🤾 A footwork fix for better returns

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

🤨 Foam paddles are the hot new thing, but are they worth it?
🤾 A footwork fix for better returns
🎯 3 tips to master the 4th shot
⏰ The perfect time to lob

🤨 Foam paddles are the hot new thing, but are they worth it?

They’re quiet. They’re forgiving. And right now, they’re the hottest trend in paddles.

In some cases, they feel smoother on contact than traditional honeycomb paddles. But there’s still a lot of confusion (and hype) around foam-core tech…especially now more brands are jumping in.

This week, we’re cutting through the noise to figure out what’s legit about foam paddles—and what’s not.

In this week’s blog, Stephen explains what foam paddles actually are, how they compare to standard builds, and which players should consider switching.

If you’re short on time, which foam paddle stood out in testing? Easy! The CRBN TruFoam Genesis 4. It’s soft, controlled, and shockingly spin-friendly for a paddle that barely makes a sound.

👉 Read: Should you buy a foam pickleball paddle?

🚀 Want to get in front of 240,000+ pickleball players?

Every week, the Pickleheads Newsletter lands in the inbox of one of pickleball’s largest and most engaged communities.

That’s 240,000 (and counting) rec players, organizers, and fans opening emails like this to catch up on drills, gear tips, and the most epic points we can find.

If you’re a coach, organizer, business, or brand looking to connect with our crew, we’ve got two ways to help:

• 🏓 Full Newsletter Feature – Share your story with the whole community.

• 🎯 Targeted Email Blast – Get straight to players in the cities, states, or skill levels that matter most to you.

Want to reach the fastest-growing community in pickleball? 👇

🤾 A footwork fix for better returns

Excited as always to welcome back Tanner Tomassi for this week’s Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Ever feel like your return of serve lacks power? Or, just flies off target?

There’s one small mistake I see all the time that causes this inconsistency:

Running through the shot…to get to the kitchen quicker.

You see when you play this shot and your feet aren’t planted, you lose control—and all that forward movement works against your swing.

Here’s what to do instead:

✅ Time your step with your swing.

As the ball approaches, step into it as you hit. Your momentum powers the shot without sacrificing balance.

✅ Keep your swing compact.

No need for a big backswing. Let your body weight do the work.

Put these two together and your returns will be both stronger and more consistent. Hope this helps.

Watch Tanner demonstrate the return in action👇

As always, he breaks it down in under 60 seconds.

Heavy. Powerful. Unforgiving.

There’s enough spin to keep your opponent pinned behind the baseline. It’s not subtle, but that’s kind of the point.

Taylor says it reminds him of swinging a tennis racket, especially with that elongated face. It’s ideal for players coming over from tennis who want to hit through the ball and aren’t afraid of a smaller sweet spot.

And yeah, that sweet spot is tight. Miss it, and you’ll feel it. Plus, the grip can get slick in sweaty matches—definitely worth slapping an overgrip on.

The Pro Cannon rewards confident, aggressive players who don’t need much help with touch. The price is reasonable too – $150. If you swing big, don’t mind a challenge, and want to bully the ball, this paddle’s got your back.

🏖️ Kagi Maldives Resort and Spa, Maldives

Yes, that’s a pickleball court… in paradise.

Tucked away in the North Malé Atoll, Kagi Maldives hosts the first dedicated pickleball court in the country. Surrounded by swaying palms and ocean views, this all-weather court could be our dreamiest yet!

When you're done dinking, you can even swap the court for the Baani Spa, sip cocktails at sunset, or take a dip in crystal-clear waters just steps away. 😍

Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:

• 🤫 On the lookout for a quiet paddle?

• 🤓 Think pickleball glasses are overkill? I used to think so too.

• 💪 Selkirk’s BRAND NEW powerhouse paddle

• 🎾 I retested every major pickleball…things have changed!

Skipped a scroll or two? No worries — here are the last few editions we sent your way:

• 😉 An audacious 'tweener!

• 🤾 This one cue levelled up a 9-year-old’s serve in minutes

• 😲 A jaw-dropping shot!

• 🤾 If the lob goes up, the drive is coming next

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