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

What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:

• The New Dink Defense Playbook

• Fitness Expert Glenn Dawson: Shoulder Relief

• Under 50 vs Over 50: The Age-Based Strategy In Pickleball

• Mastering The Third Shot: Learn To Anticipate Like Anna Leigh

• Pickleball Faces Massive Price Surge As Global Tariff War Escalates

• Should You Buy A Knockoff Or Unbranded Pickleball Paddle?

• Pickleball In The Danger Zone With Kenny Loggins

• Parkinson's Therapy Patients Find Hope In Pickleball Studies Show

• Why New Warehouses Include Pickleball Courts And Food Halls

• Announcement - Love Saving Money on Pickleball Gear & Gifts?

• Coach Mary: The Third Shot Slice

🥷 SKILLS

The New Dink Defense Playbook

Experienced players know that dinks aren’t always soft. In today’s game, many opponents use dinks to apply pressure — hitting them firmer, deeper, or wider to take control of the point without outright speeding it up.

These aggressive dinks can pull you off balance, force awkward contacts, or bait you into popping the ball up. That’s why defensive dinking is no longer just about “getting it back.” It’s about staying composed under pressure, keeping your paddle in a strong position, moving your feet instead of reaching, and knowing when to switch from defense back to offense.

The best players don’t just survive in these moments — they absorb the pressure, reset the rhythm, and take control of the rally one dink at a time.

Here’s how to improve your footwork, paddle position, mindset, and transitions so you can confidently handle aggressive dinks and turn defense into opportunity.

 🏋️ STAYING FIT with GLENN

Shoulder Relief To
Swing a Paddle Without Pain

♟️ STRATEGY

Under 50 vs. Over 50:
The Age-Based Strategy
In Pickleball

Pickleball isn’t just multigenerational—it’s multi-strategic. Players under 50 often win with speed and aggression. Over 50? It's about precision, positioning, and outsmarting your opponent. The smartest players on the court aren’t necessarily the youngest—just the ones who adapt.

See how age influences footwork, tactics, recovery, and point construction—and how to play to your strengths, no matter what side of 50 you’re on, click here…

🥷SKILLS

Mastering The Third Shot Drop:
Learn to Anticipate Like Anna Leigh

The third shot drop is one of the most misunderstood — and misplayed — shots in pickleball. But Anna Leigh Waters, the 18-year-old World No. 1, has turned it into a signature weapon. Her deceptive spin, pinpoint placement, and uncanny anticipation make this seemingly simple shot a game-changer.

So how does she do it — and what can you learn from her approach?

Get a masterclass in third-shot decision-making, anticipation, and spin from Anna Leigh and her coach (and mom) Leigh Waters.

Speaking of Anna, guess who she is playing mixed doubles with at the the U.S. Open Pickleball in Naples, Florida. (Hint: He is making his pro debut!) 
See who here…

💰 Financial News

Pickleball Faces Massive Price Surge
As Global Tariff War Escalates

Pickleball players may soon feel the sting of a global economic shakeup—right in their wallets. As international tariff wars heat up following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, prices on pickleball gear—especially paddles—are surging.

One top-tier brand says its costs could jump by 145%, and other manufacturers are bracing for impact. Small businesses, international expansion, and even major exhibition tours are all caught in the crossfire.

See what’s happening behind the scenes—and why your favorite paddle could soon cost over $330, click here…

🏓 GEAR NEWS

Should You Buy A Knockoff Or
Unbranded Pickleball Paddle

They’re everywhere—Amazon, Temu, AliExpress. Paddles with no logo, suspiciously familiar shapes, and price tags under $50. Some look like they belong in a pro’s bag. Others feel like toys.

So… are knockoff or unbranded pickleball paddles a budget hack or a waste of your time (and wrists)? Here’s what real players say—and how to spot a gem from the junk.

🤩 CELEBRITY NEWS

Pickleball In The Danger Zone
With Kenny Loggins Maryland

Pickleball is now driving on the highway to the danger zone — and Kenny Loggins is leading the charge. The iconic singer is hosting a three-day celebrity tournament in Santa Barbara with more than 400 players, including rock stars, pro athletes, and local legends, all rallying for charity. Expect fierce rallies, live trash talk, and a few surprise volleys from names you never expected to see on a court.

Get the full lineup, event details, and how to snag tickets to the celeb showdown, hop on the highway, click here…

👏 HEALTH NEWS
Parkinson’s Therapy Patients Find Hope
In Pickleball Studies Shows

What started as a patient’s personal discovery is now a promising new path in Parkinson’s treatment. When a former PE teacher battling Parkinson’s took up pickleball, her physical therapist noticed striking similarities between the sport and her rehab routine. That insight launched a multi-university study that’s now delivering measurable results—in movement, strength, dexterity, and even joy.

From improved motor skills to a powerful boost in social connection, the study's findings reveal why pickleball may be more than just a game for people living with Parkinson’s.

Read how one of America’s fastest-growing sports is serving up new hope, click here…

💼 BUSINESS NEWS

Why New Warehouses Include
Pickleball Courts & Food Hall

Pickleball courts in warehouses? It’s happening—and it’s not just about fun.

As competition for industrial space and labor heats up, developers are turning warehouses into lifestyle hubs to attract tenants and keep workers happy.

Find out what’s driving the shift—and what it means for the future of workspaces.
See More Here…

📜 ANNOUNCEMENT

Love Saving Money On Pickleball
Gear & Gifts?

Pickleball Deals of The Week is a weekly compilation of the absolute best deals on the internet! Their inaugural issue last week featured a name brand paddle for 78% OFF - under $20! The more subscribers they get, the better the deals they can negotiate from their vendors! FREE to subscribe! Click here to get in on these great deals…

RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS

COWETA COUTNY, GA: Pickleball, A Healthy Obsession
FLORIDA STATE PARKS: House Passes Bill To Limit Developing Golf Courses, Pickleball Courts And Luxury Lodges At State Parks
ST. CHARLES, IL: How One Player's Efforts Boosted Pickleball's Popularity In The Tri-Cities
OCEAN CITY, NJ: Pickleball Players Fight Back Against Proposed 275% Court Fee Hike
LINCOLN, NE: University Freshman Finds Niche In Pickleball Paddle Making
LOS ANGELES, CA: Cal State LA Holds Grand Opening For State-Of-The-Art Pickleball Courts
SIOUX CITY, IA: Rally For Hope: Pickleball Tournament Raises Funds To Fight Cancer In US
HOT SPRINGS, AK: Official Ball of Pickleball Made in Hot Springs


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

  💪 THE 3rd SHOT SLICE

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