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🔥 How to counter hard drives at the kitchen

🔥 How to counter hard drives at the kitchen

Plus, the fastest paddle I’ve ever played with, 3 smarter decisions that instantly improve your game, do THIS to become a more consistent player, and much more...

Brandon at Pickleheads
May 14, 2026

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

👌 The fastest paddle I’ve ever played with
🤾 3 smarter decisions that instantly improve your game
🧨 Don’t break the golden rule of pickleball
💥 Do THIS to become a more consistent player
🔥 How to counter hard drives at the kitchen

👌 The fastest paddle I’ve ever played with

Hey Pickleheads readers, Taylor here 👋

I finally got my hands on the new Franklin C45 Aurelius — The GOAT Anna Leigh Waters’ first signature paddle with Franklin — and after taking it into semi-pro league play, one thing became obvious fast:

This paddle is ridiculously quick.

Honestly, I’ve never tested anything faster in hand battles. The aerodynamics are insane. Even when I felt late to a speed-up, I could still get the paddle into position and reset the ball cleanly.

What surprised me most though was the spin. Because the paddle is so light and whippy, I could really roll drives, shape drops, and hit angles that dipped hard at my opponents’ feet.

This is not a power paddle, though. If you like blasting serves and driving through people, this probably isn’t your style. The C45 Aurelius is much more of a control, spin and speed weapon built for players who value touch, reactions, but enjoy fine-tuning their paddle.

That last part matters too: you’ll probably want to add weight tape. Out of the box, it can twist a little on off-center hits.

Still, for players who love fast hands and spin-heavy control, this thing is an absolute weapon.

Get the C45 Aurelius for $207 (10% off) auto-applied with this link.

🤾 3 smarter decisions that instantly improve your game

Stoked to welcome back Jordan Briones from Briones Pickleball on YouTube for this week’s Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

One of the biggest differences between amateur and advanced players isn’t technique — it’s decision-making. Knowing when to drive, drop, attack, or reset can completely change your results on court.

Here are three smarter decisions that instantly improve your game:

1️⃣ Drive short returns. Drop deep ones.
If the return is short and leading you in, drive it and apply pressure. But if you’re hitting from behind the baseline or below knee height, the higher percentage play is usually the drop.

2️⃣ Don’t attack from deep transition.
If you’re far back and the ball is low, reset and buy time. Attacking from a low, defensive position usually ends with the next ball smashed right back at you.

3️⃣ At the kitchen, take time away — but only on the right balls.
Volley dinks above knee height whenever you can. But if the ball is low, back up, create space, and let it bounce so you can stay offensive.

Watch Jordan break this down in more detail in the full video 👇

Unlock your true potential with the most comprehensive FREE video series that gives you fast, step-by-step instructions on exactly what to work on next to skyrocket your game.

What’s the most underrated piece of pickleball gear?

🧨 Don’t break the golden rule of pickleball

💥 Do THIS to become a more consistent player