If you’ve ever walked off the court grinning ear to ear and thought, “Man, I needed that,” you’re not imagining it. Science just caught up to what every die-hard player already knows: the more you play pickleball, the better you feel — not just physically, but mentally too.

That’s not just some feel-good mantra slapped on a t-shirt. A new study out of Saint Louis University, published in Frontiers in Sports Science, actually measured the connection between pickleball participation and mental wellbeing.

The results? Let’s just say your regular Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday routine might be doing more for your mood than your morning coffee.

The Study That Proved It

Researchers surveyed over 1,600 pickleball players across the U.S., ages 18 to 89 — though most hovered around 63.

They weren’t just looking for casual “yeah, I feel good” answers. Participants filled out the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, a legit global standard for measuring mental health, alongside detailed questions about how often and how long they played pickleball each week.

Here’s the standout:

• Players who hit the court three or more times per week scored significantly higher on mental wellbeing than those who played once or twice.
• Same thing for session length — playing longer than two hours per session was tied to noticeably higher wellbeing scores.

As the study stated:

Our findings indicate that playing pickleball more frequently and for longer durations is significantly associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing, even after accounting for key covariates such as injury history, age, sex and engagement in other sports.

Basically, both how often you play and how long you play matter. There’s a sweet spot somewhere between “casual weekend dinker” and “the person who brings their own net everywhere.”

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The Dink PickleballAnna Bright

A Dose–Response Relationship (a.k.a. More Play, More Joy)

Scientists have a fancy term for this: a dose–response relationship. In simple terms, the more of something you do (your “dose”), the more of an effect you see (your “response”).

Usually, you hear that in medicine — take more of a drug, get a stronger effect.
But here, the “drug” is pickleball.

And the “response”? Feeling happier, calmer, and more fulfilled.

It’s kind of poetic, honestly. A sport that started in a backyard 50 years ago is now being linked to measurable improvements in mental health — especially in older adults.

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The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

The study found that players between 63 and 77 years old saw the strongest mental health boost. That’s huge when you consider how many people in that age bracket are searching for ways to stay active, social, and, well… connected.

Why Pickleball Works (Beyond Just Breaking a Sweat)

Here’s where things get interesting. Physical activity alone improves mood — we know that.

But pickleball brings a cocktail of benefits that’s rare to find in one sport.

It’s social, it’s accessible, it’s as competitive as you want it to be, and it doesn’t beat up your body the way other racket sports can.

You’ve got the endorphins from exercise, the satisfaction of skill progression, the camaraderie of shared obsession, and that dopamine hit every time you hit a perfect third shot drop.

Even if you didn’t burn a ton of calories, you still leave the court lighter.

The researchers think that’s part of the magic — the combination of physical movement + social connection.

Those two ingredients are consistently linked to better mental wellbeing, especially in older adults who often struggle with isolation. And pickleball checks both boxes without requiring a gym membership or a marathon mindset.

The Catch: Injuries Can Kill the Buzz

There’s one caveat. The same study found that players with a recent injury reported significantly lower mental wellbeing.

Makes sense, right? You can’t reap the joy of playing if you’re sidelined with a strained calf or a bum shoulder.

Injuries don’t just hurt physically — they mess with routines, limit social time, and chip away at the sense of identity many players build around the sport. For a lot of us, those early-morning rec games or open-play nights aren’t just exercise; they’re ritual. Take that away, and the emotional toll adds up fast.

The researchers actually called for more injury-prevention education in pickleball — especially for older players who want to keep playing consistently.

Warm-ups, recovery days, proper footwear… you’ve heard it before, but now it’s backed by data showing it literally affects your happiness.

New Study: 30% of Pickleball Players Admit They Play Through Pain

Conducted by researchers from Saint Louis University, it analyzed 1,758 pickleball players ages 18-102 across the U.S. to better understand injury patterns beyond just emergency room data.

The Dink PickleballLuke Burton

Age, Gender, and the Great Equalizer

Interestingly, the study found no meaningful difference between men and women when it came to mental health benefits.

Play frequency and session length boosted everyone’s mood the same way.

So whether you’re a 70-year-old ex-tennis player or a 45-year-old newbie who just learned what a “kitchen violation” is, the mental perks are universal.

Age, on the other hand, told a different story. Wellbeing tended to increase with age among players — peaking around the mid-60s and leveling off in the late 70s.

The takeaway? Staying active and social through pickleball might actually help counteract some of the natural dips in wellbeing that come with aging.

That’s not something you can say for every sport. Not many 70-year-olds are joining weekend basketball leagues, but thousands are picking up paddles every week and calling it the best part of their day.

More Than a Game — A Mental Health Movement

You know what’s wild? When this sport started exploding, everyone talked about growth stats — player counts, court builds, paddle sales.

But maybe the real story isn’t just about how many people are playing. It’s about why they’re playing — and what they’re getting out of it.

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The Dink PickleballJason Flamm

Pickleball’s appeal isn’t just about competition. It’s connection. Purpose. That little spark of joy when you hit a clean winner or laugh through a rally that goes on forever.

Those micro-moments add up. They’re part of what psychologists call “subjective wellbeing” — the combination of feeling good, functioning well, and having a sense of belonging. And pickleball delivers that in spades.

The Takeaway

So, should you start playing more often? Probably.

The study didn’t say you need to play seven days a week to feel the benefits — just that consistent, longer sessions are associated with higher wellbeing.

If you’re playing once or twice a week, maybe add a weekend morning or stay for an extra game or two. Your brain might thank you.

And if you’ve been nursing an injury or sitting out, this could be your sign to rehab properly and get back out there safely. Because clearly, it’s not just your body that misses it.

There's a moment in every pickleball player's journey when they realize that dinking isn't just about keeping the ball low. It's about creating pressure, forcing errors, and setting up the kill shot.

And who better to learn from than James Ignatowich, a top 10-ranked PPA pro with a 6.5 DUPR rating?

In a recent video with APP pro Tanner Tomassi, Ignatowich breaks down the art of aggressive dinking at the kitchen line, sharing insights that could transform your game whether you're grinding through 3.5 or competing at tournament level.

The Deep vs. Shallow Debate

Here's where things get interesting. Most recreational players think aggressive dinking means hitting hard, but Ignatowich reveals it's actually about placement and timing.

When taking a dink out of the air, Ignatowich aims deeper. Why? Because your opponent sees you attacking the ball early and naturally backs off the line an inch or two, worried you might speed it up. That hesitation is exactly what creates the opening for an aggressive dink at their feet. He explains:

"If I'm taking a dink out of the air, you might think that I'm going to speed that ball up because I very well could. So you're not going to be leaning in as much, and instead you'll be maybe an inch or two off the line."

But shallow dinks have their place too. When you're on the defensive (maybe your opponent just hit an aggressive dink and they're leaning in), that's when you go short.

You're not trying to win the point; you're trying to neutralize it and reset.

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The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

The Technique That Changed Everything

Ignatowich's approach to topspin dinks challenges conventional wisdom. Forget what you've heard about using your wrist or crossing your body with the paddle.

Ignatowich takes a page out of tennis legend Rafa Nadal's book instead.

"When I'm hitting aggressive dinks with topspin, I'm finishing on the same side of my body."

The key? Keep your wrist locked (but not too tight) and never cross the plane of your body.

This applies to both forehand and backhand dinks. When hitting crosscourt forehands, Ignatowich mimics a ping-pong forehand, finishing on the same side, just like Ben Johns does.

This technique isn't just about consistency. It creates deception. From that position, you can:

• Speed up down the line
• Speed up through the middle, or
• Continue dinking crosscourt

Your opponent has to respect all three options.

The Three Deadly Mistakes

After coaching hundreds of players, Ignatowich has identified the most common errors that kill aggressive dinking:

1. Not using enough legs. You can't hit a quality aggressive dink standing upright. You have to bend your knees, especially on the backhand side. No negotiation here.
2. Letting the ball come to you. When taking dinks out of the air aggressively, lean forward. Follow the ball with your outside leg so you stay behind it. Contact the ball at its apex, not after it's already dropping.
3. The wrist flick. There are different ways to misuse your wrist, but the worst is crossing from right to left (for righties). A little wrist action upward isn't terrible, but that windshield wiper motion? That's a recipe for inconsistency.

The Two-Handed Revolution

Ignatowich and Riley Newman pioneered the aggressive two-handed backhand dink, and now it's everywhere. Ryan Fu, Max Freeman: they've all adopted it. Even Tanner admits it's become one of his go-to shots.

The secret? Keep your paddle face above your hand the entire time. This forces you to get low, really low, with your knees bent. But here's what most people miss: about 70% of the power should come from your non-dominant hand.

"If I took my right hand off of it, I could still maybe hit a decent dink. But if I took my left hand off, you know, I'm just using my right hand. That's way too much wrist."

The two-hander also creates massive deception. From that squat position, you can speed up, lob, or continue dinking. But if you're dinking with one hand and suddenly throw both hands on the paddle, your opponent knows exactly what's coming.

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Why This Matters Beyond Technique

What makes Ignatowich's teaching so valuable isn't just the mechanics. It's the strategic framework. He's not teaching shots in isolation; he's teaching you how to think about point construction.

• When do you go aggressive?
• When do you neutralize?
• How do you use your opponent's positioning against them?

These are the questions that separate good players from great ones.

The aggressive dink isn't about overpowering your opponent. It's about creating pressure through placement, using deception to keep them guessing, and understanding when to attack versus when to reset.

That's the mental game that elevates your pickleball IQ.

And honestly, that's what makes watching pros like Ignatowich so valuable. You're not just learning a shot. You're learning how to see the game differently.

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has officially teamed up with The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) to bring more exposure – and some added fanfare – to key events leading up to Nationals.

Under this new partnership, MiLP’s 2025 State Championships and Regional Showdowns won’t just be any amateur tournaments. Think on-site branding and activations, giveaways, and alignment with some of the top teams in Major League Pickleball.

Every event awards Dream Tickets, and Regional Showdowns earn players double points in the national standings.

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Six high-profile events will kick off this elevated The Dink MiLP experience:

1. Texas State Championship (Oct 18–19)
2. New York State Championship (Oct 18–19)
3. Southeast Regional Showdown (Oct 25)
4. Southwest Regional Showdown (Oct 25)
5. California State Championship (Nov 1–2)
6. Florida State Championship (Nov 8–9)

Texas State Championship

Texas State Championship (Oct 18–19) at The Picklr in Austin West, hosted by the Texas Ranchers. All registered players will receive an exclusive Ranchers swag bag.

Texas State Championship – Hosted by the Texas Ranchers

Date: October 18-19, 2025

All registered players will receive an exclusive Ranchers swag bag!

REGISTER HERE

New York State Championship

New York State Championship (Oct 18–19) in New York at Life Time Penn & Sky. The Brooklyn Pickleball Team will play host.

NYC State Championship – Hosted by the Brooklyn Pickleball Team

Date: October 18-19, 2025

The Brooklyn Pickleball Team will be onsite and players will have a chance to cash in on some cool giveaways!

REGISTER HERE

Southeast Regional Showdown

Southeast Regional Showdown (Oct 25) at GT Bray Park in Bradenton, Florida, featuring activations from Florida Smash, Miami Pickleball Club, and Palm Beach Royals.

Southeast Regional Showdown – Featuring Multiple MLP Teams

Date: October 25, 2025

The Southeast Regional Showdown will feature three MLP teams: Florida Smash, the Miami Pickleball Club, and the Palm Beach Royals.

Expect on-site giveaways, MLP team activations, and potential team representation at Nationals!

REGISTER HERE

Southwest Regional Showdown

Southwest Regional Showdown (Oct 25) at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Phoenix, co-presented by Phoenix Flames.

Southwest Regional Showdown – Presented with the Phoenix Flames

Date: October 25, 2025

Players will receive Flames-branded merch, and anyone who registers using the code FLAMES80 will get $20 off per player.

Winners will not only earn Dream Tickets but will also represent the Phoenix Flames at Nationals in full team uniforms.

REGISTER HERE

California State Championship

California State Championship (Nov 1–2) at Fountain Valley Tennis & Pickleball Center. This event is sponsored by the LA Mad Drops and will also include a watch party for the MLP Cup.

California State Championship – Hosted by the LA Mad Drops

Date: November 1-2, 2025

Every player will receive Mad Drops swag, and there will be on-site giveaways throughout the weekend.

All winners who qualify for Nationals will represent the Mad Drops in full team uniforms.

The event will also include a watch party for the MLP Cup.

REGISTER HERE

Florida State Championship

Florida State Championship (Nov 8–9) in The Picklr Orlando, hosted by All Florida Pickleball and the Orlando Squeeze.

Florida State Championship – Hosted by the Orlando Squeeze

Date: November 8-9, 2025

At the Florida State Championship, all players will receive giveaways, and winners will advance to Nationals as official Orlando Squeeze MiLP teams, complete with full team kits including hats, tops, and bottoms.

REGISTER HERE

This isn’t just about fun giveaways and flashy pickleball merch (though there will be plenty of both).

This partnership means top MiLP players now get more than just bragging rights — they get real pathways, real exposure, and real momentum toward The Dink MiLP National Championship this December in Dallas.

For pickleball’s up-and-coming stars, that’s a game changer.

The APP Tour is back in action only days after concluding the second annual APP Women’s Open presented by The James.

The Tour is back at its home, The Fort, for the third time this year. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, The Fort has quickly become a favorite stop on the APP Tour, with its newly constructed courts, including a featured Championship Court with bowl style seating specifically for pickleball.

This is the second to last tour stop before the APP Tour Championships in December, so players are looking to accumulate points heading into the Championships.

Remaining 2025 APP Tour Schedule

• October 9-12 - AARP Open (at The Fort)
• November 5-9 - APP Mesa Open
• December 10-14 - APP Tour Championships (Major)

Let’s get into the action.

How to Watch the AARP Open

Thursday, October 9 - Singles

• 10am - 5pm ET - Championship Court - ESPN+
• 8am - 2pm ET - Players Court - APPTV on YouTube

Friday, October 10 - Men’s and Women’s Doubles

• Noon - 6pm ET - Championship Court - ESPN+
• 10am - 4pm ET - Players Court - APPTV on YouTube

Saturday, October 11 - Mixed Doubles

• Noon - 6pm ET - Championship Court - ESPN+
• 10am - 4pm ET - Players Court - APPTV on YouTube

Sunday, October 12 - Gold Medal Matches

• 11:30am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - ESPN+
• 8am -1am ET - Players Court - APPTV on YouTube

Weather Outlook

The APP Tour has had some unlucky weather in 2025, and the AARP looks to be more of the same. Thunderstorms are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with the weather clearing up for Championship Sunday. The APP may be looking to make alternate plans due to the weather. Be sure to subscribe to the APP Instagram and X accounts to get the latest information, should alternate plans be made.

The Draws

Women’s Singles

Top Seeds:

1. Sofia Sewing - Six gold medals on the APP Tour
2. Katerina Stewart - Two gold medals and a silver on the year
3. Bobbi Oshiro - Two silver medals this year
4. Domenika Turkovic - Earned bronze in Chicago in the last event

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A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

Player outside the top four to watch:

• 6 seed - Shannon Pretorius - just earned silver at the APP Women's Open
• 20 seed - Jada Bui - the former Cal Bear tennis player has switched to pro pickleball and is making her way onto the scene

Prediction: Sewing earns her seventh gold over Oshiro in the finals

Men’s Singles

Top Seeds:

1. Ammar Wazir - Has won the past two APP Tour events in Chicago and Great Lakes
2. Jack Foster - Despite consistently finishing in the quarterfinals or better, Foster is still looking for his first medal in 2025 on the APP Tour
3. Patrick Kawka - Earned a silver medal in APP Newport Beach
4. Ronan Camron - The youngster has a bronze and silver this year and looking for his first gold

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A post shared by Ammar Wazir (@ammarwazirr)

Player outside the top four to watch:

• 5 seed - Will Howells - has a gold and silver this year
• 7 seed - Dusty Boyer - has a silver and bronze in the past two APP events

Prediction: Ammar Wazir wins his third straight APP event in singles

Women’s Doubles

Top Seeds:

1. Megan Fudge/Amanda Hendry - A first time partnership while Fudge’s normal women’s partner, Jill Braverman, is skipping this event
2. Allison Harris/Christine Maddox - Another first time partnership - both women have medals this year, just not with each other
3. Yana Newell/Rianna Valdes - These two won silver together nearly a year ago in the APP Southern California Open - this is the first time playing together since then
4. Susannah Barr/Daria Walczak - Earned silver in Daytona Beach in February

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A post shared by Y a n a N e w e l l (@yana_pickleball)

Partnership outside the top four to watch:

• 5 seed - Shelby Bates and Sofia Sewing - just won gold in APP Chicago
• 6 seed - Arielle Butler and Bobbi Oshiro - Bobbi is always a threat to medal

Prediction: Newell and Valdes beat Barr and Walczak in the finals

Men’s Doubles

Top Seeds:

1. Jack Munro/Will Howells - Five gold medals on the year together, the most of any partnership
2. Tanner Tomassi/Richard Livornese Jr. - Two golds and one bronze in the last three APP events
3. Erik Lange/Casey Diamond - Lange's normal men's partner, Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou is missing from this event, so he is teaming up with Casey Diamond for the first time
4. Clayton Powell/Aiden Schenk - The youngsters have a bronze and silver medal together this year

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A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

Partnership outside the top four to watch:

• 5 seed - Mark Dancuart and Patrick Kawka
• 6 seed - Ryler DeHeart and Kyle Koszuta

I don't expect much soft kitchen play from either of these partnerships - look for smash and crash pickleball here

Prediction: Munro and Howells take down Tomassi and Livornese Jr.

Mixed Doubles

Top Seeds:

1. Megan Fudge/Jack Munro - Three golds, three silvers, and a bronze medal this year have this team as the top seed
2. Bobbi Oshiro/Will Howells - This team won three golds in a row in the middle of the APP season, but haven't played together since
3. Amanda Hendry/Richard Livornese Jr. - This duo played together a ton in 2023 and the first half of 2024, but just reconnected in APP Chicago last month - both have had success with other partners
4. Sofia Sewing/Casey Diamond - Diamond and Sewing just won the APP Great Lakes Open in August

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A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

Partnership outside the top four to watch: 11 seed - Yana Newell and Andre Mick

Prediction: Oshiro and Howells take down Fudge and Munro for their fourth gold

Tyson McGuffin may be known for his "Ferrari Forehand," but the longtime PPA pro is wise enough to recognize when to slow a point down to regain control.

Here, he walks us through a couple pointers for smarter defense at the kitchen line.

Tip #1: Use the lift dink to bring the point back to neutral

If you're engaged in a dink rally but find yourself getting moved around or frequently pushed out of position, you're not dictating the point... you're surviving it.

Rather than fight fire with fire, the sounder approach is to calm things down and get back to neutral footing. For this, Tyson recommends the lift dink.

"Our main motto is just putting balls in play, being scrappy, being disciplined, and utilizing the lift dink," he says.

My Top 3 Tips for Finding Mental Clarity Before a Match

The pickleball court is meant to be a refuge from our busy lives. Here’s how you can clear your mind and set yourself up for success.

The Dink PickleballAnna Bright

How to hit a lift dink:

• The tip of the paddle is pointed down at the court
• Your arm mechanics are shoulder-heavy, arm straight, leading with the back of your hand or your palm, depending whether it's forehand or backhand
• Aim the ball to drop shallow over the net, this means you can hit a bit slower and higher and not get burned
• Look to take balls out of the air when possible
• You're not looking for winners – aim toward the middle of the court

Like Tyson said, the goal of a lift dink is to consistently put the ball back in play and live to fight another day. No frills. Nothing fancy. Just a smart pickleball shot.

Tip #2: Utilize the block volley when outgunned

If you're not comfortable engaging in a hands battle with your opponent, or you feel they're dictating the pace of play too often, it's a great time to lean heavily on a block volley.

Unlike a punch volley – quite literally a forehand or backhand jab at the ball in an effort to hit a winner – the block volley is strictly defensive in nature, often called upon when a ball is sped up in your direction and you're either too slow or not in position to hit a counter.

How to hit a block volley:

• Keep your paddle up and positioned in front of your chest – 95% of block volleys are hit on the backhand side
• Recognize and anticipate when a speed-up is coming
• Let the ball travel into your body, a few inches in front of your chest
• Keep a looser grip and let the paddle face do all the work, absorbing the ball and gently redirecting it back over the net
• The rest of your body should be still and quiet, no arm or torso movement, legs and feet firmly set on the court

Remember: Playing it safe doesn't have to mean playing to lose.

Recognize when you have an advantage at the kitchen line and launch an attack. When you don't, play smart defense, pull the momentum back to neutral, and look for your moment to regain the edge.

When Rory Bakke collapsed at the Miller Park pickleball courts in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, his girlfriend, Sunny Saengdara, didn't hesitate.

"He kind of looked at me from across the court, pointed to his head, sat down, and fell back," she recalled.

Saengdara is a nurse. After checking for a pulse, she began CPR and utilized the on-court automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restart Bakke's heart, which had been in cardiac arrest, according to CBS News Minnesota.

"Rory would not be alive if it wasn't for that," said Saengdara.

Amazingly, the AED had been installed less than two weeks before the incident.

"It actually brings tears to my eyes," said Paul Mendoza, whose company, Advanced First Aid, installed the machine after it was requested by Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation in the spring.

"Having an AED shock right away is a game-changer because that's the treatment, the only treatment that can save someone's life," he added.

Mendoza said Bakke is the fourth person this year alone saved on a pickleball court by one of his company's AEDs.

Watch the full story:

'It Saved My Life'

A little while back, we asked our newsletter subscribers to submit their pickleball-themed tattoos. And one stood out immediately.

It was submitted by Fred Hull, and depicts an electrocardiogram with the words, "I'm alive with a little help from my friends" splayed down his entire forearm. There's also a date: March 11, 2025.

In March, Fred lost consciousness and collapsed while playing at a private facility in St. George, Utah. 911 was called immediately by a player on a nearby court.

He wasn't breathing when two fellow players, Norm Ritchie and Casey Zimmer, jumped into action.

Photos: Our Readers Share Their Pickleball Tattoos

We asked, you delivered: From flaming pickleballs to one heartfelt reminder of a near-death experience, here are a few of our favorites.

The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

They started CPR, and grabbed the on-court AED.

For Fred, the AED could have been the difference between life and death.

"The most important message should be to strive for AED availability at all pickleball facilities," Fred told me, "and encourage everyone to become familiar (if not trained) with CPR. It saved my life."

If you're wondering, Fred is doing fine. He's even returned to the pickleball court, and plays regularly with the people who helped save his life just a few months ago.

Feature image via CBS News Minnesota

In a raucous semifinal match at the PPA MB Vietnam Cup in Da Nang, underdogs Zane Navratil and Armaan Bhatia were able to upset tournament favorites Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11.

It was a thrilling match, and no doubt helped set the stage for what would be World Record turnout during Finals day the following day, Saturday, Oct. 4.

PPA Vietnam Sets World Record for Single-Day Pickleball Event Attendance

A strong sign for international interest, but viewership appeal remains to be seen.

The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

It was a highlight victory in Zane's long and illustrious pro pickleball career. And certainly a standout moment for his partner, Armaan, who had just signed a UPA contract two months prior.

It was also a win mired in controversy.

The game-winning point came off Dekel's return of Armaan's serve, which sailed long and landed perilously close to the baseline in front of Zane.

For anyone watching the broadcast, the camera angle was behind Zane's back. It was really hard to see precisely where the ball landed.

Zane made light of the moment in a recent video:

"Armaan serves. Dekel hits the return right on the line! I call it out! Ben and Dekel protest. I get away with the hook of the century on match point."

But wait. Not so fast.

Zane did indeed call the ball out immediately. And both Ben and Dekel did seem to protest. But the on-court referees confirmed the call. And that was that. Game and match go to Zane and Armaan.

Since then, Zane has faced a mini firestorm of online accusations of "hooking" – meaning he intentionally called the ball out when he, a) wasn't sure, or b) thought it was actually in.

But a new camera angle has emerged that seems to exonerate him entirely. Based on this footage, the ball clearly lands out.

"In my defense, it's hard not to be upset when people are delegitimizing an incredible win and there's clear evidence out there," he said.

You be the judge – in or out?

The PPA Tour Asia MB Vietnam Cup was a pickleball event for the record books, in more ways than one.

Figuratively, the atmosphere was electric. The event drew more than 600 competitors, with a strong international representation, including those local to Vietnam.

PPA pro Zane Navratil was there – he and Armaan Bhatia fell to Eric Oncins and Tyson McGuffin in the men's doubles final – and posted to X a video of a packed arena, with the caption, "Pickleball to the MOON."

UPA CEO Connor Pardoe also made the trip and posted his own video, stating:

Pretty surreal to see the PPA Tour like this. Lots to celebrate… But even more hard work ahead! Excited to keep growing this thing!

Yes, vibes were high. But attendance was also through the roof.

According to Guinness World Records, the event drew record-breaking crowds and set a new high for "largest attendance at a pickleball event":

The largest attendance at a pickleball event is 7,906 and was achieved by America & Asia Connect Company, Danang Pickleball Federation and FPT Play (all Vietnam) during PPA Tour Asia MB Vietnam Cup 2025 at Tien Son Sports Center, in Da Nang, Vietnam on 4 October 2025.

"The announcement," reported Tuoi Tre News, "was made during the closing ceremony at Tien Son Sports Arena by Austin Johnson, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records."

The previous record was 5,522 from the 2022 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

A Litmus Test for International Viewership?

A World Record is a World Record, but this one comes with a couple additional considerations.

1. Attendance to an event like this typically comes at a price, but we've heard from a few sources – including people who were there – that many attendees on the day in question, Oct. 4, were invited to attend free of charge.
2. In order to obtain a Guinness World Record, you have to invite and pay a company representative to witness the event in question, in this case, an official adjudicator based in Tokyo, Japan, Austin Johnson.

That's how these records work, right? You know the previous mark and do everything you can to beat it. Sure.

Neither of these points negate the fact that nearly 8,000 people showed up in person to watch a day of professional pickleball in Da Nang, Vietnam.

24/7 Pickleball, Now Available on YouTube TV

The UPA today announced that Pickleballtv (PBTV) – “the only 24/7 destination dedicated to America’s fastest growing sport” – will be carried on YouTube TV.

The Dink PickleballAlex E. Weaver

That's a spectacular indication of the sport's international resonance and a testament to the type of product the PPA continues to put in front of fans around the world.

World Records like this make for splashy headlines, but it remains to be seen whether a single-day crowd of this size is indicative of pickleball's longterm traction and in-home viewership potential across Asia and other key global markets.

PPA Tour Asia has yet to set its 2026 schedule, but you can be sure it's goal will be to go bigger and better than this year.

I've reached out to the UPA for comment and will update the article accordingly with any additional insights.

Featured image via Thanh Nguyen | Tuoi Tre News

The PPA Tour is back in action a week and a half after the conclusion of the first wooden paddle event in tour history, the PPA Sacramento Vintage Open.

This time, the PPA Tour is going to the East Coast, at the FasenraⓇ Virginia Beach Cup. Pickleball Virginia Beach, a dedicated pickleball facility with over 40 courts, is hosting the event.

As a Cup level event, there are 1,500 PPA Points on the line, elevating this event above the Opens. Additionally, since it is a Cup, it is a Progressive Draw, with one round of each event being played daily.

After two weeks of some players playing on the PPA Tour Asia and the wooden paddle event, the competition is heating up in Virginia Beach.

How to Watch the Virginia Beach Cup

Friendly reminder - Pickleballtv is now available on YouTubeTV

Tuesday, October 7 - Round of 128 and Round of 64

• 10am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - Pickleballtv
• 10am - 6pm ET - Grandstand Court - Pickleballtv

Wednesday, October 8 - Round of 32

• 10am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - Pickleballtv
• 10am - 6pm ET - Grandstand Court - Pickleballtv

Thursday, October 9 - Round of 16

• 10am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - Pickleballtv
• 10am - 6pm ET - Grandstand Court - Pickleballtv

Friday, October 10 - Quarterfinals

• 10am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - Pickleballtv
• 1pm - 5pm ET - Championship Court - Tennis Channel
• 10am - 6pm ET - Grandstand Court - Pickleballtv

Saturday, October 11 - Semifinals

• 10am - 6pm ET - Championship Court - Pickleballtv
• 1pm - 5pm ET - Championship Court - Tennis Channel
• 10am - 6pm ET - Grandstand Court - Pickleballtv

Sunday, October 12 - Finals

• 10am - 4pm ET - Championship Court - Gold - Pickleballtv
• 11am - 4pm ET - Championship Court - Gold - Tennis Channel
• 9am - 2pm ET - Grandstand Court - Bronze - Pickleballtv
• 5pm - 7pm ET - Semifinal Tape Delay - ESPN2

Weather Outlook

Rain and wind look like they could take their toll on the Virginia Beach Cup this week. It looks like rain is imminent on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Winds are also high, above 20 mph for the latter half of the event. As of publishing, I am unsure if Pickleball Virginia Beach has an indoor option.

Let’s get into the action.

Women’s Singles

Top Storylines

• Anna Leigh Waters is back playing singles after some time off since the Cincinnati Showcase (which she won) - If she wins this event she will have gone over 500 days without losing a singles match
• Kate Fahey is taking this event off, after getting married this past Saturday - she would be the #2 seed
• (2) Kaitlyn Christian and (7) Zoey Wang are going to have some major jet lag, after just competing in both PPA Tour Asia events, one of which just ended Sunday in Vietnam
• (8) Genie Bouchard just made her first Championship Sunday at the Sacramento Vintage Open - can she keep the momentum going?

Kalshi Trading

Below is a list of ask price for each of the top players/partnerships to win on the Kalshi platform, as of 1pm EST, Monday, October 6.

• Anna Leigh Waters - 68 cents
• Parris Todd - 19 cents
• Kaitlyn Christian - 18 cents
• Brooke Buckner - 8 cents

Fun Matchups

• Rd 32 - Jalina Ingram v Angie Walker - Arizona based players who sometimes train together
• Rd 16 - Lea Jansen v Salome Devidze - I am confident line judges will be called out for this one 
• QF - Anna Leigh Waters v Catherine Parenteau (if Parenteau can get past Castillo) - the former partners always put on a show

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Anna Leigh Waters, (3) Parris Todd, (2) Kaitlyn Christian, and (6) Lea Jansen
• Finals: Anna Leigh beats Kaitlyn Christian in two games

Men's Singles

Top Storylines

• (1) Hunter Johnson also took the Vintage Open off, and last won at the Orange County Cup in June
• (2) Federico Staksrud was able to get a win at the Vintage Open, breaking his eight month drought - let’s see if he can keep the momentum going
• (8) John Lucian Goins has two recent tour wins, but is still only the 8 seed
• Of note, Ben Johns is not playing singles, having just played in the MB Vietnam Cup on the PPA Tour Asia circuit

Kalshi Trading

Below is a list of ask price for each of the top players/partnerships to win on the Kalshi platform, as of 1pm EST, Monday, October 6.

• Federico Staksrud - 23 cents
• Hunter Johnson - 20 cents
• Christian Alshon- 18 cents
• Connor Garnett - 16 cents

Favorite Matchups

• Rd 64 - Eric Oncins v Grayson Goldin is an absolutely ridiculous first round matchup - this could easily be a quarterfinal match
• Rd 64 - I really hope James Ignatowich and Julian Arnold is streamed - This one will be entertaining
• Rd 64 - SoCal Hard Eights teammates Ryan Fu and Blaine Hovenier are going against each other in the first round
• Rd 16 - Federico Staksrud v Chris Haworth is a crazy matchup for Round of 16 - this could easily be a final

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Hunter Johnson, (4) Christian Alshon, (15) Chris Haworth, and (3) Connor Garnett
• Finals: Hunter beats Haworth in three

Mixed Doubles

Top Storylines

• (1) Ben and Anna Leigh have won five straight mixed tournaments together
• (2) Jorja and JW Johnson just won the Vintage Open AND were the last duo to take down Anna Leigh and Ben - can they find that same magic in Virginia?
• (16) Alix and Jonathan Truong just took down the MB Vietnam Cup and could be dealing with some jet lag in their opening rounds
• (3) Anna Bright and CJ Klinger are partnering up for the first time and could definitely make some noise

Kalshi Trading

Below is a list of ask price for each of the top players/partnerships to win on the Kalshi platform, as of 1pm EST, Monday, October 6.

• Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns - 65 cents
• Jorja and JW Johnson - 34 cents
• Anna Bright/CJ Klinger - 7 cents

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns, (7) Tina Pisnik/Andrei Daescu, (2) Jorja & JW Johnson, and (4) Parris Todd/Christian Alshon
• Finals: Anna Leigh and Ben beat Jorja and JW in four games

Women's Doubles

Top Storylines

• (1) Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters have lost back to back tournaments together after going undefeated for over 40 matches together - can they get back to their winning ways?
• (3) LA Mad Drops teammates, Jade Kawamoto and Catherine Parenteau are teaming up on the PPA Tour
• (15) California Black Bears teammates, Layne Sleeth and Lina Padigemaite are teaming up on the PPA Tour, but will likely face Bright and Waters in the Round of 16

Kalshi Trading

Below is a list of ask price for each of the top players/partnerships to win on the Kalshi platform, as of 1pm EST, Monday, October 6.

• Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters - 65 cents
• Parris Todd/Hurricane Tyra Black - 33 cents

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters, (3) Jade Kawamoto/Catherine Parenteau, (2) Jorja Johnson/Rachel Rohrabacher, and (4) Parris Todd/Hurricane Tyra Black
• Finals: Bright & Waters beat Todd and Black in four games

Men's Doubles

Top Storylines

• (1) Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio are clearly the class of this event and everyone is chasing them - the last time they lost was May 18th - nearly five months ago
• Despite being the 2 seed, Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud haven't won since last year's CIBC Finals in November
• (6) Eric Oncins just won two gold medals in Asia with Tyson McGuffin and Dylan Frazier just won gold with JW Johnson at the Vintage Open - both are playing extremely hot right now

Kalshi Trading

Below is a list of ask price for each of the top players/partnerships to win on the Kalshi platform, as of 1pm EST, Monday, October 6.

• Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns - 55 cents
• CJ Klinger/JW Johnson - 25 cents
• Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud - 25 cents
• Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu - 11 cents

Predictions

• Semifinalists: (1) Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns, (3) Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu, (2) Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud, and (4) CJ Klinger/JW Johnson
• Finals: Tardio and Johns beat Klinger and Johnson in three games

The second annual Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour Women’s Open presented by The James is in the books.

The event was held at Pickle N Chill, less than 10 miles away from the presenting sponsor, The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center, “The James”, in Columbus, Ohio.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) this was the second annual event put on by the APP and The James.

Pro play started on Friday, with Women’s Singles. Saturday saw competition switch up to the Split Age Pro, which is personally one of my favorite events in pickleball, since it isn’t very common to see. On Sunday, the pro women’s doubles bracket played, along with the other two events’ gold medal matches.

Women’s Singles

This one came down to the two favorites - Sofia Sewing had won five gold medals on the APP Tour in singles this year prior to the Women’s Open. Shannon Pretorius was the defending champion in this event from last year, and both made the finals. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

Sewing made quick work of Pretorius in the first game, winning in a dominating fashion, 15-4, in a game of rally scoring. In game two, Pretorius seemed to be mounting a comeback and Sewing needed to take a timeout to regain her energy. However, Pretorius took a fall diving for a ball and had to take a medical timeout to receive treatment on her elbow and knee. After that, it was all Sewing, winning 15-8. 

This was Sewing’s sixth singles title on the APP Tour this year.

Jessica Warren showed some serious grit, earning the bronze medal after losing in the first round to Elina Geut, 13-15 in the third. She went on to win bronze through the backdraw, with wins over Susannah Barr, a revenge win against Geut 21-5, and a win over Daria Walzcak for bronze.

Split Age Pro

This competition was FIERCE. Lee Whitwell and Daria Walzcak came out on top, winning gold over Shelby Bates and Cantillon Endara, 11-8, 7-11, 11-1. In nearly every interview after winning, Whitwell would ask Dorian Craft, “Have you seen her forehand?” in a joking manner, giving a lot of the praise to Walzcak for the win. Whitwell is known as one of the best seniors in the world, if not THE BEST senior pro woman.

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A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

Whitwell actually triple crowned at this event, winning the split age pro, AARP Champions (50+) women’s doubles with Angela Simon, and AARP Champions women’s singles.

Megan Fudge and Angela Simon were able to win the bronze medal in the split age category.

Women’s Doubles

This was the most competitive gold medal match of the weekend, with a lot of yelling and celebrating to keep the energy high. Jill Braverman and Megan Fudge beat Sofia Sewing and Shelby Bates, 11-4, 2-11, 11-6. This was the fourth time these two have played against each other, and the series is now tied 2-2. 

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A post shared by APP TOUR (@officialapptour)

This was a big win for Fudge and Braverman, and they both pointed to execution of the game plan as their key to victory.

Allison Harris and Amanda Hendry claimed bronze in the pro women's doubles division.

The APP Tour is next in action in just two days, as The Fort is hosting the AARP Open this weekend. Qualifying rounds begin Wednesday, with pro singles starting on Thursday. Look for a preview of that event in The Dink’s newsletter on Wednesday.

Photo credit for the header image goes to The APP Tour.

Everyone remembers the joy, the elation, the absolute THRILL of hitting their first successful ATP. I definitely do! The ATP (or around-the-post) shot is one of the hardest to hit in pickleball, and when the opportunity presents itself, you definitely want to be able to capitalize on it.

Here are a few tips to hit better ATPs. If you want more content like this, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter!

A successful ATP is about three things: 

• Anticipation
• Footwork
• PATIENCE!!! 

So many players don’t hit available ATPs simply because they fail to recognize when they’ve been gifted one. Whenever you notice your opponent is hitting aggressive dinks (especially with topspin) while not threatening a speedup, start looking for an ATP opportunity. The anticipation is half the battle! 

The other half of the battle is having the appropriate footwork and being PATIENT. So many ATPs fail either because people get their feet tangled, or they hit the ball way too early and effectively shoot themselves in the foot.

Try to wait to make contact until the very last possible second (pro tip: have your arm be as straight as possible when you hit the ball).

My Top 3 Tips for Finding Mental Clarity Before a Match

The pickleball court is meant to be a refuge from our busy lives. Here’s how you can clear your mind and set yourself up for success.

The Dink PickleballAnna Bright

For footwork, make sure 75% of your weight is on your OUTSIDE leg at contact (if you’re right-handed, for your forehand ATP, most of your weight should be on your RIGHT foot). 

Try to focus on these three things and you should see your ATP success rate skyrocket. If you’re interested in learning more about the ATP at the pro level and how it’s changed the game, I covered this in my last newsletter.

Every five years for the past four decades, a group of childhood friends has traveled from locales far and wide for a few days of food, drink, camaraderie, and some friendly competition on the bocce court or poker table.

They hail from Wisconsin and Utah. Oregon and Florida. One guy even makes the trip from Bangkok.

These 12 men, most well into their 70s by now, assemble to reminisce about growing up in Magnolia, a neighborhood situated on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, jutting out into the picturesque Puget Sound. To share stories about their time at Seattle's Queen Anne High School, which closed about a decade after many graduated in 1970.

But mostly, they gather to play pickleball.

A couple weeks ago, the guys held their latest meetup, convening for the first time in Idyllwild, CA, where one of their ranks, Mike Cole, has a cabin. Previously, they'd met closer to common ground, at Seattle's Fort Warden State Park.

We sat down with Mike to hear more about this special group of guys, and why their pickleball origins truly trace back to the sport's earliest days.

Growing Up with Pickleball Royalty

There's nothing exceptional about old high school buddies getting together to catch up over steaks and cigars. But this is not your average group of friends. And they didn't grow up in any average neighborhood.

Two of pickleball's founding fathers, Barney McCallum and Joel Pritchard, were from Magnolia. Joel's son, Frank, was in Mike's elementary school. They had play dates together as kids. McCallum’s kids went to the same schools and were a few years behind the guys at Queen Anne.

"Barney McCallum was a buddy of my dad and couple of the other guys’ dads," Mike told me. "They would have periodic poker games and go on fishing trips to Alaska together."

Mike even recalls a time hanging out at the McCallum's place on Bainbridge Island
around 1965, shortly before pickleball was reportedly invented.

Have We Been Lied To About Pickleball’s Origins?

Book claims pickleball’s true origin, inventors and even its name, aren’t what we have been led to believe. The ‘real’ history of pickleball.

The Dink PickleballJamie Simon

As the story goes, Barney convinced Burt Robbins, one of the guy's dads, to build a
pickleball court in his backyard when the gang was in early high school. It was either 1966 or 1967.

According to Mike, "it had to have been one of the first five courts in the world."

"He had a real small basketball court, and there was just enough room to put in posts, a net, and line it," Mike recalls. There was barely any room behind the baselines. Along one sideline was a three foot high brick retaining wall . Along the other, a fifteen foot cyclone fence bordering a steep hillside.

"There was no room for an ATP on either side. It was very tight," Mike adds, reminiscing about the basketball poles posing a major obstacle.

"We played nothing but singles, no dinks, no finesse of any kind. Wood paddles, wiffle balls with 'Pickleball' stamped on them. We’d try to run our opponent into one of the basketball posts."

'Every Five Years Until We're Dead'

What began as a fun way to get the gang back together in the 1980s has grown into a cherished tradition.

The group has never missed a reunion, save one during COVID.

"When they started putting it together about 40 years ago, it ended up there were only 12 spots," said Mike, "and whoever got in first got in, so people jumped on it immediately."

This year's event was the first in Idyllwild, which has a new facility at Tahquitz Pines with four lit pickleball courts, a swimming pool, bocce ball and basketball courts, and a nice restaurant and bar.

While pickleball is the glue that binds the guys together, all types of sports and activities are in the mix. This year’s events included darts, cornhole, free throw shooting, and a Swedish throwing game called Kubb.

The competitive juices still flow, even after all this time.

"It takes about two minutes, and everybody starts acting like we're 12 again," laughed Mike.

The prize for the all-around top competitor, aside from bragging rights, is the "QA Bone" (pictured above) – named after their high school, Queen Anne. The grizzly was the high school’s mascot.

This year the trophy passed from Mike Horton to Mark Backman, who was rumored to have been surreptitiously practicing some of the events over the last five years.

As for how much longer the group will come together, Mike didn't hesitate.

"Every five years until we're dead."

Although at the end of this year's meetup, the group was considering a more frequent rendezvous, of two or three years.

"It’s just too much fun."

There's a new way to get your professional pickleball fix.

The UPA today announced that Pickleballtv (PBTV) – "the only 24/7 destination dedicated to America’s fastest growing sport" – will be carried on YouTube TV.

That's a big deal for a sport looking to grow its audience; YouTube TV is one of the largest streaming services in the United States, carrying channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, CNN, and the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Here's what to expect, according to a UPA announcement:

• Now on YouTube TV: PBTV will be launched on YouTube TV’s broadest level of service and available to all YouTube TV subscribers
• Comprehensive Coverage: Fans can seamlessly watch PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) matches, international events (Melbourne, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Da Nang), collegiate and junior competitions, plus highlights, original programming, and lifestyle content
• New Original Series: The network is also announcing Celebrity Pickleball, a fast-paced series (set to premiere later this season) hosted by Matt Manasse and featuring celebrity guests like Drew Brees, Katie Couric, Trae Young, and more.

The partnership will kick off tonight with a two-hour live special of Pickleballtv Live beginning at 7pm ET, featuring Steve Weissman, Jessie Irvine, Matt Manasse, and Dave Fleming, along with other special guests. 

The news also comes less than a month ahead of one of the sport's marquee annual events, the Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships (Oct. 31–Nov. 9) in Dallas, which drew a reported 57,000 fans on-site last year.

Kate Fahey has a lot going on.

The #2-ranked women's singles player is fresh off a gold medal at the PPA Vintage Open in Sacramento. And this weekend, she's getting married in New Jersey.

In between, she found some time to join Zane Navratil on the PicklePod ("a lifelong dream," she joked).

The two delve into a range of topics, like how the pros handled playing with wooden paddles and why Zane thinks Roger Federer was one of the most boring tennis pros of all time (a scathing hot take we'll address at a later date).

Kate has become one of the most dominant pros on tour. She's fiery and ultra-competitive. And has a penchant for screaming on-court, sometimes at herself, sometimes directly in the face of an opponent.

It rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

Kate knows this. And she's working on it. But she's not about to apologize, either. It's not personal, but it is a part of sports.

"It's not in my nature to be completely mute. I've tried it and I play horribly. It's not who I am," she told Zane. "I've always worked on accepting that's who I am. Some people aren't going to accept it, some people aren't going to like it. That's OK."

Kate has played competitive tennis since she was very young, culminating in a decorated, All-American career at The University of Michigan. Yelling has just always been part of her game.

"It's always been that way," she said.

"It's something that I've always done."

Kate concedes she's "an extremely competitive person." And she's far from the only pro on tour who gets vocal during a match.

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Major League Pickleball releases statement on Incident between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin at MLP Orlando.

The Dink PickleballAlina Leontarakis

But there's more to her emotional state on the court than the heat of the moment.

"I get stressed on the court, I get anxious like everyone does," she said. "Sometimes it's just a way to let go of those emotions. To just take everything – all the anger, all the excitement – and just release it."

And like most everyone else, Kate is aware of what her critics are saying about her.

"I started working with a sports psychologist this year who has helped immensely. I think a lot of it is pent-up anger that I have on court. But it's also the hate that I get online. I do get a lot of hate," she said.

"Reading those messages, it's hard. It hurts. A lot of the time, people don't realize it does affect us. That's something that I've worked on a lot."

She's also working on directing her emotions elsewhere, rather than the face of an opponent across the net.

Just don't expect her to go quiet altogether. It's not who she is. And it's not the sport she signed up for.

"I think pickleball should be a loud sport," she said.

If you’re looking for the best pickleball drills and practice games to improve your skills, you don’t need to rely on boring repetition. Pickleball mini-games combine strategy, fitness, and fun while sharpening essential skills such as consistency, decision-making, and mental toughness.

These three mini-games are fast, easy to pick up, and guaranteed to make practice way more fun.

1. Dingles

If you are a tennis player, especially one who played at the high school or collegiate level, you most likely know this drill. Dingles is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a combination of singles and doubles.

How to Play Dingles

There are many variations of this game, but I like to play it with all four players at the kitchen. Each point starts with two balls. You enter a dink rally with your opponent, either cross-court or down the line, where the goal is to outlast and beat them in that exchange. At the same time, your teammate is locked in their own dink rally with the other opponent.

Once a rally is won, the person who won the singles rally screams out “Dingles,” and the remaining ball in play is now live and the point turns into a full-court doubles point. You and your partner only log a point on the scoreboard if you win both the singles and doubles rallies.

Why Dingles Improves Your Game

Dingles is a fantastic drill because it can be molded to practice any skill. The dink rallies can go down the line or cross-court, or you can pull one team back to the transition zone to practice resets.

It also forces all four players to pay attention to their court surroundings and stay focused, as the singles rally could end at any time and immediately switch to the full-court doubles point. Dingles is arguably my favorite drill disguised as a game, mostly because it is quick-moving and extremely fun.

2. Tug-of-War

This is as much a fitness drill as it is a pickleball drill. Players start at five points, with one side racing to 0 and the other to 10, meaning you can only win by stringing points together.

How to Play Tug-of-War

In Tug-of-War, both players (or teams) start at five points. One of you is playing towards 0, the other upward toward 10. Each point you win moves your score in your direction. The only way to win the game is to string multiple points together in a row.

Tug-of-War can be played as either singles or doubles, and the number one skill it works on is focus and locking in for every single point and shot. There is no room to take even one point off, as it could mean the difference in winning or losing the game.

If you are playing this game as singles, it immediately serves as a fitness drill, as the point system promotes long, grinding games. In doubles, it helps hone shot selection and decision-making. Tug-of-War makes you and your partner have to lock in and focus on each point, which should result in you making smarter decisions.

Why Tug-of-War Improves Your Game

I like to play Tug-of-War towards the end of my practice session when I am tired, as that is often when my decision-making starts to slip and I start to lose focus. It's a great game/drill to simulate late-game situations (like 9-9 in the deciding game), where mental toughness and focus are essential to victory.

3. The Endless Reset Game

I started playing this game with Brooke Buckner, Kate Fahey, and James Delgado in Charlotte about a year ago. It is the easiest game in the world to play but might be the most mentally challenging.

How to Play The Endless Reset Game

One player (or team) is at the kitchen, and the other player or team is in the transition zone and is unable to move forward. The whole point of the game is to try to win points by just resetting the ball back over and over and hope the team at the kitchen line misses a put away or volley.

Since it is so difficult to score by just resetting the ball, we usually play this game for a set amount of time, or we will play until the resetting team gets two or three points. If played correctly, this game is extremely mentally draining, as the team trying to put the ball away has to balance patience with power. The resetting team is forced to lock in and develop a brick wall mentality to score even a single point.

Amateurs do not practice their resets from the transition zone enough, and this drill is perfect to develop a reliable, unattackable reset. Also, on the other side, I often see amateurs miss put-aways by going for too much.

Why Endless Reset Improves Your Game

This game is also perfect for developing the patience and spin needed to win a point against a higher-level player who can reset from the transition zone. The Endless Reset Game is also most effectively played at the end of a practice or drilling session, since it is such a mental grind.