Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic Newsletter!

An incredible pickleball play was just banned. But did you even know it existed? Today, we'll look at the latest pickleball rulebook, discover how nearby pickleball courts affect your property value, learn how to hit the best topspin and slice dinks, and much more.

Let’s go! 👇

The UPA-A (United Pickleball Association of America), which is the governing body for the PPA Tour and MLP (Major League Pickleball) recently released their own pickleball rulebook that will be used in all PPA and MLP events starting on May 22nd.

While the rules mostly adhere to the ones set out in the current USA Pickleball rulebook, there are a few notable changes that were made in this 71-page book.

Let's start with the most fun new rule: you can no longer blow the ball over the net during a rally. We know what most of you are thinking: What?!! You used to be able to do that? And that has actually happened before? 

Believe it or not, the answers to both of those questions are yes. Here, take a look.

How it was ever legal is truly puzzling. It was probably allowed because it happens so rarely, and it looks amazing. But come on, using something other than your paddle to move the ball over the net? Are they serious?

And so what if blowing air from your mouth is invisible? With that logic, then why not dink with a paddle in one hand and a leaf blower in the other? In fact, until May 22nd, that's probably legal too. But we digress.

Other notable new rules in the UPA-A rulebook include clearer definitions of unsportsmanlike behavior that results in varying degrees of penalties, and the elimination of the drop serve. 

But don't worry, YOU can still use the drop serve—well, as long as you don't play in MLP or on the PPA Tour.😉

In fact, it is widely believed that the mere release of this new rulebook represents UPA-A's desire to cede control from USA Pickleball over how professional pickleball is played moving forward.

Bend Your Knees

It’s one of the simplest upgrades you can make, and it impacts almost every shot. Staying low gives you the lift you need to clear the net, while keeping your kinetic chain connected so you can drive through the ball with power and spin—without relying on your back.

Where did he find that angle? 👇

Pickleball has taken off in America—and the world—for a variety of reasons. But one of the biggest ones is simply that it's fun. Pure, basic fun. Maybe you like hitting big serves, or getting into hands battles, or crafting a point at the kitchen with precise dinking. 

Whatever it is, you want to experience it the right way. That means using the best ball out there, the Franklin X-40. It's the most balanced, consistent, and durable ball in the world, which is why it’s not just the best-selling pickleball but the best-selling pickleball product in America. Get some Franklin X-40s today, and use code (clinic15) for 15% off.

Welcome back to Ask Away where we answer a commonly asked pickleball question. If you would like us to answer one of your questions, simply respond to this email and ask away!

Question: If my opponent’s shot bounces out but I hit it after it bounces, do I still win the point?

Answer: Yes, if your opponent’s shot bounces out, you win the point whether you attempt to hit it or not. However, you should make the out call as soon as you can to avoid any confusion.

What determines the value of your house? Its size? Yes. Its age? Sure. And of course, don't forget the 3 "L"s: location, location, location.

But there is another factor at play these days, and it starts with a "p." You guessed it: pickleball.

So does it raise or reduce property value? If only the answer were that simple. If the house has a pickleball court on its property, then that's clearly a plus—just like how having a tennis court or a pool would be.

However, the tricky party comes with pickleball courts nearby. The founder of Financial Samurai, Sam Dogan, researched this exact issue and had some fascinating findings.

Dogan suggests that property values could decline 10% to 20% if pickleball courts are constructed across the street and 5% to 10% if they are one or two blocks away. But if the courts are at least three blocks away, then the home price may increase by 1% to 5%.

“It can bring value to your home if you have a pickleball court in your neighborhood or even close by in a park," said Jill Drafts, a real estate adviser at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Lake Mary, Florida. "Pickleball players will be attracted to the home.”

It's a tricky situation because while pickleball brings so much joy to those who play, if your home is very close to courts, the constant sound of the ball can be infuriating.

Some groups, such as Pickleball Noise Relief, which has more than a thousand members, have been trying to develop a model community noise ordinance for pickleball so that each town doesn't have to have the same battle over noise.

“It’s not good enough to leave every single person in their little community to fight,” said Nalini Lasiewicz, one of the group's leaders. “We need federal oversight: We need the EPA to do this, the CDC.”

Every rose has its thorn, and pickleball is no exception. But as long as pickleball players and nearby homeowners work together to respect each other's needs, then we should all be able to get along.

There’s no crying in baseball—or pickleball. (But there is when you check your DUPR. 😀)

You know when you're in the zone, crushing serves, ripping drives, and putting that sweet topspin on your dinks and drops? That's what it feels like when you put an RPM paddle in your hands, which is why it's the hottest new paddle brand out there.

Yup, after RPM took the pickleball world by storm when it came on the scene last year, it followed that up with two amazing new paddles, the V2 and the Q2. Grab yours today, and use code (clinic15) for 15% off.

If high-level players were asked to choose the most important spin in pickleball, almost all of them would say topspin. However, that's not to say it's the only important spin because slice (aka backspin) is also a useful spin on certain shots. So here's PPA Champion and RPM founder, James Ignatowich, to show you how and when to hit both topspin and slice. 👇

We may know a lot about pro pickleballers' playing styles, but what about their education? Did they finish high school or go to college, and if so, which ones? Here's a brief sampling of some of the world's best players…

Ben Johns: University of Maryland - became #1 in the world at the age of 21.

Anna Leigh Waters: Homeschooled - became #1 in the world at the age of 14.

Anna Bright: University of California, Berkeley

Hayden Patriquin: Online high school classes

Kate Fahey: University of Michigan

Parris Todd: Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Hope you enjoyed the read. See you next week!

- Your Friends at The Pickleball Clinic

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