Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic Newsletter!

Hey Dinkers. Is watching the Olympics getting you pumped about your own athletic potential? Like after watching the high jump, were you inspired to hit a jump-over-the-net Bert the next time you play pickleball? 😆 Well, this week, we’ll take a look at just how fit pickleball makes you, visit a county that’s making pickleball a high school varsity sport, discover a new Drew Brees pickleball business, and a whole lot more.

Let’s go! 👇

A recent study by Forbes took a look at four major paddle/racket sports with the intent of identifying the activity that provides the most strenuous workout.

The study analyzed pickleball, tennis, squash, and racquetball — and each sport was further broken down into separate categories.

Pickleball, for example, was measured in three separate categories: singles (tournament play), doubles (tournament play), and doubles (open play).

And now for the results. Of the seven categories examined, the sport found to provide the most amount of exercise was... singles pickleball (tournament play). 🥇 

Coming in second was singles tennis (tournament play) 🥈, and rounding out the medal stand was doubles tennis (tournament play) in third place. 🥉

Sadly, pickleball (open play) came in last. BUT a lot of that had to do with having an inconsistent level of competition and the fact that there are often periods of waiting time when you cycle out and wait around for your next game.

Now before you start to riot 😆, keep in mind that while this study attempted to be scientific by measuring data such as heart rate, calories burned, and average level of play, it was conducted with just 1 person! 😲

That's not to say there is no merit to the findings. Because with one person being the test subject, at least we can't make the case that different people have different levels of fitness.

On the other hand, one person is a tiny sample size. So before we conclude that Ben Johns needs to be in better shape than Novak Djokovic, let's pump the breaks a bit and realize that getting on any court, moving around and having fun is great for anyone's health. 🎉

Don’t Run Through Your Shot

Make sure you always have your feet planted at the time of contact on returns, drives, and drops. Returns, drives, and drops are 3 shots where players will try to move up in the court after hitting. Because of this, many players will try to run through the shot since they are solely thinking about getting to the kitchen line.

In reality, it’s very hard to hit a consistent and controlled shot while moving. In order to hit the best shot, you should not be moving at the time of contact. At least one foot should be fully planted on the ground, and you may pivot around it if necessary, but you should try to avoid walking or running through the shot!

Watch how many resets the team in the near court has to hit in order to get up to the kitchen. And it results in VICTORY — at least on this point. 😄 

No More Tears

In the classic movie, “A League of Their Own,” Tom Hanks famously said “There’s no crying in baseball.” But is there crying in pickleball? Well, you might cry if you get pelted in your private parts. 😄 Or maybe if you keep popping the ball up, which leads to your partner yelling at you for getting pelted in their private parts. 😆

But one thing’s for sure, you can’t be tearing up on a pickleball court because the sun is in your eyes. Why? Because there’s something called sunglasses, and there is simply no better place to shop for sunglasses than 96 Shades. Period. End of story. 😎 See for yourself today, and use code “clinic10” at checkout for 10% off.

Pickleball’s greatest player of all time, Ben Johns, did a little Q + A with us…

The Pickleball Clinic: What’s changed the most about pickleball since you started playing it?

Ben Johns: The things that have changed the most… well you name it and it has probably changed drastically. I’d say tournament venues and experience, paddle technology, and player depth are my top 3 biggest changes.

Be sure to follow Ben on Instagram and YouTube.

Why You Should Stay in School 😉

Are you ready for an amazing development? Sure, take a seat if you need to.  Are you ready now? OK, here goes...

A school system in Maryland is offering pickleball as a varsity sport. Yup, you heard that right — those cool varsity letter jackets usually associated with football players can now be worn by pickleballers! 

After a pilot program was run last school year with 11 schools, now all 25 public high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland (which borders Washington D.C.) will have pickleball as a varsity sport this fall.

This is tremendous news because people often get caught up in asking questions like "Will pickleball be in the Olympics?" or "Will it ever be a college sport?"

The answers to both questions are almost certainly not “if,” but “when.” However, the "when" just got A LOT closer now that it’s become an official high school varsity sport.

Now for a quick story. Interestingly enough, the sport of pickleball was offered in public high school to the writer of this newsletter back in 2001 in a suburb just outside of New York City. 😲

It wasn't offered as a varsity sport, but rather played during PE class. Said writer liked the sport so much back then that he was able to convince the school to include it in the school’s annual inter-grade sports competition day called... The Olympics. 👍

It may have required a pandemic and a couple more decades, but even at the turn of the century, the seeds of high school pickleball were being sown. 💪

Raise your hand if you like pickleball gear. Nice, nice — yes, we can see you through the screen. 😉 OK, now raise your hand if you like paying more money than you need to for pickleball gear. Exactly zero hands raised 👍— well, there’s that one guy in the back, but it looks like he zoned out a bit. The point is, you can get exclusive discounts on the best brands in pickleball right HERE!

But still proceed with caution. 😂

Feeling with Your Feet

It’s nice to go barefoot when you’re walking around in grass — and in sand. Indoors works well do. Taking a shower barefoot is generally the way to go 😄, and so is sleeping. It’s really a nice thing.

But you know what doesn’t work well barefoot? Playing PICKLEBALL!! Yup, it kind of sucks actually. That’s why humans invented sneakers. 👍 And it’s why Diadem made the Court Burst sneaker specifically for pickleball so you can feel fast, stable and comfortable when you’re out on the court. Get yours today, and use code “clinic10” at checkout for 10% off.

The transition zone reset is one of the more difficult shots in all of pickleball. But as you get better and better, it’s also one of the more important ones. Good thing we have a guest appearance from top pickleball pro, Allyce Jones. 👇

Highlights:

• Get in an athletic stance — but not so low that you’re squatting.

• Keep your weight forward.

• Keep your paddle out in front.

According to the Pickleball Union website, Louisiana was ranked as the worst state for pickleball. When there’s a problem, who you gonna call? No, it’s not the ghost busters. When you’re in Louisiana, it’s Drew Brees.

Yup, the Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints star quarterback has come to the rescue. Once a high-level junior tennis player and now an avid pickleball player, Drew Brees is about to open an indoor facility in Metairie, Louisiana. It’s called “Pickle N Pins,” and it will include pickleball, padel, duckpin bowling, darts, axe throwing, and cornhole. The venue will include a full bar and restaurant too.

“Pickle N Pins is truly one of a kind,” said Brees. “Nothing like this exists in the country and we are excited to bring it to Metairie first!”

Hope you enjoyed the read. See you next week!

- Your Friends at The Pickleball Clinic

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