🤾 Hit the perfect speed-up (off the bounce)

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

😍 Fast, confident offense. Plenty of spin. And touch you can trust.
🤾 Hit the perfect speed-up (off the bounce)
🧨 3 tips I wish I knew sooner
💥 Stop making this backhand volley mistake

😍 Fast, confident offense. Plenty of spin. And touch you can trust.

Adidas has become a force in the pickleball world over the last few years—signing pros and putting serious effort into building smarter paddles.

The new AdiPower Pro-EDT line, which dropped last Monday, is the payoff.

These paddles deliver easy spin, quick swings, and a solid, connected feel that helps you play aggressively without losing touch.

Steven, one of our newest paddle testers, found that his serves landed deeper with less effort, while counters and roll dinks stayed sharp. At the kitchen and mid-court, he could absorb pace and stay in control.

Even after long sessions, the paddle surface still grabs well, showing only light scuffs—and no rattle.

In the full review, Steven breaks down how each shape plays, how it compares to older Adidas models, and which paddle is right for different styles of play.

👉 Read: Adidas Adipower Pro-EDT review

🤾 Hit the perfect speed-up (off the bounce)

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

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Speed-ups can win points. But only if you hit them right.

If you’re reaching or swinging wild, you’re likely just giving your opponent an easy counter. Instead, here are the 3 steps I teach for a perfect speed-up off the bounce:

1️⃣ Get your lead leg behind the ball.

Don’t stretch for it. Step into position so you can drive through the ball with balance and power.

2️⃣ Paddle tip down.

This creates deception and gives you the most topspin, so your shot dips fast and stays aggressive.

3️⃣ Don’t go for the winner.

Think of it like a jab in boxing. You’re not trying to finish the point. You’re setting it up.

Aim for your opponent’s “chicken wing” (that awkward spot at the paddle-side shoulder) and wait for the putaway.

Want to see this in action? 👇

Lightning fast, but little power

And because he could accelerate so easily, he could still generate topspin to stay in rallies.

But that featherweight feel comes with a trade-off…it just doesn’t hit very hard. Floaters that are usually winners kept coming back, and Taylor had to swing bigger than normal to finish points.

At $229, it’s not cheap. But if you already hit hard and want a paddle you can finesse and tune, the Franklin Parris Todd C45° is worth a look.

The grittiest $120 paddle of all time?

The value is real—and it’s often on sale for under $100. It’s a true all-court paddle that’s leagues above most entry-level models.

Taylor’s only complaint? The finishing power. Winners had to come from angles or smart placement—not raw power.

If you’re the kind of player who wins points with spin, depth, and placement more than raw blast, this is right up your alley.

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?👇

Springdale Community Park, Springdale, UT

Set against the stunning red cliffs of Zion Canyon, this week’s court might just be the most scenic spot in all of Utah to play a game of pickleball.

Tucked inside the Town of Springdale Community Park, you’ll find pristine blue-and-green courts with a seriously epic backdrop—towering sandstone cliffs, desert pines, and clear blue skies.

A peaceful escape… until someone speeds one up at your feet.

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

• 👌CRBN’s best foam build yet?

• 👌 A paddle without a glaring weakness

• 😍 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power – their best paddle yet

• 💥 Honolulu J2NF – explosive fiberglass power with a broad sweet spot

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

• This point is 🔥

• 🤾 This ONE tip will fix your lob

• 😲 A legit get!

• 🤾 The shot you didn’t know you needed

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