Welcome back to The Pickleball Clinic Newsletter!

Where do you play pickleball? Today, we'll take a look at one city whose teens are getting super into pickleball, check out another city that's building a facility right next to one of its iconic locations, receive a master class in advanced pickleball techniques, and a whole lot more.

Let’s go! 👇

Pickleball is growing throughout the world, and Asia is no exception. We have highlighted its growth in countries including India and China, but it is also starting to take hold in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong, once a colony of Great Britain, was handed over to China in 1997 as a special administrative region (SAR), which means that while it is part of China, it is allowed to keep its own governmental and economic systems.

Kennedy Lai, founder of the Newly Emerged Sports Association (NESA), says that pickleball is very popular among teens in Hong Kong.

Lai had previously taught students how to play sports such as basketball, but he found that it was difficult for them to pick up and excel at, which caused them to lose interest.

But with pickleball, Lai has noticed that kids can pick it up easily and they enjoy the social aspects of the game.

For that reason, Lai is trying to get pickleball to be taught in physical education classes across Hong Kong, and he has set out to train more than 50 Hongkongers to become certified coaches or referees.

Lai's message to young people is simple. “Come out to play pickleball... You cannot imagine how fun it is, and then you will be addicted to it.”

Well said, Mr. Lai, well said. 👍

Be Patient on Your Way Up to the Kitchen

Work your way up to the kitchen line after hitting your third shot drop instead of rushing in blindly. If your drop is too high and going to be attacked, stay back and wait for the next one. If your drop bounces or makes your opponent reach to hit it out of the air, move forward. The key when moving forward towards the line is to stop and split step right as your opponent hits the ball; you don’t want to be moving while you are hitting your shot. Therefore, you may not make it all the way up to the kitchen line after your first drop, and that is ok. The pros frequently work their way up in 2-3 drops. The key is moving up in a controlled manner, and retreating if you hit the ball too high!

Now that’s how you finish a great point! 💪

Put Your Best Foot Forward

Are you a swimmer? Or do you play beach volleyball? Then congratulations, you're in the minority of athletes who don't need to worry about socks or sneakers at all. As for the rest of us, we do have to pay attention to what goes on our feet. (By the way, don't tell the swimmers and beach volleyball players 🤫, but they’re actually missing out because wearing certain kinds of incredible socks is a real joy!)

What are these amazing socks we speak of? Bombas. Yup, Bombas makes insanely comfortable socks that give you maximum support, seamless toes, honeycomb arch support and airflow venting. But there's more — for every item you purchase, Bombas donates an essential clothing item to someone in need. So every time you get Bombas socks, you are helping somebody else.

Bombas is now offering new customers 25% off all socks, underwear, and bralettes + free shipping on first orders of $85 or more. Just use this link and the discount code they provide once you're there.

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

The Pickleball Clinic: We’ve heard you played tennis with two forehands. Is this true? And if so, how do you do it?

Ben Johns: That is true. I even played pickleball singles with two forehands early in my career (2017). My brother Collin did as well, albeit at a much higher level (pro). I mostly just copied him! But I wasn’t nearly as good at it. I still very much enjoy playing lefty games in PB though!

^{You can follow Ben Johns on Instagram and YouTube!}

Bridging the Gap

Let's talk about the Brooklyn Bridge. It is a hybrid suspension/cable-stayed bridge (built from 1870 to 1883), and it's one of the oldest examples of both types in the United States.

Located in New York City, it connects the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Its bold, neo-Gothic stone towers, along with its vertical and diagonal cables make it not only strong (in the recent tragic boat accident, the bridge didn’t even move), but also one of the most iconic bridges in the world.

The Brooklyn Bridge is used to being a backdrop to the lower Manhattan skyline and millions upon millions of pictures. But is it ready to be the backdrop for pickleball?

It sure looks to be ever since a proposal passed to build 11 pickleball courts on the Brooklyn side of the bridge.

The company in charge of the project is CityPickle, and the 60,000-square-foot area will be called CityPickle Brooklyn Bridge. If that name sounds familiar, that's because it’s the same group that brought 14 pickleball courts to Wollman Rink in Central Park.

“By transforming this fenced-off lot into a dynamic public plaza, we’re giving New Yorkers and visitors a safe and accessible place to work up a sweat and take in the fresh air, here in scenic Dumbo [Brooklyn],” said NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa.

Sounds like an exciting project. We look forward to checking these courts out when they open!

Yup, there are quite a few of us who think we’ve got what it takes to go pro. 😄

Total Dominance

When it comes to high-level pickleball these days, there is one line of paddles that is dominating the sport. And that's JOOLA's Pro IVs.

The Pro IVs come in JOOLA models you already know and love, including the Perseus, Scorpeus, Magnus, and Hyperion. But the Pro IVs are made with TechFlex Power technology, which increases dwell time, flexibility and feel. AND Pro IVs are Dual Certified by both UPA-A and USAP, which means no more having to worry about where you can play with them because they’re approved and legal everywhere. JOOLA also came out with an Agassi model that has a sweet new shape.

Last thing we'll mention is that JOOLA doesn't just make paddles for elite and advanced players. They make paddles for every player you can imagine from total beginners to the all-time greatest player — Ben Johns, pictured below. Check out all of JOOLA’s paddles right here.

If you are an intermediate or advanced player looking to get to the next level, then this video is for you. It covers crucial shots and techniques, from the backhand flick and serve to speedups and footwork at the kitchen line. Coach Matt walks you through them all. 👇

Key takeaways:

• For the backhand flick: get low, extend your arm and bend your wrist, and use your non-dominant arm as a counter balance.

• On your serve: start with your paddle back, then open your hips to rotate your body around, pivot on front foot and swing your back foot around into the court after you make contact with the ball.

• Don’t just randomly hit speedups. Instead, be intentional with them. Make sure that you are targeting specific spots on your opponent, such as their dominant arm’s shoulder or out wide to their backhand.

• Create space for yourself at the kitchen line by using the dropstep when you cannot volley the ball out of the air or when it is hit out wide.

Washington State is the birthplace of pickleball, and pickleball has actually become its official state sport. But just because pickleball is a bit of a celebrity out there doesn't mean that it's untouchable.

How do we know this? Because a plan to build a facility in Seattle's Magnuson Park wetland preserves is being met with resistance by environmental and wildlife advocates. Led by a group called Birds Connect Seattle, these environmentalists are worried that the noise of pickleball play will disrupt local birds in their natural habitat, along with residents who are visiting the wetlands to get a brief respite from urban life. 

Hope you enjoyed the read. See you next week!

- Your Friends at The Pickleball Clinic

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