Some stories make you stop and rethink what pickleball can be. From prison yards where the game is rewriting routines, to strategy tips that can shut down any opponent, to the influencers shaping how the sport looks online — it’s all here this week.

You'll find:

• Pickleball behind bars (and thriving)

• How to beat bangers, dinkers, and chaos players

• The apps, gear, and voices making an impact

Wherever you play, there’s something here to take with you.

⛓️ Pickleball Finds an Unlikely Home Behind Bars

Forget gated communities — one of California’s most passionate pickleball scenes is happening inside state prisons. And instead of noise complaints, it’s building connection, breaking barriers, and even earning praise from wardens.

From “60 Minutes” to 60 Prisons

It all started when 78-year-old Roger BelAir saw a segment on Cook County Jail in 2017 and pitched pickleball as a rehabilitation tool. The former banker donated equipment, taught the basics, and saw immediate buy-in. Today, his nonprofit, Pickleball in Prison, has brought the game to 60+ facilities in 18 states, from San Quentin to the Central California Women’s Facility.

Why It Works Inside

Unlike the outside world—where pickleball can spark noise complaints—inside, it’s a unifier.

• Bring together people from different cell blocks, rival gangs, and backgrounds

• Encourages sobriety and reduces disciplinary issues

• Gives players a healthy reason to be outside their cells and socializing

Courts Built on Baby Powder

Resources vary by facility. Some prisons have fully lined courts, while others rely on masking tape or baby powder to mark boundaries. Games happen daily, weekend tournaments draw crowds, and even staff join in — something virtually unheard of before pickleball arrived.

The Bigger Impact

For many incarcerated players, the game is more than exercise. It’s proof that they can still belong to a community, build trust, and find joy in a place designed to strip it away.

As one warden put it after joining a match: “I wasn’t the warden, and they weren’t inmates. We were just people.”

🌍 Around the Picklesphere

🥳 Celebrating all things pickleball.
📱 The app making pickleball rules way less confusing.
🎙️ Paddle tossers & mid-game quitters get called out
🎒 The bag worth the money — use empower at checkout

🔥 How to Beat Bangers, Dinkers & Chaos

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Pickleball’s not one-size-fits-all. Your game plan should change depending on who’s across the net… and we’ve got the cheat sheet.

Bangers (Power Over Everything)

• Drop, don’t drive — soft third shots are your best defense.

• Keep it low and awkward so they can’t attack.

• Block instead of swinging. Let them burn themselves out.

Dinkers (The Kitchen Therapist)

• Stay patient — they want you to flinch first.

• Change tempo with a lob or quick speed-up.

• Aim for the weaker side (everyone has one).

Chaos Players (Trick Shots & Mayhem)

• Stay boring and consistent — chaos hates that.

• Look for patterns; even mayhem repeats eventually.

• Punish sloppy gimmicks.

Bottom line: Play the game your opponent hates, not the one you wish they’d play.

🎯 Aim Small. Win Big.

Getting dialed in doesn’t have to mean having a coach on speed dial. The Pickleball Driller hangs just above the net, giving you a clear target for crisper dinks, cleaner drives, and better ball control.

It clips onto permanent posts or sturdy portables, works for solo reps, partner rallies, or ball machine sessions — and makes casual games a whole lot more interesting.

Easy to set up, fun to use, and built for players who want every shot to count.

📺 Gear Review: The Cold Sleeve That Lets You Keep Moving

We’ve tried our fair share of recovery gear, but the TheraICE Cold Compression Sleeve Pro has officially earned a permanent spot in the freezer. Snug without being tight, it slips on easily, stays in place, and delivers serious relief without freezing you into submission.

I use mine every morning for about 30 minutes, then again after matches when my surgically repaired knee starts talking back. Bonus: I can still make breakfast, check email, or work at my desk while wearing it — no more babying an ice pack.

Why We’re Sold:

• 360º hold/cold compression with zero slipping or dripping

• Works on knees, shins, calves, and ankles

• Comes with a freezer-ready storage bag

• Reusable, durable, and actually comfortable

If you’re dealing with swlling, soreness, or post-pickleball aches, this sleeve makes recovery easier — and way less annoying.

👉 Read the full review here

📱 Pickleball Clout: Likes, Followers & A Little Drama

From 30-second dink drills pulling 300K views to gold-medal selfies between brand shoots, pickleball influencers have made the sport impossible to scroll past. They’re shaping how we see, talk about, and play the game — for better or worse.

The good ones? They pull new players in, keep regulars engaged, and make the sport look welcoming. The not-so-good? They chase clicks over connection, gatekeep, or treat their audience like a fan club.

By the Numbers

• TikTok #pickleball views: 500M+

• Top creators: 1M+ followers each

• Micro-influencer (5-20K followers) often outperform on engagement

• Influencer-led gear drops can sell out in days

Right now, most are doing more good than harm. The key is following the voices building the sport — not just their own brand.

👉 Read the full breakdown here