A Heartfelt Thank You for Coming Together for Amon's Special Evening!
Dinkville is proud to be sponsored by Selkirk, and we highly recommend their exceptional products and strong commitment to the future of pickleball. Please check out their site HERE and use code ADV-LHALLAM at Checkout to receive a FREE GIFT from Selkirk!
Dear Dinkville Community,
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for making Amon's special night one to remember. Your generosity, kindness, and unwavering support truly warmed my heart, and I am beyond thankful to be part of such an incredible community.
Wednesday night we gathered to play pickleball and celebrate Amon, it was clear that our bond goes far beyond the court. Seeing everyone come together to show support for Amon, a brave young boy who has been through so much, was truly touching. Your presence and enthusiasm made the evening unforgettable, and I know it meant the world to Amon and his family.
From the delicious cake to the thoughtful gift of pickleball gear, every detail of the evening reflected the love and compassion that define our community. It is moments like these that remind us of the power of coming together to make a difference in someone's life.
As Amon continues his journey back to 100%, let us continue to rally around him with love, encouragement, and unwavering support!
See pictures below from that special evening!
Dinkville's Anniversary Tournament on June 22nd-23rd at Peay Park
Dinkville's 2nd Anniversary Tournament set for June 22nd-23rd at Peay Park in Goodlettsville, TN. Multiple brackets so all skill levels are welcome! If this is your 20th tournament or your first, we would love to have you out for a fun pickleball tournament!
Saturday June 22nd- Morning Men's and Afternoon Women's Brackets
Sunday June 23rd- Morning Men's/Women's Singles and Afternoon Mixed Brackets.
Sign up before May 31st to secure FREE MERCH at Check in!
This is a DUPR rated tournament so all scores will be submitted to help players get a more accurate player rating.
🚨Free Beginner's Clinic April 30th🚨
Want to learn the basics to Pickleball for FREE? Or have a friend or family member that wants to play? Come on out for a fun and informative beginners pickleball clinic at Lipscomb Racquet Club on Tuesday April 30th from 6pm-7:15pm and 7:15pm-8:30pm! Don't worry about paddles or balls, we have you covered so just show up! Sign up today HERE!
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Photo by Alexander Shatov / Unsplash
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Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink
Drive for Show, Drop for Dough
The pro pickleball game is becoming faster and faster, and third-shot drops are becoming less common. On the PicklePod, pro Zane Navratil admitted that he drops the ball about “zero percent” of the time.
Instead, he focuses on hybrid drop/drives (about 40 percent of the time) and drives (about 60 percent of the time).
This might be where the pro game is headed, but we are not pros. Us mere mortals should still rely heavily on drop shots because they can help us in so many other areas of our game.
Before you abandon the drop for good, consider these benefits:
Drops help you get to the kitchen
A higher-arcing shot takes longer to reach your opponent than a straight-line drive — that’s just science (or math, we’re not sure). The biggest benefit of using a third- (or fifth- or seventh-) shot drop is that it gives you time to get into a more neutral or offensive position for the next shot.
Drops cause problems for opponents
In amateur play, drives are used a lot. So, many players have developed effective counters and know how to aim the ball back at your feet. A drop shot forces them to make a different decision and, depending on its placement, can put them back on their heels or even force them to hit up on the ball.
Forcing your opponent into an uncomfortable position could lead to a popup for you or your partner to put away. At the very least, a well-struck drop will hardly ever hurt you.
Drops pull your opponents out of position
Drops allow you to hit more angles against your opponent because they are less likely to carry out of bounds. When you drop the ball into the corner of your opponent’s kitchen, you force your opponent to go wide, and if their partner isn’t moving with them, you can create a nice gap in the middle to exploit on subsequent shots.
After they return your drop, you’re forcing them to work hard to get into a better position.
Regardless of what you may have heard, the third-shot drop is not dead. It’s alive and ready to help any time you call on it.
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
-Third Shot Drop
-Mark Twain
Permanent Pickle in Central Park
Last year, a pickleball experiment in Central Park saw courts rolled out in Wollman Rink as an off-season activity. City Pickle brought 14 pickleball courts into the heart of NYC, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that attracted more than 56,000 players.
Well, consider the experiment a success. This year, City Pickle will resurface the courts to create a permanent pickleball surface. As part of a three-year deal, the rink will be used for pickleball in the warmer months and revert back to an ice rink in the winter.
With the new deal comes more affordable pricing for players. The court rental cost received some criticism last year. This year, players can expect to pay $10-12.50 per player for an hour of play, with some decreased off-hour opportunities as low as $5 per player.
The courts are scheduled to open May 1st, and reservations can be made starting today.
There’s No Crowd like a Utah Crowd
The PPA Tour returns home to Utah this weekend. The Red Rock Open crowd always brings energy and provides extra support for the Utah-based players.
Missed the bus 🚌
Several pros, including Anna Leigh Waters, Catherine Parenteau, Rachel Rohrabacher, Matt Wright, Thomas Wilson, and others will skip this tour stop.
Fed takes the lead 📊
With his silver medal finish last week, Federico Staksrud surpassed Ben Johns as the men’s singles point leader on tour this year. He will have a chance to extend the lead this week, as Ben elected to skip singles.
Opportunity knocks 🍀
The women’s doubles field is light in Utah, so there is ample opportunity for a new team to enter the spotlight. Anna Bright and hometown favorite Callie Smith will be the No. 1 seed. Utah natives Meghan Dizon and Etta Wright are favored to meet them in the final as the No. 2 seed.
Third time’s the charm 💎
Mary Brascia has not had much luck as the No. 1 seed in back-to-back weeks. Look for her to right the ship in Utah. In her path is Kaitlyn Christian, who is inching closer and closer to PPA gold.
This week, the event will follow a traditional draw. Check out our full preview of the event, complete with broadcast times and predictions. Catch Singles Day on Thursday starting at 1pm ET on PickleballTV and Amazon Prime.
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Thanks,
Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO