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Feb 29th will live in pickleball history

Feb 29th will live in pickleball history

Case for the middle dink. Collin Johns on PicklePod.

The day has finally come. For at least one day, we have peace in the pickleball world.

The highly-anticipated merger between the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball was finalized yesterday. Fittingly, it took an extra day on the calendar for the six-month struggle to find a resolution.

Do you wear eye protection when playing pickleball?

In This Issue:

🤝 Merger complete
🏋️ Pickleball training reaches new heights
💪 Learn to work with your teammate

Kumbaya, my friends.

The Case For the Middle Dink

You're in a dink war. The temptation to up the ante on each shot is great. You push yourself to the brink of the dink (pace, spin, angles), hoping your opponent will fold.

It's a matter of pride. A battle of ego. The message: 'I can out-dink you all - day - long buddy.' But every time you up the ante, you up the risk. Your pride left the back door open, and in comes unforced errors.

Don't let your pride get the best of you (ok, sometimes it's just more fun that way), play it safe. The middle dink ain't flashy and it won't land you on any highlight reels, but it's almost always a smart play.

Often overlooked and underutilized, the middle dink comes with many benefits:

It forces the other team to communicate and can cause confusion, who's got middle?
It limits their options for attack; any attack will likely be down the middle
It's safe: you're hitting over the lowest part of the net, and it's almost impossible to hit it out or push it too wide for an ATP
It simply switches it up and adds another variable for your opponent to consider

Broken record time: Be patient. Let them make the mistake. Utilize the middle dink to bait your opponent into a bad shot or unforced error of their own.

If you want to be offensive with the middle dink, aim for the left foot of the right-side player (assuming they're right-handed). If you can get them to step off the line, you've just shifted the point from neutral to your advantage.

See the middle dink in action here.

Finding Joy in Movement

Ever wished you could sneak in a workout while relaxing or working? Meet Cubii – the revolutionary under-desk elliptical that's a game-changer for your fitness routine. Whether you're strategizing your next pickleball victory or unwinding after an epic match, Cubii keeps you moving!

Cubii is compact, whisper-quiet, and perfect for any home or office space. With its smooth, low-impact design, you can pedal away calories, strengthen muscles, and boost your energy – all while sitting. It's not just about staying active; it's about enhancing your pickleball performance with improved strength and endurance.

Get ready to pedal your way to victory – both at the desk and on the court. Discover Cubii’s under-desk ellipticals and revolutionize your fitness journey today!

The Great Pickleball Treaty

It's officially official.

The much discussed and highly-anticipated merger between the Carvana PPA Tour and MLP by Margaritaville is a done deal.

The consolidation of the two entities is backed by a $75 million investment from private equity firm SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, PPA Tour owners Tom Dundon and the Pardoe Family, and a roster of existing MLP team owners.

The merger combines the leading individual bracket-style tour and team-based professional pickleball formats, with the PPA Tour and MLP retaining their distinct brands.

More than 150 professional pickleball players - including the top-ranked players in the world - have signed multi-year contracts with the new entity, with many of them set to participate in an expanded calendar that combines individual (PPA Tour) and team (MLP) events throughout the year.

The parent company's board of directors and team owners include an impressive roster of business leaders, leading investors, and professional athletes. The new board of directors will include Jason Stein from SC Holdings, D.C. Pickleball Team owner Al Tylis, Matt Turney from Dundon Capital Partners, MLP team owner Julio DePietro, and former Goldman Sachs Partner Brian Levine.

Today, we can reset the ‘days without incidence counter’ until the next edition of Tour Wars.

Do You Even Lift, Bro?

Pickleball players will do anything to get an edge. From paddle upgrades to adding lead tape and diving down the rabbit hole, there are few places they won’t go.

But no matter what you try, some players are just willing to go the extra mile. Check out this pickleball fanatic who goes all out for the game.

He brings his paddle with him everywhere, including the gym. While you’re playing on solid ground he’s up on the balance board transforming his body into the ultimate dinking machine.

Left hand, right hand, doesn’t matter. He is ready for everything. Heck, this guy will out-dink you during an earthquake. Shout out to all you pickleball fans willing to push the human body to extreme limits.

Your Turn to TOUR

Franklin Sports is once again at the forefront of pickleball innovation with the FS Tour Series Paddles - a game-changer in competitive play.

Crafted with precision, the Tempo and Dynasty models boast a T700 carbon fiber surface for unmatched control and spin, enabling players to execute shots with confidence. The meticulously balanced swing and twist weight of the paddles are engineered to amplify your technique, making every shot count.

It's time to unleash your full potential and play like the pros. Experience the difference today with the FS Tour Series.

School is in Session

After a surprising upset in Mesa, Collin Johns is back on the PicklePod. He explains how the new Vulcan ball is affecting play and how the new serve rule has helped remove egregious faults from the game.

Collin recalls the few teams that have wins over him and his brother Ben in the past three years and explains how those opponents were able to hand them an L. Learn what three drills CJ says are mandatory in an all-new episode.