- Pickleheads
- Posts
- 🤯 The best mixed doubles point EVER?!
🤯 The best mixed doubles point EVER?!
Plus, the lowest price you'll ever see this paddle – available until Wednesday. Master one of the most important shots in pickleball. After Hollywood, are the Olympics next for pickleball? And much more...
Brandon at Pickleheads
August 06, 2026
Hey reader,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
🤯 The best mixed doubles point EVER?!
😲 The lowest price you’ll ever see on this paddle — available until Wednesday.
🤾 Master one of the most important shots in pickleball
🤞 After Hollywood, are the Olympics next for pickleball?
👏 Where to cover when you hit high
🤯 The best mixed doubles point EVER?!
Two of pickleball’s GOATs, one unforgettable point…
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 🙌
😲 The lowest price you’ll ever see on this paddle — available until Wednesday.
Hey Pickleheads readers, Taylor here 👋
You've probably seen me talking about the FLiK F3 over the past few months. There's a good reason for that.
I gave it a perfect 5/5 after just 10 hours on the court, and even with so much more competition out there these days, that opinion still stands four months later. It delivers elite spin, control, forgiveness, and power—everything I look for in an all-court paddle.
Now there's an even better reason to take a look.
Until Wednesday, August 12th, you can pick one up for just $119 (usually $190) with our exclusive Pickleheads discount. That's the lowest price we've ever seen on this paddle.
So if you've been thinking, "Maybe next week," this is your reminder that this is as low as it's going to get.
"I'm not exaggerating when I say the FLiK F3 does everything to an elite degree. If you want a paddle that can do it all without spending more than $200, this is it."
Discount auto-applied at checkout with this link.
🤾 Master one of the most important shots in pickleball
Stoked to welcome back Jordan from Briones Pickleball Academy on YouTube for this week’s Level Up!
Hey Pickleheads readers,
One of the most important parts of the game is counter-attacking, and specifically, the backhand counter. Why is that? Because your backhand covers most of the shots directed around your body.
The good news? It doesn't take a huge swing or lightning-fast hands. It comes down to getting a few fundamentals right.
Here's what I focus on:
1️⃣ Keep your wrist stable
One of the biggest mistakes I see is players trying to flick the ball with their wrist. Instead, keep your wrist firm and use your shoulder to push through the shot. You'll gain far more control and consistency.
2️⃣ Stay compact
When someone speeds the ball up at you, there's no time for a big backswing. A short, compact counter gets your paddle back into position quicker and prepares you for the next shot.
3️⃣ Stay balanced and move forward
Your best counters happen when you're set with both feet on the ground and your weight moving slightly forward. Falling backward or countering off-balance robs you of both power and control.
A great backhand counter isn't about swinging harder. It's about staying compact, staying balanced, and making clean contact in front of your body.
Watch me break down how to build a pro-level backhand counter in this week's video 👇
There are 5 reasons you're stuck at 3.5!
Jordan covers them in this FREE video series. 👇
📱 PlayerU gets you court-ready — before you ever step on one
One of the things I wish existed when I started playing pickleball was something like this.
Those first few sessions can be intimidating. You're trying to figure out the score, work out where you're supposed to stand, and figure out what everyone means when they keep talking about the kitchen. It can feel like everyone else knows the rules except you.
That's why I was excited to see PlayerU launch.
It's a free app that walks beginners through the fundamentals before they ever step onto court. You'll learn the rules, scoring, positioning, and key shots, and there's even an AI coach that can answer your questions or give feedback on your serve from a video.
I love anything that makes pickleball less intimidating because the easier that first experience is, the more likely someone is to stick with the sport.
So if you've got a friend, partner, or family member who's been saying, "I'd love to try pickleball, but I don't know where to start," send them this.
It's free, and it could be exactly the confidence boost they need.
🤞 After Hollywood, are the Olympics next for pickleball?
The newly elected president of the Global Pickleball Federation, Erika Von Heiland Strader, says getting pickleball into the Olympics is now her biggest goal. In this fascinating interview with the creators of The Dink, they also explore how pickleball can be a catalyst to rebuild and overcome life’s challenges.
🤬 Players upset over new noise-reducing ball mandate
Following numerous noise complaints, players in Mashpee, MA, are now required to use a new noise-reducing ball that is far more expensive than a regular ball… and the feedback is not good.
👏 Where to cover when you hit high
👎 Never do this to your paddle
💥 Don’t drive and slice drop. Do this instead!
You step up to serve and decide to use a backhand motion instead of a forehand. Is this legal? |
Whilst attempting an Erne, you reach forward and volley a ball before it has crossed to your side. Is this legal? |
During a rally, your shot clears the net but hits the crossbar support. What happens? |
Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:
Skipped a scroll or two? No worries — here are the last few editions we sent your way:
What do you think of the Pickleheads Newsletter? Let us know how we can be even better in the comments. |
