In Partnership with
VKTRY: Performance Insoles
Hope Health and Wellness: Comprehensive Health Solutions
Diadem Pickleball Complex
GAMMA: High Performance Paddles
LifeWave: Elevate, Activate, Regenerate

Hey, it’s Bob.

Two quick updates:

1) I launched a new newsletter for 3.0-3.5 players trying to reach 4.0. Every Sunday, I break down one specific skill gap between levels. Subscribe if you want skill- development content. Free ebooks included.

2)  If you’re looking for gear that actually makes a difference, the sponsor spotlight below is a great place to start.

In today’s issue:

Bold Southwest Style. Built for Beginners.

Bring fresh energy to the court with the GAMMA Fusion Power Southwest edition. These new styles welcome new players with confidence, comfort, and standout style. Featuring vibrant Southwest-inspired design and a forgiving, easy-to-control feel, it’s the ideal choice for intro clinics, community programs, and anyone picking up a paddle for the first time.

Available now for $49.99

Shop Now at GAMMA Sports

If you’re over 50 and want one simple change that immediately makes your game calmer and more controlled, this video breaks it down beautifully. Read here.

This week, I took a popular drive‑technique video and translated it into what actually matters for 3.0–3.5 players. Footwork, spacing, swing path — all simplified so you can build a cleaner, more reliable drive. Read here.

We started with The Third Shot as a Tempo Shift: How 4.0 Players Control the Rhythm of the Rally, now we’re into The Third Shot as a Prediction Game: How 4.0 Players Read the Point Before It Happens, and we will finish with a more playful (but painfully accurate) look at your shot selection in The Third Shot: It’s Not a Shot… It’s a Relationship Problem.

You can jump into Part 2, The Third Shot as a Prediction Game: How 4.0 Players Read the Point Before It Happens here.

If you’ve been following along with our journey from 3.0–3.5 toward true 4.0 play, you already know the fundamentals matter — footwork, third‑shot decisions, dink depth, and patience. But there’s a point where mechanics stop being the bottleneck. What separates you from the next level isn’t a prettier drop or a harder drive.

It’s how you think the game.

That’s why this week we’re studying Anna Leigh Waters — not for her power or athleticism, but for the five simple strategic rules she uses to control points, create momentum, and win matches long before the highlight shots ever happen.

These are principles every 3.0–3.5 player can use immediately. No pro skills required.

If you’ve ever wondered why your game feels “almost there,” this is the missing layer.

Let’s dig in.

If Anna Leigh Waters shows us how momentum and activity can shape a match, Ben Johns shows us the opposite side of mastery — the side built on structure, discipline, and systems.

That’s why I’m pairing these two articles in the same issue.

After you study how Anna Leigh creates pressure through movement and positioning, it’s just as important to understand how Ben wins through anticipation, high‑percentage choices, and a repeatable framework that never breaks down under stress.

And here’s the twist:

Ben’s system is often more useful for 3.0–3.5 players than anything else you’ll see at the pro level.

You don’t need elite hands. You don’t need pro‑level speed. You don’t need highlight‑reel shots.

You just need discipline — the willingness to make the right choice over and over until it becomes automatic.

If you’ve ever felt like your game is solid but inconsistent, or like you’re “almost there” but can’t quite break through, Ben’s six principles will give you the structure you’ve been missing.

Let’s dig into what Ben actually does differently — and how you can start using it today.

Play Stronger. Recover Faster. Stay in the Game.

This season, give your body the support it needs to perform at its best.

LifeWave’s patented phototherapy technology works with your body’s natural processes — helping support cellular renewal, energy production, and recovery.*

Whether you’re competing on the pickleball courts or enjoying the active Palm Beach lifestyle, many players report:

• Increased Natural Energy
• Faster Post-Match Recovery
• Improved Stamina & Vitality
• Greater Resilience On & Off the Court

Feel lighter.
Move quicker.
Play longer.

Elevate your wellness. Elevate your game.

Schedule Your Complimentary 30-Minute Performance Consultation
https://calendly.com/leahstasney/30minconsultation

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Want to know why the classic third-shot drop is taking a backseat in top men’s and women’s doubles matches? Discover how aggressive third-shot drives are changing the game and what that means for your own play. Whether you stick with drops or start mixing in drives, this article breaks down the new strategies that could give you the edge on the court.

Ever heard of the "Triangle Effect" in pickleball? It's a game-changing strategy for anticipating counters in fast kitchen hand battles—where the ball often follows a predictable angled "triangle" path after a speedup (opponent redirects instead of hitting straight back).

The companies that support this newsletter all have one thing in common: they help you feel better on the court and enjoy the game longer.

VKTRY Performance Insoles provide your feet with more support and spring, so quick moves feel easier and long sessions don’t leave you feeling worn out.

GAMMA paddles (especially the Knockout) are built for players who want dependable touch and put-away power without fighting their equipment.

LifeWave patches are used by players seeking more energy, improved mobility, and faster recovery between sessions—without pills or supplements.

Hope Health and Wellness helps players address the aches and nagging issues that come with frequent play, so small problems don’t turn into time off the court.

Supporting these partners helps keep this newsletter free—and gives you tools that actually show up when you play. Thanks for taking a look.

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

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

If you’re enjoying these insights and want a deeper dive into the skills that move players from 3.0–3.5 to 4.0, I’ve started a new free newsletter where I break it all down in a more focused way. You can subscribe here.

If you ever want to explore more resources, clinics, or ways to work with me, everything is on my site: The Next Step to 4.0. Until next time…

—Bob