Pickleball Meets the Capitol + Coaching Tip from Ben Johns

Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic Newsletter!

Stretching with Ben Johns, the sold-out National Mall pickleball event, and mastering the topspin drop – it's all here and more!

Let’s dive in 👇

Pickleball makes its debut at the iconic National Mall in Washington, D.C. 🏛️

The National Mall, Washington D.C.

Nine temporary courts are coming to the JFK Hockey Fields right by the Lincoln Memorial September 28th-30th

Want to play? Not so fast.

Securing a reservation to play at the National Mall of Pickleball was nearly impossible. When slots opened at noon on Thursday, September 14, they sold out within two minutes!

With a whopping 209 time slots filled nearly instantly, the excitement surrounding this event mirrors the remarkable growth of pickleball.

The event at the Mall will feature celebrity matches, a recreational tournament, instructional clinics, and a showcase by Major League Pickleball’s D.C. Pickleball Team.

Additionally, there will be drop-in opportunities for players who couldn't register before 12:02 p.m. on Thursday. 

“What’s up bulletin readers!

Quick tip for you:
Stretching after playing is huge. Your hips and hamstrings typically tighten up after being on a hard court for a few hours. Stretching as soon as you’re done playing will limit soreness, keep you moving well, and prevent injury.
Although stretching can be painful, especially when you’re stretching out a tighter muscle, it is 100% worth it.

Until next time,
Ben”

For more from Ben, follow his Instagram @BenJohns_PB and check out his pickleball vacation experiences Pickleball Getaways!

Playing poorly and feeling frustrated? Keep this in mind:

We are often too hard on ourselves, which takes the fun out of the sport.

Remember why you started playing pickleball in the first place. Nearly everyone who starts playing pickleball starts playing because it is a fun sport!

We all have days where we are frustrated and don't want to play anymore.

When you have a day like this, try to remember the feeling you got the first time you played, and realized how much you loved the sport.

This puts everything into perspective, both the good and bad days.

Epic pickleball point: drives, dinks, and lightening fast volleys ⚡🏓

World’s Biggest Racket Sports

While those swept away in the pickleball revolution may forget about the other sports in the U.S. and around the world that use a racket or paddle (understandably), pickleball is still just one of MANY.

In no particular order, Leegues.com listed the “10 most popular and played racket sports in the world.”

They are as follows…

1. Tennis

2. Badminton

3. Squash

4. Paddle

5. Beach Tennis

6. Table Tennis

7. Racquetball

8. Pickleball

9. Matkot

10. Gym racket

Which sport do you think will be the world’s most played in 10 years? Reply and let us know…

Revamp your style game with JOOLA’s latest additions!

JOOLA refreshes its apparel line with new men’s and women’s items, plus new accessories!

Check out JOOLA’s newest additions that will have you ready for the courts and beyond, and use code “clinic10” for 10% off!

https://joolausa.com/apparel-accessories/

Just a PSA announcement for whoever needs to hear it. 🙃

Matt breaks down the topspin drop, explaining how it can add an aggressive edge to your third shot drop!

Check it out below ⬇️

Key takeaways:

• Bend your knees and drop your hands to get under the ball

• Come up with the knees

• Turn your arm over the ball

• Bend wrist on follow through

Use the topspin drop against your opponent's slice or weak return. 📝 ✅

Professional pickleball has only formally existed since 2019, when the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) launched the first-ever USA pickleball-sanctioned tour for professional and amateur players.

Thanks for reading!

- Your Friends at The Pickleball Clinic

Join the conversation below! ⬇️