pickleballmagazine.

com

MAKE WAY
FOR GEN Z
spor t and ch
anging its im
age
RETURN IT,
WIN IT!
CHILLED SNACKS TO
KEEP YOU COOL ON COURT Recognized by USA Picckleebal
balll as
as the
the
“Official Magazine” off Picklebabaall
 MIZUNO PICKLEBALL

Available: August 2025

GRIP. STABILITY. POWER.

@mizunousa [Link]
 VOLUME 10/ISSUE 4
JULY/AUGUST 2025

DEPARTMENTS
8 Publisher’s Playbook
10 Editor's Letter
18 Dinks: What’s News in Pickleball
20 Rules Guru Answers Your Questions
by Bob Unetich
22 Sweet Spot: The Hottest Finds in Pickleball
by Kate Mohns
26 Destination Pickleball: Beaches Turks & Caicos
42 In the Club: Shoreline Pickleball by Drew Wathey
64 Paddle Reviews by Jack Bandel

28
68 In the Kitchen: Big Chill — Cool Foods to Beat the
Heat by Brandi Givens, RD, CPT
74 PRO-file: Behind the Scenes with Grayson Goldin
Future faces of pickleball: Brothers Ford Casady (left) and by Alice Tym
Boone Casady with Leah Jones. Photo by Eddie Alvarez.

features
FROM
USA PICKLEBALL
12 Message from USA Pickleball CEO Mike Nealy
48 Drop Shots
50 Feature: Barnes Tennis Center Prepares to Take
Center Stage for Nationals by Drew Silverman

28 Gen Z is Changing the Game 52 The Scoop: USA Pickleball News & Notes
54 Feature: Players Travel Far and Wide for
Plus! 10 Young Phenoms Greensboro Golden Ticket by Alex Abrams
56 Referee Q&A with Tom Tadler, USA Pickleball
You Should Know Managing Director of Officiating
58 Recently Approved Equipment
Pickleball’s surge in popularity among Gen Z (ages 13-28) 60 Calendar: Upcoming Sanctioned Events
is shifting the perception of the sport and positioning these
teens and young adults to be a crucial part of its future.
By Matthew Schwartz
INSTRUCTION
36 Playing the Mental Game 24 The Core Trio: Court Positioning, Ready Position
and Strike Zone by Kyle McMakin
Author of the bestselling book “Pickleball Mindset” and 40 What to Watch When You Watch by Alice Tym
national pickleball champion Dayne Gingrich sheds light on 62 Serve It, Return It, Win It! By Lamar Scott
how to think on the court. By Matthew Schwartz

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LIVELY POWER
MASSIVE SWEET SPOT

1-YEAR WARRANTY
 PUBLISHER’S
PLAYBOOK
A Publication of Dollard Publishing Co., Inc.
While pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport 11 Mayview Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317
in the U.S. the past four years, few could have imagined it [Link]

would become such a powerful community builder. PUBLISHER

And as it continues to surge in popularity, a question I hear Wayne Dollard
more and more is: “Should I build a facility?”
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Last summer, in the south suburbs of Pittsburgh, I broke ground on
LevelUp Pickleball Club, designed to include 16 courts, locker rooms, pro Julie Talerico
[Link]@[Link]
shop, full bar/restaurant, event space and much more! It is also the new
home of our Pickleball Magazine offices. The club is scheduled to open in the ART DIRECTOR
next few weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited. Michael Miller
Let me be clear—building a pickleball facility isn’t just about pouring SOCIAL MEDIA
concrete and hanging nets. It’s about building community. It’s about creating
Vossberg Gainor
a space where generations come together, where friendships are formed, and
where health and happiness thrive. But it also requires vision, planning, and ADVERTISING MANAGER
a deep understanding of what players really want. Debbie Mountain
Covered or indoor options CONTRIBUTORS
are becoming essential in
Jack Bandel Matthew Schwartz
climates where heat or rain Brandi Givens Lamar Scott
can spoil play. Amenities like Kyle McMakin Alice Tym
seating, locker rooms, pro Kate Mohns Bob Unetich
Ernie Ortiz Drew Wathey
shops, and food and beverage
services can turn a facility CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
from a play space into a Eddie Alvarez
social hub. Bruce Yeung
Technology is also stepping
into the mix—booking systems,
livestreaming courts, and even smart court analytics are starting to play
a role. A good facility not only meets the needs of today’s players but is
adaptable to what tomorrow’s players will expect.
Pickleball’s growth isn’t slowing down. The question isn’t if we need more
dedicated facilities. The question is: Will yours be next?
See you on the courts.
Subscribe
MAGAZINE

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TRIPLE
CROW N
She’s n! For Parris Todd
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ANNA wins
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TENNI
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2022 Margleball PADDLE IT OUT

Publisher
AN
USA Pick Championships HOW TO CREATE
National ATTACKABLE BALL BEN JOHNS
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USA TABLELILY CROWN!
ICON YIP
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Launched in 2016, Pickleball Magazine is recognized by USA Pickleball as the “Official Magazine”
Dollard Publishing Co., Inc. publishes eight
of pickleball. USA Pickleball is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the U.S. issues of Pickleball Magazine per year.
Pickleball Magazine offers tournament coverage, expert instruction written by professional ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to the July/August issue of Pickleball Magazine.

While pickleball initially gained traction and popularity among older
adults, especially in retirement communities, the sport is experiencing
a significant shift. Young players are now driving pickleball’s massive
explosion. Schools, colleges, and local clubs across the U.S. and
globally are now embracing youth programs and competitive leagues.
Young adults and children are now pickleball’s fastest-growing
demographic, with nearly 2 million teens playing in 2024.
Participation among the 13 to 17 age group has more than doubled
in the past two years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry
Association (SFIA).
Gen Z (ages 13-28), who grew up with screens in their hands, are
now replacing them with paddles in an effort to detox from digital.
More than ever, young people are seeking less screen time and more
face-to-face interaction—and the pickleball court
is the perfect place for real-life connection
that goes beyond the virtual exchange.
Many even see the sport as a new way
to socialize, with on-court meetups
becoming a trend.
Pickleball also provides a good
workout that gets the heart
rate up without being overly
strenuous or high impact,
making it appealing for those
who want a fun and enjoyable
fitness option.
Don’t miss Matthew Schwartz’s
article, “Gen Z is Changing the
Game,” on page 28. Schwartz profiles
more than a dozen young talents who
represent the future of the sport.
Gen Z in the NVZ (from l to r):
Keep swinging! Boone Casady, Leah Jones and
Ford Casady. Photo by Eddie Alvarez

Julie Talerico
Editorial Director

Tell Us What You Think!

Submit a Letter to the Editor for publication.
If you have comments about a particular article—or
the magazine in general—we’d love to hear from you!
Send your letter to editors@[Link].

10 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]

 we’ve
got you
covered.
Expert Instruction. Rules. Interviews with Top Pros.
Tournament Coverage. Pickleball News At Home and Abroad.
Health & Nutrition. Paddle Reviews. Latest Equipment & Gear.
World‑Class Travel Destinations. And Much More!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! VISIT [Link]

Launched in 2016, Pickleball Magazine is recognized by USA Pickleball as the

“Official Magazine” of pickleball. USA Pickleball is the national governing body for
the sport of pickleball in the U.S.
 2025 USA PICKLEBALL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD CHAIRMAN
Robert Quicksilver
BOARD VICE CHAIR
Suzanne Guerin

by MIKE NEALY AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS

USA PICKLEBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Philip Bullen Ernie Medina
Mark Fabbro Stephanie Russell
Andrew Feffer Tori Stevens

USA PICKLEBALL STAFF

From the CEO

As we reach the midway point of another phenomenal CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mike Nealy
year for pickleball, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you CHIEF COMPETITION OFFICER
to every player, partner, referee, volunteer, and facility that Justin Maloof
helped make the 2025 Golden Ticket tournaments such a CHIEF MARKETING & STRATEGY OFFICER
Jose Moreno
success. From coast to coast—San Diego to Greensboro and
CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER
everywhere in between—these events have continued to Carl Schmits
grow the game and introduce new communities to the joy of VICE PRESIDENT OF COMPETITION
pickleball. Steve Wong

Golden Ticket tournaments remain the exclusive pathway VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE
to the USA Pickleball National Championships, and it’s your Chris Zukas
passion, dedication, and love for the game that make them VICE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL EVENTS
truly extraordinary. Luke Underwood

Looking forward, I’m excited for what’s ahead. This VICE PRESIDENT & CONTROLLER
Rose James
November, the 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
will take place at the Barnes Tennis Center in beautiful Christian Portaro
San Diego, California. With its rich history in racket sports MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
FIELD OPERATIONS
and exceptional facilities, Barnes is set to provide an Lance Cowart
unforgettable backdrop for the longest-standing and only MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LEGAL
national championships in pickleball. COMPLIANCE AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Gail Avisar
Read more about Barnes Tennis Center in our feature
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
on page 50. Whether you’re competing for a title or HUMAN RESOURCES
cheering from the sidelines, San Diego will be the ultimate Julie Atherton

celebration of all things pickleball. Priority registration and MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING
Tom Tadler
spectator tickets will open in August—mark your calendars! DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & PR
Finally, I’d like to let you know about some exciting Jennifer Rogers
changes on the horizon. I’m happy to share that adjustments DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
& STRATEGIC PROJECTS
are coming to the USA Pickleball memberships. We value Ashley VanOchten
and have listened to our members’ feedback, and we’re DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
reimagining our membership structure to better serve Brenda Puga

our community. This upcoming shift will focus on two DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Andrea Fogarty
key goals: lowering the barrier to entry for sanctioned
DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
tournament play, and introducing a more accessible, value- Craig Haas
packed membership tier. Details will be announced this DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP ACTIVATION
Nick Salute
fall—stay tuned.
DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL AND
With so much momentum behind us and even more COLLEGIATE ENGAGEMENT
ahead, USA Pickleball is proud to be leading the charge as we Hana Papaco
shape the future of the sport we all love. DIRECTOR OF TOURNAMENT AND MEMBER
EXPERIENCE
Drew Thomas
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Jon Lampe
CREATIVE LEAD
Lisa Curran

12 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]

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• Real-Time Communication:
Notify participants instantly
about schedule changes or
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• Detailed Analytics: Track court
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engagement.
If you’re into pickleball, there’s a It’s entirely optional, but it adds
• Admin Access Levels: Assign
good chance you’ve already heard a fun layer of connection for those
roles to staff while keeping
about the DiNKR app—and if you looking to mix a little more love into
control of operations.
haven’t, it’s time to get on board. their dinks and drops.
DiNKR is hands-down one of the
Core Features for All Players Final Thoughts
most powerful and user-friendly
apps out there, whether you’re a • Discover Local Play: Easily Whether you’re there to play, run
casual player, an event coordinator, find and join games, open- events, manage a venue—or maybe
or running a full-time venue. play sessions, tournaments, or even meet someone new—DiNKR
What sets it apart? It’s not just social mixers. delivers it all in a clean, intuitive,
a scheduling or scoring tool—it’s • Track Scores & Stats: Monitor and community-focused app. It’s
a complete pickleball community in your game history and see how clear the developers understand the
your pocket. your performance evolves. heart of the pickleball community
• Skill-Based Matchmaking: and are building something special
New & Noteworthy: Romantic Get matched with players around it.
Connections Feature at your level for better, Highly recommended. Download
And here’s a clever little twist… more competitive play. it, explore the features, and let
DiNKR also gives users the option to • Group Creation & Management: DiNKR elevate your game—and
indicate whether they’re open to a Organize recurring events or maybe even your love life. •
romantic connection. casual games with friends.
Pickleball has always had a strong • Court & Event Scheduling:
social side, and DiNKR leans into Add events to your calendar,
that with this optional feature that get reminders, and never
lets users subtly show they’re open miss a dink.
to meeting someone special—right
on the court. Tools for Event Coordinators
It’s a lighthearted, respectful & Venues
way to connect with other singles • Full Venue Control: Manage
in the community who share your courts, time slots, and formats
love for the game. After all, why from one simple dashboard.
not combine passion for pickleball • Advanced Event Formats:
with the possibility of a spark? Round robins, ladders,

18 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]

RULES
GURU
by BOB UNETICH
USA PICKLEBALL CERTIFIED REFEREE

We’d Like to Hear From You!

Send your questions to
rules@[Link].

Q&A
I’m going to play in my first tournament. How do I know if my paddle is legal?

Anyone playing in a USA Pickleball (USAP) sanctioned tournament must ensure that their paddle is USAP
approved. This can be done by looking up the paddle on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List.
Before the match begins, the referee will ask players to confirm that their paddles are on this list [Rule
2.F.1.]. They will then inspect the paddles to make sure each one has the USAP decal or stamp of approval
plus a manufacturer-provided and clearly marked brand and model name/number on the paddle [Rule 2.E.7.].
The referee will touch and visually inspect both sides of the paddle’s hitting surface to ensure that the
paddle does not contain delamination, holes, cracks, rough textures or indentations breaking the paddle
skin or surface, or any objects or features allowing a player to impart excessive spin on the ball [Rule 2.E.2.].
Players often label their paddle faces with identifying information. This is acceptable, provided that any
decal or tape does not extend inward more than a half-inch from the edge or 1" above the paddle handle
[Rule 2.E.5.b.]. Handwritten pen markings are permissible on the paddle’s playing surface, provided they are
for identification purposes only (name, signature, phone, email address), or an autograph [Rule 2.E.5.c.].
If a paddle is not on the approved list or has prohibited features, the player will have to use another
paddle, which must be confirmed as approved and inspected for irregularities as described above. If the
player insists on playing with an unapproved paddle, the player’s match will be forfeited [Rule 2.F.1.a.2.].
NOTE: Pro pickleball players at tournaments are required to have their paddles tested. These tests are
designed to ensure that the integrity of each paddle has not deteriorated over the course of use.

On Dec. 27, 2024, USAP issued You can read the details about paddle performance
the following statement. limits and the testing involved at [Link]/
The following paddles have violated the new test equipment/paddle-certification-updates. As lab
standards and will be sunset on July 1, 2025, for testing and tournament site testing evolves, this
sanctioned tournament play only: page will keep readers informed.
· Joola: Perseus 14mm Mod TA-15 Paddle testing has become much more
· Joola: Perseus 16mm Mod TA-15 sophisticated, and to further improve the testing
· Gearbox: Pro Power Elongated capabilities of new paddle models and paddles
· ProKennex: Black Ace Ovation being used at tournaments, USA Pickleball
· ProKennex: Black Ace Pro recently hired Riley Burgess as the VP of
· ProKennex: Black Ace LG* equipment compliance.
· ProKennex: Black Ace LG XF
This month’s answer to the question about how referees check
paddles at tournaments was provided by certified referees Nancy
*Since the announcement, USA Pickleball has Kaplan and Joanna Korker. Every USA Pickleball credentialed
modified the above list to reinstate the model referee needs to understand and apply the procedures that
Nancy and Joanna explained. Paddle performance varies as new
ProKennex Black Ace LG as “Approved.” models are released, and having trained referees check every
paddle in use at a tournament is just one more reason to have
officials for every match when possible.

20 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]

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 SWEET SPOT
HOT TEST FINDS IN PICKLEBALL
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 by KYLE MCMAKIN

INSTRUCTION

THE CORE TRIO: COURT POSITIONING,

READY POSITION AND STRIKE ZONE
If you’ve ever watched high-level
pickleball and wondered how they
make it look so easy, the answer
almost always comes back to three
core fundamentals:
1. Court Positioning
2. Ready Position
3. Strike Zone Awareness
These concepts may sound basic,
but when applied together, they
make the game feel slower, simpler,
and more controllable—even in fast-
paced, high-pressure moments.
Most players think they need better
hands or quicker reactions. But the
truth is, your ability to consistently
play in balance, hit from your strike
zone, and be in the right place at the
right time is what makes great play
possible.
Mastering this trio doesn’t just help
you win more points—it makes the UNDERSTANDING THE STRIKE ZONE:
game a lot more fun. PICTURE A “V” IN FRONT OF YOU
READY POSITION: Your strike zone is the space in front of your body
THE LAUNCHPAD OF EVERY SHOT where you can comfortably contact the ball while
staying balanced and in control.
Before your feet move or your paddle swings, your
Imagine a “V” shape that starts between your knees
body needs to be in a solid ready position. This is your
and extends out in front of you. At the top of that “V,”
athletic starting point for every shot, giving you the
picture a semicircle based on your natural reach. That’s
foundation to move quickly and stay balanced.
your ideal contact zone.
Here’s what it looks like:
Use your knees and reach as reference points.
• Feet wider than your shoulders for stability.
• If the ball is outside your knees, you’re likely
• Knees bent over your toes.
reaching too far.
• Chest slightly forward, stacked above your knees.
• If the ball is too close, almost under your body, it’s
• Weight on the balls of your feet.
also outside your strike zone.
• Paddle up in front, hands relaxed and alert.
• You want to make contact comfortably in front of
This position allows you to react fast and move you, within that “V,” where your paddle can swing
efficiently. From here, you can explode in any direction freely without strain.
without losing balance. It’s your reset between
every shot. Most players get jammed or overreach—both cause
weak, off-balance shots.

24 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]

 Rebalancing Steps: The Key to Staying in Your Zone Defensive Strike Zone: Know Your Area of Responsibility
One of the biggest mistakes recreational players make Defending is easier when you stop trying to cover the
is not taking enough small steps. Instead, they lunge entire court. Your job is to cover a realistic zone, not
or reach for balls, which throws them off-balance and everything.
shrinks their strike zone. For example, when you’re defending at the kitchen,
Start using rebalancing steps—small, purposeful think of your defensive strike zone as a slightly wider
movements that allow you to adjust your body to the ball “V” than your normal contact zone—centered in front
while staying grounded and athletic. of your body and based on your natural reach while
Instead of one big step, take three to five smaller steps maintaining balance.
to get into position. This keeps your chest forward, knees • Reach left and right within reason, but don’t stretch
bent, and paddle in the right spot. too far.
“Play the ball—don’t let the ball play you.” • Let balls go that are out of reach, especially if
Move First, Then Be Still at Contact they’re high.
A critical concept: You want to move early and be still • Trust your partner to cover their side.
when you hit. Your job is to protect a rectangle about 6 feet wide and
• If you’re swinging while still moving, your balance 2 feet high in front of your chest. That’s it.
is compromised. Most players get beat because:
• If you move first, center the ball in your strike 1. They’re out of position to begin with.
zone, and stay grounded through contact, you’ll hit 2. They try to cover too much.
cleaner and more consistently. When you shrink your zone and trust your teammate,
The best players look still at contact because they’ve defending becomes easier and more effective.
done the work before they hit the ball.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER:
COURT POSITIONING: MOVE WITH PURPOSE SIMPLIFY YOUR GAME
Your court position determines how well you can When you focus on the core trio—ready position, strike
attack or defend. From the first ball to the last, your job zone, and court positioning—everything starts to click.
is to stay in the right relationship with the ball, your Here’s your action plan:
partner, and your opponents. 1. Start every shot in a strong ready position.
2. Use rebalancing steps to move early and get
Move Together as a Team centered.
Good teams move as a unit—generally about 6 feet 3. Be still at contact.
apart, staying connected and supportive. 4. Only hit balls in your strike zone. Let others go.
• When one of you hits a solid shot, use that moment 5. Move with purpose and in sync with your partner.
to advance together, not just forward but toward the 6. Know your role when defending. Just cover
direction of the ball. your zone.
• Stay in your ready position while moving. The result?
• Adjust laterally, diagonally, or vertically depending More balance, more control, better consistency—and
on the ball’s location and your partner’s position. more fun.
Think of it like a dance—always in motion, always The game slows down when your body is in the right
aware of each other. place, your paddle is in the right spot, and your mind
knows what to focus on. When you master the trio, you’ll
Example: Third Shot Movement stop scrambling and start commanding the court. •
Let’s say you’re the server and the return comes to you.
You hit a third-shot drop crosscourt. Many players run
straight toward the net. Instead, move diagonally toward
the ball. You’re not just advancing, you’re cutting off
Kyle McMakin is a touring pickleball
angles, closing the court with your partner, and getting professional, former Division I tennis player
involved in the next shot. (UC Davis) and head pro for LevelUp
This diagonal movement puts pressure on your Pickleball Camps. Kyle is a two-time Triple
Crown winner. His DUPR is above 6.0 in
opponents and creates a stronger attacking position. both singles and doubles.
“Don’t just move forward—move with purpose,
pressure, and precision.”

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 25

travel by JULIE TALERICO

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getaways. “We also have the flexibility to convert additional tennis
The all-inclusive luxury resort now boasts eight courts to accommodate large groups.”
dedicated state-of-the-art pickleball courts, making it a The Beaches Resorts and Sandals Resorts brands have
top destination for pickleball enthusiasts. been expanding their pickleball footprint throughout
Complimentary group sessions and programs for all the Caribbean. “This is the era of pickleball on the
skill levels are attracting picklers from across the globe. island,” says Jamesly Prosper, assistant spa manager since
The experience is accompanied by shaded seating, 2018. “Over the past three years, pickleball has surpassed
courtside breakfast and other refreshments, surrounded tennis in a major way. For our guests who love to play
by turquoise waters and white sand beaches. pickleball—from children to seniors—we are ready for
Alex Milan, the resort’s fitness program coordinator and welcome all who love the sport.”
and an experienced tennis and pickleball instructor, Bill and Carol Donovan have been playing pickleball
enjoys welcoming new and returning vacationers to the at Beaches Turks & Caicos the past four years. “We are
courts. “The influx of guests who want to play pickleball thrilled that our favorite resort offers our favorite sport,”

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says Carol. “We play pickleball after the Starfish Cinema, a new splash pad
breakfast and sometimes in the evening. and children’s slide, and an infinity-
The courts are spectacular, and what edge lagoon pool. Enjoy seven brand-
could be better than island life and new dining options, including Beaches’
pickleball.” first-ever Butch’s Island Steakhouse.
After your game, indulge in all- In keeping with its welcoming
inclusive specialty dining and family- environment, Beaches Turks & Caicos
friendly activities, or pamper yourself is also an Advanced Certified Autism
with spa services at one of the two Center and the first resort company
award-winning Red Lane Spas®—all just in the world to complete the rigorous
steps from the court. International Board of Credentialing
The luxury resort includes five villages and Continuing Education Standards
featuring the architecture and ambiance for training and autism certification.
of Italy, France, the Caribbean, and The entire staff, from the front desk
Key West, plus a 45,000-square-foot to the Kids Club team, has received in-
waterpark, 23 dining options, a 12-mile depth training on how to support guests
beach, and 10 impressive pools. There with autism and other sensory needs to
are endless fun activities for tots help families enjoy their vacations with
to tweens. peace of mind.
Opening March 1, 2026, Treasure For more information on
Beach Village will be the newest and most exclusive group bookings, contact Unique Vacations, Inc., at
village at Beaches Turks & Caicos, with private cabanas, 305.284.1300, ext. 4231. •

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS

HAS EIGHT DEDICATED
STATE‑OF‑THE‑ART PICKLEBALL
COURTS AMID LUSH SURROUNDINGS,
TURQUOISE WATERS AND WHITE
SAND BEACHES.

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 27

 Pickleball’s surge in
popularity among youth
ages 13-28 is shifting the
perception of the sport
and positioning these
teens and young adults
to be a crucial part of its
future.
by MATTHEW SCHWARTZ

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 Pickleball isn’t just your
grandparents’ game anymore.
More younger players than ever
are picking up a paddle for the first
time. The sport is seeing a surge
in popularity among Gen Z (ages
13-28), with young adults (18-24)
showing the highest participation
rates. This young generation is
driving a new wave of energy and
excitement in the game.
According to the Sports & Fitness
Industry Association’s (SFIA) 2025
Single Sport Report, the 25-34
age group had the most pickleball
players last year at 3.175 million.
Seniors comprise the second-
largest group playing the game
we love. According to the SFIA, 3
million players are now 65 and over.
However, young players are a fast-
growing demographic, with nearly
2 million teens playing in 2024.
“Pickleball participation among
the 13-17 age group has more than
doubled in the past two years,” says
the SFIA’s Alex Kerman.
A typical young pickleball rec
player is 14-year-old Alerick Ashby of
Weaverville, North Carolina. Alerick
played several sports until he tried
pickleball at a cousin’s suggestion.
Now he plays pickleball three times
a week, and the only other sport he’s
stayed with is soccer, which he plays
once weekly.
“What attracted me to pickleball
was the precise power and control
[required]. I prefer the more fast-
paced reactions that pickleball
requires and that soccer didn’t.”
LEAH JONES (CENTER) WITH TWINS Alerick is trying to start a pickleball
BOONE CASADY (LEFT) AND FORD league in his high school.
CASADY. LEAH IS RANKED NO. 2 IN Many young players not
14U GIRLS SINGLES AND NO. 3 much older than Alerick are
IN DOUBLES. BOONE IS RANKED 10TH getting national attention on the
IN 16U BOYS DOUBLES AND FORD IS
11TH. PHOTO BY EDDIE ALVAREZ.

SEE NEXT PAGE 

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 29

Professional Pickleball Association Pickleball participation through sport,” he explains. “In
(PPA) tour. Of the top 50 men’s among the 13-17 age doing so, ‘pickleball diplomacy’
singles players, only two are older group has more than was born.”
than 35. Just three of the top 50 doubled in the past Sullivan called the trip “a life-
women’s singles players are over 35. two years.” changing experience.” Most of the
Of course, the best women’s player — SFIA’s Alex Kerman expenses were funded by sponsoring
in the world is 18. Anna Leigh Waters entities in China.
turned pro when she was 12 and has JOOLA Pickleball is also in
won more than 150 gold medals. She Montgomery County, and Sullivan
has inspired other young women. says the company has been
In March, 14-year-old Cailyn to the teens dedicated to training extremely supportive in donating
Campbell of Palmetto Bay, Florida— to compete at the highest levels. equipment to the public schools.
then ranked #64—upset 6th ranked NJP is a place for kids to grow in the “JOOLA wants to get a paddle in as
Mary Brascia in the Carvana PPA sport, to connect with others, and to many hands as possible,” says Corey
Tournament in St. George, Utah. She discover what they’re capable of, on Bockhaus, JOOLA’s editorial strategy
is the PPA’s youngest player. and off the court.” manager.
“I love pickleball because Loughridge’s 11-year-old son, Jack, “We just want to foster a lifetime
it’s so much fun but also has played in about 60 tournaments love of the game. By investing in
really competitive,” Cailyn says. and is a national junior ambassador youth pickleball, we can get kids
She has played tennis since she was for The Picklr, the indoor pickleball introduced to the sport at a younger
4 years old but prefers pickleball. club company. age and as they grow and progress,
“Tennis can be a lonely sport. It “I was at a tennis camp, and it we’ll be there to assist along the way.
focuses more on singles and there rained so we couldn’t play,” Jack Their progress and the progress of
are few opportunities to play recalls of his introduction to the the sport will grow so much faster
doubles.” sport. “I saw my friend playing with that investment.”
In mid-May, Cailyn was ranked pickleball and I wanted to try it, then Most senior pickleball players
43rd in women’s singles in the I fell in love with it.” He now drills who are now playing with and
Carvana PPA Tour’s ranking. four or five times a week besides against more younger players are
In 2022, a Las Vegas, Nevada, playing in junior tournaments. welcoming, even when playing
resident named Courtney Pickleball’s popularity in high against the many young bangers.
Loughridge thought young pickleball schools is also booming. Last fall, Barney Agate, a 70-year-old
players needed high-quality the Montgomery County, Maryland, pickleball ambassador in South
tournaments to compete against public school district became the Florida, adds, “The influx of younger
their peers. So, she helped organize first one in the country to offer players is fantastic. They bring
what she says was the first junior pickleball as a varsity sport. youth, athletic ability, vitality, and
pickleball tournament for kids age 8 “Pickleball is an inclusive sport yet another way to bridge multiple
to 18. Forty players showed up. that allows individuals to experience generations.
Then in 2024, with support success in a short amount of “I’m so, so glad that the game I
from JOOLA Pickleball and DUPR time,” says Dr. Jeff Sullivan, the love will go on for many years as the
(the Dynamic Universal Pickleball director of systemwide athletics for younger folk build their personal
Rating organization), Loughridge Montgomery County Public Schools. lives and careers and include
launched National Junior Pickleball “What is exciting about pickleball pickleball.” •
(NJP). NJP has hosted regional events is we are also able to engage students
nationwide, drawing hundreds of with disabilities in the sport, which Matthew Schwartz spent 40 years
players to each event. in television news and won more
provides additional participation than 200 awards, including four
“I started NJP because I believe opportunities.” Emmys and four Edward R. Murrow
that kids deserve their own stage and awards for investigative reporting.
Sullivan even accompanied 30 His 2020 memoir, “Confessions of an
space to participate in the sport, no Montgomery County students Investigative Reporter,” was an Amazon
matter their skill level,” she explains. #1 bestseller. He writes a weekly blog
in April on a three-city, 10-day for Hudef Sport and plays pickleball
“NJP is about more than medals. It’s pickleball tour to China. “We every day.
about building a pathway from the traveled to foster friendship across
littles who are just starting to play borders and build positive relations

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 Collegiate Pickleball is on the Rise
It’s estimated that between 150 and 200 colleges offer The competitive calendar consisted of 30 Campus
pickleball as a club or intramural sport. Pickleball courts Regionals and eight Super Regionals, culminating
are sprouting up seemingly every week on campuses in the spring Collegiate National Championship. In
nationwide. At Baylor University in Waco, Texas, a new addition, 10 Collegiate Showcases took place at Carvana
12-court pickleball facility replaced four tennis courts. PPA Tour events, where two top collegiate teams from
The University of Georgia has 18 pickleball courts on the region competed in a dual match. This unique
campus, the University of Maryland has 16 courts, and the opportunity allows young athletes the opportunity to play
University of Alabama is investing $1.6 million in a project where the top pros in the world play, and have their teams
featuring 10 pickleball courts. showcased through coverage on the PPA Tour’s channels.
Colleges across the country offer pickleball as a club
The Collegiate Pickleball Tour Crowns the Best sport or as part of a student organization. Students
College Pickleball Team in the Country with attending a college or university and enrolled in 9 credit
$100,000 Total Prize Purse hours during the semester
In April, 64 school teams of play can represent their
from around the country school and team up with
descended upon Life Time – other members from their
Peachtree Corners in Atlanta, club to become part of the
Georgia, for a three-day event, collegiate tour.
ending with The University of
Texas at Austin Pickleball Club Collegiate Pickleball is
claiming its first Collegiate Going Worldwide!
National Championship with Launching this fall,
a win over Texas Christian collegiate players from
University. around the world will have the
The Collegiate Pickleball opportunity to represent their
Tour, a joint venture of the In April, The University of Texas at Austin Pickleball Club won its first country at the Collegiate World
Dynamic Universal Pickleball Collegiate National Championship over Texas Christian University. Championships. This two-day
Rating (DUPR) organization team event will be held the
and the United Pickleball weekend before UPA Worlds
Association (UPA), is elevating collegiate pickleball by and will showcase top international talent to ultimately
bringing together the best college pickleball clubs for crown the first-ever collegiate world champions.
a series of competitive and showcase events, including Here are the registration details to know:
more than 200 collegiate teams and 4,000 athletes. • All collegiate pickleball players from all countries are
Jacob Smith, DUPR’s director of collegiate pickleball, invited to compete.
said, “The Collegiate Pickleball Tour represents a historic • A team must have 2-3 male and 2-3 female players.
milestone for the sport at the college level. Over the past • All players from a team must represent the same
few years, we’ve seen an incredible surge in interest, with country.
thousands of athletes and hundreds of schools joining the • Only international players can team up with others
movement. from different universities.
“The Collegiate Pickleball Tour is designed to give • Players representing the USA must partner with
collegiate athletes more opportunities to compete at the players from the same school.
highest level, showcase their talent on a national stage, • Players can either represent the country of their
and provide crucial funding to support and grow their university, or the country in which they were born.
programs. With the backing of DUPR and the UPA, we To determine the world champion, there will be group
are committed to making collegiate pickleball a premier play matches on Saturday that feed into playoff brackets
pathway for young athletes to pursue their passion and on Sunday. There will be group play into a 64-team playoff
take the sport to new heights.” bracket, with every team making it into the playoffs. More
details will be released as the event gets closer. •
JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 31
 Here are some of the future faces of pickleball.
by MATTHEW SCHWARTZ

They can hit perfect serves, dinks

and drops, and they have something
PIERCE BEHR
12, The Woodlands, Texas
else in common: They are all too young
to drive. Pierce has a 4.1 DUPR and is
known as “Pickleball Pierce”
When not in school or being
to his Instagram followers.
homeschooled, their parents drive them He plays pickleball left-
far and wide to tournaments. They’ve won handed but is a righty in
a carload of medals. Most have sponsors every other sport. When
for their paddles, pickleball clothes and he first plays against older
accessories. strangers, Pierce says “it
They are some of the future faces of usually starts with them
taking it easy on me, and then
pickleball. Certainly not all.
instantly regretting it.”
“They are advanced for their age because Notable quote from his dad:
they are coming into the game using pro Pierce’s father, Jonathan (a 4.5 player), says,
technique,” says Allyce Jones, a pro player “My wife and I have both always been super-competitive
who coaches Junior PPA players, including and love sports. We traveled to 15 PPA events last year
her daughter, Leah. “They are getting throughout the country, and the life experiences and
people we have met have been well worth the costs.”
lessons and learning how to spin the ball at
an early age. It’s also a sport that they can
play against adults at an early age, which
gives them more opportunities to develop
RYDER BROWN
13, McKinney, Texas
their game.”
Pickleball Magazine spoke with 10 young He was the first Junior PPA player to win the triple
crown when he took gold in boys singles and doubles
phenoms and their parents. The kids were
and mixed doubles in June 2024 at the CIBC Texas Open.
unfailingly polite and articulate. They Ryder is ranked No. 1 in boys 14U singles, doubles and
sound mature beyond their years and play mixed doubles.
pickleball that way. Ryder has two things in common with many top junior
players in that he got into pickleball from parents who
play and is being homeschooled, which provides a more

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flexible schedule for
tournaments. SCOUT JOHNSON
He says that when 12, Naples, Florida
he shows up at Scout is ranked No. 1 in
public courts 12U girls singles and
and plays against doubles, and No. 2
adults who don’t in mixed doubles.
know him, they She’s been playing
soon say, “This kid pickleball since she
is legit.” And, Ryder was 9. When she first
adds, “They play played, she thought,
harder because they “Wow, this sport is
don’t like to lose to kids.” more fun than any
Away from the courts: Ryder plays piano, and enjoys sport I’ve played.” She
hiking and listening to music. knew immediately that it
was her sport. Besides having

FORD AND
several sponsors, Scout already has
an agent.
BOONE CASADY Favorite off-court hobby: Scout plays a collectible
trading card game called Disney Lorcana. “It’s super-fun
14, Pacific Palisades, California and addicting,” she says.
These fraternal twins are filling up Her novel name: Scout’s parents were having difficulty
their family’s home with trophies. deciding what to name her, and while driving to get her
Ford Casady took gold in Boy's crib, they heard a reference on the radio to the classic
Singles 16U at the Junior novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout is the story’s young
PPA Finals Championship protagonist and narrator.
in San Clemente beating Also of note: Scout’s father, Brandon, 41, was a
his brother Boone, professional pickleball player and took gold in this year’s
who took silver. Ford US Open in 5.0, 40+ mixed doubles.
and Boone also won
the National PPA Finals
Doubles Championship. In
addition, Ford claimed gold
LEAH JONES
13, Lindon, Utah
in the World Championship
in Dallas, beating Boone, and the Leah started playing at 9 and
brothers also took silver together. drills with her mom, Allyce,
They are also excellent baseball players and played at the indoor pickleball
varsity as freshmen last season at Crossroads School for court in her house (an
Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica. outdoor court will be
They were temporarily displaced from their home ready soon). She is
during the wildfires that destroyed large areas of ranked No. 2 in 14U
Southern California. Ford and Boone are straight-A girls singles and No. 3
students and want to attend Stanford, their mother in doubles. Her favorite
Robyn’s alma mater. shot? “I like my backhand
Interesting family facts: The boys’ father, Guymon, roll dink,” the rising 7th
is a four-time Emmy Award-winning producer. He was grader says.
one of the originating producers of the HBO hit “Game Good genes: Leah’s mom was a
of Thrones,” and is the executive producer of the current star volleyball player in high school and college.
Apple TV+ series “Stick.” Guymon is a descendant of
Daniel Boone, and Boone is named after the pioneer.

SEE NEXT PAGE 

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 33

KARINA LAM missing out on playing opportunities and I didn’t want
that for her.”
12, Litchfield Park, Arizona

ADYM PHAM
Karina isn’t ranked this year
because she chose to play in
adult tournaments in the 11, Costa Mesa, California
34U bracket. She and her
This rising 7th grader turns
partner, 15-year-old
12 in August and is ranked
Molly Ticknor, took home
No. 1 in boys singles and
silver in 4.5 women’s
mixed doubles, and No. 2
doubles in Mesa,
in boys doubles. As of mid-
Arizona, in February.
June, Adym had medaled
Karina and 14-year-old
in 13 consecutive events. “I
Lex Mercado won bronze
want to eventually turn pro
in 4.5 mixed doubles in
and become the No. 1 player
March in St. George, Utah. “I like
in the world,” he says.
the competitiveness of the sport and
Musically inclined: Adym loves
that I am able to compete in tournaments at a higher
to sing and performed a solo at his
level against adults,” she says.
school’s graduation ceremony recently. He also plays
Off-court hobby: Karina is an excellent violinist and
the piano.
one of a select few from her school chosen to perform at
What’s in a name? Adym’s father, Dang, says Adym
a regional honors music festival this past April.
is spelled with a “y” because Adym spelled backward is
All in the family: Karina’s brothers also play. Jayden,
“Myda,” and that’s his 13-year-old sister’s name. Myda is
17, is a 5.3 player and Kody, 14, is a 4.7. Expect to hear
also a highly ranked player. Their dad is a 4.5. “He’s all
more from these players in the near future. And maybe
right,” Adym says, jokingly.
someday the world will hear about them. They all say
that if pickleball becomes an Olympic sport, they would
love to play in the Games.
REX THAIS
15, Jacksonville, Florida
JAYDA MALDONADO Rex is ranked No. 1 in
15, Crown Point, Indiana Junior PPA 16U boys singles
and doubles, and mixed
Jayda is ranked No. 1 in Junior
doubles. His DUPR is
PPA 16U girls singles, doubles
5.0. Rex is known for his
and mixed doubles. Her
colorful on-court outfits
DUPR is 4.450 in singles,
and shouts of joy after he
and 5.035 in doubles.
makes a winning shot. He is a
Jayda was a good
straight-A student, member of
goalkeeper on a travel
the National Junior Honor Society,
soccer team, but had
and takes college courses at the University
bruised her left knee
of North Florida.
and quit soccer, then
Commendable quote: “Part of my mission is to spread
discovered pickleball and
the love of youth pickleball all over the world and get
instantly fell in love with it.
kids off their devices and outside exercising.” •
Favorite activity besides
pickleball: Jayda loves to dance. “I study
Matthew Schwartz spent 40 years in television news and won
different types of dancing. Hip-hop is my favorite.” more than 200 awards, including four Emmys and four Edward
Interesting family note: Jayda’s dad, Alex, sold R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting. His 2020 memoir,
“Confessions of an Investigative Reporter,” was an Amazon
his barbershop recently so he could drive Jayda to #1 bestseller. He writes a weekly blog for Hudef Sport and plays
tournaments. “Life is short, and I realized that Jayda was pickleball every day.

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Author of the bestselling book “Pickleball Mindset,”
national pickleball champion Dayne Gingrich sheds
light on how to think on the court.

by MATTHEW SCHWARTZ

It’s 1980 and 10-year-old Dayne Gingrich is watching

an NBA game on TV with his father. The kid isn’t just
watching the action. He’s studying it, analyzing it.
“My dad and I logged more hours debating, dissecting,
and analyzing NBA games than I could count,” Gingrich
writes in his bestselling book, “Pickleball Mindset” (co-
authored with Jill Martin). “Even as an elementary school
kid, my dad didn’t quiz me on player strategy or court
strategy; he pushed me to consider the internal qualities
that differentiated the good athletes from the great
athletes.”
His father’s focus planted a seed. Gingrich eventually
became a prominent mental performance coach, first
for tennis players, then for those in other sports. He
has also tutored kids who have test-taking anxiety, sales
executives, and pickleball players.
Jill Martin had been reading Gingrich’s social media
posts about using mental skills to help pickleball players Dayne Gingrich and co-author Jill Martin in her Santa Barbara home where
and convinced him to put those strategies into a book. they wrote “Pickleball Mindset.”
“Pickleball Mindset” is not another tome about how to
play. It dives deep into how to think on the court. He was All-State in tennis and All-Conference in
“Being intentional on court is possible at all levels,” basketball at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta,
Gingrich says. “Especially at the lower levels, players California. He could have had a college scholarship in
become singularly focused on getting the ball over and either sport but lost the chance.
‘not missing.’ Ironically, the more we attach our focus to “I didn’t work hard enough, was entitled, got bad
not making mistakes, the more mistakes we make and grades in high school, thought my natural talent
the less we see on the court.” was enough, and wasn’t a good teammate,” recalls
Although “Pickleball Mindset” uses the sport as Gingrich, 54.
a backdrop, its subtitle is “The Blueprint for Peak He attended Santa Barbara City College for a little over
Performance.” Indeed, the tips presented are aimed at a year, then quit to play semi-professional tennis.
helping readers make smart decisions off the court as “It was somewhere in my 20s when I understood I
well as on. wasn’t where I thought I should be,” Gingrich says. “I
Gingrich acknowledges that he made poor decisions was sick of being mediocre and falling short of what I
when he was young. believed to be my potential. I saw people around me

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succeeding and I got curious about what differentiated
them from those who were stalled out.”
Gingrich turned to coaching juniors tennis at a private
club. After a while, he realized something was missing.
“My students struggled to execute in competition and
weren’t progressing at the rate I knew they could. I began
to see that their technical skills weren’t holding them
back—their mindset was.
“I changed my entire teaching model. The power
of their minds was going to be the driver of their
performance, not their racket angle at contact.
“The difference in my athletes’ performance was
immediate: the stress of trying to be mechanically
perfect disappeared as if a huge weight had been lifted.
Instead, they came to the court driven to find the
emotional clarity that would allow them to perform to
their fullest.”
Gingrich switched from playing tennis to pickleball
in 2018. He became a seven-time national champion,
seven-time U.S. champion, and won more than 40 gold Coach Dayne Gingrich gives instruction in San Diego.
medals as a senior pro.
“Long before I played pickleball, I had become “Because it’s a leisure activity for your typical 3.5 rec
interested in [a game’s mental aspects] and started player, it can feel crazy to struggle with mindset. So I
honing those skills while playing semiprofessional hope that reading our book normalizes how hard the
poker,” Gingrich says. “Importing those skills to the mindset piece can be, and how huge the dividends can
pickleball court immediately provided an advantage, be on and off the court to learn strategies to harness the
and fed my love for pattern recognition and putting power of your mind.”
the competitive puzzle together before my opponents.” Gingrich agrees, “Winning at any sport isn’t only about
Gingrich met Martin in 2021 when she was a student in being the most physically skilled.”
one of his clinics. Martin is an attorney, personal trainer, His coaching philosophy can be summed up in his
yoga instructor and pickleball fanatic. email signature: “Goals, you do. Visions, you become.
“Pickleball players from 3.0 to pro struggle with the Become someone.” •
mental performance aspect of the game, but it’s not
talked about much,” she says. “One day they are playing Matthew Schwartz spent 40 years in television news and won
more than 200 awards, including four Emmys and four Edward
lights out and nothing can stop them. The next, it’s as if R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting. His 2020 memoir,
they were just handed a pickleball paddle. Nothing has “Confessions of an Investigative Reporter,” was an Amazon
#1 bestseller. He writes a weekly blog for Hudef Sport and plays
changed about their skills, only what’s going on between pickleball every day.
their ears.

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 37

 World‑Class Pros /
Video Analysis / #1 Curriculum

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 by ALICE TYM

INSTRUCTION

WHAT TO WATCH WHEN YOU WATCH

The increased exposure of pickleball gives players of Continuity is essential for consistency. The pros look
all levels plenty of opportunities to watch high-level smooth because they watch the ball earlier. Anticipation
pickleball and view instructional videos on YouTube. facilitates preparation.
There are a myriad of clips to choose from, and so many
of them have good content. However, nothing beats ANTICIPATION
watching matches live, so this article focuses on what At courtside you can hear the twist that shoes make as
you can learn from observing players courtside. a player changes direction. Pay attention to the timing
Take a notebook with you and write detailed notes. here so you observe the anticipation. Good players
Then go home and experiment with what you observed. don’t wait until the ball is struck by the opponent.
Imitate. Recognize that not every component may fit They are crouched and ready to spring as soon as the
your style. Build your game with things that work for opponent indicates where he is going to hit the ball.
you. You are designing a masterpiece, not a collage. That push-off you hear indicates anticipation and
Always be aware that innovators often go on to preparation. Note how the player is down, knees bent in
become dominators. Styles change as certain players case he must pivot. Feet are the key. Watch the feet and
become adept at a new shot or style. Do not be tied to see if you can predict the play.
old strategies and methods. Be open to trying the shots If an opponent’s feet are moving, what is his upper
and combinations that are changing the game. body doing? At the NVZ line, is he relaxed or jumpy?
A good, solid volley is the result of good body position,
BREATHING meeting the ball out in front, and having your body
Listen to the players breathe. Note how they exhale as weight shifting into the ball. Keeping your weight on
they contact the ball and follow through. Tennis players the balls of your feet at the NVZ line will help you move
began grunting years ago to emphasize their exhaling. laterally as well as forward and back.
The distraction became controversial, but the principle When you watch the pros, note how their weight
was beneficial. is comfortably over their hips and legs, ready to lunge if
When you observe players serving and driving their necessary. If you are a banger, you can take note of how
groundstrokes, note the rhythm that the exhale gives the pros glide into the volley rather than thrash.
them. You can adopt that principle and establish a
rhythm of your own. PADDLE PREPARATION
You have two assignments on paddle preparation,
WATCHING THE BALL one for volleys and one for groundstrokes.
I always enjoy seeing still photos of players. I look Anna Leigh Waters’ swinging two-handed backhand
at their heads and eyes. The eyes of good players are volley is a thing of beauty. Power, angle, accuracy are
riveted on the ball. Their heads are squared to the flight all there. Watch her body position. Her torso is turned
of the ball. They see the contact. enough to the side to generate a full-body explosion
You can reinforce your discipline in drilling by into the ball. Watch her hips and legs on this shot so that
watching the ball like the pros. Sit courtside so that you you learn not to “arm” the ball. It is a volley, but it is a
can see their eyes on the ball as their opponent begins body shot. Her quick feet make the shot possible.
to serve. The toss indicates the direction and spin. Good players use their legs even on the shots that
Look at the server’s feet. The pros watch the ball from look like arm and wrist shots. Watch for it, then adapt it
the very beginning of the service foot plant, to the ball to your own strokes. Pickleball is a game of footwork. If
bounce and toss. you are a table tennis player, you already know how to
get down and then uncoil forward as you rise into the
ball. Pickleball pros use that forward momentum to hit

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power volleys and incredible
angle volleys.
As for preparation at the
baseline and midcourt,
just because you have time
does not mean you should
waste it.
Watch to see if the pros
rush or delay their feet at the
baseline. Do they turn, step
and swing as in the old days
of tennis, or do they chip
and charge as on grass? Do
they take the ball on the rise
and get to the NVZ line as
soon as possible, or do they
attack full bore and come in?
Lots of different styles of
play—not so much right or behind you. Imitate the pros by keeping your head down
wrong but why? Why do some players hit certain shots? and eyes on the contact point. Take some photographs
I want to be 6' 6" and a banger, but I’m 5' 3"… successful of the players and look for the tripod of feet, eyes, and
players do what works for them, their size, and their the ball.
skills. Find players that you admire and copy their skill
sets. Watch the shot choices they make. Angles or down COURT POSITION
the middle? When we watch, we tend to watch the person hitting
the ball, but the position of the partner is critical too.
SERVING When a player is pulled wide, his partner covers the
Lots of changes in serving these days. So many pros middle. He doesn’t just stand still. It is a dance, a pas de
face the net now with a wide-open stance. Observe their deux. The partner’s movement forces the opponent to
feet. Both feet are toes up to the line, and they deliver make choices for the next shot.
a topspin serve. This works for the 20-year-olds, but it Watch the good players use teamwork to cover
expends a lot of energy for the seniors. the court. See how they narrow the shot choices by
The pros use a lot of upper body strength, and their responding to each shot. Just because you are not the
serves are deep with a lot of hop. Watch where they person hitting the ball does not mean you are not
contact the ball and where they place the serve. There is influencing the play. The pros keep the middle covered
a wide variety of serves in pickleball, but topspin seems at all times.
to be the choice of the pros. Watching pickleball’s variety of styles and personalities
of players is fun and easier than ever. Pickleball is
TWO-HANDED BACKHAND everywhere, with new shots, new trends, new lingo,
The limitation of a two-handed backhand is reach, and new fashions. Improve your own game by close
but a pickleball court is so small that reach is not as observation of details. Every match is a lesson. Gain new
big a factor as in tennis. So we see lots of two-handed skills by having fun watching the athleticism of these
backhands. new young players. •
When you watch a player with a two-handed backhand
groundstroke, observe the contact point relative to her
feet. Good backhanders utilize body strength. They don’t Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for
get jammed and hit too close to their bodies. Watch tennis in the ‘60s. She’s been named USPTA
Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master
where the force is as the player transfers her weight from Professional. As a 4.5 pickleball player, she
her back foot to her front foot. has won gold in Huntsman, NSGA Nationals,
If you want the benefit of disguise, you need to know US Open, and USA Pickleball events around
the country. Alice is an IPTPA member,
exactly where to make contact. Watch the pros to observe SSIPA founding board member, Bainbridge
where they meet the ball relative to their bodies. So Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain,
often, pop-ups occur when you contact the ball late and Italy, and Germany.

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 41

IN THE CLUB Shoreline Pickleball
MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

Indoor Facility in Milford Spurs

Pickleball Growth in Connecticut
by DREW WATHEY

The eastern seaboard of the United

States is quickly becoming one of
the hottest areas of the country for
pickleball expansion. Since inclement
weather hampers outdoor play
during the winter season in the
north, Shoreline Pickleball of Milford,
Connecticut, solved that problem by
developing the ultimate indoor facility.
It offers five dedicated indoor courts
with outstanding lighting and sight
lines, fun and exciting leagues with
tournament action, a lounge area,
and soon a pro shop partnering with
Pickleball Central.
“Here in Connecticut, we have seen
a strong need for indoor facilities in
the cold-weather months,” said Wayne
Schwaeber, co-owner of Shoreline Schwaeber noted, “Over the last few years we have
Pickleball. “However, even in the warm months we have seen pickleball facilities sprout up around the state with
seen a tremendous growth in the demand for a facility many town facilities growing tremendously, and what
that provides shelter from any of the elements (wind makes Shoreline unique is our people. Our members
and sun), as well as a place to go to avoid the long waits and staff are dedicated to growing the sport in a way that
outside on the town courts.” brings the community together. Our goal is to create
The sport of pickleball has stoked a passionate frenzy a friendly, social environment where individuals of all
in its participants not often seen in other sports. Part of ages and ability levels can come to play, be active and
the appeal is the sense of camaraderie among players. have fun.”
What can be purely competitive on the court one game Having fun starts at the grassroots level, where local
can quickly evolve into a fun-filled, deliriously happy youngsters can pick up a paddle and start playing
encounter the next. with their family and friends. “We are working very
“After starting play, we saw the great social aspect and hard to grow the youth participation in the sport,”
sense of community that the sport provided. We saw the said Schwaeber. “The popularity at the middle
direction the sport was heading and felt Milford needed school, high school and collegiate levels has increased
a place for its residents, as well as shoreline residents, to substantially. So we look forward to working with the
gather year-round to play,” added Schwaeber. various organizational bodies to embrace and encourage
While warm-weather regions may have led the way the sport.”
in the development of outdoor facilities, the love of the For more information on Shoreline Pickleball, visit
game has provided the impetus for many builders and [Link]. •
developers to take the game indoors to fulfill the ever-
increasing need.

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 PICKLEBALL
Paradise Awaits

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100 YEARS AHEAD

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SPECIAL SECTION

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 47

DROP SHOTS

Punching Their Tickets

Top athletes at USA Pickleball Golden Ticket tournaments in
Greensboro and Cincinnati earned coveted Golden Tickets — an
automatic qualifier and priority access for the 2025 USA Pickleball
National Championships, scheduled for November in San Diego,
California.

PHOTOS BY USA PICKLEBALL

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PHOTOS ABOVE BY ASSOCIATION OF PICKLEBALL PLAYERS (APP)

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 49

FEATURE

Barnes Tennis Center Prepares to

Take Center Stage for Nationals
Barnes has started preparations for the
tournament, which takes place Nov. 15-23.
by DREW SILVERMAN

At its core, pickleball is all about relationships. “There’s been a lot of growth locally in the pickleball
The competition and the exercise are definite draws, but community,” said Steinberg, a San Diego native. “As we wanted
millions of Americans play pickleball for the social element — to further highlight San Diego as a pickleball destination and
the opportunity to spend time with buddies while also meeting especially Barnes in how we’ve grown from a tennis facility to a
new people and making new friends. racket sport facility, this just made a lot of sense.”
In a sense, the inner workings of the pickleball community The Barnes Tennis Center’s journey to hosting Nationals
are all about relationships as well. Take, for example, the scene began in mid-2024, when Sports San Diego committed to
in San Diego. hosting a USA Pickleball Golden Ticket event — a qualifying
“We work closely with Sports San Diego, which is the tournament for Nationals — at the facility in January 2025.
sports arm of the local tourism marketing district,” said Jesse Barnes increased its pickleball presence from 19
Steinberg, the chief operating officer of Youth Tennis San permanently dedicated courts to 29 for that event — 25
Diego (YTSD), a nonprofit aimed at providing free access to competition courts and four practice courts. Steinberg
tennis, pickleball and all racket sports for local youth. “Our goal considered the Golden Ticket tournament a rousing success.
is to bring big sporting events to San Diego.” However, perhaps just as important as the on-court
YTSD owns and operates the Barnes Tennis Center, a competition that week were the relationships that formed.
sprawling 16.5-acre facility that, thanks to the hard work of Sports San Diego and USA Pickleball held a meeting and
Steinberg and many others, will host the 2025 USA Pickleball agreed that Barnes Tennis Center should bid to host the 2025
National Championships from Nov. 15-23. Nationals as part of the upcoming request-for-proposal (RFP)
process.
“We were obviously interested,”
Steinberg said, adding that “USA
Pickleball was incredibly easy and
nice to work with” at the Golden Ticket
event and that continuing to build the
relationship at Nationals was basically a
no-brainer.
“To work with a fellow event
producer in USA Pickleball was
really, really nice. We speak the same
language. It was a really good fit from
the start.”
The Barnes Tennis Center team
worked closely with that of Sports San
Diego during the RFP process. In their
proposal, they highlighted the benefits
of San Diego as a whole, including
the growth of the local pickleball

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 we can go from 19 to 29 or 39 or 49
courts relatively easily. That’s one of the
reasons we’ve been able to grow the
game in San Diego. Now (our mindset)
is, ‘Let’s really put San Diego on the
map and let’s bring in USA Pickleball
and Major League Pickleball and keep
bringing them in.’
“And when those 3,000 players
are here in November and our facility
is used for the tournament, every other
facility in the area is going to be packed
with players, so they’ll benefit as well.”
Of note, Barnes already hosts
roughly 70 tennis tournaments annually
and boasts an impressive junior
academy that produces many NCAA
Division I tennis players. The facility is
trending toward making a similar impact
on the pickleball community.
community and Barnes’ expansion from a tennis facility to a “This year is really us moving in that
racket sport complex. direction for pickleball,” Steinberg said.
In April, USA Pickleball formally announced that Barnes In fact, perhaps therein lies the largest impact of the
would be the 2025 host of its largest event. blossoming relationship between YTSD, Barnes and USA
The facility’s preparations are already underway. Barnes is Pickleball.
currently installing speaker systems, as well as a VIP area on “I’m a huge proponent of what USA Pickleball does in
the concourse. The showstopper will be a 900-seat stadium the community — and their overall initiatives,” Steinberg said.
court that will serve as the centerpiece of the event. “Meanwhile, we do free open play, free clinics, we go into
Indeed, that type of space will be necessary due to the schools. Major League Pickleball and Nationals and those big
sheer number of expected competitors and spectators. events further highlight what we do as a nonprofit and allow us
USA Pickleball staff told Steinberg to expect around 3,000 to have a bigger impact on kids… I hope this builds on it. I hope
players, and while it is difficult to estimate the number of we host Nationals for years to come.”
anticipated visitors, it is not unrealistic to expect 15,000 fans
at the tournament. Drew Silverman is a freelance contributor to USA Pickleball on behalf of
The economic impact to the area will be significant. Red Line Editorial, Inc.
“A huge amount of people will travel
to San Diego, which is why it’s such a
cool thing for this area,” Steinberg said.
“It’s going to mean really good things for
San Diego.”
Of course, Barnes is hardly the
only pickleball paradise in the area.
Steinberg highlighted the Bobby Riggs
Racket and Paddle Club, as well as
The HUB Pickleball and Rally House
Pickleball Club in discussing the growth
of the game locally.
However, with Nationals less than
six months away, Steinberg certainly is
feeling good about his organization’s
impressive facility.
“We’re fortunate in what Barnes
can do court-wise,” he said. “We can
convert courts. When you can throw
four pickleball courts on a tennis court,

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 51

THE SCOOP

USA Pickleball
News & Notes
USA Pickleball Launches Free Digital With summer camps in full swing and after-school program
coordination on the horizon, organizations such as schools,
Resources
after-school programs, parks and recreation departments,
USA Pickleball has announced that the Youth Pickleball
and community pickleball associations now have access to a
Provider (YPP) resource—a robust suite of digital resources—is
rich toolkit designed to simplify and enhance youth pickleball
now free to all USA Pickleball members.
instruction. This resource ensures that youth have a strong and
The digital resources include:
supported entry point into the sport of pickleball.
• 20 Comprehensive Lesson Plans—Lesson plans for ages
By removing cost barriers and centralizing high-quality
8-18 that are play-focused with a “learn through playing”
and turnkey teaching tools, USA Pickleball is empowering
approach; 10 lessons for ages 8-12 and 10 lessons for
community programs to provide access to the sport.
ages 13-18.
For more information or to access the
• Six-Part Instructional Video Series—The youth video
resources, organizations can visit [Link]/youth-
series provides youth program managers with videos
pickleball-provider. USA Pickleball membership is required and
containing various games, activities, play rotations, and
includes full access to the entire digital library.
play manager tips.
• “Let’s Play Pickleball” Playbook—Designed to help
teachers, recreation leaders, after-school staff, and USA Pickleball Partners with Musco
coaches with how to implement pickleball in any Sports Lighting
recreation setting. USA Pickleball is proud to announce a new partnership
• Other Resources—Printable activity cards, newsletters, with Musco Sports Lighting. This collaboration aims to
and digital versions of Pickleball Magazine. enhance player safety by providing access to safe, well-lit
pickleball facilities.
With nearly 50 years of experience in lighting courts
and fields around the world, Musco has built a reputation for
innovation and excellence in delivering LED sports lighting
solutions that prioritize player safety, light control, long-term
performance, and operational efficiency. The systems—
designed to include lighting, structural, and electrical
components—enable streamlined installation and reliable
performance for both new and retrofit pickleball projects.

LSI Industries Renews Partnership

LSI Industries (NASDAQ: LYTS), a leading U.S.-based
manufacturer of commercial and industrial lighting and display
solutions, announced the renewal of its partnership as an
Official Lighting Sponsor of USA Pickleball. This extended
collaboration highlights LSI’s commitment to advancing
America’s fastest-growing sport through innovative lighting
technologies that enhance visibility, safety, and the overall
playing experience.
LSI’s advanced lighting systems are uniquely designed
to meet the specific needs of pickleball courts, delivering
optimal illumination, reduced glare, and energy efficiency—
whether for private clubs, recreation facilities, public parks, or
tournament venues.

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FEATURE

Players Travel Far and Wide for

Greensboro Golden Ticket
Real estate agents, volleyball coaches and active military
members were just some of the players who punched their
tickets to Nationals while in Greensboro.
By ALEX ABRAMS
RED LINE EDITORIAL

Karen Kelner decided to make a late change to her men’s club volleyball team, and now serves as the head
travel plans. volleyball coach at Walsh University, an NCAA Division II
Kelner lives in Avalon, New Jersey, but spends the school in North Canton, Ohio.
winter in Naples, Florida. As she was preparing to make
the long trip back home in the spring, she noticed a USA
Pickleball Golden Ticket tournament set for May 28-June
1 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
And Greensboro, of course, was right on the
way home.
The 58-year-old former real estate agent joined other
amateur pickleball players from across the country inside
the Greensboro Complex to compete in the Golden
Ticket tournament — one of 19 qualifying tournaments
for players hoping to earn a spot in the 2025 USA
Pickleball National Championships to be held Nov. 15-23
in San Diego.
Kelner hit shots, attacked the net and returned
enough serves in Greensboro to qualify for Nationals
in the women’s singles 4.0 division. She’s already
looking forward to taking the court in San Diego for a
special reason.
“My daughter lives there,” Kelner said. “So for me, I’m
going to go visit her.”
The dozens of division winners who punched their
tickets to Nationals ranged in age from recent college
graduates to older adults. Some were relatively new
to pickleball, while others have been playing the sport
for years.
Brett Holt, who was born and raised in Ohio, grew
up playing volleyball. He was a setter on the Ohio State

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 On May 31, less than 100 days
before the Walsh volleyball team
opens its 2025 season, Holt was in
Greensboro to play doubles matches
with his new partner, Doug Hampton,
a 50-year-old financial consultant
from North Canton.
“I’ve only been playing pickleball
for two years now,” Holt, 47, said. “I
just started in the tournament scene
probably eight months ago, so just
to be able to come down here, play
competitive pickleball and get a shot
to go to Nationals is pretty awesome.”
Holt typically plays with another
doubles partner, but that partner
couldn’t make the trip to North
Carolina. Instead, Holt played
alongside Hampton for only the
second time at a tournament, and it
Whittern started playing pickleball just over a year
ended up being a natural fit.
ago, after his roommate encouraged him to try it. He
They won one of the men’s doubles 4.0 divisions,
became friends with Root, and it made sense for them
marking the second time that Hampton has qualified for
to start competing as doubles partners considering how
Nationals. He also played two years ago in Dallas.
dedicated they are to the sport.
“It’s amazing, right? I mean it’s the pinnacle for USA
They spent several months going through intensive
Pickleball,” Hampton said of qualifying for San Diego. “It’s
training to prepare for their matches at the Golden Ticket
the best of the best. You get to go play with everybody
event. They practiced pickleball drills and played a lot
who’s earned a ticket, and hopefully you do well.”
of matches to get ready for the tough competition they
Holt said his volleyball background has helped him
expected to face in Greensboro.
make the adjustment to pickleball. He’s accustomed to
“We’ve been training a lot and drilling, and I think
playing alongside a teammate on the court and hitting
we’re a little bit obsessed with the sport,” Root said, “so
overhead shots past the net.
this was a good chance to prove ourselves—and they
“I’m good with anything above shoulder height just
hosted a really great tournament.”
because that’s natural for me, whether it’s serving or
Root and Whittern showed their intensity on the court
hitting in volleyball.”
as they rallied to win in one of the men’s doubles 4.0
Some players traveled even farther to compete in the
divisions and secure their first trip to Nationals.
Golden Ticket tournament, including a brother-and-sister
“I had high expectations for us. We put in the work,
duo from Hawaii!
and I kind of expected us to perform,” Whittern said. “And
Colin Root and Cody Whittern, meanwhile, needed
we did.”
only to drive a little over an hour from Southern Pines,
North Carolina, to play their doubles matches inside the
Alex Abrams has written about Olympic and Paralympic sports for more
Greensboro Complex. than 15 years, including as a reporter for major newspapers in Florida,
Arkansas and Oklahoma. He is a freelance contributor to USA Pickleball
Root, 33, works for the U.S. Army, while Whittern, 28, on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
serves in the U.S. Air Force.

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 55

REFEREE STORY

Q&A with Tom Tadler, USA Pickleball

Managing Director of Officiating
USA Pickleball: Do all USA
Pickleball Golden Ticket tournaments
have referees?
Tom Tadler: All Golden Ticket
tournaments run by USAP are
officiated. Most USAP-sanctioned
tournaments have at least one USAP
credentialed referee on-site.
USAP: Why did USA Pickleball
find it important to provide referees?
TT: Pickleball has become a
professional sport and so it needed
professional officials. USAP provides
the sport with highly trained and
tested professionals. Since USAP
is the National Governing Body of
pickleball and is the only referee
testing and credentialing authority, it
makes sense that officials are used
on every match if possible. should expect to have officials at tournaments so that all
USAP: What does having certified referees at a rules are equally enforced.
tournament mean? USAP: What do they do and what value does it bring
TT: Having a certified referee (CR) at a tournament to the players and tournament as a whole?
supports the tournament director, operations, and the TT: Referees support tournaments in all sorts of ways.
players. Certified referees are expected to be able to The first and most important is to ensure the safety of
answer rule questions, assist with playing formats and tie players, spectators, and others at the venue. They are
breakers, settle disputes, and most important, monitor taught to be aware of all conditions that could impact
player safety. USAP highly encourages tournament player safety. Head referees are expected to know and
directors and venue operators to hire at least one CR to communicate such things as AED locations, first aid or
support a tournament. medical support, and court conditions.
USAP: How do you become certified? USAP: What is your favorite part of refereeing a
TT: Start as a Verified Trainee and work through the tournament?
levels to become certified. These steps are detailed TT: It’s all about the players. We referee pros and
on our website at [Link]/referee, and we amateurs the same, and everything from youth brackets
encourage those interested to check it out. to the Super Seniors all are a fun experience. We also
USAP: Why is it critical to have certified referees at get to volunteer at Special Olympics where the athletes
tournaments? and coaches reward referees with smiles and sometimes
TT: Referees support the success of any tournament. even hugs.
Referees add credibility to any tournament. Players

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 Join us at the
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JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 59

 MARK THE CALENDAR

Upcoming USA Pickleball

Sanctioned Tournaments
Why choose a USA Pickleball sanctioned event? Sanctioned events are held by tournament
directors who have agreed to meet and abide by the sanctioning requirements of USA
Pickleball, the sport’s National Governing Body. The tournament director and the players
who participate in a sanctioned event are eligible to receive the benefits associated with
sanctioning, including UTR-P ratings, approved formats and event insurance.
Visit [Link]/events for the full listing.

Golden Ticket Tournaments

AUGUST 13-17
APP Great Lakes Open
Golden Ticket for 2026 Nationals
Midland, MI • Great Midland Tennis Center

PHOTO CREDIT ISAIAH DOWNING/USA PICKLEBALL

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North East
JULY 25-27 AUG. 1-3
World of Pickleball – Sioux Falls LBI 2025 Pickleball by the Beach
Sioux Falls, SD • Linda Erickson Tournament
Pickleball Complex Manahawkin, NJ • The Picklr Manahawkin

AUG. 15-17 AUG. 8-11

World of Pickleball Chicago New Hampshire Senior Games
Naperville, IL • Sure Shot Pickleball Derry, NH • Pinkerton Academy

SEPT. 4-7 AUG. 31

APP Breakthrough Series: Boise Fairview Park 3rd Annual
Boise, ID Intergenerational Tournament
Staten Island, NY • Fairview Park
SEPT. 19-21
World of Pickleball Eau Claire SEPT. 4-8
Eau Claire, WI • McDonough Park 10th Annual NH Lakes Region
Pickleball Courts Pickleball Tournament
Wolfeboro, NH • Foss Field

South West
AUG. 2
Ave Maria Topspin Thrive Tournament JULY 31-AUG. 3
Ave Maria, FL • North Park APP Breakthrough Series: Seattle
Seattle, WA
AUG. 22-24
Espire Summer Sports Classic AUG. 8-10
Prescott, AZ • Espire Sports Wine Country Premier Pickleball
Summer Classic
AUG. 22-24
Santa Rosa, CA • Finley Community Park
OAP Indoor Summer Tournament
Orlando, FL • Orlando Racket Sports AUG. 30-SEPT. 1
Truckee Pickleball Tournament
Truckee, CA • Truckee River Regional Park

SEPT. 19-21
Yakima Apple Fest
Yakima, WA • Franklin Park

SEPT. 24-27
APP Breakthrough Series Brigham City
Brigham City, UT • Pioneer Park

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 61

 by LAMAR SCOTT

INSTRUCTION

Serve It, Return It, WIN IT!

We all know that the serve and return are two of the
most important shots in the game, and how well they
are executed can significantly impact the outcome of
a rally.
For starters, the serve is the only way a team can score
points, and a strong serve can set the tone for the rest of
the match. A good serve can force a weak return, which
gives the serving team an advantage.
Some tips for serving include:
• Aim deep. Focus on keeping your serve as deep in
the court as possible.
• Aim for your opponent’s backhand. This is often
their weaker side.
Implementing these strategies can help your team
control the point and prevent your opponent from
crushing a forehand return.
On the flip side of the coin, a good return can help
you control the rally from the start and can even give
you an opportunity to neutralize a strong team.
A strong return can:
• Put your opponent on defense. A deep return can
keep your opponent pinned to the baseline, giving
you time to get to the non-volley line.
• Set up an advantageous third shot. A good return
can help you transition to the net and set up a
better third shot.
• Avoid giving your opponent an advantage. A short
return can draw your opponent closer to the non-
volley line, and returning the ball to a stronger
opponent can also be a disadvantage.
From an offensive perspective, serving deep into
your opponents’ court allows you to take full control
of where and how deep you place the ball, and your
opponent will have to adjust accordingly. • Place two targets/zones between the NVZ and
From a returner’s perspective, placing the ball deep baseline on both sides of the court, maybe 5-6 feet
and close to the baseline provides more time for you from the baseline.
to get to the non-volley line and prepare for your • Take turns attempting to serve past the target/zone
opponents’ next ball, whether it’s a drop or a drive. area. The other player should attempt to return the
Here is a good drill to practice your returns while ball past the targets/zones as well.
your teammate works on serves. • Give yourselves a point each time you serve deep,
past the target/zone.

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 MARY BRASCIA PREPARES
TO HIT A FOREHAND SERVE
DEEP TO HER OPPONENT’S
BACKHAND DURING PRO
WOMEN’S SINGLES DIVISION
PLAY AT THE PPA MESA
OPEN TOURNAMENT IN MESA,
AZ. PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG;
IG: @YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY.

• Give yourselves 5 points if you serve deep and to and the returner will also receive additional points for
the backhand! Play to 11, then rotate roles. returning down the lane to the server’s backhand. •

For more advanced players

You can set up an additional zone closer to the
baseline for even more points if a serve or return lands Lamar Scott was the 2024 PPR Clinician of
in that “mega-deep” area. the Year. He is a Dual Impact pro certified
with PTR Tennis and PPR Pickleball.
You can also create lanes to serve and return to. For Currently Lamar serves as the workshop
example, you could place a target parallel to the center coordinator and coach developer liaison for
PPR.
line about halfway between the non-volley line and the
baseline. The server will receive more points for serving
to the zone that leads to the opponent’s backhand,

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 63

 by JACK BANDEL

PADDLE REVIEWS

ENGAGE PURSUIT PRO1 SELKIRK SLK ERA POWER

INNOVATION ELONGATED
Look/Cosmetics: 4/5 Look/Cosmetics: 3.5/5
All-black (Toray T700) carbon paddle Simple, classy all-black paddle face
face. Nice, cushioned octagonal-shaped with bright-teal edge guard and accent
grip feels great in your hands. This coloring. Three-layered hybrid face
elongated shape measures 7.4" x 16.6" combining T700 carbon fiber and
with a choice of either 12.7 or 15.2mm fiberglass. This elongated shape
thickness. This review is focused more measures 7.5" x 16.5" with a 16mm
on the thinner model, but both paddles thickness. Grip size is 4.25" with a
offer similar performance, with the thicker handle measuring 5.8". This paddle is
model offering more control and the 12.7 from Selkirk’s SLK series and comes
offering more power and slightly stiffer in a more standard “widebody” shape.
feel. My playtest paddle weighed in at My demo weighed in at 8.2 oz.
8 oz.
Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 4/5
Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 4.5/5 The “dynamic fusion core” provides a
Engage’s new “SpinCore Technology” nice, comfortable and smooth contact
is amazing. This paddle whips through on groundstrokes. Easy power with a
the air and delivers incredible topspin controlled swing made it a snap to get
and speed on your baseline returns and serves and returns deep. Aggressive
serves. It’s almost like you don’t want to players will benefit from this paddle.
come into the kitchen because hitting Returns gave me the same easy power
dipping topspin drives are so much with decent spin to shape the ball.
fun. This paddle seems designed for Hard returns had enough topspin
aggressive play and the power level is to dip into the court inbounds, but
high, but the spin keeps the ball inside players must learn to control all this
the lines. Paddle feels slightly head-heavy power.
but that gives you that “whip” through
Touch/Feel/Spin: 3/5
contact.
This paddle is meant mostly for
Touch/Feel/Spin: 4.5/5 aggressive, hard hitters so I was
This paddle seems tailor-made for the modern speed-up game. Nice not expecting much in terms of touch and feel, but was pleasantly
cushioned ball impact with some noticeable dwell time allows you to feel surprised. Not buttery soft like some control paddles, but also not
the ball off the face a fraction of a second longer. This really comes in too harsh and hot. Spin was about average and will not be a liability.
handy and allows you to shape your shots. The access to spin is among Ball contact feels nice and smooth, due to the low-density EVA
the tops I’ve seen, and when you combine that with the effortless power, foam that surrounds the core. Mishits were not harsh and were rare.
it can be very addicting to play with. Soft dinking can be done, but you Dinking took a little adjustment period due to the easy pop, but that
really want to use this paddle to speed things up. Flick put-aways and also made it easier to quick-flick and put away opponents’ high
overhead slams are aided by the whippy, head-heavy feel. dinks.
Sweet Spot/Playability: 4.5/5 Sweet Spot/Playability: 4/5
This is a serious paddle for players of the modern faster style of Selkirk says this is for intermediate to advanced level players and I
pickleball. Strong intermediates to pro level players are going to benefit would tend to agree with that statement. Beginners would be better
most here. The sweet spot feels sufficient for any skilled player, and off- off with the widebody shape over this elongated one. This paddle
center hits didn’t cause any twisting or harsh vibes. Engage did some was relatively easy to pick up and play with, and felt balanced
voodoo with the way this paddle is weighted and swings, because it through the air. The sweet spot is very impressive in size and seems
feels just right on almost any type of shot. Loads of new tech in this to be well-centered on the paddle face. Even though this is a longer
paddle and you can read all about it here: [Link]/ handle and elongated shape, there was no head-heavy feeling here.
products/pro1-innovation-127.
Summary: 3.6/5
Summary: 4.4/5 This surprising new release in Selkirk’s SLK line offers a nice choice
It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Engage paddles and they never fail for aggressive players who want the latest technology and high
to amaze me when something comes out that’s flat-out better than quality but at a lower price point than some of the top-of-the-line
anything before it. This is one of those cases and this new Pursuit Pro1 paddles. The hybrid carbon/fiberglass face offers lots of power, with
Innovation is going to find its way into a lot of high-level players’ hands. a comfortable, smooth feel. Control-oriented players should probably
It’s that good. Can’t recommend this one enough. If you play a modern, look elsewhere, but the SLK ERA Power offers a lot of paddle for
fast-paced game that relies on power and spin, you need to try this one. the money for hard hitters. Also, don’t forget about Selkirk’s 30-day
hassle-free return policy!
Current Price: $259.99
Current Price: $200.00

For more info, go to the Pickleball Paddle Reviews group page on Facebook.
Paddle Manufacturers: Contact Jack Bandel at jackbandel@[Link] if you’d like your products to be reviewed.

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66 TO SUBSCRIBE, CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO [Link]
in the kitchen by BRANDI GIVENS
RD, CPT

THE BIG CHILL:

KEEP COOL ON THE COURT
It’s getting hot out there, but let’s
be honest: sweltering temperatures
are no match for our pickleball
addictions! For the love of the
game, many of us are still dinking
away in heat that would otherwise
keep us inside. Yard work? No way.
Tournament? Let’s play!
All joking aside, exercising in
extreme heat can be risky. The
early stages of heat illness, or
hyperthermia, can cause muscle
cramps, headaches, dizziness
and fatigue. When hyperthermia
progresses to heat stroke, it can lead
to brain damage and organ failure.
Here are some cool foodie
suggestions that may help prevent
overheating on the court.

Maintain Hydration
The human body uses sweat to
regulate temperature when it’s hot,
and proper hydration is required
to sweat efficiently. Some general
guidelines for adults include:
• Make a habit of keeping
electrolyte-rich foods in your
diet like almonds, avocados,
bananas, beans, broccoli, dairy,
dried apricots, kale, oranges,
peanuts, prunes, pumpkin
seeds, spinach, tofu, and
watermelon.
• Drink 12-24 oz. of water 2-4
hours prior to an event’s
start time.
• Drink 8 oz. of water or sports
drink about 20 minutes before
you play.

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 • Drink 4-8 oz. of cold water or sports drink every Strong Peppermint: You might have noticed the rise
15-20 minutes. of minty products in sports marketing lately. That’s
because menthol can have a perceived cooling effect
Keep Your Stuff Cold that may boost athletic performance on hot days. Some
athletes use strong peppermint gum, mints, and even
Dragging an ice chest out to play for the day may seem
rinsing with mouthwash to help them feel cool.
excessive, but there are several reasons to consider it in
Foods to Avoid: Alcohol and Excessive Caffeine
the summer.
I know… hanging out with friends at tournaments
Research shows that consuming cold foods and
tends to include social drinking. Unfortunately, alcohol
drinks helps regulate body temperature, which may
can impair your hydration and may leave you at a
improve athletic performance. Research also shows that
deficit in the days that follow. Save the adult beverages
people guzzle more fluid if their drink is cold. Finally, if
for your gold medal celebration.
you are going to pack snacks or lunch in hot conditions,
To a lesser degree, caffeine can also be dehydrating.
you’ll need a way to keep your food safe to eat. Consider
You should be OK if you keep the day’s caffeine below
these tips:
the recommended max of 400mg, or about 36 oz. of
• Invest in quality coolers and drink tumblers.
coffee. Keep this in mind when you’re reaching for
They’re expensive, but you’ll use them more often
that energy drink, which can have 200-300mg per
if they actually keep your stuff cold.
shot or can.
• Start with a cold ice chest. Many people store
coolers in hot garages or sheds; it’s important to
Please remember that on hot days, even the best
bring them inside and pre-chill them with ice
planning may not be enough. If you begin experiencing
before packing.
symptoms of heat illness, stop playing immediately, find
• Pack the cooler full and use a lot of ice. An ice chest
shade, and ask for help to get your core temperature
will stay cold longer if it’s completely filled. At least
down quickly.
half the contents should be ice.
See you on the courts, pickleball friends! •
• Larger ice cubes melt slower. You can repurpose
milk cartons or disposable drink bottles to make ice
blocks in your freezer. Watermelon-Cherry-Lime Granita
• Ice can serve twice. If you put some of your ice This icy treat can cool you down while providing some
in zip-top bags, it can be used to cool you down carbohydrates, electrolytes, and antioxidants. Try packing
between matches. A bag will also keep the ice clean your granita in an insulated tumbler within your ice chest
in case you need to use some in your drink bottle. to keep it frozen. Makes two generous servings.
Ingredients:
If this seems like a lot of fuss for one person, it can 6 cups small watermelon chunks
be fun to plot your cooler contents with your pickleball Juice of 2 limes
partner so you can both benefit. 6 oz. tart cherry juice
4 tablespoons honey
Chill Foods 6 finely chopped mint leaves (optional)
Now that you have a way to keep your stuff icy-cold, Directions:
consider packing refreshments. Here are some ideas. Puree all ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
Pour mixture into a 9 x 11 baking dish. Cover and freeze for
Juicy Fruits and Veggies: The higher the water
one hour. With a spoon or fork, scrape and stir the slurry
content, the better. Prep them in bite-size chunks or to keep it from forming a solid block. Repeat freezing
salads to make them easy to eat between matches. and scraping hourly 2-3 more times, or until mixture
Consider apples, berries, citrus, cucumbers, melons is completely frozen. Serve immediately or transfer to a
and pears. smaller container and keep frozen until ready to enjoy.
Slushy Foods: Pack frozen treats in tumblers to keep
them extra-insulated. Try frozen grapes, electrolyte
popsicles, fruit smoothies, sorbet, or homemade

Brandi’s
granitas. Brandi Givens has been a
registered dietitian since 2010, and
Cold Protein Ideas: It’s especially important to keep
Kitchen
earned a personal trainer certification
high-protein foods very cold for both appeal and safety. in 2024. Questions can be posted to
her blog at [Link].
Some ideas include chicken pasta salad, boiled eggs,
cowboy caviar, or turkey, lettuce and tomato roll-ups.

JULY/AUGUST 2025 | MAGAZINE 69

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 we’ve
got you
covered.
Expert Instruction. Rules. Interviews with Top Pros.
Tournament Coverage. Pickleball News At Home and Abroad.
Health & Nutrition. Paddle Reviews. Latest Equipment & Gear.
World‑Class Travel Destinations. And Much More!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! VISIT [Link]

Launched in 2016, Pickleball Magazine is recognized by USA Pickleball as the

“Official Magazine” of pickleball. USA Pickleball is the national governing body for
the sport of pickleball in the U.S.

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PRO-file by ALICE TYM

GRAYSON
Behind the Scenes with Pro

GOLDIN Age: 30
Hometown: Bradenton, FL, now living in Delray Beach, FL
College: Florida State, University of Alabama, graduated from
University of South Florida
Marital Status: Single, dating Hannah Blatt in a “pickleship”
Favorite Tournament: US Open
Ranking: #2 APP men’s singles, #23 PPA men’s singles
Best Shot: Forehand and fastest serve (69 mph)

Describe your tennis background. are pressing into the ground, and you What kind of car do you drive?
I was ranked #1 in the U.S. in 12s. I operate like a spring or a coil as you A black Tesla. I like technology.
received a scholarship at 16 to attend uncoil and put your hips into the swing. I am wearing Meta glasses, not
the IMG Tennis Academy. I wanted to headphones, in this interview.
be a tennis pro. I played D1 tennis and Should pickleball be an
played against many of today’s top NCAA sport? How will AI change the world?
players. I stopped competing at 23 Yes, it is the perfect college sport. I spend hours a day using AI. It
and took a desk job. Frats and sororities getting rowdy… enhances creativity. I try to get it to
MLP vibe and electricity. know me so it can offer advice and
What drew you to pickleball? assist with tasks. I work to grow my
I saw an opportunity to make money. What is the secret to winning social media content. I create, edit,
I was sitting at a desk and saw doubles? and post content. My girlfriend helps
pickleball blow up. I thought I could Patience. It is playing chess. Doubles me as she has 110,000 followers. It is
transfer my tennis skills. My mindset is a lot more tactical than singles. important to grow your personal brand
was that I could do anything that I to attract sponsors.
believed in. I was grateful to compete. Do hats and visors hide the eye
I had stopped tennis at 23 because I movement to disguise shots? Who is the ideal woman?
was burned out. But I love pickleball, Yeah, but I don’t wear them. My hair The one I have.
the training and I love to compete. is a moneymaker. I watch their eyes
when they are serving. What place would you most like
Do you advocate a players union? to visit?
Yeah, maybe. It could be helpful. What Who is your favorite teacher The pyramids in Egypt.
harm could come of it? I’m too new to in life?
really have a say. King Solomon. I read his stuff in the What is something no one knows
Bible. He chose wisdom over wealth. about you?
You have the fastest serve in He had everything and struggled to I love math. I would like to pursue
pickleball at 69 mph. Do you find purpose in life. mathematics. It is the language of
think the rules on serving the universe. Nature follows math and
should change? What is your favorite book? sometimes human behavior does
It is a wiffle ball. The rules should stay “Artemis Fowl.” It’s about a young, too. I enjoy trading, the markets, and
low to high. Let the paddle create the intelligent family. investing. I enjoy analytics, patterns
power. It is overkill to add spin to the within the markets. I manage my own
Your favorite movie? portfolio. I was homeschooled my
toss, etc. The key to generating power
“Interstellar.” I would love to go whole life. •
is to understand how the body works.
into space.
Power comes from the ground up. You

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EYEWEAR IS
WHAT WE DO.
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