Your Partner’s Speed-Up Is Your Problem

What to do when your partner speeds it up, camps worth it, and what’s happening across pickleball right now.

Author

Empower Pickleball
April 30, 2026

Last week, we asked what smell you associate with pickleball. I didn’t end up buying that lemon + mint candle… it just didn’t feel right. And clearly, most of you agreed—fresh-cut grass won by a landslide.

I will say… for those of us playing indoors, that one doesn’t quite hit.

On a completely different note, I blew through the new season of Running Point in basically a day. Yeah, it’s centered around basketball, but pickleball casually comes up a few times—weekly games, name drops… it’s just everywhere now.

On to this week’s reads.

TIPS & TRICKS

When Your Partner Speeds It Up… You’re the One in Trouble

Nothing exposes a partnership faster than a bad speed-up.

One player sees a ball they think is attackable and pulls the trigger. The problem is now you’re the one left defending the counter.

Here’s how Senior Pro Gina Cilento handles it when the pace suddenly flips:

  • Get set immediately → paddle up, weight forward, ready for speed

  • Expect the counter to you → especially crosscourt or into your body

  • Keep your hands simple → no big swings, just absorb and redirect

  • Don’t overextend → some speed-ups aren’t worth saving

💡 Why It Matters: You can’t control your partner’s decision—but you can control whether it costs you the point.

👉 Learn how to stay in control when the chaos starts.

NEWS

Pickleball Is Going State vs. State

There’s now a nationwide pickleball challenge tracking participation across all 50 states.

It’s part of America250, leading up to the country’s 250th birthday—but the idea is simple: play, log your sessions, and help your state climb the leaderboard.

No qualifiers. No barriers. Just play like you normally do.

💡 Why It Matters: It gives your regular games something extra to play for—and turns everyday play into something bigger.

👉 See where your state stands and join the challenge.

EVENTS

Not All Pickleball Camps Are Built the Same

Pickleball Camps aren’t one-size-fits-all anymore—especially for women.

Some are built around connection. Some lean into wellness. Others focus on skill or lifestyle. And depending on what you want, the “best” one can look completely different.

Here’s a quick breakdown of a few worth knowing:

  • Dink Divas: community-first, hosted retreat

  • Reset Retreats: play, recovery, and movement

  • Courts & Couture: social, style-driven experience

  • Inner Shift Academy: skill and mindset training

💡 Why It Matters: Picking the wrong type of camp can leave you feeling like you didn’t get what you came for.

👉 Find the one that offers what you’re looking for.

COMMUNITY

Jessica Jones Didn’t Even Like Pickleball at First

Not every pickleball story starts with someone loving the game right away.

Jessica Jones didn’t grow up chasing it. She didn’t even take it seriously at first. But once she stepped on the court, something clicked.

Now she’s competing, creating content, and building a platform focused on helping players improve—while balancing family, training, and a life off the court.

💡 Why It Matters: Not everyone’s path into pickleball is obvious—and that’s part of what’s driving the sport’s growth.

👉 Get to know Jessica’s full story.

A Mother’s Day Gift She’ll Use

You could go with flowers… or you could go with something she’ll use every time she plays.

The Ramsports Pink Typhoon is built for control, easy power, and a feel that holds up in real games—not just practice.

It’s one of those paddles that just feels right from the first few hits.

And yes, it looks good too.

👉 Grab one before Mother’s Day and get 10% off.

  • 15-Year-Old Wins First PPA Medal 🎖️ A Florida teen just broke into the top 50 across formats—and picked up her first pro medal, joining a very short list of players to do it at that age.

  • Nurse Saves Player’s Life at Pickleball Court 🚑 After a sudden collapse during a game, a nearby nurse used CPR and an AED to restart a player’s heart—and was awarded a Citizen Lifesaver Award.

  • Community-First Pickleball Club Grows in KC 🤝 A Kansas City firefighter went from playing alone to building a weekly group that continues to grow—creating a space for connection, inclusivity, and new players to learn the game.

Multi-Sport Fits I’m Into Right Now

I’m not just playing pickleball and calling it a day. I’ll go from pickleball in the morning to golf in the afternoon, so I need pieces that can handle both.

I came across the new collection from Original Penguin, and it’s one of those where everything just works across sports. It’s built for that crossover athlete lifestyle—court, course, and whatever comes next.

I’m especially into the 3” liner shorts—easy, clean, and functional for movement. Also… I’m seeing a lot of discounts right now, which makes it even more tempting.

👉 Worth a scroll if you’re trying to simplify your lineup.

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.