Stop Copying the Pros

VKTRY: Performance Insoles
Hope Health and Wellness: Comprehensive Health Solutions
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. Only subscribe if you want skill development content. Free guides 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:

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

Congratulations to Anna Leigh on another milestone. Those of us here in Palm Beach County have had the privilege of watching her rise from a talented local kid to one of the most dominant players in the sport. The interview I did with her seven years ago—when she was just 12—is included below, and it’s incredible to see how far she’s come since then. We’re proud to cheer her on from her hometown.

Thinking this popular beginner‑paddle roundup will actually help you choose the right gear? My review exposes what’s really going on.

I checked out a popular beginner‑paddle roundup, “Best Beginner Paddles (2026)” in Pickleheads, and let’s just say it didn’t sit right with me. If you’re shopping for your first paddle, read my review first.

I watched a YouTube video last week called “Things I do as a Senior Professional Pickleball Player” by Tony Roig. The advice was solid—and familiar. Most senior players already know it.

What caught my attention is that despite knowing these tips, many players still feel rushed, inconsistent, or stuck. That gap is what my article explores—what those standard strategy lists leave out once reaction time, movement, and recovery start to matter more.

If this resonates, you’ll find more decision-based thinking in my newsletter and on my website's blogs.

Lately, specifically, in an article in The Dink, titled “The Modern Pickleball Meta: Aggressive Teams Win More,” there’s been a lot of talk about pickleball’s “new meta”—that aggressive teams now win more, and patience is outdated. That may be true at the pro level. But for recreational players, especially those still building consistency, this narrative risks solving the wrong problem. Read my take on the problem of trying to imitate the pros.

And if you're ready to bridge the gap between pro strategies and real-world rec results, grab my ebook Why Pro Pickleball Strategy Fails Recreational Players and How to Turn Pro Concepts Into High-Percentage Play. What pro tip has tripped you up the most?

Want to know the third‑shot decision framework 4.0 players use — and most 3.0-3.5s never learn? I broke it down in a recent blog post. If you’ve been auto‑dropping your third shot, this one will change how you play.

Designed with a unique 38-hole, fully symmetrical pattern, CHUCK delivers a truer, more consistent flight than traditional pickleballs. Engineered to perform in both heat and cold, it resists warping and cracking for reliable, tournament-level play. With enhanced speed and durability, CHUCK helps players start every game with confidence.

Want to check it out? Use code PBPT20 at GAMMA for 20% off anything (except stringing machines). Might be the boost you’ve been looking for.

Think pro pickleball advice applies to your rec games? My latest article breaks down why it usually doesn’t—and how following it can actually make you worse. If you’ve ever wondered why “expert tips” fall flat on real courts, you’ll want to read this one. If this resonates, you’ll want to read my ebook: Why Pro Pickleball Strategy Fails Recreational Players, or one of my blog posts about the same topic.

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 give your feet more support and spring, so quick moves feel easier and long sessions don’t leave you as worn down.

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 looking for more energy, better movement, and quicker bounce-back between sessions—without pills or supplements.

Hope Health and Wellness helps players deal with the aches and nagging issues that come with playing often, 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.

Your heart fuels everything you do—on the court and off. X39 + X49 work together to support overall vitality, steady energy, and the kind of recovery that helps you feel and play your best. Many players say they notice better stamina, quicker bounce‑back, and more consistent performance in their game and daily life.

Valentine’s Month Special:Give your heart—and your game—a little extra love. Buy a 3‑month supply and get an additional month free (a $150 value). February is the perfect time to invest in your health, your energy, and the sport you love.

Play stronger. Feel better. Live fuller. https://lifewave.com/leahstasney

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.

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

Playing four to five times a week has shown me how much the right support makes a difference. VKTRY carbon fiber insoles help me move the way I need to, and my GAMMA Knockout paddle gives me the feel and control I trust. Off the court, Natural Action keeps me hydrated, Hope Health and Wellness helps me stay aligned and pain‑free, and LifeWave gives me a noticeable boost in recovery, so I’m not worn down the next day. If you want your game to feel more solid and consistent, giving your body the right support is a great place to start.

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 five ebooks designed to get you unstuck:

Visit my new website at The Next Step to 4.0.

Until next time…

—Bob