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🏆 Learn to reset like a pro
Plus, can a $48 paddle really be any good? Who said drop shots don’t work?! A 15-year-old just made PPA history, and much more...
Brandon at Pickleheads
November 12, 2026
Hey reader,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
💸 Can a $48 paddle really be any good?
😍 Who said drop shots don’t work?!
🤾 This simple mistake could be costing you points
🥇 A 15-year-old just made PPA history
🏆 Learn to reset like a pro
💸 Can a $48 paddle really be any good?
Hey Pickleheads readers, Stephen here 👋
I've tested a lot of paddles this year, but the VANWIN Pro T7 is the cheapest I've reviewed in a long time.
At $70, or just $48 with our exclusive Pickleheads Black Friday discount, it’s definitely a budget paddle. And I could tell the second I picked it up. The handle, the swing weight and the materials all say budget, especially if you're used to newer foam-core paddles.
But once I got on court, things changed. After 10 hours of testing, I was genuinely surprised by how much this paddle could do.
Find the sweet spot, and it's a blast. I could rip powerful drives, put balls away at the kitchen, and still enjoy a soft, controlled touch on dinks and drops.
It's lightning-fast, too. Its lightweight, aerodynamic design makes it almost effortless in fast hands battles, without tiring my arm.
So, what's the verdict?
Sure, there are more refined budget paddles out there, but many cost more than twice as much. Are they twice as good? Absolutely not.
For beginners, newer players, or anyone looking to get more performance for less money, this is an easy recommendation.
😍 Who said drop shots don’t work?!
Have a filthy point caught on cam? 📸
Reply to this email or submit yours to [email protected]. Our favorite will feature in next week's newsletter!
And if we pick your submission, we’ll send you a free Pickleheads t-shirt 🙌
🔥 MLP-style team events are here!
Ever wanted to play an MLP-style event like the pros?
Now you can. 👀
Team up for Pro-style 4v4: two men and two women per team, with men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and two mixed games.
Tied 2–2? Settle it with a DreamBreaker or a quick game to 5.
Or build your own custom team format with any team size and lineup you want.
Run a group? Choose Teams when you create a session, then pick a template or build your own format on web. Free to use on any plan.
🤾 This simple mistake could be costing you points
Stoked to welcome back Jordan from Briones Pickleball Academy on YouTube for this week's Level Up!
Hey Pickleheads readers,
I see players making this mistake all the time, and it's putting them on the defensive before the rally even gets going.
They're stepping into the court too early after serving.
Here's why that's a problem and what I want you to do instead:
1️⃣ Stay behind the baseline
After serving, resist the temptation to move forward. If your opponent hits a deep return, you'll be forced to backpedal to play your third shot.
2️⃣ Give yourself room to work
By staying back, you can let the return come to you, get balanced, and hit a much more controlled third-shot drop or drive.
3️⃣ Earn your way to the kitchen
Once you've hit your third, assess the quality of your shot before moving forward. You might need a fifth or even seventh shot before you can safely reach the kitchen.
Remember, getting to the kitchen first isn't the goal. Getting there in control is.
Watch me break down three examples of this mistake and show you how the pros handle it in this week's video 👇
🏓 Build a better foundation for FREE!
Want to improve your game? It starts with getting the fundamentals right.
Join Jordan Briones and his team for Pickleball Framework, a completely FREE video series covering the essential skills, techniques, and strategies you need to become a better player.
🥇 A 15-year-old just made PPA history
Tama Shimabukuro is now the youngest men’s doubles champion in PPA Tour history.
He and JW Johnson lost the first two games of the Worlds final, then won the next three. That included a 91-shot rally.
What were you doing at 15? 🤯
🏕️ Selkirk makes a major move into pickleball camps
Paddle maker Selkirk has acquired LevelUp Pickleball Camps. LevelUp runs more than 400 camps a year across 35+ states and has coached around 25,000 players.
Together with Selkirk Academy, the companies say it’s now the largest pickleball camp provider in the world. International destination camps are already planned for 2027.
😬 Is Ben Johns losing his grip?
The GOAT still won mixed with Anna Leigh Waters, but the rest of Worlds was rough. He lost in the men’s doubles semis and went out of singles in the round of 32 to Noe Khlif.
That’s four straight events without a men’s doubles title.
Blip, or the end of an era?
💰Black Friday Comes Early at Holbrook!
Why wait for Black Friday? Holbrook has kicked things off a week early, knocking $100 off two of its popular paddles.
That means you can pick up the Arma for just $99.99 (was $200) or the Aero for $69.99 (was $170).
That's a serious saving if you've been thinking about upgrading your paddle.
The sale runs through November 30, but with Black Friday around the corner, we wouldn't bank on stock lasting that long!
🏆 Learn to reset like a pro
🎓 I wish I learned this earlier
🎯 Slice or roll an ATP?
During a rally, the ball bounces in your kitchen. Can you step in and hit it? |
You clearly see your opponent step into the kitchen while volleying. Can you call the fault? |
You call “out” on your opponent’s shot, then immediately realize it was actually in. Can you reverse your call? |
The latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Gear We Love highlights:
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