Pickleball Needs More Structure Than This

A quick shot refresher, a league doing it right, and the woman who helped build it all.

Author

Empower Pickleball
March 26, 2026

Okay, I don’t know how many people I’ve told about The Power of Pickleball over the past two weeks, but I may be slightly obsessed.

It tells the story of the sport in a way that actually hits, and I’ve been bringing it up to basically anyone who will listen. A 👏 MUST 👏 WATCH 👏

I’m saying that because we’re highlighting a woman today who made a huge impact on the sport—and somehow I had never heard of her until she showed up in the documentary.

But before we get into that, quick reminder: we’re giving away three HEAD Triflex paddles. You’ve got one day left to enter, so if you haven’t yet, now’s the time.

EDUCATION

This League Fixed One of Pickleball’s Biggest Problems

One of the biggest gaps in pickleball right now is structure.

Open play is everywhere. But consistent, organized competition that actually keeps people coming back? That’s harder to find.

That’s exactly what the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) figured out.

Instead of random games, the structure actually looks like a real league:

  • Players join teams, not just open play rotations

  • Matches follow a set weekly schedule

  • Skill levels are organized to keep competition balanced

The result feels closer to traditional league sports—something with rhythm, stakes, and community built in.

And it’s working. Thousands of players across Arizona are already part of it, and other states are starting to take notice.

💡 Why It Matters: Because as pickleball grows, the next step isn’t more courts—it’s better structure.

PICKLEBALL GUIDE

A Quick Shot Refresher Before Your Next Match

You already know these shots.

But knowing them and actually using the right one in the moment are two very different things.

This is a quick refresher on the shots that show up in almost every rally—from serves and returns to drops, resets, speed-ups, and putaways—plus a few that still catch people off guard.

It’s the kind of thing that seems obvious… until you’re mid-point and second-guessing what to hit.

💡 Why It Matters: Because better players aren’t just executing—they’re recognizing and choosing the right shot faster.

👉 Refresh your understanding of every pickleball shot.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

She Helped Build Pickleball Before Anyone Was Paying Attention

Before pro tours, sponsorships, and packed courts, pickleball was still figuring itself out.

Fran Myer was there for all of it.

She didn’t set out to build anything. She just kept saying yes. Playing, organizing tournaments, helping shape early structures, and eventually launching one of the first pickleball websites and online stores when the sport had almost no centralized information.

She later became a charter member of USA Pickleball, helped run early national tournaments, and was eventually inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame.

💡 Why It Matters: Because the sport people love today didn’t just grow—it was built by people who showed up before there was anything to gain.

Recovery That Works While You Rest

Pickleball puts a lot on your body—quick stops, long rallies, and back-to-back games can add up fast.

Firefly Recovery is a wearable device designed to help speed up muscle recovery by increasing blood flow while you’re at rest. Worn just below the knee, it gently stimulates the muscles to help reduce soreness and keep your legs feeling fresh.

It’s an easy option for players looking to recover between matches, after long days on the court, or even while traveling.

👉 Use code EMPOWER10 for 10% off your Firefly Starter Pack.

  • Broadway Is Getting Its Own Pickleball League 🎭  A new league in NYC is bringing together theatre professionals for weekly matches at CityPickle in Times Square—mixing competition with a very on-brand social scene (yes, margaritas included).

  • There’s a Floating Pickleball Court at a Boat Show 🚤 The Palm Beach International Boat Show just added a pickleball court on the water, where yacht crews are competing—and attendees can jump in between matches.

  • A Pickleball Injury Led to a Life-Threatening Blood Clot ⚠️ A TV anchor shared how an Achilles injury from pickleball led to a blood clot that traveled to his lungs—now he’s raising awareness about warning signs like shortness of breath, pain, and prolonged immobility after injuries.

A Pickleball Shoe That Actually Feels Thought Through

We’ve been seeing Stria pop up more lately, and after looking into the G1 Pro, it’s one of the few shoes that actually feels designed with pickleball in mind.

Not just repurposed from another sport, but built around how we’re actually moving on court.

A few things we like:

  • Feels stable on lateral movement (which is where most shoes fall short)

  • Lightweight enough for long play sessions without feeling bulky

  • Built with actual player input, not just marketing

  • Clean design that doesn’t scream “performance shoe”

It’s one of those products that feels subtle at first, but makes more sense when you think about how much footwork matters in this game.

👉 Check out the Stria G1 Pro. Use code EMPOWER for 10% off your first pair!

Interested in having your event listed? Reach out to us and let’s chat!

Have something happening at your courts?

The wins, the drama, or the moments that stick with you—we’d love to hear it.

If people are talking about it, it’s probably worth sharing.