Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic Newsletter!

Have you ever overheard someone badmouthing your favorite city, band or restaurant? Chances are the people hating on it are a little jealous of its success so they're looking for something negative to say. Well, we've heard some of that chatter about pickleball, and we're not standing for it. Today, we're debunking a pickleball insult we've been hearing about, analyzing a new rule that just came out, learning the proper way to hit a roll dink volley, and a lot more.

Let’s go! 👇

As we know, pickleball has been on a meteoric rise for several years now. Its growth has been incredible, and pickleball players everywhere should be ecstatic.

However, with great success, comes some haters — people who are threatened and want to take you down a notch. Sure, we get it. But that doesn't mean we're going to accept it without responding. So here goes...

One critique we've been hearing pop up about pickleball is that it's easy. Hmm, do these people mean that it's easy to pick up? Because in that case, we're guilty as charged. Yup, our smaller courts and paddles make it easier to enjoy more quickly than, for example, tennis.

Yes, we admit that the barrier to entry is lower than sports like golf and surfing, where you need to devote tons of time to even get to a level where you can enjoy the sport the way it's meant to be experienced.

But that doesn't mean that pickleball is easy to master or to become an elite player. If you're going to play by those rules, then undoubtedly the easiest sports in the world are running and soccer. After all, almost anyone can run in a straight line or kick a ball.

That's why young kids start off playing soccer — because it's extremely easy to pick up. But we don't see people telling Lionel Messi and Usain Bolt that their sports are easy.

As for the "easy" comparison to tennis, pickleball is not easier, it just requires different skills.

As someone who played college tennis, I can flat out say that you need faster hands in pickleball than in tennis. And it's not even close — the proximity to your opponent in pickleball simply tests your reflexes in ways that tennis cannot.

Plus, you don't just need quicker hands in pickleball, you need softer hands as well. A drop shot in tennis, for example, is a nice thing to have. But in pickleball it's essential.

Someone with a huge serve and forehand in tennis can get to a very high level. But if that same person has no touch and therefore cannot hit drops or dinks, then they will not go very far in pickleball.

Do you need more raw speed in tennis than in pickleball? Sure, but that doesn't make pickleball easier than tennis. It's just different.

If pickleball were truly easier, then all the pro tennis players who try to become pro pickleball players would have massive success. Well, as we all know, many more of them fail in this attempt than succeed.

So enough with the criticism of pickleball being "easy." That's just an "easy" — and lazy and totally incorrect — take.

Keep Your Paddle Up!

Remember to keep your paddle up and in front of your body after you hit the ball. Many beginners drop their paddle to their side after they hit, which leaves them vulnerable to an attack. If your paddle is at your side you have to bring it all the way up to chest level before being able to turn your hand and defend a hard shot. If your paddle is up between shots, there are fewer steps to take in order to defend!

Remember what we said above about pickleball showcasing your reflexes? 👇

If You Were a Ball, Which Would You Be?

Hmm, that's a tough one. 🤔 A golf ball would be pretty cool because that ball probably goes the highest and the furthest. If you're into power and knocking things down, then you might want to be a bowling ball. A football has that different shape, which cuts through the air really well. Of course, we'd want to be a pickleball — and the feeling of having air go through you as you whiz by in the air must feel amazing.

If we do get our wish and become a pickleball, we would only want to be one type, a Franklin X-40. Why? Because we know we'd be the best made pickleball out there, carefully crafted to provide both touch and power depending on the shot. Get some X-40s for yourself today, and use code “clinic15” at checkout for 15% off.

Welcome back to Ask Jilly B, a monthly thought-stream from coach & top pro player, Jill Braverman.

How to Deal with Nerves

We’ve all been there. You were up 8-5 and in the blink of an eye now it’s 8-8. You missed a return. Then popped up a dink. And your heroic speed up hit the fence.

Now your arm is tighter than that impossible-to-open jar of pickles that’s been living in your pantry for 2+ years. So what do you do now?

Well, sometimes the only way out is through. If you’re losing points but doing the right thing, you need to stick to the plan but do it better.

If you’re losing points because you’re nervous/tight, you can use mental tricks. I like to say to myself, “Hey, I’m up 8-5. What do I have to lose?” or “Hey, it’s 8-8, which means it’s basically 0-0. What do I have to lose?”

I don’t focus on the past or re-dissect the last three points I just lost. Instead, I'm a goldfish. I stay present. Because the present is the only moment that’s real.

Be sure to follow Jill on Instagram and YouTube.

Heads Up, Everyone

Just last week, the UPA announced a new rule that will be implemented immediately in professional play.

Known as the "targeting rule," the new rule prohibits intentional or reckless shots that are directed above the shoulders of your opponent.

Evidently too many players were getting hit in the face, which was deemed to be both dangerous and unsportsmanlike.

We agree with the concept behind the rule and understand that similar rules exist in both professional baseball and football to protect players. But we do have a few questions...

What if your opponent calls your partner "ugly"? 😀 And what if your partner is also your spouse? 😲 What are you supposed to do then, act like nothing happened?

OK, we guess we're just supposed to go with the time-honored tradition of settling things in the parking lot. 😆 

Also, how do you determine someone's intent? Like what if someone tries to hit their opponent in the face, but not too hard because it's actually just their way of flirting? 😍

Or what if there's a scorpion in your opponent's hair and you want to hit that scorpion to actually save your opponent's life?! 🦂

These are just some of the important questions we have surrounding this rule. (But seriously, it seems like a pretty good idea.)

See, pickleball is fun for EVERYONE. 😄

More Than Just a Sport

Pickleball is more than a game or a sport. It's a feeling, a vibe, a sense of community. So don't just sit back and be plain. Take pride in your sport and let the world see your confidence and personality.

That's where Club 002 comes in. They know that pickleball is special, and they're all about community, hanging out, and having fun — both on and off the court. Check out their collection of tees right here and use code "TPC10" for 10% off.

The roll dink volley is a very important shot in pickleball because it allows you to be a little offensive even when you’re making contact with the ball from a little below the net. But it’s important that you know how to hit it the right way. Matt demonstrates below. 👇

Key Takeaways:

• Get low by bending with your knees — not by keeping your knees straight and just leaning over with your back.

• Keep your elbow straight and your paddle face open.

• Lift and roll as you swing, which will create topspin on the ball.

For the third straight year, tennis legend — and huge pickleball ambassador — Andre Agassi, participated in the Pickleball Slam, the annual exhibition match featuring former or current professional tennis players, including John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova. While Agassi has had different partners and opponents in the past, this time, he decided to pair up with the partner who he won with last year. Who was that? An even more accomplished tennis player than himself — his wife, Steffi Graf. 💪 

Pickleball Slam 3 took place on February 16 in Las Vegas with a purse of $1 million going to the winning team. The opponents for Andre and Steffi were Andy Roddick, former U.S. Open champion, and Eugenie Bouchard, who currently plays both tennis and pickleball professionally. The match was excellent, as you'll see from this amazing point, but ultimately Agassi and Graf prevailed again and took home the big cash prize.

Hope you enjoyed the read. See you next week!

- Your Friends at The Pickleball Clinic

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