😍 Speed up, reset, repeat

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

😍 Speed up, reset, repeat
📘 New USAP rules for 2026 are here (don’t panic)
🤑 Tesla’s $350 paddle: peak design or pure absurdity
❤️ Looking for love in 2026? Study shows pickleball is the hot new way to meet a mate

😍 Speed up, reset, repeat

This week’s epic point is a textbook example of high-level pickleball. It’s all speed-ups, resets, and firefights. All four players know exactly when to attack, and when to absorb pressure to stay alive in the rally.

Smart decisions, sharp instincts, and patience under fire. This is how points are built. 👇

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 🙌

📘 New USAP rules for 2026 are here (don’t panic)

If you saw headlines about “new pickleball rules for 2026” and immediately wondered what part of your game just became illegal, take a breath. The short version is this: your game hasn’t changed at all.

USA Pickleball released its 2026 rulebook, and despite the buzz, this is more of a cleanup than a crackdown. No new kitchen rules. No serve changes. Your paddle’s probably still safe too.

What did change was the structure. The rulebook was completely reorganized so recreational play is no longer tangled up with tournament-only rules. It’s now split into clear sections, and if you’re playing rec pickleball, you can ignore the tournament and adaptive sections entirely.

There is one equipment update worth knowing. New paddles manufactured starting in 2026 will need a “USA Pickleball Approved” marking. Your current paddle is grandfathered in as long as it’s already approved. Translation: you do not need to buy a new paddle… unless you want to 😉

A nice win for rec players is clearer language around line calls. If you can’t immediately and confidently call a ball out, it’s in. Benefit of the doubt goes to your opponent. No sideline judges. No crowd input. Just play on.

Inclusive and wheelchair rules were also moved into one dedicated section, reflecting how the game is already being played.

The bottom line? Same game, fewer headaches. And next time someone argues a rule, you might actually be able to find the answer.

🤑 Tesla’s $350 paddle: peak design or pure absurdity?

Last week, Tesla dropped an even more limited quantity of paddles which are now fetching upwards of $750 on eBay.

But is it a waste of money or an interesting collision of worlds where automotive engineering meets recreational sports equipment?

❤️ Looking for love in 2026? Study shows pickleball is the hot new way to meet a mate

A recent study by dating app Feeld has found sports and physical activity are the hot new way to meet a mate. Particularly among younger singles.

The rise of pickleball has contributed as New York City’s pickleball courts have become hotspots for Gen Z and millennials looking to find love.

💪 85-year-old proves age is no barrier with national pickleball title

An 85-year-old Maumelle man, Bill Wingfield, recently brought home a national title after competing in the U.S. Senior Pickleball National Championships in Florida and taking on opponents decades younger than himself.

😍 Introducing Pickleheads Plus

ICYMI: A few weeks ago, we rolled out something big… Pickleheads Plus! A simple $1/month upgrade that unlocks the stuff players have been asking for.

With Plus, you can now:

• 🌴 Find & join games while traveling

• 🔍 See players, games, and groups at every court in the world

• 💬 DM players directly to set up your next matchup

If you love getting games in (anytime, anywhere), this one’s for you. 👇

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

• 😍 The paddle Six Zero thinks can top the DBD

• 🎁 My best pickleball Christmas gifts

• 🥤 An electrolyte mix that comes with some serious pickleball cred

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

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

• 🫡 Back to pickleball mode

• 🎄 How to watch ‘A Pickleball Christmas’ for free

• 🤾 How much you should drill vs play

• 🪄 Wait for the magic...

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