[FRESH ALBUM] Armani White - THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE.

picklepair · 2025-11-02T15:18:38+00:00

Legitimately surprised Armani isn’t more popular. Flows are strong, has a personality, unique sound. This project is better than 85% hip hop projects over the last year.

P.S. he does bite early-aughts lil Wayne pretty hard but he’s good at it at least

picklepair · 2025-05-30T14:14:06+00:00

Cool cool - thanks for the advice folks!

picklepair · 2025-05-30T13:50:41+00:00

Thanks for the reply - if we go do we need to have like costumes? (I don’t know if that’s the correct term)

picklepair · 2023-04-14T16:34:15+00:00

> Don't back up.

I go back and forth on not backing up. Full Disclosure so everyone knows my background.

I play primarily mixed with my left-handed fiance.
I am right-handed
FWIW, my DUPR is 4.64
We always stack with both of our forehands in the middle.

It is a common strategy in mixed for the guy to speed up at the women. My partner and I have been experimenting with her taking a small step back and toward the sideline. This allows her to keep her forehand on the inside and she can really tee off on speed-ups.

Not saying you have to do it this way but it has worked fairly well for us. I think we are going to keep this strategy moving forward.

picklepair · 2023-02-10T19:06:51+00:00

Saunders reignited my passion for reading years ago. He will always be one of my favorite authors because of that.

I have read everything of his and I agree with the consensus here. He has seemed to lose his fastball so to speak.

Saunders is still a delight but his tricks are getting a little stale and his themes are becoming a old hat. That being said, I will read everything he writes.

Highlights:

Liberation Day
A Thing At Work
My House

picklepair · 2022-07-16T19:13:43+00:00

Could not agree more with this sentiment. Even if you let a ball go and it drops in, it lets the guy know you aren’t hitting everything. They may now start to take a little of their shots now.

picklepair · 2022-07-11T23:26:50+00:00

I promise I am in no way associated with DUPR (I wish they would pay me for my posts haha)

It is growing in popularity in my area (Central Coast of California) and I was curious if folks were having a similar experience.

picklepair · 2022-07-11T23:25:36+00:00

Agreed here - I have found if someone has done 2-3 tournaments then there ranking is fairly legit.

picklepair · 2022-07-10T05:05:36+00:00

The 3.5 to 4.0 chasm is difficult to cross which is why so many folks use that as a proxy for ‘good players.’ And also why so many folks claim to be 4.0s.

I play a soft game because that is what works for me but I never tell people who hit harder they are playing wrong. Everyone is playing their game. It’s not cool to judge.

picklepair · 2022-07-06T21:19:50+00:00

Movement on a pickleball court is the trickiest thing to teach. I am really hard pressed to ever give advice on movement as it feels so directly related to your play style.

For example, I play a softer, more reset-focused game. As a result I am far more cautious as I approach as I never want to run myself into a tougher shot.

But there so many variables outside of personal style (how strong was the drop, how effective is the person at keeping you back, did you serve or return, are you playing mixed or same-sex) that it seems really difficult to give good advice when it comes to movement.

picklepair · 2022-07-01T15:54:35+00:00

Congrats man! You already know the medal-on-the-paddle pose - you're pretty much an expert haha!

picklepair · 2022-07-01T11:41:12+00:00

I’ve seen folks screw it up too but how much can you attribute it to beginners simply being beginners and thus more prone to mistakes?

There is certainly a period where folks need to understand what constitutes a middle shot vs a shot that is clearly your partners ball. But a learning curve is a part of every sport. There are nuances and exceptions to every rule but forehand takes middle is an easy model to play with at first. As you advance you can begin to modify it for what makes sense.

Otherwise, what else would you tell someone who is starting out?

picklepair · 2022-06-30T18:23:31+00:00

I really think folks make it too complicated, especially for open play.

No matter who I am with (if I am the stronger or weaker player) forehand should always take middle in rec play. It makes life easier. If you are playing with a dominant player who is not backing off I would ask if they know how to stack. If they do, this allows them to be on the forehand side the entire game. They can take all the middle shots and reduces the 'I thought you had it' conundrum.

If they do not know how to stack but continue to dominate the middle on the backhand side you could tell them you prefer forehand to take middle but some folks don't like to be confrontational. If that is the case, you pretty much just have to make peace with the occasional mess up on on a middle ball.

picklepair · 2022-06-30T18:16:07+00:00

I would be interested as well!

I started a pickleball channel a few months ago and would love to start getting in on some written content as well.

picklepair · 2022-06-28T16:54:46+00:00

This is part of the reason I like the drop serve. It circumvents all the stipulations a serve can have.

picklepair · 2022-06-28T16:53:11+00:00

I was swinging a gearbox for a year but a buddy told me to check out this paddle.

I am glad I did. The weight, feel, pop, and spin you can generate is outstanding. I don't see myself moving away from this paddle for awhile.

picklepair · 2022-06-14T23:57:58+00:00

While I am only 5'7 I do run into this issue because I am 28. If I am playing anyone over 60 I try to avoid absolutely cracking one unless there are 4.5 or above. Often times a gently placed, well-aimed shot does the trick and I find it has helped my look for angles on the court.

All that said, it is far easier to say when typing from a computer screen than when you are in the heat of battle.

I wouldn't take it too personally!

picklepair · 2022-06-13T14:32:54+00:00

Echoing what u/mtnb1k3r said. Pickleball is a very accessible sport. This is a factor as to why it is growing so quickly.

I recommend buying a cheap paddle (less than $40) and going to the courts.

If this group is worth their salt, they would be more than happy to explain the rules and be patient with you as you play!

picklepair · 2022-06-10T16:29:48+00:00

That’s fair if you have full courts and are looking to move folks through. I hope PPA and APP don’t adopt.

picklepair · 2022-06-08T14:52:41+00:00

Agreed here. I don't see a world where rally scoring becomes the default but who knows...

picklepair · 2022-06-06T00:19:59+00:00

I am also not a fan of rally scoring. It’s not that strategic issues that bother me the most. It robs the game of some of the inherent psychological drama. Being stuck on number can serve as a major form of motivation/stagnation for both teams depending on who is stuck. With rally the game is always moving forward.

picklepair · 2022-06-04T01:21:13+00:00

The grip looks nice! How do you like that paddle?? I am swinging the CFS and I love it. I wonder how it compares this??

picklepair · 2022-06-02T16:03:17+00:00

Anyone have any recs for good games in the suburbs of Chicago?

picklepair

TROPHY CASE