Why “Drop No Matter What” Is Bad Advice

Smarter third-shot decisions, better partners, community builders, and what’s actually worth buying right now.

Author

Empower Pickleball
February 05, 2026

National Girls & Women in Sports Day was yesterday, and it felt like a good reminder of why access, opportunity, and visibility still matter—especially as we all stare down at least six more weeks of a winter we’re very much over.

Between indoor courts, warmer-weather daydreams, and our founder heading to the PPR International Racquets Conference next week, there’s still plenty happening—even if the forecast says otherwise.

TIPS & TRICKS

Why “Drop No Matter What” Is Bad Advice

For years, pickleball players were taught one rule above all else: drop the third shot and get to the kitchen. That advice worked when the game was slower.

According to senior pro player Gina Cilento, the modern game demands more flexibility. Forcing a low-quality drop or charging the net behind a bad ball doesn’t make you disciplined. It makes you a target. The real advantage now comes from knowing when to drop, when to drive, and how to survive the next shot.


💡 Why It Matters: Because rigid-shot rules don’t hold up in today’s faster game, and smart decision-making is what actually gets you to the kitchen safely.

EDUCATION

If Your Partner Does This, You’ll Get Better Faster

Who you play with matters almost as much as how you play.

We spend a lot of time talking about bad pickleball partners. The sighers. The eye-rollers. The unsolicited mid-point coaches. But the bigger question is what a good partner actually looks like.

The right partner makes it safe to fail, knows when to talk and when to let you play, and helps you reset instead of spiral. Those small behaviors add up to real improvement over time.


💡 Why It Matters: Because long-term improvement doesn’t come from avoiding mistakes. It comes from playing with people who help you learn from them instead of shrinking your game.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

How One Coach Is Turning Pickleball Into Purpose (and a Brand)

When we talked with Breanna Meertins, she was exhausted—not burned out, but deep in build mode. The kind of tired that comes from chasing an idea all the way through.

Breanna is the founder of Majestic Pickleball, a lead coach in New York, and a high-level competitor with one clear goal: going pro. She’s building a brand, rebuilding momentum in a new market, and helping players find confidence on the court—often all at the same time.


💡 Why It Matters: Because pickleball grows through people who build community with intention, turn coaching into confidence, and chase their own goals while lifting others up.

  • ALW Adds Another Major Sponsor 💄 As if Nike and Franklin weren’t enough, Anna Leigh Waters just joined Ulta Beauty’s first-ever Ulta Beauty Roster. The move signals how women’s sports—and pickleball’s top star—have entered the mainstream brand spotlight.

  • National Girls & Women in Sports Day Marks Nearly 40 Years—and the Work Isn’t Done 💪 Led by the Women's Sports Foundation, National Girls & Women in Sports Day continues to spotlight progress in women’s sports while calling attention to the access gaps that still exist. Nearly four decades in, the message is clear: visibility matters, but opportunity and systems change matter more.

  • Pickleball Is Landing in NYC Public Schools 🏫 New York City public schools are starting to offer pickleball as an official sport, with seven schools already participating and plans to expand. Another sign that pickleball’s pipeline is getting younger by the year.

The Court That Turns Your Backyard Into a Hotspot

Forget hot tubs and fire pits—a VersaCourt is the upgrade that actually gets used. The cushioned tiles stay cooler, protect your joints, and hold up game after game without the cracks and upkeep of concrete.

And it’s not just for pickleball. From basketball to shuffleboard, VersaCourt turns your space into a true neighborhood hangout—the kind of place where friends show up with paddles and kids stick around longer.

Exclusive for Empower Pickleball readers: Use code EMPOWER for 10% off Pickleball Performance Tiles.

Why Picklebalm Keeps Showing Up on Tour

I first tried Picklebalm a year ago after getting a free sample at a PPA tournament. I liked it immediately, kept using it, and honestly didn’t think much more about it… until I saw that Kate Fahey just signed on as a brand ambassador.

That tracks. It’s one of those products that actually works, doesn’t smell like a medicine cabinet, and feels made for how pickleball beats up your body. Shoulders, elbows, knees, lower back—it covers all of it, and they’ve got options depending on how you like to apply (spray, roll-on, stick, foam… pick your fighter). Safe to say, I’m officially restocking.

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