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- 𤨠Become a 4.0+ in 30 days...really?!
𤨠Become a 4.0+ in 30 days...really?!
Plus, how to be deceptive with your dinks, when to hit backhand flicks, and much more...
Brandon Mackie
March 20, 2025
Hey there,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
𤞠2 tips to outplay younger pickleball players
𤨠Become a 4.0+ in 30 days⌠really?!
đ How to be deceptive with your dinks
đ When to hit backhand flicks
𤞠2 tips to outplay younger pickleball players
Iâm stoked to welcome a new contributor to this weekâs Level UpâCJ Johnson from Better Pickleball.
I even met up with CJ in Phoenix to shoot this video for their channel. Take it away, CJ.
Hey Pickleheads readers!
How often does this happen to you? Youâre in an open play and you come up against younger players who have a different skill set than you.
Today, Iâm going to give you two tips to help you play your best against players who have more tools.
#1 Be ready for THAT serve
Younger, more athletic players usually have a BOMB of a serve! They can hit it hard and deep.
You need to be ready for this. If youâre facing bomb after bomb of hard and deep servesâdonât hug the baseline! Your chances of returning these serves are pretty slim, right?
Instead, respect their serve! I suggest moving at least three feet back from the baseline. This will give you more time and space to return that bomb.
#2 Limit their options to stress your return
Younger, more athletic players often play with a lot of spin, have quicker reactions, and put stress on your returns by pushing you out wide.
Under stress, our usual response is to play harder and faster returns. And because your opponent has got better reactions, that ball is only going to come back at you harder and faster
When your opponent is pushing you out wide, donât return hard and wide. Instead, reset softer and to the middle of the court.
Why? Because this softer shot will usually bounce lower than the net, limiting your opponent's options to play returns that will add stress to your next shot.
Plus, youâll now have more time to get back to a more balanced, neutral position.
Remember, counter a stress dink with a soft reset!
Hope this helps!
Click below to watch CJ explain this weekâs tip in under seconds. Plus, see me in action.đ
Become a 4.0+ in 30 days⌠really?!
Feeling stuck at your current level? Yeah, me too.
This year, Iâm making it my mission to level upâat least half a level (maybe moreâŚ).
And, if I had to pick one thing thatâs helped the most?
Hands down, joining ThatPickleballSchool by Kyle, aka ThatPickleballGuy.
I signed up back in January and made it a habit to watch 1-2 videos each night before bed. And honestly? Itâs really good.
I liked it so much I asked Kyle if I could offer it to Pickleheads readers. His response at the time was⌠nope, sorry. Itâs full. Bummer.
Well, Kyle finally called me back with the good news⌠ThatPickleballSchool is back open đ
Itâs packed with new content and already has a community of 745 members.
Here are a few ways itâs helped my game so far:
Focus on shots that actually matter most in pickleball (hint: itâs not the dink!)
Where to return the ball so you donât get crushed by bangers
When to rush the kitchen and when to stay back
Iâd say just one month in his school is easily worth $250+ in private lessons. Get an inside look and youâll see what I mean.
Obviously, I was a little skeptical of Kyleâs claim youâll become a 4.0+ player in just 30 days. But two months in myself, I believe it.
Just a heads up, Kyleâs school still has founding member pricing, but he told me itâs going up soon.
Want to know more? Reply to this email, and Iâll put you in direct contact with Kyle.
Built for Stability, Designed for Comfort
Looking for a lighter, more breathable, pickleball shoe thatâs all about comfort? Check out Tyrolâs Velocity V.
With its wider toe box, I noticed the difference the second I laced upâno pinching, no squeeze, just a comfortable fit that lets me move naturally.
The knit upper + flow-through ventilation system kept my feet cool and fresh, even during and after intense rallies. And just like their Smash, the high-durability VibramÂŽ outsole gave me the grip and traction I needed to play on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Stable. Cushioned. Built for all-day play. If you like a shoe with a roomier fit with more airflow, definitely take a look at Tyrolâs Velocity V.
Another bonus: Pickleheads readers can save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS.
đ How to be deceptive with your dinks
đ When to hit backhand flicks
đŠâđŤ Top pickleball volley tips
The score debate ends here
âWait, is it 8-5⌠or 7-6?â
âAre you sure?â
âI thought I was serving first?â
Weâve all been thereâstanding around, trying to piece together the score while momentum slips away. AccuSkore fixes that.
With a quick, no-look dial, you can track every point as it happensâno debates, no distractions. Just smooth, uninterrupted play.
đž No more arguments â Keep the game flowing
đ Easy to use, even at night â Illuminated display for late matches
đĽ Perfect for rec play & tournaments â Whether youâre playing or officiating
Because pickleball should be won on the courtânot in a debate over the score.
A power paddle worthy of Agassiâs name?
When JOOLA announced the Agassi Pro, I wondered if they were just slapping a big name on a paddle to sell to tennis convertsâŚ
But after testing it, I can sayâthis thing is legit! So legit, Iâm rating it 5/5!
Itâs fast, powerful, and has great spin. You can grip the ball well and shape your shots.
Itâs light and quick in hand battles. I could easily get the ball back when players sped up against me.
The power? Really solid! Third-shot drives and putaways came off clean
If youâre interested, the 16mm version is the way to goâit keeps the pop but adds a softer touch for better control.
The downsides? Not many. But, if you catch the ball near the top corners, the response drops off. And if youâre not precise with your angles, itâs easy to send shots long.
At $279.99, itâs a serious investmentâbut if you like to hit hard and play fast, the JOOLA Agassi Pro is one of my favorite picks for you right now.
âĽď¸ Sleep Better, Naturally.
Fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up refreshedâ100% plant-based, melatonin-free, and doctor-recommended. 87% say it works better than other sleep aids.
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