Oops! I Got the Drop Serve Wrong (Plus: The "80% Rule" for 2026)

VKTRY: Performance Insoles
Hope Health and Wellness: Comprehensive Health Solutions
GAMMA: High Performance Paddles
Natural Action™: Water, the Way Nature Intended
LifeWave: Elevate, Activate, Regenerate

Hey, it’s Bob. Two quick updates:

1) This is my last newsletter of the year. (I’ll be back on Jan. 15th.)

2) My new ebook, Stuck at 3.0–3.5? The Complete System for Breaking Through the Plateau is now available online. If you’re a frustrated intermediate pickleball player, this book helps you identify the exact patterns holding you back and offers step-by-step drills, progress trackers, and a 30-Day Challenge to systematically fix them.

Subscribers get 50% off using code SUBSCRIBER at checkout—plus, you can download my free diagnostic guide, 10 Mistakes That Keep 3.0–3.5 Players Stuck (And How to Fix Them).

In today’s issue:

P.S. Enjoy my newsletter? Want to give me a belated holiday gift? Move this email to your primary inbox and click any link inside :)

Hey folks, you all kept me honest – I got several emails pointing out a big mix-up in my last piece about the drop serve supposedly being banned. A special shout-out to my friend Nancy Kaplan, a USA Pickleball Certified Referee, for gently setting me straight (thanks, Nancy!). Inside, I'm owning the error and clearing up exactly what's allowed under the official rules versus pro tours. Read on for the full correction.

Hey pickleball fans, is our favorite game secretly a "threat to public health"? A doctor just dropped a hilarious satirical piece reacting to those scary headlines about rising injuries (especially eye trauma) from a recent JAMA study—complete with absurd "safety protocols" for... walking. It's the perfect laugh for anyone who's heard the injury hype but knows the fun is worth it. Click here for some good chuckles and a smart reminder to play safe.

Sponsored: Stay on the Court Longer with Hope Health and Wellness
Pickleball keeps us moving, but recovery is key to avoiding burnout. Hope Health and Wellness offers personalized holistic care—from IV hydration boosts and weight management to chronic condition support—to help you feel your best on and off the court. Book a consultation today for comprehensive solutions tailored to active lifestyles. Visit Hope Health and Wellness online for more information.

Kyle Koszuta's latest video tackles the big question: How much should you drill vs. just play to improve faster? He challenges the usual advice, explains why beginners should play more at first, and shares smart ways to mix intentional drills with games for real progress. Great for all levels—watch now and optimize your court time.

Sponsored: Boost Your Court Explosiveness with VKTRY Insoles
Tired of sore feet or knees after marathon pickleball sessions? VKTRY's carbon fiber performance insoles are proven to increase energy return (up to +9.3% explosiveness in studies), improve stability during quick cuts, and reduce impact—ideal for pickleball players chasing those dinks and drives. Worn by pros and backed by a 120-day guarantee. Check them out at vktry.com and feel the difference in your next game!

Frustrated with serves that keep slamming into the net? You're not alone—but there's a simple fix most beginners miss. Discover the Upward Lift System: the unique method that guarantees your serves clear the net with ease, land deep, and give you real confidence from the very first shot. No more generic tips—this proven approach transforms inconsistent serves in just a few short practices. Click to read. You'll be amazed at how fast it clicks!

Sponsored: Ready to “knockout” your opponents from the service line? Grab the GAMMA Knockout 16 at gammasports.com. As a PBC Pickleball News reader, use code PBPT20 for 20% off GAMMA gear (excludes stringing machines). Upgrade your serve today and watch those returns float back weakly! Quick Serving Drill: Practice deep topspin serves by aiming for the baseline corners 20 times in a row. With the Knockout's spin-friendly face, you'll feel the ball grab and dive—building confidence faster than with traditional poly-core paddles. Pair it with your third-shot drops for total court dominance!

Ever watch pros and wonder which of their fancy strategies (Erne, stacking, perfect drops) actually help intermediate rec players win more games—without adding chaos? Discover the Smart Select System: the simple filter that shows precisely what pro tactics work for everyday play, helping you make smarter decisions, cut errors, and dominate points. Click to read and level up your strategy today.

Sponsored: Recover Faster and Play Stronger with LifeWave Patches
Want more stamina for those intense 3.5-level games? LifeWave's non-transdermal phototherapy patches (like X39) use your body's own light to support energy, strength, and regeneration—helping with quicker recovery and better performance on the court—Drug-free and easy to wear. Try them at lifewave.com/Leah and elevate your pickleball game!

Ever feel sluggish mid-match despite chugging water? Discover how "structured" water—like fresh mountain springs—might supercharge your endurance and recovery. This simple upgrade has players feeling more energized with less to drink. Read on for the science and a game-changing tool!

Sponsored: Experience water the way nature intended. Visit naturalaction.com for portable and home units—backed by a 90-day guarantee. Elevate your game today!

This video tutorial by Austin of Pickleball Playbook covers four essential positioning tactics to help players consistently stay in the right spot on the court. The core focus is on understanding and respecting the X, effective movement and spacing after drop shots, coordinated poaching with partner communication, and using fakes to confuse opponents. You can read my summary of the video's main points here.

The Boca Open will take place February 26 through March 1, 2026, at Patch Reef Park in Boca Raton. REGISTER HERE.

On Thursday night, Feb 26, is the Ivan Lendl Charity Pickleball Exhibition to support Ivan's charity, the Adaptive Sports Program. To attend and/or donate to this great cause, CLICK HERE.

Newsletter getting clipped? Click ‘View entire message’ or click here to read online.

Shoutout to Epic Pickleball and their Final Court Sale. Shop final inventory of pickleball bags.

Enjoyed this edition? Share it with a friend and help grow our pickleball community.

1. Optimize Your Body & Gear:

To play your best, you need the right support system. I trust VKTRY insoles for explosive movement and GAMMA paddles for precision on the court. For recovery and health, I rely on Natural Action for proper hydration, Hope Health and Wellness for systemic support, and LifeWave to elevate my energy and regeneration.

2. Optimize Your Game IQ:

Great gear gets you to the ball; great strategy tells you what to do with it. If you haven't downloaded them yet, I have three resources designed to get you unstuck:

Subscribers get 50% off the paid guides with code SUBSCRIBER at my online store.

Until next time…2026

—Bob