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- 🤾 The secret to a killer return of serve
🤾 The secret to a killer return of serve
Plus, when NOT to speed up, use your hips on this shot, and much more..
Brandon Mackie
April 17, 2025
Hey there,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
🤾 The secret to a killer return of serve
💥 An elite backhand dink technique
⚡️ When NOT to speed up!
🫶 Use your hips on this shot
🤾 The secret to a killer return of serve
Excited as always to welcome back Tanner Tomassi of Tanner Pickleball for this week’s Level Up.
Hey Pickleheads readers,
We all know how important the return of serve is in pickleball. Nail it, and you’ll instantly put pressure on your opponents and take control of the rally.
The key is timing your swing and first step at the exact same moment as the ball approaches.
This allows you to:
Get all your body weight behind the shot
Use your momentum to launch yourself towards the kitchen line
A lot of the time, I see rec players breaking this shot up into two separate motions. They swing, then they run toward the kitchen.
Instead, you want to maximize power by combining them both.
Here’s what it should look like in action…
Try syncing your swing and step next time you’re on the court—you’ll be surprised how much smoother (and stronger) your returns feel.
Click below to watch Tanner explain this week’s tip in less than 60 seconds👇
Your wristband just became a training tool
Keeping score is the easy part. The real edge? Knowing exactly why you’re losing points.
AccuSkore started as a clever way to track the score mid-game. But players are now using it for more—tracking errors, spotting patterns, and learning from their own game in real time.
Missed your third shot drop again? Flubbed the return down the middle? One click per mistake helps you stay accountable without breaking your focus.
Over time, you’ll start to see fewer of the same mistakes—and that’s where the real progress starts.
Whether you’re playing for fun or working to level up, AccuSkore’s a small habit that pays off big.
🫶 An elite backhand dink technique
⚡️When NOT to speed up!
💥 Use your hips on this shot
A court shoe that looks as good as it plays
The Tyrol Ace is built specifically for women—combining performance tech with sleek, standout colorways players are loving right now.
It’s built to last and feels good from the first wear. The roomy toe box gives your feet space to move, while the heel keeps things locked in so you’re not sliding around.
The upper holds up to scuffs and toe-drags, and the tread grips whether you’re on slick indoor courts or rough outdoor ones.
If you’re tough on your gear but want a shoe that plays hard and looks good doing it, check out the Tyrol Ace.
🤟 I tried JOOLA’s newest Pro IV paddles – here’s which one you should actually buy
In the pickleball world, a new JOOLA paddle drop is like Apple launching a new iPhone—huge hype, big pro names, and sky-high expectations.
I’ve played with a lot of paddles, so it’s hard to impress me. But every once in a while, one makes me stop mid-game and say: Yep, this might be it.
JOOLA launched the Perseus Pro IV a little earlier than planned—I’ve already reviewed that one—and on Tuesday they dropped the rest of the Pro IV lineup: the Scorpeus, Hyperion, and Magnus.
Here’s my honest take: they’re all worth the price if you’re serious about your pickleball—but there’s one paddle I’m going to keep using.
Curious which one stood out?
North Beach, Lake Charles, LA
You know you're in for a good time when the hardest decision is whether to jump in the water or play one more game.
Set right on the sand at North Beach in Lake Charles, these public pickleball courts are about as scenic as it gets.
With palm trees lining the coast, views over the lake, and loads of spaces for post-game hangs, this is a Louisianan pickleball hotspot.
If you're on a road trip or lucky enough to live nearby, this is one of those must-play destinations that captures everything we love about pickleball: sunshine, good friends, and a killer backdrop.
😴 Sleep deeper, wake up clearer
Slumber Deep Zzzs is a plant-based, non-habit-forming sleep aid that helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed—not groggy.
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