🤾 How to deal with spin

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

🥤 An electrolyte mix that comes with some serious pickleball cred
🤾 How to deal with spin
💥 How to be super deceptive with your dinks
🧨 A great serving tip from Collin Johns

🥤 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 weeks 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.

Pickleheads readers also get 10% off with code HEADS10.

👉 Read my full SLAMIT Hydrate review

🤾 How to deal with spin

Excited as always to welcome back Kyle from That Pickleball School for this week’s Level Up!

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Let’s talk about a skill that separates rec play from the next level — reading spin.

If you wait until the ball’s halfway across the net to figure out what kind of spin you're dealing with... it’s already too late.

Here’s what to do instead:

✅ 1. Read the swing path — not the ball

Don’t guess based on how the ball looks in mid-air. Instead, watch your opponent’s swing motion.

• A knife-like downward motion usually means backspin

• A low-to-high path suggests topspin

Get good at this, and you'll start anticipating what’s coming before the ball even crosses the net.

✅ 2. Understand spin continues

Once spin is applied, it doesn’t stop at the bounce.

Backspin stays backspin. Topspin stays topspin. It might slow down slightly on contact, but the direction continues — and your shot should flow with that spin, not fight it.

✅ 3. Match spin with spin

When you receive backspin, your best bet? Return with topspin. This neutralizes the effect and helps you stay aggressive.

Want to see it in action? 👇

🏝️ The Verandah Antigua – Caribbean

Picture this: white sand, turquoise water, and a court sitting right on the edge of paradise. The Verandah Antigua feels made for pickleball players who travel with a paddle in their carry-on.

The courts are crisp, the vibe is easygoing, and when you’re done playing, you’re only a few steps from the beach (and yes, a cocktail). It’s the perfect mix of sunshine, friendly competition, and island-life bliss.

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

• 😍 Six Zero releases a new contender for paddle of the year

• 👟 SQAIRZ has truly nailed it

• 🤑 Our best budget paddle of 2025

• 🦄 A carbon paddle from a legendary pickleball brand for just $70

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

• 😬A test of patience, power and grit!

• 🤪 Chaos on the court

• 🤾 The “sneaky reset spot” to use when you’re in trouble

• 🤩 A game-winning behind-the-back flick

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.