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š¤¾ 3 strategies to win more matches
Plus, do these things to drive with power, THIS will save you from an ugly fall, and much more...
Brandon Mackie
March 27, 2025
Hey there,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
š¤¾ 3 strategies to win more matches
ā”ļø The perfect time to lob at the kitchen
š„ Do these things to drive with power
š THIS will save you from an ugly fall
š¤¾ 3 strategies to win more matches
Iām pumped to welcome Kyle from That Pickleball School to this weekās Level Up.
Hey Pickleheads readers,
Most 3.5 players enter tournaments with no strategyāwhich leads to tournament anxiety. Worse, some go in with the wrong strategyā¦ and end up losing fast.
Hereās 3 simple strategies thatāll help you show up more confidently and win more often. Letās get into it.
#1: Play the backhand game
Most playersā forehands are stronger than their backhands. So why serve to their strength?
Instead, target their backhand on both serves and returns. Itās a simple way to earn weaker balls and create more chances to attack.
#2: Rush the returner
Donāt just admire your serveāmove up quickly. If your opponentās still working their way to the kitchen, theyāre off balance and under pressure.
Now imagine you rush them and hit to their backhand. Thatās how you force errors.
#3: Only attack smart
The ādumbā attack: hitting hard while off balance or from below the net. Avoid doing this.
Instead, wait for a high ball, stay balanced, and mix up your shot speeds. Youāll be way harder to readāand way more effective.
Bonus tip:
Feeling the nerves? Focus on your breath.
A steady pre-serve routine and slow breathing between points can help you reset and stay loose. Nervous energy isnāt badāit means you care.
Tournament coming up? Try these 3 strategies and let us know how it goes.
Click below to watch Kyle go deeper on this weekās tip š
Pain shouldnāt be part of the game plan
Pickleballās funāuntil your feet start barking, your knees feel like jelly, or your back locks up halfway through game four.
If youāre feeling sore after every matchāor worse, sitting out because of itāVKTRYās carbon fiber insoles might be the smartest gear upgrade you can make.
From Grayson Goldin (Rank #2 APP Men's Singles):
āThe first thing I do when I get a new pair of shoes is put my VKTRY insoles in. I have used these insoles for the last 6 months and I have noticed a significant difference in my knees and feet. My knee pain has disappeared and I am much quicker when changing direction and pushing off on the court. I would highly recommend these insoles.ā
Theyāre built to absorb shock, protect your joints, and return energy with every stepāso you can move with confidence, play longer, and bounce back faster.
Each pair is custom-tuned to your body weight, giving you the right amount of support and spring where you need it most.
If youāre battling nagging injuries or trying to avoid them altogether, this is the kind of edge that could keep you in the game.
ā”ļø The perfect time to lob at the kitchen
š„ Do these things to drive with power
š THIS will save you from an ugly fall
Why I swear by these pickleball shoes
If youāre like me, youāve blown through shoes that just couldnāt keep up with your game. Enter the Tyrol Striker Pro Vāeasily among the best shoes Iāve tried (and Iāve tried a lot).
First off, these arenāt some generic sneakers masquerading as pickleball shoes. The Striker Pro V was built for players by players. The Vibram outsoleās custom tread grips pickleball surfaces like a champ with elite traction and durability that lastsāthese arenāt wearing out after a few intense sessions.
Then thereās comfort. The 3-step breathability system (insole, midsole, outsole) paired with an open-weave mesh upper keeps air flowing, even during marathon matches.
Rolled ankles got you sidelined? These shoes have a wide toe box for stability, a torsion control shank for quick lateral moves, and a heel stabilizer that locks everything into correct alignment.
For a limited time, save an exclusive 10% on Tyrol with code PICKLEHEADS below:
š The GOATās latest power paddleāworth the price tag?
JOOLA has built a reputation for making some of the most powerful paddles in the game, and the Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV is no exception. Itās A LOT of fun.
Available in 16mm and 14mm, this paddle is more than worth a look if you like to play fast and aggressively!
The Perseus Pro IV has plenty of pop for driving the ball and countering at the kitchen, with tons of spin!
What I loved most was how easy it was to hit deep serves and topspin drives that dipped right at my opponentās feet.
But all that power comes with a trade-off. The paddle plays firm, so keeping shots low takes some adjusting.
The 14mm version has the most pop at the kitchen, but it's harder to controlāitās not the most forgiving paddle.
So if youāre looking for a little less pop, more cushion, and control, Iād go with the 16mm. In my full review, I rated it 5/5 overallāthis almost never happens!
At $279.95, the Perseus Pro IV is pricey. So Iād say itās more of a fit for players who already know they like a power paddle.
If you're a player who wants a high-level power paddle, the high price tag is definitely worth it for you.
Caldera Springs, Sunriver, Oregon
Youāll find this weekās dream courts in Caldera Springs, Sunriver, Oregon.
Described as the Pacific Northwest's premier destination resort community, itās clear no expense was spared on their pickleball courts!
Unfortunately, the only way to ever play on these courts would be to vacation here or join the community!
But hey, we can all dream! And this section is called the Dream Court of the week, right?
Still asking, āWhatās the score?ā
Donāt be that player. AccuSkore is the easy, wrist-worn scorekeeper that tracks every point with a quick dialāno debates, no distractions.
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