- Pickleheads
- Posts
- 🤾 3 mistakes killing your serve (and how to fix them forever)
🤾 3 mistakes killing your serve (and how to fix them forever)
Plus, Deal alert: 11SIX24 just dropped a pre-Black Friday sale, serve like a pro, and much more...
Brandon at Pickleheads
November 06, 2025
Hey reader,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
🚨 Deal alert: 11SIX24 just dropped a pre-Black Friday sale
🤾 3 mistakes killing your serve (and how to fix them forever)
💥 Serve like a pro
🤌 3 years of pickleball advice in 60 seconds
🚨 Deal alert: 11SIX24 just dropped a pre-Black Friday sale
11SIX24 isn’t a household name, but if you hang around courts you hear it again and again. In a category sprinting toward $300+ price tags (the $333 Boomstik comes to mind), they’ve stayed focused on what matters: high-quality builds at sane prices. We’ve been working with David, the founder, to get this to you first. True to form, he’s skipping the Black Friday circus and rolling the big savings out early.
From Nov 6–20, paddles are 20% off (Jelly Beans 10% off), and every order is an entry toward a $10,000 sweepstake. Plus, Pickleheads readers get an additional $10 off with code PICKLEHEADS10. It’s a pre-Black Friday window that fits the brand: quieter, cleaner, and built for players who’d rather be on court than chasing door-busters.
If you’re curious where to start, we’d look at two paddles:
Pegasus Jelly Bean — Stephen Mijangos’ favorite budget pick for a reason. The widebody shape and 16 mm core make the game feel calmer: third shots settle, resets stay low, and the sweet spot forgives late hands. The face has real bite, so you can shape topspin without muscling the ball. It’s a touch shorter and a hair head-heavy, which trades a bit of reach for stability. A deal most beginners and steady intermediates will happily make.
 |  |
Alpha Pro Power — the best thing 11SIX24 has built so far. It’s not the loudest “power monster,” but the blend is dialed: pop when you swing, touch when you don’t, and a broad, friendly sweet spot that raises your floor on off days. Stephen favors the Vapor shape for its speed-to-reach balance; whichever silhouette you choose, you’re getting a forgiving, all-court paddle that adds teeth without stealing feel.
Bottom line: this isn’t hype; it’s a good brand doing what it does best — value without compromises — and doing it early.
👉 Shop the 11SIX24 pre-Black Friday drop (Nov 6–20). Start with the Jelly Bean if you want control and confidence; go Alpha Pro Power if you’re leveling up. And if the $10K hits, we expect a victory selfie.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited by law. Sweepstakes starts at 12:00 a.m. ET on 11/6/25 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 11/20/25. Subject to Official Rules, which include entry instructions, how to enter without a purchase, prize details, odds, and restrictions, click here. Sponsor: 11SIX24 Pickleball Inc., 4239 Joe St Charlotte, NC 28206.
Our best budget-friendly pickleball glasses… on sale!
Pickleball-related eye injuries are climbing fast — everything from corneal scratches and black eyes to, in severe cases, retinal detachment and orbital fractures.
Yet, protective eyewear still isn’t required (or even promoted) by most major pickleball organizations.
Stephen admits he didn’t think much about it either… until a ball was blasted into his temple. A near miss that changed his mind fast. Now, he never plays without glasses.
If you’re after a solid, budget-friendly option, Stephen’s top pick is the Tifosi Rivets.
They’re lightweight, comfortable, and — unlike most pairs — they actually stay put. No slipping mid-rally, no fogging up when things get sweaty.
I can see a lot of players loving how snug these are, and how much they enhance your game while protecting you from eye injuries.
Tifosi are already our best budget pick on our list of Best Pickleball Glasses for 2025, and right now you can save an extra 15% until 11/30/2025.
You can grab a pair for under $45! A small price for peace of mind (and better vision on court).
Offer Expires 11/30/2025
🤾 3 mistakes killing your serve (and how to fix them forever)
Pumped to welcome back Kyle from That Pickleball School for this week’s Level Up.
Hey Pickleheads readers,
Your serve is one of the most, if not the most, important shot(s) in pickleball. A bad serve can put you straight on defense. A good serve sets you up for success.
Here are the three most common mistakes I see with player’s serves and how to fix them — fast!
✅ Mistake #1: A narrow base
Standing with your feet too close together limits power and stability. Widen your stance to create a strong “power base” and allow for weight transfer — just like a boxer loading up a punch.
✅ Mistake #2: Jammed release (aka T-Rex arms)
If your elbow is tucked and the ball’s too close, you’ll struggle to generate speed or spin. Extend out in front of your body, reach into the serve, and give yourself space — more like a driver in golf, less like a putter.
✅ Mistake #3: Arm-only swing
If you're stiff and flat-footed, you’re leaving power on the table. Think of your body like a wind-up toy car — coil your core, rotate through the serve, and let your whole body help generate effortless power.
Watch Kyle’s full breakdown (and fix your serve in under 10 mins) 👇
💥 Serve like a pro
🤌 3 years of pickleball advice in 60 seconds
🧨 Stop popping up your third shots
Every week, 240,000+ players see the Pickleheads Newsletter
It’s where the pickleball community comes for the latest news, drills, gear tips, and the most epic points.
Want to get your brand in front of them?👇
Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:
Skipped a scroll or two? No worries — here are the last few editions we sent your way:
What do you think of the Pickleheads Newsletter? Let us know how we can be even better in the comments. |
Love what you’re reading? Why not tell others about it too!?
The sponsors of this newsletter support our free tools at Pickleheads. Thanks for reading.