Rooftop Pickleball Coming to Downtown Nashville!
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,
Exciting news is on the horizon at the Bobby Hotel in downtown Nashville! We're thrilled to announce our Rooftop Lounge Dinkville Pickleball Court will be available to the public from May 25th-October 20th!
Join us for a spectacular grand opening pro-celebrity charity event on Friday May 24th, with Entertainment Tonight broadcasting live as we rally for a good cause—supporting the Nashville Humane Association. It's an opportunity to indulge in delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and of course, some lively pickleball action!
But the excitement doesn't stop there. Starting May 25th, you can book the Rooftop Court for your group for as little as $5 per person. Don't miss out—Book your court today! (1st available date to book is May 25th)
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Sign Up For Dinkville's Anniversary Tournament!
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.
60 New Players Attend Beginners Clinic
60 new players showed up to learn the wonderful game of Pickleball at Lipscomb Racquet Club! They learned the basics then played some games at the end! Thank you to our wonderful Dinkville Captains for volunteering to make this clinic possible!
Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink
A 5.0 Level Skill Anyone Can Develop
One of the biggest gaps in strategy and technique between 4.0- and 5.0-level players is that 5.0s can execute strong fourth (and sixth) shots that keep their opponents back off the kitchen line.
They understand the importance of applying maximum pressure and never conceding the kitchen line unless absolutely necessary. Let’s discuss how you can learn from them.
First, they take the ball out of the air
Hitting balls out of the air takes time away from your opponent. This should be your first instinct. If you’re not leaning in to eliminate as much of the kitchen as possible, then you’re doing it wrong.
- Lean in and set up early while maintaining your balance
- Use a wrist flick to apply pace to the ball
- Hit your shot deep–preferably at a moving target, aiming for their feet
Second, they back up to create more space
You can still apply pressure if your opponent hits a decent drop you can’t quite reach by leaning in. But it requires you to back off the kitchen line to create space. While this space lets them get closer, it also allows you to put better technique and pace on a bouncing ball.
- Once you recognize it’s a good drop, take 1-2 small steps back and rotate your hips
- Attack the ball at its peak after the bounce
- Add topspin and hit to their weaker side or at their feet if they’re still moving in
Third, they avoid short-hopping the ball
It’s almost impossible to apply pressure off a short hop, and it’s also very easy to pop these balls up. Avoid taking fourths (or sixths) on a short hop at all costs.
- Recognize the quality of the drop early
- Set yourself up: either lean in or take steps back
- Commit completely to whichever shot you choose
Lastly, they concede the line if they must
Sometimes, your opponent hits a great drop, and you must concede the kitchen. If this happens, your goal is to make the next ball unattackable.
- Aim a soft-ish dink to your opponent’s weak side foot (left foot if righthanded, right foot if lefthanded)
- Prepare to play out the rally
For more about the fourth shot, check out this article that includes a great video from pro John Cincola.
MLP Owner Ranks the Premier Level
Major League Pickleball makes its highly-anticipated return next week. With the conclusion of the Red Rock Open, players can connect with their teams and focus on the season-opening event in Atlanta.
Owner of the California Black Bears, Ritchie Tuazon, was itching to get the ball rolling. He took to social media to share his power rankings of the Premier Level teams.
Tuazon’s Top 5
1. Orlando Squeeze
2. Texas Ranchers
3. New Jersey 5s
4. Dallas Flash
5. Columbus Sliders
Tuazon slots the Squeeze in at No. 1, citing their women’s doubles team as a major catalyst. Their post-draft acquisition of Tyson McGuffin certainly does not hurt either.
Tuazon also identifies JW Johnson as the “biggest steal of the draft.” The arguably second-best doubles player went in the 12th spot to the newly named Dallas Flash.
As a team owner, Tuazon has won numerous MLP titles, including the inaugural season with team BLQK. This year his team is competing at the Challenger Level. You can compare Tuzaon’s power rankings to our draft grades.
Road to Nationals Starts Here
The National Leaderboards for The Dink Minor Leagues have been updated and there are new No. 1s in the clubhouse. On Monday, DUPR released the new leaderboards in the Road to Nationals.
The leaderboards are separated by their team's cumulative DUPR rating. Players earn points toward their season total by participating in local and regional events throughout the year.
The largest event to date took place this weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were Dreambreakers at every level as amateurs got to experience the MLPlay format for themselves.
Think you're better than these guys? Sign up and prove it.
Pickleball Helps Feed Baytown
The pickleball fundraiser is alive and well. Since pickleball’s spike in popularity, it has been a great option for communities to raise funds.
The formula has been applied to support charities and provide local courts on numerous occasions. One example is a recent tournament held at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.
Last weekend the event raised $10K for the local Meals on Wheels program. According to the Baytown Sun, that will add five new people in need from the waitlist into the program and provide 1400 meals.
Also, kudos to Lee College on some great-looking courts. The college converted two tennis courts to four pickleball courts that are likely a major attraction on campus. You love to see the trend of pickleball progress returning positive contributions to the community.
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Thanks,
Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO