Stop Always Targeting the Backhand

What to change in your game, what holds up under pressure, and what’s happening across the sport.

Author

Empower Pickleball
April 09, 2026

There’s been a lot of chatter since JOOLA filed a lawsuit against multiple paddle brands over its propulsion core technology.

Some people think it makes sense to protect innovation. Others think it’s overreaching. Either way, it’s quickly become one of the biggest conversations in the sport right now.

And while that plays out… we’re still in the middle of National Pickleball Month.

It’s a good reminder that the game isn’t just about paddles, tech, or who’s using what. It’s about people getting on the court, figuring it out, and coming back for one more game.

So today, we’re keeping it there—how you play, how you improve, and what shows up when you’re in the middle of a game.

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TIPS & TRICKS

Stop Always Targeting the Backhand

For years, the strategy was simple: go after the backhand.

But that doesn’t work the same way anymore.

Senior Pro Gina Cilento breaks down how players are now sitting on those shots, turning what used to be a safe target into something predictable.

In some situations, attacking the forehand creates more pressure—especially when it takes away space and disrupts timing.

💡 Why It Matters: Predictability gets punished. The best players aren’t just picking a side—they’re creating discomfort.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mindset Isn’t the Problem

“Stay positive” only works until the match gets tight.

Coach B, a mental performance coach who works with top players, breaks down why most players fall apart in tight moments—and why it has nothing to do with knowing what to do.

At 9-9, after a bad miss, or when things start slipping, your default reactions take over. That’s the part most players never train.

💡 Why It Matters: You already know how to hit the right shot. The issue is whether you can actually execute it when it matters.

👉 Learn the mental skill most players aren’t training.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

From Postpartum Recovery to a Wellness Brand

What started as a personal search for better recovery turned into a wellness brand rooted in clean ingredients, small-batch production, and a deep connection to the land.

Grace Young founded ‘Āina Organics after navigating postpartum depression and questioning what was really in the products she was using. It began as something for herself and her family and is now a brand players turn to for post-play recovery.

💡 Why It Matters: The products you use matter—but the story behind them matters too.

Play More Without Leaving Your Home

If you’ve ever tried to coordinate court time, you already know how it goes—waitlists, crowded parks, and hoping a court opens up.

Having your own setup changes that.

VersaCourt’s Pickleball Performance Tiles are built for consistent play—comfortable underfoot, durable over time, and designed to handle real games without the upkeep of traditional surfaces.

And it’s not limited to pickleball. You can configure the space for basketball, shuffleboard, and more, so it doesn’t just sit there when you’re not playing.

👉 Use code EMPOWER for 10% off Pickleball Performance Tiles.

  • Former Fire Chief Writes Book Inspired by Pickleball 📖 A former California fire chief turned her pickleball journey into a new book, exploring the community, competition, and connections that keep players coming back.

  • Nationwide Pickleball Challenge Will Rank Every State 🇺🇸 A new national challenge is launching to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, tracking which states get the most people out playing pickleball.

  • Nick Kyrgios Says Pickleball Isn’t a Threat to Tennis 🎾 Kyrgios shut down the idea that pickleball is competing with tennis, saying the two sports are “very different” and should coexist rather than compete.

  • Pickleball Just Killed a Multi-Million Dollar Deal 🏡 A realtor says a waterfront home deal fell through after buyers realized the nearest pickleball courts were 18 miles away.

My Hands Sweat… So I Finally Looked Into This

It’s been a while since we talked apparel, and I keep seeing the same question: do you really need pickleball-specific clothes?

No. You don’t.

I’ve played a tournament in thick, sweatpant-style joggers. Not my best decision, but it worked. That said, I’ve started paying more attention to what I wear based on how I play.

And one thing I know I’m not alone in—my hands sweat. All the time.

Overgrips help, but I started looking into other options and came across Wringer Wear. They use something called DRYV® Dry Hand Zones, a moisture-wicking system built with two layers. One pulls sweat away; the other absorbs it—kind of like having a built-in towel.

They’ve got everything—shorts, skirts, tanks, sweatshirts—and it’s all lightweight, comfortable, and made for high-sweat situations (which, honestly, feels like every game).

It’s one of those things that feels small, but makes a difference once you notice it.

👉 Check out Wringer Wear.

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.