🤾 These 3 things will fix your drops

Hey reader,

Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!

In this issue:

🎁 The best Father’s Day deals for pickleball players (2025)
🤾 These 3 things will fix your drops
💥 Never pop up a volley again!
👏 Do this if you’re struggling with resets

The best Father’s Day deals for pickleball players (2025)

As a dad who’d rather unwrap a new paddle than a pair of socks, I’ve got strong opinions about what makes a great Father’s Day gift.

The thing is, most gift guides feel like they’re written by someone who’s never stepped on a court. Half the stuff is either overpriced or underwhelming, and the real gems are buried beneath a pile of junk.

So this year, we decided to do things differently.

The Pickleheads team spent the last few weeks tracking every decent deal across the big brands—Selkirk, Engage, Franklin—and a few newer names worth knowing, like Bison. Then we filtered that list down to products we’ve actually tested, reviewed, and would genuinely recommend.

Some are no-brainers—like the Engage Pursuit V2.0, which plays like a $200 paddle but is down to just $90 with our code. Others, like the Bison gift set or the $19 Mangrove bag, make great one-and-done gifts for any dad who’s hooked on the game.

These are the deals I’d bookmark, and quietly forward along with a not-so-subtle hint.

👉 Check out our full roundup of Father’s Day deals

🤾 These 3 things will fix your drops

I’m stoked to welcome back James Ignatowich, top-5 ranked pickleball player in the world, for this week’s Level Up.

Hey Pickleheads readers,

I see it all the time—rec players popping up their drops, floating them long, or hitting them off-balance.

If that sounds like you, try these three things:

1. Keep your backswing small.

Big wind-ups = big mistakes. A compact swing gives you way more control.

2. Stay down through contact.

A lot of players at my clinics pull up while—or even before—they make contact with the ball.

You need to stay low until after you’ve played your shot. This will prevent you from popping up the ball as often.

3. Step in—don’t fade away.

Step into the shot to stay and avoid leaning back. This gives your shot its shape, keeps you centred and balanced, ready for your opponent's return.

Make these small tweaks and you’ll have more controlled, consistent drops that will land lower, and dip faster.

Want to see James in action explaining this week’s tip in full? 👇

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

Life Time ball lives up to the hype

He gives the Life Time Ball a 10/10 for how reliably it comes off the ground and his paddle. It’s also fast–there’s a springy pop when you hit this ball. The tradeoff is that the Life Time spins less than slower balls – it flies off the paddle face so fast that you don’t get the dwell time to put a lot of shape on your shot.

The pros outweigh the cons, though, and the pop, consistency, and speed make it a lot of fun to play with. Stephen prefers this to the Franklin X-40 (which he finds too slow). He’s putting it just below his favorite ball, the Vulcan VPRO FLIGHT.

The Life Time Ball isn’t for beginners. However, if you’re an intermediate or advanced player looking for ultimate consistency or extra speed–especially if you play outdoors in humidity or low elevation when balls can drag–this is for you.

Selkirk Luxx Control: Still spinny, still soft… still not a power paddle

The topspin you can generate, especially on third shots and backhand slice dinks, lets you push the ball deep and disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.

But let’s be real, it’s still not bringing the heat. Putaways can feel a bit soft, and countering speed-ups is tricky unless you catch it just right. The sweet spot is decent but not huge, especially low on the face.

If you’re a newer or intermediate player who values feel, spin, and consistency, the Selkirk Luxx Control is a strong option. Advanced players might love it if they can bring their own power. But at this price point ($280), the lack of pop could be a dealbreaker.

Ready to level up your game?

Shop the Match & Match Light now—adidas quality from just $79.

Still playing with a cheap Amazon paddle? Meet the Match & Match Light—the adidas-built paddles made to last, perform, and turn heads.

The Match is your go-to starter: balanced, dependable, and easy to swing.

The Match Light takes some weight off the handle, making it great for players who like quicker hands at the net.

Both feature a tough composite face and a 14mm honeycomb core. In plain English? They’ve got legit pop, solid control, and won’t fizzle out after a week.

They’re perfect for casual games, driveway battles, or backyard pickleball with friends—and at $79 apiece, they’re a smart pick for anyone getting into the game.

Y'know, showing up with some bold adidas branding definitely beats pulling out something that looks like it came free with a beach set.

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