How to Beat Power Players at the Net

Tips, tools, and stories to keep you strong on the court — and inspired off it.

Author

Empower Pickleball
October 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

It turned into a full-on pickleball weekend for me — which doesn’t happen often these days. The PPA Vintage Open had me hooked. Watching players adjust to old-school wooden paddles was like a time warp, and I loved seeing how their skills adapted without the tech we’re used to now. I even squeezed in a few hours on court with family (Tank top weather in late September? I’ll take it).

And speaking of paddles, Neil dropped some serious product knowledge in this week’s Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil. You can catch that episode down below. I’m heading out on a little weekend trip, and fingers crossed I find a court there, too.

If you’re new here, a quick heads-up: Thursdays are all about women in pickleball — stories, strategies, and community, written by us and for us. And if you want more, we also send a Tuesday edition that’s open to the whole pickleball crew.

TIPS & TRICKS

Kitchen Line Survival Guide: Beating Power Players

Too many players panic when faced with a banger at the net. Senior Pro Gina Cilento has a different approach: stay calm, absorb the pace, and flip their power into your control. By anticipating early, keeping your paddle up, and trusting soft resets, you can make even the hardest hitters crack first.

Her go-to defensive keys:

  • Anticipate Early — Read their paddle face, not just the ball.

  • Paddle Ready — Chest-high and angled like a shield.

  • Soft Grip — Cushion impact to kill pace and avoid pop-ups.

  • Reset Low — Drop the ball into the kitchen to stop their run.


💡 Why It Matters: Confidence in your soft game neutralizes their power game.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Injury Prevention Every Woman Needs

Pickleball may be fun and fast-growing, but the injury numbers aren’t pretty — and women face a bigger risk of fractures, especially after 50. From bone health to joint mechanics, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your body in the game instead of sidelined.

The fix isn’t complicated: warm up before play, add a bit of strength work each week, pay attention to form, and give your body real recovery time. Pair that with the right shoes and paddle fit, and you’ll not only reduce injury risk, you’ll feel steadier, stronger, and more confident every match.


💡 Why It Matters: Smarter routines today mean more years of play tomorrow.

COMMUNITY

A New Spin on Pickleball Ambassadors

When Kris Barrett moved to Luxembourg with her husband, former U.S. Congressman and Ambassador Tom Barrett, she didn’t just pack clothes and photos — she packed her paddle. What started as a search for courts and new friends turned into a 70-member multicultural pickleball group spanning teenagers to 85-year-olds across four countries.

From late-night games on taped tennis courts to a tournament win in Belgium, Kris proved that pickleball is a universal language. Back home in Milwaukee, she’s carrying the lessons and friendships she made abroad — and her paddle is already booked for her next trip to Hong Kong.


💡 Why It Matters: Pickleball isn’t just growing across the U.S. — it’s building global communities one rally at a time.

For Players Who Never Say No to One More Game

If you’re squeezing in every rally you can, VKTRY insoles are built for the way you play. Made with carbon fiber tech (yes, the aerospace kind), they help absorb impact, return energy, and reduce joint stress — so you can stay out there longer without feeling wrecked after. No slipping, no shifting, just support that actually holds up.

Get 20% off your first pair by clicking here.

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

From heavy wood to textured carbon fiber, paddles have come a long way. Gina and Neil dig into the history of Pro Lite, the quirks of vintage gear, and what’s next in paddle innovation — plus why choosing the right paddle might matter more than you think.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Marshmallow Meets Protein 🍫✨

Okay, confession time: I’m obsessed with Built Puff Bars. They’re soft, marshmallow-y, and taste way more like dessert than a protein bar has any right to. Brownie Batter is my all-time favorite (I could honestly eat ten in one sitting), and now they’ve rolled out Pumpkin Cookie for all my PSL girlies. Consider me stocked up.