Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2024 i Pickleball Magazine

The Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona, hosted the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Nov. 9-17 with 41 outdoor pickleball courts, including a fully shaded stadium court, in the 300-acre complex. Nearly 2,400 players registered in the amateur divisions. With a purse of $225,000, this year’s tournament was the richest to date. Bobbi Oshiro and Will Howells won dual gold medals—and Oshiro didn’t drop a game throughout the entire tournament. She had a tough match in the Round of 16 with Nicole Eugenio, eventually coming out on top, 11-9, 11-6. She then defeated Shelby Bates in the quarterfinals 11-5, 11-0 and followed that up with a semifinal win over Megan Fudge, who many considered the favorite to win the event. Oshiro didn’t stop there. Playing mixed doubles with Howells…

↘ We’d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules@pickleballmagazine.com. Q&A The 2025 Rule Changes This year, 133 change requests were submitted to the USA Pickleball Rules Committee by May 15. After extensive review and consideration, the committee decided to recommend 46 rule changes to the USA Pickleball Board of Directors for final approval. The 2025 Rulebook with the approved rules will be available January 1. Some recommended changes are simple word replacements, such as changing the word “should” to “shall” in Rule 6.C.4 to more clearly discourage consulting with spectators, and the word “may” to “shall” in Rule 11.J regarding distractions so that players understand that they are not permitted to intentionally distract an opponent. Similarly, the committee decided that Rule 4.A.2 should use the word “ball”…

The Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona, hosted the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships Nov. 9-17 with 41 outdoor pickleball courts, including a fully shaded stadium court, in the 300-acre complex. With a purse of $225,000, this year’s tournament was the richest to date. While the professional men and women in pickleball garner the most attention, it is the amateur sector that grows exponentially every year. For this event, approximately 2,400 players registered in the amateur divisions, reaching capacity well in advance of the cutoff date. “Having so many players register for our premier event is a huge testament to the growth of the sport,” said Mike Nealy, chief executive officer of USA Pickleball. “Our USA Pickleball team was energized and ready to execute an incredible event, ensuring that…

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One year ago, the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) launched with lofty goals as the international governing body for pickleball, with a “Pickleball for the World” mission. The GPF is a not-for-profit entity focused on the integrity and development of pickleball across the globe—from grassroots to recreational and high-performance levels. GPF’s ethical bylaws are designed to lead the sport of pickleball to International Olympic Committee recognition. The GPF Rule Book serves as the standard for 52 GPF member countries and growing. The constant interplay between the GPF with its continental and national federations ensures uniform standards across all levels, to maintain the integrity and quality of pickleball worldwide. The GPF working board of directors will serve until November 2025. The current board is comprised of 14 international visionaries, many of whom…

ONIX SUPERCELL 22 PADDLE REVIEW Look/Cosmetics: 4.5/5 Onix paddles always have some eye-catching cosmetics and the Supercell 22 is no exception. The logo is instantly recognizable, and the background aqua blue/green design is stunning. No edge guard, a tennis-like handle, a standard 7.5" x 5.5" shape and 16.5" long. Weight is 8-8.4 oz. (mine was 8.2). Comes in blue or orange themes. Handle measures 5.5" long with a graphite face and a 22mm thickness. Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 3.5/5 Paddle offers great placement and accuracy on serves. Targeting was spot-on, and baseline shots felt buttery-smooth with this 22mm thick paddle. Noticed some nice dwell time as you almost feel the ball sinking in and out of the sweet spot. Very comfortable too. Just feels very solid and the paddle plows through the ball…

As the year winds down, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of 2024 and share some exciting updates for the future of pickleball. Together, we’ve reached new heights, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about what lies ahead for our sport. A Nationals to Remember This year’s Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships was nothing short of extraordinary. Hosted for the first time at the state-of-the-art Arizona Athletic Grounds, the event brought together thousands of players and fans for a celebration of competition, camaraderie and community. The tournament saw thrilling matches across all divisions, from Juniors to Masters and the first-ever wheelchair competition, with players showcasing the skill, athleticism and sportsmanship that define pickleball. The energy on the courts and in the stands was electric,…

Golden Ticket Tournaments DEC. 11-15 UTR Sports Robbinsville Open Golden Ticket presented by HearingLife Robbinsville, NJRobbinsville Pickle House JAN. 15-19 APP Fort Lauderdale Open Golden Ticket Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Fort JAN. 22-26 USA Pickleball Golden Ticket San Diego San Diego, CABarnes Tennis Center FEB. 5-9 APP Daytona Beach Open Golden Ticket Pictona, FLPictona at Holly Hill FEB. 26-MARCH 2 APP Sacramento Open Golden Ticket Sacramento, CASpare Time Sports Club/Johnson Ranch South NOV. 20-22 APP Next Gen II Webster, TXChicken N Pickle Houston DEC. 7-8 Utopos Pickleball Society Tournament Miami, FLDETA Pickleball Club FEB. 13-16 APP Next Gen Tour San Antonio, TXChicken N Pickle San Antonio West DEC. 6-8 Coachella Valley Grand Prix Pickleball Palm Desert, CAParadise Pickleball JAN. 13-17 Happy Trails Classic Surprise, AZHappy Trails Resort JAN. 16-18 APP Next…

Places to Play Find places near you or when you are on your next trip. • Places2Play• Pickleball+ How to Drill/ Instruction/Rules Looking to improve your game with or without a partner? These apps have you covered. You can drill in front of a wall or with a partner(s) and even find a virtual coach to help you reach your goals. • My DUPR Coach• LevelUp• TopCourt• Pickleball Playbook/ Pickleball Drills• Pickleball FYI (2023) Manage Leagues/ Games/Round Robins These apps help you contact, organize and create games anytime or anywhere. • MatchUp• Swish• Round Robin• Match Time Sports• PaddleTapp Pickleball Health and Fitness Get healthy and stay healthy while playing the game you love. • Aim7• Playkout• Athlytic• PicklePro Schedule Games and Events Schedule games with a group of players…

Pickleball Wine Charms A set of six pickleball wine charms is the perfect gift for pickleball lovers and wine enthusiasts alike. Price: $15goldieschicboutique.etsy.com Ceramic Pickleball Catchall Set Crafted from porcelain ceramic, these vibrant dishes feature unique paddle and ball printed designs finished with a mica gold rim. A thoughtful gift or a playful decor piece with your favorite picklers, this set can be personalized with a monogram for a custom look. Price: $49 markandgraham.com The Kitchen Rulebreaker “Stay Out of the Kitchen” pickleball apron, a playful nod to the court and a must-have for any pickleball-loving chef! Use code “PBMAG15” for 15% off your purchase. Price: $30 shopthecourts.com Sweet Spot Pickleball Earrings Elevate your pickleball style with the Sweet Spot Pickleball Earrings—a radiant expression of your passion for the game.…

Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, is rapidly gaining popularity as a prime pickleball destination, not only for its outstanding facilities and welcoming atmosphere, but also for its strategic location. Just a short drive from the vibrant Clearwater Beach and offering a wealth of activities like championship golf, Innisbrook provides the perfect blend of sport and leisure. Guests can enjoy the privacy and comfort of luxury suites, making it an ideal getaway for families and groups of friends seeking a memorable pickleball vacation. Innisbrook boasts four dedicated pickleball courts, ensuring ample playing time for both casual and competitive games. But the fun doesn’t stop there! It offers “Pickleball Party Packs”—a fantastic way to elevate your pickleball experience. These organized events, coordinated by the resort’s enthusiastic staff, provide everything you need…

For years, Jake Plummer had no choice but to be on the move. As a star quarterback at Arizona State and then for 10 NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos, he was constantly being chased by defenses. Now, shortly before turning 50, Plummer’s need to stay active is more a decision that he’s making. His football days are in the rear-view mirror. He jokes that he’s not old enough to play golf. And even handball, which at times has been one of Plummer’s fiercest passions, is not on his schedule as much as it used to be. These days, the former Pro Bowl quarterback is focused on a new pastime: pickleball. “I just love to play,” Plummer said. “With pickleball, I can play, compete and laugh. It’s…

Mastering Timing and Technique One of the hardest skills for pickleball players to develop is knowing when to attack off the bounce. While attacking volleys in the air can be easier—because you can utilize your opponent’s power and the ball’s height—attacking off the bounce is much more challenging but incredibly rewarding once mastered. This skill requires keen timing, body mechanics, and patience. In this article, we’ll explore key aspects of attacking off the bounce, including body positioning, swing mechanics, contact points and recovery, and offer tips on how to practice this often-overlooked technique. Why Attacking Off the Bounce is So Difficult Attacking a ball off the bounce differs from attacking in the air because the ball has lost some of its energy by the time it reaches you. After bouncing,…

The sport’s two longest-standing international governing bodies, the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) and World Pickleball Federation (WPF), have announced plans to merge, creating a unified governing body for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. This historic step marks a major milestone after previous attempts to unify all governing organizations faced setbacks. The merger reflects a shared vision for the sport’s future and signals a commitment to unity and progress. “This merger is about more than just organizations—it’s about bringing the global pickleball family together,” said leaders from both federations. The timing is especially significant, as 2025 will celebrate the 60th anniversary of pickleball’s invention on Bainbridge Island, Washington, alongside key events like the 10th anniversary of the Bainbridge Cup and the inaugural World Pickleball Games. Unification Plan: A Balanced and…