We’ve got big news to share — Empower Pickleball is now an official media partner of the APP. It’s a milestone we couldn’t have reached without this community, and you’ll find the full story a little further down.

You'll also find:

• Utah’s bid to become the pickleball capital

• Smart ways to force errors without taking big risks

• A recovery routine that keeps you fresh for the next match

• How fall light messes with your vision (and how to fix it)

By the end, you’ll have fresh eyes, fresher legs, and maybe a new reason to circle Utah on the map.

🏔️ Utah’s Pickleball Takeover

Arizona and Florida may have to scoot over — Utah is making its play to be the new center of the pickleball universe. A first-of-its-kind, $25 million complex is breaking ground in South Jordan with 47 courts, premium seating for thousands of fans, and the first dedicated indoor home facility for a Major League Pickleball team.

Why This Utah Pickleball Center Matters

• Two show courts with seating for 1,000+ and 2,000+ fans each

• Year-round indoor play across three levels, plus rooftop and outdoor courts

• Built-in broadcast wiring for pro tournaments and national coverage

• Home base for the Utah Black Diamonds of Major League Pickleball

But that’s just one piece of Utah’s surge:

📍 The Picklr Lehi just opened Utah County’s largest indoor pickleball complex — 40,000 square feet, 13 courts, and AI-powered training tools that track every shot.

📍 Utah State University is now ranked No. 7 nationally with a growing D1 club team, aiming to push collegiate pickleball toward NCAA recognition.

📍 St. George is home to REBL Pickleball, a paddle company fueling community growth while sponsoring schools and grassroots programs.

Taken together, Utah is stacking world-class facilities, innovation, and player development at every level — from rec play to the pros. The Beehive State is buzzing, and pickleball is at the center of it all.

🌍 Around the Picklesphere

🤔 What makes pickleball different
👀 When clear vision changes the game
🫶 The attitude that keeps games fun

♟️ Outsmart, Don’t Out-Swing

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: You don’t need highlight-reel winners to rack up points. The smartest players are masters at setting traps and letting opponents beat themselves. Think footwork pressure, awkward angles, and the occasional lob that nobody saw coming.

How to Force Errors:

👟 Make them move: Diagonal shots and wide angles stretch their footwork until mistakes happen.
🎯 Target the feet: Dinks at the shoelaces force weak, defensive replies.
⬆️ Mix in a lob: When they’re crowding the net, a soft lob to the backcourt keeps them honest.
👀 Bait and switch: A quick fake step can steer their next shot exactly where you want it.

Drill it: Try “zigzag dinks” with a partner—alternate side to side until someone pops one up. Or set cones at the kitchen line and aim for 10 low dinks in a row. Accuracy > aggression.

👉 Learn all the tips and drills for forcing errors.

🐙 The Backpack Built by a Player, for Players

The Oktō backpack was built by a player-engineer who knew the usual bags weren’t cutting it. Sixteen smart pockets, a vented shoe chamber, a built-in scoring station, and even an insulated lunch box — this thing solves every little on-court headache.

And here’s the kicker: each purchase funds coral reef restoration through Oktō’s partnership with the DiverMojo Foundation.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for 20% off → Grab yours here!

📣 Empower Pickleball Named APP’s Media Partner

This is a big one: we’re excited to share that Empower Pickleball has been named an official media partner of the Association of Pickleball Players (APP). Together, we’ll spotlight everyday players, share clear how-tos and gear insights, and bring fast, on-site coverage straight from the APP Tour.

What this means for players:

📰 Same-day recaps and quick-hit takeaways from APP Tour stops
👟 Practical how-tos and gear insights you can use on your own courts
👩‍🎤 Features highlighting women’s, junior, and community play that fuel the sport’s growth

👉 Read the full announcement here.

💪 Ready for Tomorrow’s Match

Pickleball leaves you sweaty, smiling, and maybe sore — but recovery is what decides how you’ll feel when you step back on court.

Here’s the simple recovery plan players actually stick to:

• Cool down for 3-5 minutes to let your heart rate drop

• Rehydrate (water first, electrolytes if it’s hot)

• Stretch hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and calves

• Add light movement later — a walk, spin, or easy yoga

• Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep.

Skip the gimmicks and stick to what actually works for your body.

👉 See the full recovery routine.

🌅 When Fall Light Throws You Off

Ever feel like you’ve lost your timing just as the seasons change? It’s not your game slipping — it’s your eyes working overtime against glare, shadows, and shifting contrast.

Here’s how to keep the ball in sight when lighting gets tricky:

• Morning glare: Serve into the sun, not against it

• Evening shadows: Give yourself extra time with safer targets

• Eye warm-ups: Near-far focus drills sharpen reactions fast

• Smart gear: Hats, visors, and contrast-tuned lenses make the ball pop

Clear vision = faster reactions, steadier shots, and fewer points lost to the sun.

👉 Get the full guide to fall lighting fixes.