🤾 Cover the Triangle, win the point

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

 👐 Two new paddles. Two totally different personalities.
🤾 Cover the Triangle, win the point
🤌 Hold the flick until the last second
👍 Proper court positioning for 3rd shot drops

👐 Two new paddles. Two totally different personalities.

Honolulu and 11SIX24 are paddle brands you don’t always see at open play, but the diehards talk about them nonstop. This week, Stephen put their latest releases on court.

Both sit under $200 and both cleaned up Stephen’s mishits with big, forgiving sweet spots—rec games felt easier right away. From there, they split.

The Honolulu J2NF gave Stephen instant, springy pop from its fiberglass-on-foam build; drives jumped and counters came off hot, but it took him a minute to find his spin and shape.

The 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power felt more “ready out of the box” for Stephen—controlled pop, natural placement, and nothing overly jumpy.

If you’re curious which feel fits your game, Stephen dropped his full notes, test scores, and quirks here:

👉️ Honolulu J2NF review

👉️ 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power review

🤾 Cover the Triangle, win the point

I’m pumped to welcome back Kyle from That Pickleball School for this week’s Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

One of the best patterns you can start recognizing (and using) in your games is what I call the triangle.

Here’s how it works:

Whenever you or your partner speeds up a ball (especially down the line) there’s a high chance it’ll come back diagonally. That’s because the opponent is reacting fast and redirecting with whatever’s most natural. And that’s usually across-court.

That creates a triangle of three players:

• 1️⃣ Your partner (who sped it up)

• 2️⃣ Their opponent (who counters)

• 3️⃣ You (covering the diagonal)

That’s the triangle. And if you’re not ready to close it, you’re probably going to get burned.

This is a game-changer once you start to see it. The moment your partner speeds it up, you should already be shifting your weight, paddle, and focus toward that diagonal lane.

It’s not about reacting…it’s about expecting.

The more you recognize the triangle, the more control you’ll have on fast exchanges—and the more points you’ll win.

In the full video, I show you exactly how to train this instinct—and how it works against top-level players too. 👇

Ever feel like your brain is your worst enemy on the court?

Yeah… same.

I can hit the shots in practice. I know the strategies. But in a real match? Nerves creep in, my focus drifts, and I’m giving points away like free samples at Costco.

So when I heard about ThatPickleballSchool’s new 21-Day Mindset Reset Challenge, I was curious (and honestly, a little skeptical). Can you really transform your mental game in just 3 weeks?

Here’s the deal.

Over 21 days, you work through short, daily lessons that help you:

• Stay calm under pressure (no more panicking on game point)

• Get over bad shots fast instead of spiraling

• Make smarter decisions when it matters most

• Bring consistent energy to every single point

I’ve been testing it out myself, and I can tell you this: it works.

Now, I’m by no means suddenly playing like Ben Johns or Anna Leigh-Waters, but I feel way more confident in tight games—and I’m making fewer dumb mistakes.

The best part? You don’t need to be younger, faster, or more athletic. This is all about mindset, strategy, and sharpening your pickleball IQ.

It’s a one-time $79 charge, and you keep it for life. Compared to the cost of lessons (anywhere from $50-$250 an hour!), it’s a no-brainer.

If you want to turn your #1 enemy (your brain) into your greatest skill, this is worth a shot.

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?👇

🏔️ Smoky Mountain Pickleball Home

Talk about playing at altitude…

Perched high in the Great Smoky Mountains, this private home court offers one of the most breathtaking backdrops in pickleball.

Surrounded by towering peaks and crisp mountain air, it’s the kind of setting that makes every point feel epic—and every mis-hit a little easier to laugh off.

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

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

• 🤫 On the lookout for a quiet paddle?

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

• 💪 Selkirk’s BRAND NEW powerhouse paddle

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

• 🎬 Iconic Bond villain wages war against pickleball

• 🤾 A footwork fix for better returns

• 😉 An audacious 'tweener!

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

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.