Universal Rackets Weekly Update!

Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game

Question: Why Am I Popping My Dinks Up

First before we answer this we have to understand the significance of the dink. The dink is to neutralize your opponent, once again the dink is to neutralize your opponent. Think: if you hit a successful dink to your opponent it forces them to hit UP (over the net) instead of hit DOWN (into the court). The more you can force your opponents to hit UP rather than DOWN, the more points you will win.

Many Players Struggle with Bangers: why are bangers so “effective” because they are hitting DOWN on their shots into the court. If you can force a banger to hit up on their shots from below the net they will not be able to “bang” anymore and if they do, the ball will go long. 

Click here to learn how to beat bangers and never have someone smash the ball at you again!

Now to Answer the Question: players pop their dinks for multiple reasons including lack of rhythm, holding the paddle too tight, using too much wrist etc. Different reasons happen to different people, however as the question above states: “Why Am I”. Why are YOU. You need to find the reasons why YOU pop up your dinks. Everyone will pop up their dinks from time to time, but if you can find out why you will be able to instantly be able to solve your problem. For example in stressful points John tends to grip his paddle tight: therefore when John starts to pop dinks up, he automatically holds the paddle loose. For example in points Judy tends to use her wrist too much from time to time, therefore when Judy starts to pop dinks up, she automatically starts to incorporate her arm and shoulder.

Click here to learn why you are popping your dinks up!

Besides learning why you specifically pop up dinks, the next most effective way to pop up less dinks at the kitchen is to incorporate a new mindset. While up at the kitchen line think that you can dink forever, you can dink one more shot than your opponent. If you keep on thinking “don’t pop up my dink” what is going to eventually happen? You are going to pop up your dink! By having the mindset, by telling yourself that you can dink forever, that you are comfortable regardless of how many dinks go back and fourth you will pop less balls up. Think when you take an ice bath, the moment you go in you think “it’s warm” “I’m here” “I’m present”, approach your dinking the same way and win more points!

Summer Programs Are Here!

Universal Rackets is excited to be offering programming in 23+ locations all over the PA/Jersey shore area including youth clinics, camps, adult clinics, social tournaments, picklepaloozas, fundraising events and more. As you're all in one inclusive pickleball and tennis community provider we are excited to have opportunities for everyone. We can’t wait to see you on court this season!

Click here to view all of our programs!

Summer Camps!

35+ Monday-Thursday youth pickleball and tennis camps will be happening all over the PA, Philly, Mainline and Jersey Shore area!

Click here to view all of our camps!

2000 MKT JLL Corporate Event!

Last week Universal Rackets hosted a corporate event for JLL at the beautiful 2000 MKT Building in Philadelphia. It was a great night full of pickleball competition, dinks, vibes and amazing food. Click here to book your next team building/community event! Click here to see a video of our gold medal match!

Should I Choose To Serve or Return?

Should I opt to serve or return first? This is a common question asked amongst pickleballers. First let’s clarify there is no “correct” answer, it is a matter of preference. If you chose the serve first, the upside is you get the first chance to accumulate points, you can start with the momentum in your favor and take an early lead. However, the downside is if you lose the first point, it is automatically a side out and your opponent has the opportunity right away to accumulate points. (Serving first point of game you start as a “2”). On the flip side, if you choose to return the downside is you could allow your opponent to get an early lead. The upside is that if you win a fast point on your opponent, you get the ball back and the momentum is completely on your side.

We want to know what YOU prefer! Click here to let us know.

JCC PicklePalooza Fundraiser Event!

Last weekend Universal Rackets held a PicklePalooza event for the Kaiserman JCC and donated 100% of proceeds to their program! What is a Universal Rackets PicklePalooza?

What is a PicklePalooza? A PicklePalooza is the perfect opportunity for all ages and levels to socialize, have fun, and play pickleball. PicklePalooza will feature a variety of games and point play, so you can test your abilities and compete against other players.

For Pete’s Sake Cornhole X PicklePicklePalooza For Cancer Event Is July 12th In Sea Isle!

Universal Rackets will be partnering with For Pete’s Sake to raise money for the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. Join us for an epic day of corn hole and pickleball. Click here to register!

Lesson of the Week: How To Instantly Hit 2x Bigger of a Ball

Click here to view this week’s lesson

Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!

-Universal Rackets