1. FREE Intro to Pickleball Clinics at Veterans Park!

We’ve got some fantastic news for all you pickleball enthusiasts (and soon-to-be fans)! Veterans Park in Hendersonville, TN is offering FREE Intro to Pickleball Beginner Clinics every Tuesday, with sessions from 5–6 PM, 6–7 PM, and 7–8 PM. Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up quickly to secure yours! Whether you’re new to the game or want to sharpen your skills, this is the perfect chance to learn and fall in love with pickleball. Once you try it, you’ll be playing all the time!

2. DUPR Open Play at Lipscomb

We’ve got something NEW just for you! DUPR Open Play kick off Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday's from 6-9 PM at Lipscomb Racquet Club. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned player, this is your chance to hit the court, meet fellow picklers, and have some fun. It's $10 for non-members and just $5 for Lipscomb+ members.  
Just sign up, show up, and let the games begin! Oh, and don’t forget to record your scores to DUPR throughout the night to get your rating on point. 🎯

3. Dinkville Tournament Coming Up!

Pickleball season is in full swing, and we’ve got some amazing tournaments lined up:

- Dinkville Pickle N Pigs Charity Tournament:  
 Oct 26-27 @ Veterans Park, Hendersonville  
DUPR Tournament and FREE T-Shirt if you sign up before Oct 6th

3. Intro to Pickleball Clinics at Lipscomb- Wednesday

It’s all about leveling up! We’re running intro to pickleball clinics on Wednesday's. Sign up now and join the Fun! 🏓🔥

5. Private Lessons with Dinkville Pros

Want to take your game to the next level? Our Dinkville instructors are some of the best in the biz! Whether you're looking to improve your technique or just fine-tune your skills, we've got you covered.  

Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink

Up Your Game

Master the Backhand Flick Like a Pro

The backhand flick is a powerful tool that gives you an upper hand at the net. When performed correctly, it’s nearly impossible for your opponent to counter, and even if they do, you’ll have an easier putaway on the next ball.

Perhaps the best part of learning this technique is that it allows you to attack from below the net – which is becoming more and more important in high-level pickleball.

Here’s how to master it with three tips from Tanner Pickleball:

1. Footwork First

Before you even think about flicking, get your footwork right. Avoid squaring your feet to the net, as it limits your power. Instead, angle your feet outward. This engages your core, allowing you to generate power through your entire body, not just your wrist.

Angle feet outward to generate torque

2. Paddle Position Matters

For a successful flick, start with your paddle down and your elbow up. This setup allows you to use your whole arm rather than just your wrist, which is key to maintaining control and adding power. Think of the wrist movement like throwing an upside-down Frisbee — smooth and compact.

Paddle down, elbow up

3. Drill It In

Try this drill: start with basic dinks and add the flick by "poking" the ball with a flat paddle. Focus on keeping the movement simple and controlled. As you get more comfortable, practice flicking lower and lower balls. When the ball is above the net, aim to place them at your opponent’s feet.

Bonus Tip: Stay Ready

After hitting the flick, return to your ready position quickly. Don’t assume the rally is over—better players will return the ball, and you need to be ready for the next shot.

You can watch the full video with a demonstration from Tanner here.

Pickleball’s First Major Motion Picture

Ben Stiller is bringing pickleball to the big screen. Stiller is set to executive produce and play a supporting role in a new film called … “The Dink” (excellent choice).

The film will star Jake Johnson, best known for his role as Nick Miller in the sitcom New Girl as well as former U.S. Open Tennis Champion Andy Roddick.

According to Variety, “The Dink” will feature Johnson as a “washed-up tennis pro who is trying to save a club in crisis and win his father’s respect. But in the process, he’s forced to break a solemn vow and do the one thing he swore he’d never do: play pickleball.”

The cast also includes Ed Harris (West World) and Mary Steenburgen (Step Brothers). Production is set to begin in November in Los Angeles.

If Stiller can bring any of the Dodgeball heat to this one, then be ready for a whole new set of quotes to break out on the courts.

Anna Leigh Waters Could Earn More than $3M

Anna Leigh Waters, the top-ranked female pickleball player, is set to earn over $3 million in 2024, according to her agent. At just 17, Waters has become the face of pickleball, securing major sponsorship deals with brands like FILA, Paddletek, Carvana, and Biofreeze.

These endorsements, combined with her on-court success, contribute to her impressive earnings, making her the highest-paid athlete in the sport, surpassing even male counterparts like Ben Johns.

Waters is smashing records in pro pickleball and quickly becoming one of the most marketable female athletes in sports.

Virginia is for Dinkers - Day One from MLP

For the next 10 days, Virginia Beach is the home of pro pickleball. The city is hosting its first MLP event this week, followed by the PPA Virginia Beach Cup next week.

Yesterday, eight Challenger Level matches kicked off the pro pickleball action. Two California teams went 2-0 to take an early lead over the rest of the field.

Bay Area Breakdown
The Bay Area Breakers had the hottest start to the 2024 season but then rebuilt their entire team through waivers and trades. The roster changes led to a drop to fifth in the standings, but with two wins yesterday, the Breakers again look like the team to beat.

SoCal Shows Out
The SoCal Hard Eights are currently in first place in the Challenger Level. They added to their point total yesterday, beating the Atlanta Bouncers and Miami Pickleball Club with 3-1 regulation wins.

Find everything you need to know about this week’s event, including predictions from our guy Erik Tice here.

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Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO