🤾 The shot you didn’t know you needed

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

👌 A paddle without a glaring weakness
🤾 The shot you didn’t know you needed
💥 A game-changing tip for your forehand drive
🤌 Try this to beat bangers

👌 A paddle without a glaring weakness

CRBN’s TruFoam Genesis line isn’t just hype. These paddles pack serious pop and spin, with a soft touch that comes from their all-foam core and carbon/fiberglass face blend.

Out of the full lineup, CRBN’s TruFoam Genesis 4 is one of the most unique paddles we’ve tested all year. This thing plays quiet with power and elite spin potential. It’s aerodynamic and feels plush on contact.

For these reasons, Stephen believes the CRBN TruFoam Genesis 4 is a rare paddle without a glaring weakness.

However, it won’t be for everyone! Hard hitters might find it a bit too soft out of the box, but control players and those with arm issues will love it. And for rec players looking for comfort, forgiveness, and a fresh feel, it’s a legit option.

In this week’s blog, Stephen breaks down how the Genesis 4 stacks up, what foam-core really means on court, and who this paddle is perfect for.

👉 Read: CRBN TruFoam Genesis 4 review

A new clinical study says yes… and the results are eye-opening. Researchers put major brands like ASICS, HOKA, and Nike head-to-head against the SQAIRZ XRZ™, and the verdict was clear: SQAIRZ came out on top in every balance and stability test.

It was built from the ground up for pickleball, with stability-enhancing features including:

• Roomier Toe Box – Encourages natural toe splay and a wider base of support

• SmartTraction™ Outsole – Delivers grip in all directions for faster, more controlled movement

• Reinforced Sidewalls – Provides superior ankle containment for lateral stability

• Durable Construction – Built to last through the demands of serious pickleball play, backed by a 6-month outsole warranty

Why does that matter? Because balance is the foundation of every move you make on the court. The XRZ™ wasn’t just built to feel good… it was engineered to deliver measurable performance:

• +33% better balance scores than ASICS

• +26.5% better than HOKA

• Across the board, improved stability, joint protection, and confidence on the court

And the numbers aren’t just lab hype. Players in the study improved their balance scores by 12.89% (men) and 17.68% (women) when they switched into XRZ™ shoes.

For a sport with quick cuts, sudden stops, and rising injury risks, those are game-changing numbers.

👉 Ready to see the difference for yourself? This weekend only, Pickleheads athletes get $25 off + a free 3-pack of laces when you grab your pair of XRZ™ shoes.

🤾 The shot you didn’t know you needed

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

Hey Pickleheads readers,

Most players think pickleball is all about power! Hit harder. Serve bigger. Swing faster.

But here’s the truth: if that were the whole story, the pros wouldn’t spend so much time working on their soft game.

One of the most overlooked shots—the defensive dink, sometimes called the reset—isn’t a flashy highlight reel shot, but it’s a “get out of jail free” card that can change everything.

It’s the move pros like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh rely on when they’re under pressure and the ball is coming their way hard and fast. It's the same shot that can stop rallies from spiraling out of control at your local courts.

Imagine having that tool in your back pocket: a simple way to turn chaos into calm, to look unshakable when opponents are coming at you hard. That’s the power of the defensive dink.

The best part? Anyone can learn it. 👇

🧠 Too many players are told the same things…

“Master the third shot drop,” “Your serve has to be a weapon,” “Spin it to Win it.” You hear it on the courts, from instructors, and online, so it’s easy to assume that’s the path to improvement.

That’s why The Better Pickleball Academy is hosting a free online clinic… They’ll cut through the noise and show you the 3 Popular Pickleball Myths Holding You Back—starting with why the third shot drop isn’t the magic key everyone says it is.

You’ll discover where to put your energy right now so you can play more consistently, stay in points longer, and start improving the way you want to.

Not built for comfort. Built to crush.

Most power-heavy paddles are priced upward of $200, but this one is affordable. We’re talking just $109 here! Plus, the low price does not lead to a big drop-off in power.

This paddle hits hard with a head-heavy design that helps you drive the ball. The downside to the heavier build is that you lose some balance, control, and forgiveness because the sweet spot is tight.

The Luzz Pro Cannon is the most powerful budget paddle Taylor’s ever seen, but it’s not the most rounded paddle. If you’re looking for power at an affordable price, it’s an excellent paddle.

Every week, 240,000+ players see the Pickleheads Newsletter

It’s where the pickleball community comes for the latest news, drills, gear tips, and the most epic points.

Want to get your brand in front of them?👇

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

• 😍 11SIX24 Alpha Pro Power – their best paddle yet

• 💥 Honolulu J2NF – explosive fiberglass power with a broad sweet spot

• 🤨 Foam paddles are the hot new thing, but are they worth it?

• 🤫 On the lookout for a quiet paddle?

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

• 🌎 Pickleball’s World Cup lands in Florida

• 🤾 Cover the Triangle, win the point

• 🎬 Iconic Bond villain wages war against pickleball

• 🤾 A footwork fix for better returns

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