🧨 How to hit a topspin drive with Ben Johns

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

😍 High-end feel or high-value steal? These two paddles deliver
🤾 Master the twoey dink
💥 How to handle your opponent's 3rd shot drop
🧨 How to hit a topspin drive with Ben Johns

😍 High-end feel or high-value steal? These two paddles deliver

This week, Travis hit the courts with two fresh releases, both surprising in their own way.

First up: the Runout Series from new American brand F + B (Forge and Bond).

If you’re after something American-made with a premium feel, fast response, and forgiveness for those off-center hits, this one’s worth a serious look.

Travis said you can feel it’s “built different.” And it is. F+B uses a forged, one-piece frame and handle. Kind of like a tennis-racket-style frame that wraps the paddle and continues straight into the handle.

Newer players will appreciate how the paddles feel stable and predictable, while experienced players will appreciate the stiffer, “no buzz” response when points speed up.

Next: the new Engage Encore Pro V3.0. A carbon paddle from a legendary pickleball brand… for just $70.

At first, Travis wasn’t sold…until his beginner students (who normally play with $25 Walmart paddles) gave it a go. They loved it.

More pop. More spin. One even tried to buy it off him after the session.

If you're just getting started or looking to step up from an Amazon/Walmart paddle, this one punches way above its price point.

👉 Read the F + B Runout Series review

👉 Read the Engage Encore Pro V3.0 review

🤾 Master the twoey dink

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

This time, Kyle is joined by Cam Luhring, a PPR Certified Coach with one of the best twoey dinks in the business.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Adding a two-handed backhand dink has been a game-changer for me! But I’ll be honest, I struggled with it at first.

Cam broke it down into a few key steps that made everything click:

1. Lead with your non-dominant hand.
For righties, that’s your left hand doing 80–90% of the work. If you’re just starting out, try hitting a few with your off-hand only. It feels weird, but it teaches you how to generate spin and control.

2. Keep it compact.
The motion should be short and snappy. Big, loopy swings are your enemy here—shorter strokes are more deceptive and consistent.

3. Drop the paddle tip.
Angle your paddle face down slightly. That’s how you generate topspin and disguise where you’re going.

4. Let the ball rise.
Most players hit too early. Be patient, meet the ball at its peak, and brush through it instead of slapping.

5. Don’t bail out.
This shot only works if you fully commit. If you hesitate halfway through, you’re either popping it up or dumping it into the net.

This one takes practice, but trust me…. this shot will level up your game!

Watch the full breakdown on here 👇

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Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort, Sint Eustatius

We had to double-take when we saw this one! At first glance, it looks like a rendering. But nope… this place is 100% real. Just picture perfect.

Perched on the island of St. Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean, Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort is where pickleball dreams meet tropical paradise. With ocean views stretching to the horizon and lush landscaping in every direction, the courts here feel almost too good to be true.

And yes, that’s not just pickleball. You’ll also find padel courts there too. Maybe this is what pickleball heaven looks like, right?

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

• 🎾 My best pickleball paddles for intermediates 2025

• 🎾 Best pickleball nets 2025

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

• 👌 CRBN’s best foam build yet?

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

• 😍 A sick point (with pro-level tips!)

• 🤾 The dink target you’re probably ignoring

• 😬 Pro player suspended after heinous hooks and on-court blow-up

• 🤾 Stop making this common dinking mistake

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