Weekly Roundup

Today's edition is brought to you by Kyle Lewis—Pro Pickleball Player and Shopify Designer for the Pickleball and Sports Community. Visit KYLE LEWIS DESIGNS to Take Your E-commerce Business to the Next Level.

Thoughts on the ProKennex Kinetic Black Ace Pro— From Nitesh Vijay

The Black Ace Pro paddle offers a great mix of power, pop, and control, though it’s not the best for spin. It's one of the lightest paddles with an excellent swing weight that I’ve ever used. I highly recommend it, especially if you’re a smaller player who doesn’t want to use a heavier pro-weighted paddle but still wants solid control and power. It’s also great if you’re dealing with tennis elbow and need to improve hand speed without losing power. The 4-inch grip circumference is perfect for players with smaller hands. Unlike other paddles that might break or lose their edge guards, the ProKennex Kinetic Black Ace Pro has a replaceable Air-O-Guard bumper system, which is a big plus but does make it pricier.

Its lightweight design allows for customization with lead tape, though adjusting the swing weight might be a hassle for some. This paddle performs well in both defense and offense, allowing smooth transitions and powerful baseline shots. However, its thin core limits the spin potential. It’s covered by a one-year warranty, and it’s a solid choice if you prioritize power and hand speed, despite a few drawbacks.

Check it out at Pickleball Central with discount code PORTAL10.

How to Aim Your Serve— From James Ignatowich

Hey everyone, today I’m going to cover where to stand when serving, depending on where you want to aim your serve. This technique is particularly crucial in singles, but it’s also quite important in mixed and men’s doubles.

If you’re aiming for a wide serve, standing wider on the court gives you a better angle to hit that serve. Similarly, if your goal is to serve down the T, you should stand closer to the center. This position allows for a shorter distance to hit a hard serve directly down the T. These strategies are best for players who are comfortable with their serve and have a good level of confidence in their serving ability.

In singles, if you want to hit a wide angle serve to open up the court and set up a passing shot on the opposite side, you don’t always have to serve from the middle. You can stand further out, hit an angled serve, and if you prefer your forehand, you can position yourself to use it instead of being forced to hit a backhand.

When it comes to serving down the T, this is where I tend to hit the most service winners or aces. It’s the shortest distance to the opponent’s side and crosses the lowest part of the net. Since the net is 34 inches high in the middle and 36 inches at the sides, standing near the middle and serving down the T allows me to maximize power and effectiveness. So, that’s a brief overview of strategic positioning for serving. For more tip.

Watch and Listen to These Players to Learn How to Dink— From David Boyle

Hey Pickleball Enthusiasts,

Many recreational pickleball players focus primarily on smashing the ball, often overlooking the importance of other skills like dinking. While put-away power is essential, points and matches are frequently won through a controlled, down-tempo game. Top players, such as Jorja Johnson and Tyson McGuffin, emphasize the significance of mastering the kitchen line and dinking. McGuffin, known for his powerful forehand, advocates for patience and finesse at the kitchen line, a strategy that often leads to victory. Watching professional matches, like the 2024 Veolia Houston Open featuring Dekel Bar, Tina Pisnik, Etta Wright, and Benjamin Johns, reveals the crucial role of dinking in high-level play. Observing these matches helps players appreciate the skill and precision required in dinking, which is a fundamental aspect of becoming a complete player. For those serious about advancing in pickleball, studying and practicing dinking techniques is essential for success. Full read.