it in that situation, you are just helping them recover and get to the net.
If your opponent has beaten you to the line, and you are still back, this is not the time to drive it. Drop it so you have time to get to the net to battle it out.
In the second short video, Simone asks “When should you absolutely get to the NVZ (kitchen line)?
As you improve, you will know when you have hit a good third shot drop. Anticipate, and get to the net, ready to pounce! The key: watch your opponent. When their head and paddle come down, you know your ball is not attackable, and you can move in quickly, ready to go from defense to offense.