The Kitchen Lob Fake

Myths That Are Hurting Your Game, PB Documentary To Air, First Ever App for Rec Players, Split Second Decisions, The PB Boom, 100 PB events & More

Author

FIT PICKLER
April 03, 2025

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

What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:

  • The Fake Kitchen Lob

  • The First Ever APP for Recreational Players

  • Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: Lower Body Warmup (Newborn Optional)

  • Are These Myths Killing Your Game?

  • Pickleball Boom: America's Fastest-Growing Sport Smashes New Records

  • ‘Dreambreaker’: Pickleball Documentary Nets Acquisition From Turner Sports’ TruTv And Max

  • Positive Vibes: Positive Power Of Pickleball

  • The Power Of Split-Second Decisions In Pickleball

  • How To Play It Safe In Pickleball

  • USAP’s 100+ Events to Celebrate National Pickleball Month

  • Andre Agassi And Steffi Graf Talk about Pickleball & Marriage

  • Coach Mary: Swinging Volleys

🥷 SKILLS

The Fake Kitchen Lob

Wait A Minute, That’s Not A Dink!

The Kitchen Lob Fake — A Subtle Weapon That Shifts the Whole Rally

Pickleball players love patterns. In a dink exchange, everyone falls into a rhythm: soft shot, soft reply, maybe a crosscourt angle or a little push, but mostly calm, controlled touches. It’s in those moments — when your opponent relaxes, leans forward, and expects more of the same — that the Kitchen Lob Fake can change everything.

This shot looks just like a dink… until the last second. And when done right, it lifts gently over your opponent’s head, landing deep and buying you time or even winning the rally outright.

It’s not flashy. It doesn’t require tons of spin or a massive backswing. But it does force opponents to adjust — and that alone makes it one of the smartest “twist” shots to add to your game.

🗞️ NEWS

The First Ever App Dedicated to
Recreational Players

This revolutionary platform creates a dynamic digital "town square" where the inherent competitive spirit and genuine human connections that define pickleball flourish equally – a true revelation for the millions who have been waiting for technology that speaks directly to them.

RETHINKING PLAYER CATEGORIES
The RPPA App boldly challenges the fundamentally flawed categorization of players as either "recreational" or "competitive." The truth is all pickleball is competitive by nature – Rec players take lessons, attend clinics, and experience the thrill of victory. We celebrate the universal drive to improve alongside the irreplaceable value of community.

RPPA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The app's game-changing FREE features include:

  • Unlimited Group Building – Create and customize groups for organizing play and social gatherings

  • Seamless Messaging – Connect directly with fellow players on the platform to coordinate games and build relationships off the court

  • Comprehensive Court Finder – Discover courts with player-to-player messaging for travel planning and meeting new local players

  • First-Ever Dedicated Forum – Share strategies and build connections and ask questions in a troll-free, judgment-free Forum

  • Exclusive Marketplace – Access special deals and discounts on all things pickleball from the their extensive Vendor Directory

The app's game-changing PREMIUM features include:

  • Access to the Video Training Library – Lessons, Tips & Strategies from Top Pros and Coaches to Improve your game and from Top Fitness Professionals to keep you fit and Injury Free

  • Access to RPPA TRAVEL – A discount Travel Booking Site that saves members up to 50% on hotels and resorts as well as airfare and car rentals

    DOWNLOAD HERE FOR FREE (Google Play Coming Soon)

 🏋️ STAYING FIT WITH GLENN
& BRIANNA

Lower Body Warmup
(newborn optional)

♟️ STRATEGY

Are Myths Killing Your
Pickleball Game

Once Upon A Time In The Land Of Pickleball…

If you’ve ever caught yourself second-guessing advice from a louder, more “experienced” player—good news: you’re not alone. The truth is, some of the most common tips in pickleball are flat-out myths.

This article clears the court of bad info and gives you the real strategies that lead to smarter play and fewer unforced errors.

Ready to stop playing by the wrong rules? Bust the myths holding you back,
click here…

🗞️ NEWS

Pickleball Boom:
Pickleball Smashes New Records!

To The Moon, Alice!

Pickleball isn’t just growing—it’s erupting. New numbers show that participation in the sport has more than doubled in recent years, cementing its place as America’s fastest-growing pastime.

From public parks to pro arenas, the sport is smashing records, building communities, and drawing players of all ages at an unprecedented pace. Whether you play weekly or daily, these latest figures show just how big the wave has become—and why it's not slowing down anytime soon.

See the record-breaking stats and what's fueling the momentum.

🎥 PICKLEBALL DOCUMENTARY

The Pro Alphabet Wars Explained!

“Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story” dives into the drama behind the sport’s meteoric rise—where neighborhood camaraderie meets corporate clashes, and billionaires battle over pro leagues while everyday players just want to keep the game fun. With celebrity cameos, high-stakes rivalries, and real players caught in the middle, this new documentary shows what’s at risk when the soul of a sport meets the scramble for control.

Find Out Where and When to watch this insightful film about  how the game we love is being changed from the inside out, click here…

And Checkout the Trailer now, click here…

👏 COMMUNITY

Positive Vibes: The Positive
Power Of Pickleball

Peace, Love & Pickleball

In a world where headlines often divide and online comments escalate quickly, there’s still one place where smiles outnumber rants—and that’s the pickleball court. John Zakour makes the case for pickleball as a powerful unifier, where labels are dropped, laughter echoes, and joy is shared across every pop of the paddle.

If you’ve ever wondered how something as simple as a game can lift spirits and bridge divides, this one’s worth the read. See how pickleball is restoring real human connection—one rally at a time.

♟️ STRATEGY

The Power Of Split Second
Decisions In Pickleball

Think Fast!

In pickleball, the point isn’t always won with power—it’s won with precision. And sometimes, all the preparation in the world comes down to a single, blink-and-you-miss-it choice.

This piece explores the subtle art of split-second decision-making—the difference between forcing an error and making one yourself.

Want to sharpen your instincts and cut down on costly errors? In pickleball, the point isn’t always won with power—it’s won with precision. And sometimes, all the preparation in the world comes down to a single, blink-and-you-miss-it choice.

This piece explores the subtle art of split-second decision-making—the difference between forcing an error and making one yourself.

Want to sharpen your instincts and cut down on costly errors? Start here…

⚕️ HEALTH NEWS

Playing It Safe In Pickleball

Safe To Dink, Well It’s Safe To Dink, Yes, It’s Safe To Dink…

Even in one of the country’s most active pickleball communities, players know the fun comes with a few risks—especially for those racking up hours on the court each week.

From conditioning tips to balance training and smart paddle choices, the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association is getting serious about playing safe without sacrificing the joy of the game.

Here’s what you can do to stay strong, steady, and injury-free—while still loving every rally, see the recommendations here…

🏓 NEWS

USAP’s 100+ Events to Celebrate
National Pickleball Month

100 Paddles and Balls on The Wall, 100 Paddles and Balls…

April is here—and for pickleball lovers, that means more than spring sunshine and open courts. It’s National Pickleball Month, and USA Pickleball is marking it with over 100 events across the country, from clinics and tournaments to all-out pickleball parties.

Whether you're new to the sport or play every week, this is your chance to be part of something bigger—celebrating a game that connects generations, builds communities, and keeps us all moving.

See what’s planned for National Pickleball Month and how you can get involved,
Click Here…

🏓 PRO NEWS

FA, Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach (modified)

They may be champions on the court, but it’s their partnership off the court that steals the spotlight here. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf aren’t just playing pickleball together—they’re choosing to stay on the same side of the net, in sport and in life.

Go behind the scenes with one of sports’ most beloved couples as they share how their favorite game brings even more harmony to their marriage, Click Here…

🧭 COMMUNITY NEWS

RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

HOLDING COURT with
COACH MARY

  💪 SWINGING VOLLEYS

SWINGING VOLLEYS

Check out the attached great videos to see some demos of swinging volleys, and where and when you should execute them during a game.

Simone Jardim, short and sweet, demos the short backswing on the Pickleball volley, versus the big backswing in tennis.

In this video, Kyle Yates demonstrates the swinging volley from the NVZ, and emphasizes the short backswing, and big follow-through.  Low to high, with topspin.

Sara Ansbury demonstrates the swinging forehand volley from the middle of the transition zone.  Note the short backswing, and the feet finishing moving towards the net.

Simone Jardim sets up target cones so you can aim your swinging volley at your opponents’ FH, R. Leg, L. Leg, BH.  On the other side of the court, it is reversed.  Note the short backswing, and the low to high arc, creating topspin.

·     Bottom Line:  If your opponent pops up an attackable ball and you are still moving through the transition zone, position your body, use a short backswing, and attack with a swinging volley!  Watch the videos!

·     Focus on the short backswing, and big follow-through.

·     Be sure your feet are finishing moving towards the net.

·     Target certain areas, at your opponent’s feet, to the BH, FH, into the body, etc.

Note:  If your opponent gives you an attackable ball, attack it!  You can attack through the transition zone if you are balanced, using a short back swing, and finish with your body ready to respond to the next ball.  Be sure to reset your body position to get ready to defend or attack.

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