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- 👀 Pickleball's wildest court dispute yet?
👀 Pickleball's wildest court dispute yet?
Plus, firefight, reset, firefight! Once again, Vatic has made $100 go a very long way. Are you using the wrong forehand drop? And much more.
Brandon at Pickleheads
September 17, 2026
Hey reader,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
🧯 Firefight, reset, firefight!
😍 Once again, Vatic has made $100 go a very long way.
🤾 Are you using the wrong forehand drop?
👀 Pickleball's wildest court dispute yet?
🙄 Tired of players not dinking?
🧯 Firefight, reset, firefight!
Have a filthy point caught on cam? 📸
Reply to this email or submit yours to [email protected]. The most epic one will feature in next week’s newsletter!
And if we pick your submission, we’ll send you a free Pickleheads t-shirt 🙌
😍 Once again, Vatic has made $100 go a very long way.
Hey Pickleheads readers, Stephen here 👋
Vatic Pro has built a reputation for making high-performance paddles at budget prices. Every generation they've released has become a Pickleheads favorite, earning Vatic a place in our Best Paddles guide for years.
With the V-SOL line, they spent the last year proving that a full-foam paddle doesn't need to cost $150+.
So, when the new V-SOL Tour Evergrit landed, I wanted to know what they'd changed.
Obviously, the clue is in the name.
Vatic has upgraded the face with its new Evergrit surface, designed to tackle one of the biggest problems with gritty budget paddles: the texture eventually sanding itself smooth.
On court, though, it's actually the control I noticed first. Dinks, drops, and resets felt natural right away, with a connected, predictable feel that let me put the ball exactly where I wanted it.
Then there's the spin. Evergrit really grabs the ball, letting me rip deep drives and shape tight angles, and after hours of intense play, that texture was still performing consistently.
It doesn't have the explosive finishing power of something like the Ronbus Quanta Pro, but that's the trade-off for the softer, more controlled game the V-SOL does so well.
Vatic has kept it at just $110, and our exclusive $10 discount brings it down to $100.
Once again, Vatic has made an awful lot of paddle for $100.
🤾 Are you using the wrong forehand drop?
Stoked to welcome back Jordan from Briones Pickleball Academy on YouTube for this week's Level Up!
Hey Pickleheads readers,
There's more than one way to hit a forehand drop. I use three different variations depending on the ball I'm given: the lift, the shovel, and the topspin drop.
Here's when I want you to use each one:
1️⃣ The lift drop: keep it simple
If you're struggling with your drops, start here. Get low and balanced, keep your wrist stable, and use your shoulder to gently lift the ball over the net.
I particularly like this when the ball is low and out in front, often as a fifth shot after you've driven the third.
2️⃣ The shovel drop: when you're under pressure
If the ball gets alongside you or even slightly behind you, the shovel gives you another option. It lets you get underneath a tougher ball without forcing yourself into an uncomfortable contact point.
This is especially useful in transition when your opponents send your third-shot drive back toward your feet.
3️⃣ The topspin drop: apply some pressure
Got plenty of time and space behind the ball? Now I might go topspin.
Get your paddle tip down and brush vertically up the back of the ball. It'll dip faster and put more pressure on your opponents' feet, making it a great option for a third shot after a weaker return.
The key isn't deciding which of these is your "best" drop. Learn all three, then choose the one that fits the ball in front of you.
Watch me break down all three forehand drops and exactly when I use each one in this week's video 👇
Get coached by Jordan Briones
Briones Pickleball Academy has helped thousands of players sharpen their skills, win more matches, and enjoy the game at a higher level.
Click the link below to find a quick overview of their coaching programs, so you can decide which one aligns with your goals and start improving today.
👀 Pickleball's wildest court dispute yet?
Things have gotten seriously out of hand at a set of public pickleball courts in Lavallette, New Jersey.
It started with the usual complaints: players arriving before the 8am opening, waking neighbors with music and pickleball noise, and disagreements over who gets to use the courts.
Then things escalated.
Officials installed a coded lock. The code was leaked. Players allegedly started sneaking in early anyway. Then someone began handing out fake parking tickets, apparently to discourage other people from using the area.
Police got involved. Security cameras went up. And one man responded by... mooning the camera. He's since been issued a summons.
There have also been reports of players telling others they can't use the courts, while T-shirts were apparently made mocking those complaining.
All over a few pickleball courts. Grab the popcorn. Read the full story here. 🍿
⚡ This pickleball point ended with a bang
Talk about calling it quits at the right time. Players in the Philippines got the scare of their lives when lightning struck the ground just behind their court mid-match, instantly knocking out the power and plunging the entire area into darkness.
Safe to say, nobody was arguing about playing one more game.
🤩 JOOLA Pro IVs just dropped to $149.95
JOOLA Pro IV paddles have dropped to just $149.95, including the Perseus Pro IV, which originally sold for $249.95.
That's $100 off a paddle we gave a perfect 5/5.
When we tested the Perseus Pro IV, we loved its explosive power, huge spin, and surprising forgiveness. And across the wider Pro IV lineup, there are options for different play styles.
Sure, you're buying last-generation tech. But these were some of JOOLA's best paddles only a few months ago, and they haven't suddenly stopped being great because the Pro V arrived.
At $149.95, they make a lot more sense than they did at $250.
🙄 Tired of players not dinking?
💥 3 BIG mistakes and fixes revealed
💧 Learn the 3rd shot DRIP
In doubles, why is the score always called as "zero-zero-two" at the start of every game? |
In singles, your opponent's score is 3. Which side of the court should you be receiving from? |
During a rally, your shot hits the net and gets tangled in it rather than bouncing back or going over. What's the ruling? |
Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:
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