The Dink Pickleball Newsletter: Ben Johns Teaches the Shuffle Drop, Tiffin University Adds PB to Listings, and Justify Your Time on Court with Science
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It’s Cyber Monday, you know what that means … the front porch is going to be flooded with deliveries for the rest of the week.
If you’re wondering what deals you should be shopping for this holiday season we’ve got you covered. Find The Dink Holiday Gift Guide here.
Don’t look now but it’s December.
Our Picks ☝️
🏀 NBA Pickleball: The Cavs pickle at practice
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the #1 team in the NBA standings this season. The secret to their newfound success is obvious after getting an all-access look at their practice session. Someone tell these guys to keep the ball low.
🏫 College: Tiffin University adds pickleball to offerings
Pickleball is the newest addition to the club sports listings at Tiffin University in Ohio. Starting in 2025 pickleball will be the sixth official club sport recognized by the school.
🎥 Video: Zane Navratil reacts to Major League Pickleball loss
The New Jersey 5s were upset by a surging Dallas Flash Pickleball team in last week’s MLP finals. Zane breaks down the playoff weekend including the ‘accidental’ ball flick from teammate Will Howells.
✈️ Travel: The best way to pass time on a flight
Don’t let travel plans cut into your practice time this holiday season. Check out these two die-hards that are dinking at 32,000 ft.
Add the Shuffle Drop to Your Arsenal
Ben Johns makes pickleball look easy at any level. But would you believe some of his shots that appear lackadaisical are actually calculated body movements that help with consistency?
One of the least talked about shots in the Johns arsenal is the shuffle drop. Pro player and instructor Josh J gets a lesson on hitting the shuffle drop in a new video.
The shuffle drop is used as a follow-up to a third shot drive.
You can see that after the touch is developed, it allows you to easily land a ball softly in the kitchen and sets you up to reach the non-volley zone with consistency.
Can Red Light Therapy Keep You on the Court Longer?
Feeling the toll of those pickleball matches? It’s time for a recovery game-changer: red light therapy.
Red light therapy, supported by over 6,000 clinical studies, speeds recovery, eases pain, and enhances performance by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation, quickly getting you back on the court stronger.
Introducing the KINEON INC. MOVE+ Pro, tailored for active individuals like pickleball players who need fast, effective recovery. Portable and hands-free, the MOVE+ Pro lets you recover anywhere—no outlets needed. Just strap it on, set the timer, and let it do its magic, whether you're at home or between games.
Don’t miss out: This Cyber Monday, Kineon offers the MOVE+ Pro at 50% off with a free extender strap for even more versatility.
Justify Your Time on Court with Science
Pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s a movement fostering connection, community, and joy. Psychology Today explores how the sport’s inclusive nature and casual vibe make it a perfect antidote to social isolation and stress, bringing people of all ages together for fun and fitness.
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So if you ever need justification for the countless hours on court you can point back to the research. There are multiple studies from the past two years cited in the article explaining the pickleball phenomenon and the benefits received by players.
Partner Swap at the PPA Tour Finals
All year long players compete for more than just prize money. Each stop on tour and every win in a draw contributes to a player’s point total at the end of the season.
The top players in each discipline earn a spot in the PPA Tour Finals which starts on Wednesday. The payers at the top of the draw get to select their partners first so we will see Anna Leigh Waters paired with Ben Johns and Catherine Parenteau as usual. That also means Ben and Collin Johns will partner in men’s.
Let’s take a look at some of the more intriguing partnerships created by the format.
And possibly the biggest mix-up of the bunch was Dylan Frazier choosing the play with Pablo Tellez. This left JW Johnson with the next selection and he chose to partner with Gabe Tardio.
A changeup like this allows some players who might not always land in the semis or finals a chance to prove themselves while playing with other top players. The action starts on Wednesday and is a pool play format where the top two players/teams advance out of their pools and into the knockout stage.
Pool play will take place Wednesday through Friday, the semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, leaving the finalists to compete on Championship Sunday.
Selkirk’s Cyber Week Deals
Hey Dink fam, gear up because Selkirk Sport - We are Pickleball 's rolling out some serious savings for Cyber Week that'll make your pickleball heart skip a beat.
Starting strong on Monday with a whopping 30% off their stylish Spring Owen & Champion Apparel Collections—perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their court attire without breaking the bank. Tuesday brings you 20% off their top-of-the-line nets.
Curious about the rest of the week? They’ve got hats, chairs, and the Pro S1 Pickleball on the roster with deals you'll have to see to believe.
The Podcast Gauntlet Continues from Worlds
The podcast gauntlet at the World Championships in Dallas gave us more guests than we could squeeze into one episode. Part two is out now and features:
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