Universal Rackets Weekly Update!

Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game…

🔑Takeaways

🎯 How To Get Out of Trouble

💥 Instantly Improve Your Forehand Ebook Is Here

🎾 Indoor November & December Programs

👟 Drill of the Week: 2-Ball Recovery Scramble

🎯 3 Ways To Win More Points (No Technique Changes Needed)

Stop Losing “Lost” Points

3 Tactics That Help You Win Points You Should Lose

Every pickleball player — no matter the level — is going to end up in trouble sometimes. Maybe your drop floats too high… maybe you get jammed… maybe you’re pulled off the court and scrambling to survive the rally.

Great players aren’t great because they avoid these moments.

They’re great because they know how to turn defense into offense and steal points they should’ve lost.

Here are 3 tactics ANY player can use to flip the script and get back into points:

Tactic #1: Add Some Height (And You’ll Be Alright)

If you get pulled out wide or you’re way off balance at the baseline, STOP trying to hit a perfect drive or drop.

Instead, lift the ball high and deep toward your opponent.

Why it works:

• When the ball is in the air, your opponent can’t hit it.

• That time gives you time — to recover, reset, and get back into position.

• It instantly neutralizes a losing rally.

Pro Tip: Use this when the opponent is facing the sun. It’s way harder to track a ball that’s climbing upward.

(Just don’t use height as a panic shot — use it with purpose.)

Tactic #2: Middle Gets You Out of a Fiddle

Players get stretched wide at the kitchen, then try to angle the ball back crosscourt… and boom — they pop it up and lose the point.

If you’re out of position, stop going for angle.

Hit middle instead.

Why it works:

Middle reduces your opponent’s attacking angles

• Middle neutralizes their next ball

• Middle buys you time to get back to your spot

When you’re in trouble: middle is your best friend.

Tactic #3: “Next Ball Back” Mentality

This one is mental — but it’s HUGE.

Say it out loud if you have to:

“Next ball back. Next ball back. Next ball back.”

When you’re on defense, you don’t need a winner.

You don’t need a perfect shot.

You just need to put one more ball in play.

Why it works:

• Defensive shots shouldn’t be perfect — they just need to be in

• Your opponent will eventually make a mistake

• Getting one more ball back can flip momentum instantly

Bottom Line

If you use these 3 tactics, you will double the number of points you win from losing positions.

This is how smart, high-level players compete — and how YOU can instantly level up your game.

Instantly Improve Your Forehand Ebook Is HERE!

Our very own Universal Rackets coach & creator, @pickleballwithtyler, just dropped his brand-new ebook — and it’s a GAME-CHANGER for anyone looking to level up their forehand.

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player… this book gives you the full blueprint to hitting a cleaner, more powerful, more consistent forehand.

🚀 What’s Inside:

• Fix your contact point once and for all

• Master the “Turn–Bounce–Drop–Hit” timing system

• Learn how to add real topspin

• Build effortless power without muscling the ball

• Improve accuracy, control & consistency

• 100+ video links included throughout the book

• PLUS: exactly what to do after your 3rd shot drive

This is Tyler’s most complete forehand breakdown ever — built from 10,000+ in-person coaching hours, 10,000+ online coaching videos and millions of online views.

👉 Get your copy at: www.instantlyimprovemyforehand.com

Want a sneak peak? CLICK HERE

Indoor November & December Winter Programs Are Here!

Universal Rackets is kicking off another exciting indoor season — now offering indoor programs at 15+ locations across PA and IL!

Whether you’re looking for:

✅ Adult or Youth Clinics

✅ Rating Clinics

✅ Ready Set Rackets (Toddler Pickleball & Tennis Programs)

✅ Round Robins

✅ Picklepaloozas

✅ …or just a great way to play —

We’ve got something for every pickleballer at every age and skill level.

Don’t wait — spots fill fast every winter!

Grab your paddle, invite your friends, and join us on court this season.

Click here to view all of our indoor programs!

Drills of the Week: “2-Ball Recovery Scramble”

Purpose:

Train your ability to recover when you’re in trouble, reset under pressure, and get back into the point — EXACTLY what we talked about in the “Get Out of Trouble” section. these three mini-drills will help you develop feel, control, and perfect timing for your 3rd shot drops and drives.

Setup

• Stand at the baseline.

• Your partner stands at the kitchen line with two balls.

How It Works

1. Your partner feeds one ball out wide (forehand or backhand).

2. As you scramble to return it, they immediately feed a second ball to the opposite side.

3. Your only goal:

   Get BOTH balls back in play — any way possible

3 Ways to Win More Points Without Changing Your Technique

A lot of players think they need a brand-new shot, a new paddle, or a new “magic tip” to start winning more points.

But here’s the reality:

Most players lose points because of decisions — not mechanics.

Aim Higher Over the Net (Give Yourself Margin)

Misses in pickleball aren’t wide — they’re IN THE NET.

If you simply lift the ball 6–12 inches higher on every neutral shot:

• You’ll make 3× fewer unforced errors

• You’ll win longer rallies

• You’ll force your opponent to make the first mistake

Stop Speeding Up From Bad Positions

Most players lose points not because they hit too soft, but because they hit too hard at the wrong time.

If you’re:

• Off-balance

• Leaning back

• Reaching

• Pulled wide

• Contacting low

• Out of position

DO NOT attack.

Just reset middle and live to fight the next ball.

Winning pickleball is less about hitting winners —

and more about avoiding low-percentage chaos.

Play Deep to Buy Yourself Time

If you’re ever stressed, rushed, or feel the point slipping away, hit one Deep Neutral Ball:

• High

• Heavy

• Deep to their back court

Deep shots slow your opponent down, take away their attack, and give you time to reset your feet and regain control of the rally.

When in doubt?

👉 Height + Depth = Safety + Time

This alone helps players gain a full 0.25–0.5 DUPR bump without changing anything else.

✔️ Bottom Line

If you want to start winning more points TODAY:

• Give yourself margin

• Stop attacking from bad positions

• Play deep when in trouble

You’ll look more consistent, feel calmer on court, and instantly become harder to beat — without changing a single mechanical element of your game.

Program Spotlight: Kaiserman JCC Friday Morning Clinic

👉 View all upcoming sessions: www.MainLinePickleballClinics.com

Lesson of the Week: How To Return Hard Shots

Click here to view this week’s lesson

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

-Universal Rackets