💪 Selkirk’s BRAND NEW powerhouse paddle

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

💪 Selkirk’s BRAND NEW powerhouse paddle
🎾 I retested every major pickleball…things have changed!
🤾‍♂️ 90% of players don’t need this shot
😲 3 habits killing your game

💪 Selkirk’s BRAND NEW powerhouse paddle

Hey Pickleheads – Stephen here with some BIG NEWS.

Selkirk’s LABS Project Boomstik officially launches today, and I’ve already spent weeks testing it behind the scenes…Spoiler: it lives up to its name!

This is Selkirk’s most unapologetically powerful paddle yet. Huge pop, elite spin, and a sweet spot that’s bigger than it has any right to be. It even sounds like a boomstick when you make clean contact.

The Boomstik is also Selkirk’s first paddle in a long time that made me seriously consider switching. But it’s not for everyone – especially if you’re still working on your touch game or aren’t ready to drop $333 on a paddle.

In my full review, I break down how it compares to other top-tier power paddles, why the wide-body model might be a sleeper hit, and what kind of player will actually benefit from this thing.

👉 Read my full review

🎾 I retested every major pickleball…things have changed!

If you want the fastest, most durable, or just the best value ball right now, start here.

I just finished testing all the major top brands – Franklin, Dura, Vulcan, Selkirk, you name it – and made a few changes to our top picks based on durability, flight, and real-world performance. Some balls held up. Others didn’t.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing indoors or out, you prefer a slower ball or something that zips, this guide has updated recommendations for every kind of player.

👉 Read my best pickleball balls in 2025 – top 5 compared

 🤾 90% of players don’t need this shot

I’m excited to welcome back a newer contributor, coach Tony from Better Pickleball Academy, for this week’s Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Let’s talk about the roll volley. You’ve probably seen players use it or maybe tried to add it to your own game. But here’s the truth…

Most players don’t need it.

In fact, I’d say 90% of rec players would be better off skipping the roll volley altogether. It’s difficult to master, easy to mess up, and doesn’t really impact your game until you’re well past the 4.0 level.

So what should you do instead? Use the punch volley.

It delivers the same benefits – pressure, pace, and control – but with far fewer mistakes.

I’m not saying the roll volley is useless. It has its place. But if you want results now, focus on clean, confident punch volleys. You’ll play smarter and win more points.

Watch this week’s breakdown to learn why and see both shots in action 👇

🎯 Must have shots for 3.5 and above!

In his next live Strategy Clinic on Thursday, August 28 at 3 PM PT / 6 PM ET, Coach Tony will show you the must-have shots for 3.5+ players—using real game footage to break it all down.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ The key “foundational” shots that drive progress

• ✅ Which shots to skip—and why they hold players back

• ✅ How to build a reliable game with purpose and confidence

Use code PICKLEHEADS for $5 off your spot.

🏆 Everything you need to know about the MLP 2025 playoffs

Hey Pickleheads readers, Zane Navratil here, pro pickleballer, four-time Major League Pickleball champion, and former #1-ranked singles player.

This weekend (15th-17th), it’s the MLP 2025 and the bracket is absolutely loaded. You may have been following all season or just jumping in now, either way this guide will tell you everything you need to know before first serve.

I cover how the playoffs work, who’s who, who’s playing who, the biggest storylines, and what to watch this weekend, with a few bold predictions (even about the team that benched me).

👉 Read: Zane’s Major League Pickleball playoffs 2025 — What to watch this weekend

The Prairie Pickleball Court, WI

Nestled in the wildflower-covered prairie of New Glarus, Wisconsin, this private court sits next to a setting so serene that games often pause to take in the view.

Or, to watch badgers, turkeys, and deer wander through the surrounding grass.

The court’s painted to match the rustic red house, blending perfectly with the landscape. Here, you’ll find the kind of peace you just don’t get at your local rec center.

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

• 🎯 How a $15 roll of tape saved my game

• 😍 Selkirk is serious about the future

• 🤖 The 5 best pickleball machines (ranked and reviewed)

• 🤨 The ball that refuses to crack?

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

• 😲 An overhead backhand for the win

• 😎 Fast, furious, and flat-out fun

• 🤾 A few tips to help you beat bangers

• 😂 5 Erne attempts in this chaotic point

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