🤨 The ball that refuses to crack?

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

🤨 The ball that refuses to crack?
🤾 Respect the X (and win more doubles points)
💥 Why your backhand slice isn’t working
😍 Why pros use a low ready stance

 🤨 The ball that refuses to crack?

You’ve probably heard the claims – Selkirk Pro S1 pickleballs don’t crack. Like, ever. So confident, in fact, that Selkirk slapped a one-year no-crack warranty on them.

Naturally, Stephen had to put them to the test.

He hammered these things in all kinds of weather – hot, cold, windy – and gave them a proper beating with power paddles. The result? No cracks. Seriously. They held up better than anything he’d tested lately.

But they’re not perfect. In this week’s blog, Stephen breaks down where the S1s shine, where they fall short, and whether they’re actually worth switching to – especially if you’re tired of burning through Franklin or Dura balls.

👉 Read Stephen’s full Selkirk Pro S1 pickleball review

 🤾 Respect the X (and win more doubles points)

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

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Ever find yourself clashing paddles with your partner over who takes the third shot?

It usually happens on balls hit down the middle – where neither player is sure who’s supposed to step in.

Enter: Respect the X.

It’s a dead-simple rule that clears up the confusion. Picture a giant X connecting you and your partner to your crosscourt opponents. If the ball comes down your side of the X, you take it.

• ✅ It's mechanically easier

• ✅ It keeps your team flowing

• ✅ And it avoids those “wait… was that yours?” moments

Sure, you can break the X – but only when there’s a good reason (like if your partner isn't at the non-volley zone).

The takeaway? Respecting the X + clear communication = confident shots.

Watch Tony break it down and demo exactly how (and when) to Respect the X 👇

🧠 Ready to see the game like a pro?

Coach Tony is hosting a live Strategy Clinic on Sunday, July 20 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET—and it's all about middle coverage and mastering “Respect the X.”

You’ll learn:

• ✅ Why “forehand in the middle” doesn’t cut it

• ✅ How and when to use (or break) the X

• ✅ Simple strategies to avoid partner confusion and win more doubles points

Use code PICKLEHEADS for $5 off your spot.

We’re always testing new gear to bring you the good stuff. Here are a few quick hits from this week’s sessions:

Built for speed, not softness

Light swing weight, quick in the hand, and super easy to reset in fast exchanges.

Stephen liked it in hands battles and on roll volleys. It moves effortlessly and gives you just enough bite to keep your opponent guessing.

Now, if you’re looking for a plush, slow-it-down kind of paddle? This isn’t it. The ball gets in and out quick, with minimal dwell time. Touch shots require a bit more finesse, and the shorter 5 ¼” handle might turn off two-handed backhand players.

But for singles or aggressive doubles players who like to keep things snappy and speed-up happy? The Flik-F1 is a fun, high-performance option with a unique foam feel.

It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea…but then it wasn’t built to be.

🚫 Fault! But... why?

Ever been mid-rally and suddenly someone yells "fault!" and you're not even sure what you did wrong?

From foot faults to double bounces, our latest guide breaks down the most common (and confusing) faults in pickleball so you don't get caught out again.

Looks slick. Hits heavy.

You don’t see too many paddles with EVA foam cores out in the wild – but once you hit with the Metalbone LP, it kinda makes you wonder why.

There’s plenty of pop for baseline drives – it’s one of the hottest paddles on the market for power. Plus, the carbon surface has enough grit to really dig into the ball and rip spin.

But here’s the cool bit: you can tweak the paddle’s balance using four removable screws in the throat. Take a couple out, and suddenly it swings faster. Leave ’em in, and you’ve got extra weight behind your shots.

Now, heads up: if you’re used to plush, honeycomb-core paddles, the EVA core might take some getting used to.

Stiffer and a little less forgiving on soft touches, the Metalbone rewards confident, committed swings…once you're done tinkering.

Its sleek, blacked-out design looks pretty cool too.

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