🤾 Aim here when you’re under pressure

🥤 An electrolyte mix that comes with some serious pickleball cred

Anyone who knows me knows I’m pretty locked into my routines on the court. Same warm-up, same gear… and for the last two years, the same electrolyte mix in my Hydro Flask.

So when two of our newsletter contributors and people I really trust — Kyle Koszuta (That Pickleball Guy) and Tanner Tomassi — told me I needed to try a new electrolyte brand called SLAMIT Hydrate, they got my attention. Then I saw that Anna Bright and Zane Navratil are actually part of the ownership team and helped develop the formula. At that point, I had to give it a shot.

I’ve spent the past couple of months testing SLAMIT Hydrate during real sessions here in the Arizona heat, and I was genuinely surprised by how it performed. It’s thoughtfully formulated with premium ingredients like Baja Gold® Sea Salt, real coconut water, and HydroPrime®, a patented hydration accelerator that boosts hydration by 24%.

These aren’t the typical ingredients you’ll find in rival brands, and they do make a noticeable difference on court.

Most importantly, it tastes great and kept me feeling hydrated in tough conditions.

I’ve put together a full breakdown of what stood out, plus how it compares to the big brands you probably already know. If you’re curious, you can read the complete review below.

👉 Read my full SLAMIT Hydrate review

🤾 Aim here when you’re under pressure

Stoked to welcome back Kyle from That Pickleball School for this week's Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

One of the biggest reasons players miss under pressure is simple: too many decisions in the moment.

When you’re scrambling or working your way to the kitchen, your brain is overloaded. So instead of trying to “figure it out” mid-rally, I want you to automate your decisions in advance.

First, pick predetermined safe zones. For most players, that means backhands. If I’m feeling pressure, I already know I’m going crosscourt backhand or down-the-line backhand. That target helps me move in without guessing.

If I go middle to a strong forehand, I might invite pace back at me. Know your safe zones before the point even starts.

Second, put opponents in unnatural hitting positions. Anything out wide in their strike zone is easy to attack. So jam them. Make them hit from the middle of their body or slightly toward the backhand hip. From those positions it’s hard to accelerate.

If you can consistently move the ball away from your opponent’s power zones and into awkward ones, you’ll win more neutral rallies, and get to the kitchen line more often.

Want to this week’s tip in action? Watch the full 90-second video 👇

💊 Anti-doping in pickleball? We’re officially at that stage

The road to the Olympics doesn’t start with medals. It starts with moves like this.

The Global Pickleball Federation is hosting the first-ever anti-doping webinar for our sport on Feb 24 (8am EST) with the International Testing Agency.

If you’re an athlete, coach, medical pro, or part of a support team, you’re part of clean sport! And knowing the anti-doping system matters.

They’ll cover what’s allowed, what’s not, walk through real scenarios, and take live questions. You’ll also get a certificate and the slides afterward.

Big picture? This is a key step in GPF’s push for International Olympic Committee recognition.

Olympic pickleball? It’s getting real.

💥 How to handle a slice return

🧨 Get more curve on your screwball serve

🤌 Never pop up a dink again with this tip!

Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande, AZ

Thirty-two courts. Yes, 32. Palm Creek isn’t just big. It’s a pickleball playground. With a packed tournament schedule, regular clinics, and players of every level rolling through, there’s always something happening.

And when you’re done battling it out, you’ve got golf, RV living, and full resort vibes waiting.

If you’re the type who plans trips around pickleball, this might need to be on your list.

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

• 🔥 The best paddle deal out there right now!

• 🤯 This paddle gives you more than the JOOLA Pro IV for $100 less

• 🏆 I won a 5.0 tournament with this $100 paddle

• 🤔 Dwell vs. pop-based power – which is best?

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

• 😳 Pickleball brawl involving 20 people results in two arrests

• 💥 This shot will earn you pop-ups

• 🎬 Pickleheads... the movie!!!

• 🤾 Three fixes to instantly stop you popping up dinks

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