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- 🤾 This defensive shot frustrates everyone!
🤾 This defensive shot frustrates everyone!
Plus, this paddle's got true grit! Deal and Dink: a new card game adds a fun twist to pickleball,Hit the right forehand volley at the right time
Brandon at Pickleheads
June 18, 2026
Hey reader,
Welcome back to the Pickleheads Newsletter!
In this issue:
🤠 This paddle's got true grit!
😲 One of the craziest points you'll see all week
🤾 This defensive shot frustrates everyone!
🃏 Deal and Dink: a new card game adds a fun twist to pickleball
👍 Hit the right forehand volley at the right time
🤠 This paddle's got true grit!
Hey Pickleheads readers, Stephen here 👋
11SIX24 has built a reputation for delivering premium performance without the premium price tag, but their new Power 2 Ultre is their most ambitious paddle yet.
After several sessions on court, one thing stood out immediately: the spin is ridiculous.
The new HexGrit surface is one of the grittiest paddle faces I've ever tested. Topspin drives dipped aggressively, serves kicked hard after the bounce, and shots I thought were sailing long somehow found their way back inside the lines.
What makes the Ultre interesting, though, isn't just the spin. This paddle has serious pop.
The ball jumps off the face with very little effort. Counters, speed-ups, drives, and put-aways all feel explosive. If your game is built around attacking and creating pressure, there's a lot to like here.
Personally, I tend to prefer paddles with a little more dwell and a softer feel. Taylor loves the other side of the spectrum, making the Ultre a perfect fit. It's crisp, lively, and rewards aggressive shot-making.
The result is a paddle that won't suit everyone, but for players who love a responsive paddle with lots of spin and pop, the 11SIX24 Power 2 Ultre is a very impressive premium paddle.
Save 10% with code PICKLEHEADS10
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😲 One of the craziest points you'll see all week
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 🙌
🤾 This defensive shot frustrates everyone!
Stoked to welcome back Kyle from That Pickleball School for this week’s Level Up.
Hey Pickleheads readers,
Most players think lobs are only for offense… I disagree.
One of my favorite ways to get back into a point when I'm scrambling is the sky lob. If I'm off balance, pulled way off the court, or dealing with a ball I'm not comfortable attacking, sometimes the smartest play is simply to send the ball high into the air.
Here's why it works:
1️⃣ It buys you time
A good sky lob gives you a few extra seconds to recover. You can get your feet underneath you, reset your balance, and work your way back into the point.
2️⃣ It helps you recover your position
If you've been dragged wide or pushed deep, a sky lob gives you time to get back where you belong. Instead of staying on defense, you can reset and prepare for the next shot.
3️⃣ It can create confusion
When opponents have to track a high, deep lob overhead, they often lose awareness of where they are on the court. If the lob is good enough, you can turn a defensive situation into an offensive one.
The key is hitting it high and deep. Do that, and a shot most players only use as a last resort can become a valuable tool for staying alive in tough points.
Watch me explain when and how to use the sky lob in this week's video 👇
🃏 Deal and Dink: a new card game adds a fun twist to pickleball
Deal and Dink, the world’s first on-court pickleball card game, was invented by Canaan Kimball, a 22-year-old St. Augustine resident, after a playful brainstorming session at the kitchen table with his family.
The idea? Players draw a Dink and Deal card to complete a challenge, such as playing left-handed, hopping on one foot or holding hands with a partner to complete a rally.
Honestly, it sounds like a lot of fun.
😤 Slate Belt man caused $46K+ pickleball court damage
A Slate Belt man is accused of causing over $46,000 worth of damage to a park’s pickleball court.
Gaige James Henn, 20, allegedly drove an ATV through the pickleball court at the borough’s park, 334 S. Lehigh Ave. leaving it "severely damaged."
😵💫 These paddles got a psychedelic upgrade
Multidisciplinary artist Jen Stark has brought her signature psychedelic aesthetic to pickleball with a new limited-edition collaboration with premium gear brand Volair.
👍 Hit the right forehand volley at the right time
👀 3 eye-opening tips
🧨 Hit the right overhead at the right time
Before the score is called, which of the following is NOT a valid "not ready" signal? |
On a drop serve, the ball bounces three times before the server hits it. Is this legal? |
During a rally, your opponent trips and falls but the ball is still live. Your partner calls "stop" out of concern for them. According to the 2026 USAP Rulebook, what's the ruling? |
Fresh takes, spicy debates, and the latest hot paddles & gear – catch up on our latest Court Talk highlights:
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