Would You Get Arrested for Your Pickleball Partner?

From felony charges in Florida to smarter cross-court patterns, here’s how to be a better partner this weekend.

Author

Empower Pickleball
February 12, 2026

Would you get arrested for your pickleball partner?

A married couple in Florida did. The duo—partners on and off the court—were charged with felonies after attacking their opponents during a match.

Nothing says Valentine’s Day weekend like a doubles dispute escalating into date night in the slammer.

Good news: today’s newsletter includes better ways to be a strong partner. Some of us might need the reminder.

Plus a few other great reads to get your pickleball fix in!

TIPS & TRICKS

The Shrinking Court: Why Cross-Court Should Be Your Default

The pickleball court starts as a 44-foot-long rectangle. But once all four players reach the kitchen line, it effectively shrinks to just 14 feet in length—while still staying 20 feet wide.

That shift in geometry is why cross-court should be your default pattern.

When you go cross-court, you get:

  • More distance and margin for error

  • A wider target area

  • The benefit of clearing the net at its lowest point (2 inches lower in the middle)

Down-the-line shots travel into a shorter, narrower space and pass over a higher part of the net—a much smaller window at the kitchen line.

If you want fewer errors and smarter patterns, start playing the rectangle—not just the ball.

💡 Why It Matters: Because understanding how the court “shrinks” can immediately reduce unforced errors and sharpen your shot selection.

EDUCATION

The Myth of the “Good Partner”: When Helping Hurts Your Doubles Game

In doubles, we’re taught to “be supportive.” Cover the middle. Step in when your partner misses. Take pressure off them when momentum shifts.

But sometimes what feels helpful is actually destabilizing.

Over-poaching, over-covering, and drifting into your partner’s lane can create hesitation and second-guessing. Instead of building safety, you introduce confusion. Great teams have two players who understand spacing, roles, and responsibility.

💡 Why It Matters: Because trying to “save” your partner can quietly undermine rhythm, confidence, and long-term chemistry.

👉 Read how lane discipline, trust, and defined roles actually build stronger doubles teams.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Two Hands, Learning Fast: A 13-Year-Old Finding Her Edge

There’s a point when a sport stops being something you try and starts being something you chase.

For 13-year-old Natalia Simson, that shift happened fast. She went from watching her dad compete at the U.S. Open to making the main draw in her first pro qualifier. She trains six days a week, competes against mostly boys in juniors, and hits with two hands on both sides—a style that’s become part of her identity.

She’s already sponsored by JOOLA, chasing a 5.0 DUPR, and eyeing her first triple crown.

💡 Why It Matters: Because the next generation of women’s pickleball is building real competitive foundations early.

👉 Read Natalia’s full story and what she learned from stepping into the pro bracket at 13.

  • Samantha Ruth Prabhu Backs Chennai Super Champs at World Pickleball League 🎬 The actress and her husband attended the World Pickleball League tournament. After the event, she shared that the experience shifted how she views sport, calling her team “family” and saying pickleball has completely hooked her.

  • Powerball Becomes Title Sponsor of PPA State Championship Series 🎟️ The PPA’s nationwide State Championship Series is now officially renamed the “Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series.” The series includes more than 55 amateur tournaments across all 50 states, with gold medalists earning automatic qualification into the State Champions brackets at the Pickleball World Championships.

  • Crush It Sports Adds Pickleball Simulator in Grapevine 🎯 Crush It Sports debuted a new pickleball simulator this month, allowing singles or doubles play with interactive targets. The machine launches balls at players and uses ball-tracking technology to record scores in an arcade-style setup.

Ditch the Bouquet. Ask for the Pink Typhoon Instead.

If your Valentine knows you’d rather be at open play than at brunch, send them this link.

Ramsports just released a limited-edition Pink Typhoon—the same paddle players have been switching to for explosive drives and confident hands at the net, just with a little extra personality. It’s built for aggressive players who want power without losing touch, and it’s USA Pickleball approved.

Limited run. Hard to ignore. And way more fun than flowers that die in a week.

👉 Shop the Pink Typhoon and use code EMPOWER20 for additional Valentine’s savings at checkout.

If You’re Training Hard, You Should Probably Be Tracking This

I’m all for smart tech that actually makes life easier. My mom recently started prioritizing her health and grabbed a smart scale—and now she checks it more than the weather.

But not all scales are created equal.

The Withings Body Smart goes beyond weight. It tracks body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, resting heart rate, and even metabolic age. For me, this isn’t about obsessing over numbers. It’s about having real data so nothing feels unexpected—especially when you’re training hard or juggling long tournament days.

It syncs automatically, recognizes multiple users, and gives you a fuller picture of what’s actually changing over time.

👉 If you’re serious about performance or just want better insight into your health, this is the one worth adding to your cart.

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