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Leagues Nationwide Are Adopting Standard Pickleball Rating System To Enhance Competition With Level-Based Play, More Opportunities to Compete and Grow Participation 

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As amateur pickleball competition continues to gain momentum – both in opportunities to compete and in the number of players participating – leagues across the country are partnering with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) to enhance opportunities for amateur players to compete, showcase their skills and even win prize money.  

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La Cocina, Honcho Pickleball League, National Team Pickleball League (NTPL) and World Pickleball Tour (WPT) are just a few of the amateur leagues that have recently partnered with DUPR. The technology platform has solidified its status as the go-to-solution for the largest amateur leagues and tours in the sport, collaborating with local pickleball leaders to support level-based competition for hundreds of thousands of players and the overall growth of the game here in the United States and worldwide. 

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“The adoption of DUPR by these leading pickleball leagues marks a major milestone in unifying the leading amateur tours and eliminating barriers to gameplay. League organizers and players are the heart of the game, and offering our technology and rating system can help to further enhance their efforts, support local play and make the sport even more fun,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO.

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DUPR offers organizers the ability to use its accurate, reliable rating to organize competitive, level-based matches, and use its community platform to reach hundreds of thousands of pickleball players to highlight their leagues and upcoming events. Most importantly, players benefit from competing against others at their level for an even better experience. 

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With 3,184 players across 12 states and 20 active venue partners, Honcho Pickleball League is also relying on DUPR to grow the sport and foster connections. “We are excited to dive into this relationship with DUPR,” said Chris Mott, Chief Revenue Officer of Honcho Pickleball League. “Their support not only provides us with one of the largest, most detailed player databases in the sport but also aligns with our mission to provide exceptional pickleball experiences and development opportunities for our players. We look forward to a fruitful relationship that brings added excitement and competition to our communities across the nation.”

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The adoption of DUPR by these amateur leagues marks a move towards unifying the game under one common language and standard. When players have DUPR, they not only can experience more competitive play within their leagues, but are now part of a global pickleball community, enabling them to find level-based play wherever they are. Amateur leagues that use DUPR include: 

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• Honcho Pickleball League: With thousands of players across 12 states, Honcho Pickleball League is a premier amateur league offering six weeks of regular season play and two weeks of playoffs, offering fun, structured and dynamic competition. 
• La Cocina: La Cocina Pickleball is a dynamic and innovative platform dedicated to promoting the thrilling sport of pickleball across the diverse and vibrant region of Latin America. 
• National Team Pickleball League: The NTPL is an exciting points-based team concept of play that features men’s, women’s and mixed doubles. Each win for a player earns points for their team, and the teams with the highest points in their local leagues have the chance to advance to the National Championships held each fall. 
• World Pickleball Tour: WPT is the world’s largest amateur pickleball tour, offering unparalleled competition, camaraderie, and excitement while offering a Round Robin format, providing 8 guaranteed matches to all players, elevated swag, and an inclusive and competitive atmosphere.
• The Dink Minor Leagues: The Dink Minor Leagues is an innovative round-robin team competition with guaranteed matches. Mixed teams of 4 players (2 women and 2 men) are broken into divisions to compete against each other in four 21-point games.

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To join the global pickleball community and support your league with level-based play, please visit www.dupr.com.

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• ‍Exclusive Pickleball Coach Certification Courses to be built and taught By Tyson McGuffin “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports” - Barstool Sports
• Courses are part of broader collaboration between RPPk, DUPR and McGuffin to Formalize Global Professional Pickleball Training and Development
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DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating); The Registry of Pickleball Professionals (RRPk), the pickleball arm of the International Coaches Institute; and Tyson McGuffin, a world top ten singles and doubles pickleball professional, today announced a co-venture to support the career development of professional pickleball coaches and organizers with a new series of educational programs and certification courses.  While pickleball continues its rapid growth in the United States and around the world, professional coaches and organizers have yet to be supported with formalized training and tools to introduce and teach the sport to their communities.

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Now, pulling from DUPR’s technology and ratings, RPPk’s expertise in education and training, and McGuffin’s experience as a professional player and instructor, the new courses, accessible via RPPk, will provide coaching professionals with certified pickleball training, instruction and resources to further their professional development. “As pickleball grows, the sport needs foundational training and resources for coaches to grow the sport effectively in the US and worldwide,” said Luis Mediero, President of the Registry of Pickleball Professionals (RPPk). “Working with Tyson and DUPR enables us to provide coaches with valuable training and technology that will positively impact their pickleball programs. These courses will empower professionals to successfully implement pickleball events and play, offer opportunities to grow in their careers and even train others to become certified coaches.” 

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‍Tyson McGuffin, world-number 4 and triple crown champion, added, “As a player and professional I’ve been looking for opportunities to spread my knowledge and technical insights as a coach and professional in the game. I’m thrilled to partner with DUPR and RPPk to support my fellow professionals with the latest foundational tools, training and resources to support their career development and growth of the game we all love. While these courses are not yet a  finished product we are collectively aiming, over time, to have the most robust and authentic certification offerings available.” 

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The program offers certification for those looking to advance their general pickleball professional acumen, featuring certification courses in coaching beginner, advanced and competitive players, as well as elite certification programs to equip leaders in the space with the tools to train others to help grow the game.

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“Professionals are the lifeblood of the game, and we are committed to providing the training, tools and technology to grow pickleball and make the experience fun and exciting so players keep coming back to the court,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “Our focus at DUPR is to bring accessible, easy-to-understand technology and analytics to pickleball to unify the sport across age, gender and location with a simple rating system. We are honored to work with  RPPk and Tyson to support professionals and the growth of the game worldwide.” 

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This partnership aims to formalize global standards for professional pickleball certification and education. Together, the organizations are developing the following programs to be released later this year: 

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• Coach Certification Courses: These three separate coach certification programs will offer professionals the opportunity to become certified in coaching beginner players, coaching advanced and competitive players, and pickleball management.  

• Players’ Rating Program: This will train certified International Professional coaches in establishing initial DUPR ratings for new players to evaluate player skill level, organize level-based play and start to get results into the system. 

• Tournament Director Course: Coaches will learn how to use the DUPR platform to develop and organize successful pickleball events and tournaments. 

• Team Manager Course: Team organizers will learn how to use the DUPR platform and successfully direct and captain a team in a pickleball league.

• Referee Certification Course: Open to licensed International Referee Professionals, this course will teach one how to use the DUPR platform and the necessary regulations in place to referee a pickleball tournament. 

• Professional Services: RPPk offers a series of professional services so that all professionals certified through the RPPk, DUPR and McGuffin training and certification programs can carry out their work with total safety and guarantee.
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‍About International Coaches Institute & RPPkThe International Coaches Institute (ICI) is the first and largest international organization dedicated to offering educational programs, international certification and comprehensive professional services to tennis, golf, padel, fitness and pickleball teaching professionals through their respective Professional Registries.
The ICI currently has +50,000 qualified coaches in 130 countries, and since its foundation in 1989, it has trained +100,000 sports coaches. For more information visit: www.icisports.org / www.RPPickleball.org

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‍‍About DUPR DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit  www.mydupr.com to sign up and learn more.  

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‍About Tyson McGuffinTyson McGuffin has captured the attention of fans and peers alike, establishing himself as a true icon in the world of pickleball. Tyson is a two-time US Open Champion, a five time National Champion, a 12 time PPA Champion and a two time Triple Crown winner. Tyson holds steadfast to his three pillars of Athlete, Dad and Coach. When Tyson is not competing he enjoys spending time with his family, going on hikes, working out, vacationing with his wife Megan, and soaking up special moments with their four children. For more information visit: www.tysonmcguffin.com

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Find out more about the courses and how to get certified here.

Prepare for an epic showdown as The Dink Minor League Pickleball announces seven thrilling tournaments! With 12 to 16 teams per division, each Regional Showdown promises fierce competition. The stakes are high, and the first-place team of each division takes home a Dream Ticket, automatically qualifying them for the 2024 National Championship!

Discover the 7 Regional Showdown Locations

The Regional Showdowns span the nation, offering aspiring players from all corners of the country an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and play for a chance to secure the coveted Dream Ticket to the National Championship. Learn how you can earn points at Regional Showdowns to climb the National Leaderboard. 

Take a look and sign up for a Regional Showdown near you!

1. Northeast Regional Showdown
2. Midsouth Regional Showdown
3. Midwest Regional Showdown
4. West Coast Regional Showdown
5. Northwest Regional Showdown
6. Southwest Regional Showdown 
7. Southeast Regional Showdown

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Explore Regional Showdown Divisions and Pricing 

Offered Divisions: 12*, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22* (*DUPR 12 and 22 are only available in specific locations)

Price: $100-$150

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Unleash the Rewards: What Players Can Expect

• Guaranteed 4 Matches (8 games) where all teams go to bracket. There is a single elimination back draw and the main draw plays for gold medals.
• Winners of each division earn a Dream Ticket to the National Championship. some text
  • Dream Ticket = guaranteed team spot at Nationals. 
  • If the gold medalist team chooses not to compete at Nationals, the silver medalist team will be offered the Dream Ticket. 
• The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive The Dink Minor League Pickleball medals.
• Players receive a swag bag which includes a Gamma Chuck Tournament Pickleball, the official ball of DUPR. 

Northeast Regional Showdown Hosted by All State Pickleball League

Date: July 20th

Venue: Bounce

City, State: Malvern, Pennsylvania

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18

Register Now!

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Midsouth Regional Showdown Hosted by OPC & Pickleball Kingdom

Date: July 27th & 28th

Venue: Pickleball Kingdom Plano

City, State: Plano, Texas

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now! 

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Midwest Regional Showdown Hosted by iPickle Nation and Sponsored by JustPaddles

Date: August 10th

Venue: PickleCon (Kansas City Convention Center)

City, State: Kansas City, Missouri

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Register Now! 

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West Coast Regional Showdown Hosted by Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club

Date: September 7th

Venue: Willow Pass Community Park in Concord

City, State: Concord, California

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Register Now!

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Northwest Regional Hosted BY ZZ2 Pickleball 

Date: September 7th & 8th 

Venue: Caverlero MidHigh School

City, State: Lake Stevens, Washington

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now!

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Southwest Regional Showdown Hosted by iPickle Nation and Sponsored by JustPaddles

Date: October 5th & 6th, 2024

Venue: Picklemall ~ Tempe

City, State: Tempe, Arizona

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now!

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Southeast Regional Showdown Hosted by All Florida Pickleball 

Date: November 9th & 10th

Venue: Lone Palm Country Club

City, State: Lakeland, Florida

Divisions: 14, 16, 18, 20 

Register Now!

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To learn more about The Dink Minor League Pickleball, visit the website. Visit our blog for more information on the 2024 National Championship. Sign up for a The Dink Minor League Pickleball event now to get on the National Leaderboard and start your journey toward Nationals!

"We're not just about playing; we're about fostering a thriving pickleball culture."

Orlando Advanced Pickleball (OAP) started as a small community of pickleballers, to now having cultivated a huge group of pickleball enthusiasts in Florida, boasting over 3,900 members. OAP, founded in April 2023, joined DUPR in October, is not only encouraging level base play, but also about making a positive impact on the environment.

Beyond the court, OAP is committed to sustainability through their pioneering pickleball recycling program in Florida. By converting worn-out pickleballs into functional zip ties, OAP has diverted over 225 lbs of pickleballs from landfills, equating to over 1,500 pickleballs recycled and counting. "We're not just about playing; we're about fostering a thriving pickleball culture", says Dave John, founder of OAP. Strategic bins have been placed across key locations in Central Florida, with plans for expansion pending local government approval. In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to transport their worn-out balls to courts equipped with recycling bins to help preserve the environment and support OAP's mission to ensure pickleballs don't end up in landfills, both for the sake of environmental responsibility and for the legacy future generations of pickleball enthusiasts.

“We're committed to ensuring pickleball don't end up in landfills, both for the sake of environmental responsibility and for the legacy we leave for future generations of pickleball enthusiasts,” Dave adds. The organization is also hosting a Fundraising Tournament in June, to raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, that already has over 220 registrants!

Founded just a year ago, OAP wasted no time in partnering with DUPR shortly after its inception. “Recognizing that DUPR is the pinnacle of accuracy and consistency in pickleball rating systems, OAP swiftly joined forces. Now, OAP is preparing for upcoming events, ensuring that scores are entered into DUPR”, Dave confirms. 

The OAP Team recognized the importance of recycling pickleballs after noticing many damaged balls being thrown away in trash cans at courts. Standard recycling facilities cannot process thermoplastic molded resin, the material pickleballs are made from, so OAP took the initiative to ensure these balls do not end up in landfills. 

“Every contribution helps our collective efforts” David adds. “We can help save the world, one pickleball at a time." Whether it is through league participation, tournament play, merchandise purchases, lessons, or donations, all of it helps towards the goal of a more environmentally efficient pickleball community.

OAP operates their recycling initiative without any financial gain, emphasizing their dedication to making a difference in the environment and the pickleball community. As a relatively new organization, OAP has quickly established itself in the pickleball world through partnerships with organizations like DUPR for accurate rating systems and innovative initiatives like pickleball recycling.

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Learn more about Orlando Advanced Pickleball here.

The 2nd annual College Individual Championship is coming up fast! Get ready for the CINC tournament, where students from schools all over the country compete for the title.

Dates: June 1st-2nd, 2024

‍Location: The Pickle Lodge, 7373 Kingsgate Way, West Chester Township, OH 45069

If you want to stay in the area, here is the tournament hotel link. You will need to create an account with Pivot to use it.‍‍‍

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Pricing

• Until April 30th, the price per bracket per person is $59
• From May 1st to May 22nd (when registration closes), the price per bracket per person is $74

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‍Who Can Participate?

• Any student taking at least 6 credit hours can participate! 
• Players that graduate in the 2024 spring semester are still eligible to play
• If you are playing in a doubles bracket, you must play with someone from your same school
• Players must fill out a registrar’s form and submit it here before the tournament starts to certify they are a student at their school.

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Scholarship Money

*Breakdown per event‍

1st place $1000 per player

2nd place $500 per player

3rd & 4th place $250 per player

5th - 8th place $125 per player

In total, there will be $20,000 awarded!

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Tournament Format

• Saturday 9am-1pm, Mixed Doubles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Saturday 1pm-7pm, Men’s & Women’s Singles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Sunday 7am-1pm, Men’s & Women’s Doubles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Sunday 1pm-7pm, All Events Semifinals and Finals

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All events will start with group play, and then the top 8 teams from group play will advance to the single elimination playoffs to determine the 2024 National Collegiate Champion for that particular event. All players in all events are guaranteed at least 4 group play games. The groups will be seeded to have an even amount of DUPR in each group.

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Players can play in 1, 2, or all 3 events, they are not limited to just singles or just doubles.Group play games will be 1 to 21, win by 2, rally scoring. Playoff games will be 2/3 to 21, win by 2, rally scoring.Times are subject to change based on registration numbers. Bids will not be awarded at this event.

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‍How to Sign Up?

‍Click the link here to be taken to the registration page on Swish.

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‍2023 CINC Champions

• Mixed Doubles: Collin Shick & Sarah Carpenter (UNC)
• Men’s Singles: Collin Shick (UNC)
• Women’s Singles: Dylan Ciampini (Utah Tech)
• Men’s Doubles: Collin Shick & Hunter Boyd (UNC)
• Women’s Doubles: Dylan Ciampini & Katelyn Nadauld (Utah Tech)

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‍About Collegiate Pickleball

DUPR brings the excitement of professional level leagues to colleges all across the US with eight Super Regional events and both a team and individual National Championship. Learn more about the recently concluded Virginia and Georgia Super Regionals!

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The only way to improve your pickleball skills and reach your full potential is through structured practice and consistent competitive play. However, injuries and chronic pain are preventing some pickleball players from reaching their full potential on the court, leading to frustration and missed opportunities to enjoy the game they love.

UBS reports that in 2023 alone, there were almost $400 million in injury claims. But you don’t have to be a statistic. 

Many pickleball players are solely focused on playing, neglecting the importance of off-court training — leading to muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, and increased risk of injury. Without addressing these underlying issues through targeted strength and mobility training, pickleball players may find themselves sidelined by injuries or unable to improve their skills and perform at their best.

In this article, we'll explore the science-backed benefits of incorporating strength and mobility training into your pickleball routine and provide you with simple and effective steps you can take today to help you reduce injuries, move more efficiently on the court, and unlock your full potential as a player.

The Benefits of Resistance Training for Pickleball Players

Resistance training is essential for global health and wellness, but especially for pickleball players. A well-structured plan builds strength, endurance, and resilience to injury.

Research demonstrates that resistance training:

• Increases fat-free mass & decreases body fat % 
• Increases muscle strength and power
• Improves bone density and balance, reducing the risk of fractures from falls or impacts
• Strengthens tendons and ligaments, minimizing the risk of overuse & traumatic injuries

By incorporating resistance training at least twice a week, you'll build a strong foundation for your pickleball game and extend your life expectancy. A recent study with over 90,000 participants found a 41% reduction in all-cause mortality when resistance training was combined with at least 150 - 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 

And yes, pickleball qualifies as MVPA!

Designing a Resistance Training Plan for Pickleball Players

A well-designed resistance plan should target the major movement patterns: push, pull, hinge, squat, twist, and carry. These movements are functional for daily living and are the foundation of many sporting actions.

When designing your resistance training plan, there are a few critical variables to account for:

Intensity

Intensity refers to the weight or resistance you use when performing an exercise. It can come from various sources, such as dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands, or even your body weight. The heavier the load, the more challenging the exercise becomes for your muscles.

Intensity Guidelines

Beginner: If you’ve been doing resistance training for less than 6 months, choose a moderate intensity and focus on performing each exercise with good technical proficiency.

Intermediate: If you’ve been resistance training for less than two years, choose an intensity that challenges but doesn’t change your form.

Advanced: If you’ve been resistance training for 2+ years, you’ll need to use higher-intensity loads to continue to see improvement. After several warm-up sets, your primary sets should push you within a few reps of failure while maintaining excellent form.

Volume

Volume refers to the overall workload your muscles handle during a training session or week. It takes into account the number of exercises you perform and the sets and repetitions you complete for each exercise.

A dose of approximately 10 sets per muscle group per week is a general minimum prescription to optimize your workouts. Research indicates there are potential benefits to higher volumes for underdeveloped muscle groups, but you should always progress your volume slowly. 

Avoid increasing your total workout volume by more than 15% per week, or you will dramatically increase your risk for injury.

Frequency 

The US Department of Health & Human Services and the World Health Organization recommend that adults perform at least two total body strengthening sessions per week. 

Rest Interval 

As a general rule, rest periods should last at least 2 minutes when performing multi-joint exercises. Shorter rest periods (60-90 secs) can be employed for single-joint exercises.

The Role of Mobility Training in Pickleball Performance

Research indicates that improving mobility through targeted exercise programs can reduce the risk of injury in various sports. Mobility refers to the ability to move your joints through their full range of motion and to be strong and stable in those positions. 

For instance, a mobile pickleball player should be able to flex their hips, knees, and ankles at the kitchen line to return shots. An immobile player may place undue stress on their lower back from bowing at the waist instead of bending the hips, knees, and ankles to return shots.

There are several areas of the body where poor mobility can lead to pain and injury:

• Ankles: essential for quick direction changes and to prevent ankle sprains
• Hips: important hinging, squatting, and rotating 
• Shoulders: crucial for overhead shots, serving, dinking, and more
• Knees: critical for squatting and generating force to move quickly

How & When to Train for Mobility

Because mobility training is a low-stress activity on the body, it can be done daily. Incorporating mobility exercises into your warm-up and cool-down routines is an efficient way to incorporate them into your exercise plan, and it can significantly impact your performance and injury resilience. 

Focus on exercises that move your joints through a full range of motion, such as shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip circles. Squatting and lunging patterns, as well as yoga pushups, are exceptional exercises for enhancing mobility.

Here are a few mobility training exercises you can start today that target various muscle groups of the lower body and upper body to improve overall movement quality: 

Cossack Squat

• Start with your feet wider than your shoulders, toes pointing out. 
• Lift your arms straight out in front of you, shift your weight onto the right leg, and sit back as if there is a chair behind you. 
• Keep the other leg straight, bend the right knee, and lower it as far down as you can without lifting the right heel and keeping the chest lifted. 
• Return to standing and alternate sides until you reach 16-20 repetitions. 

Cat-Cow

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• Start on all fours with hands underneath the shoulders, knees underneath the hips, and back straight. 
• Arch the back, lifting the head and tailbone to the ceiling. 
• Reverse the movement by rounding the back, tailbone, and shoulders, pulling the belly button towards the spine, and looking towards the hips. 
• Alternate positions for a total of 8-10 reps in each position. 

90/90 Hip Rotations

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• Begin sitting on your sit bones with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and knees at a 90-degree angle. 
• With your back straight and core engaged, you can rest your hands behind you for support (progress to lifting your hands and maintaining balance).
• Rotate your hips to one side, keep a tall upper body posture, then slowly rotate back to the opposite side, alternating rotations for 8-12 repetitions. 

BONUS:

Here’s a video sequence for improving knee mobility with Dr. Kyle Richmond, a rehab and mobility expert.

Integrating Strength and Mobility Training into Your Pickleball Routine

Consistency is key to reap the full benefits of strength and mobility training. 

Aim to incorporate resistance training at least twice weekly, focusing on exercises targeting major movement patterns. Also, consider making mobility training a regular part of your pre-and post-match routine or a regular at-home training program.

Using a personalized training app like AIM7 can help streamline your off-court training. With customized resistance training plans based on your fitness level and available equipment, as well as guided warm-ups, cool-downs, and daily mobility sessions, AIM7 makes it easy to integrate strength and mobility training into your routine.

Get your free 60-day trial by using the code (A760FREE).

Conclusion

Pickleball is a challenging sport that demands a combination of skill, strength, and mobility. By prioritizing off-court training and incorporating resistance and mobility exercises into your routine, you'll reduce your risk of injury and unlock your full potential on the court. 

Remember, the key to success is consistency and a well-designed plan. So grab your weights, resistance bands, and pickleball paddle, and get ready to take your game to the next level!

By Erik Korem, PhD & Susie Reiner, PhD

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Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) and The Dink, pickleball’s leading media platform, today announced The Dink Minor League Pickleball, a new joint venture designed to grow local competitive opportunities for amateur players.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball will extend the reach of MiLP to create more events and opportunities for amateur players in the United States and worldwide. Since its inception in the fall of 2022, MiLP has hosted over 120 events involving over 8000 participants, gaining considerable traction and acceptance among competitive amateur players due to its exciting format, frequency of events, and electrifying atmosphere. With The Dink coming on board as a partner, The Dink Minor League Pickleball is aiming to host more than 200 events in the US this year alone, with plans to expand its footprint and format worldwide.

“Amateurs drive the sport; they're the reason we're all here. We've published thousands of pieces of content to help recreational players, from beginner to 5.0, improve their game. Through The Dink Minor League Pickleball, we're offering an environment to put those skills into practice, compete, and have an unforgettable experience. And oh yeah, they can also win some money,” said Thomas Shields, The Dink’s Founder & CEO. 

Minor League Pickleball, a subsidiary of DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), is an innovative team competition where teams of four players (two women and two men) compete against each other in a novel and engaging format, with twists on traditional match-ups and scoring for games, matches, and tiebreakers. Under the joint venture, The Dink Minor League Pickleball will host over 200 events across the country, including seven new regional events and a national championship, to bring the country’s most competitive amateurs together in an unforgettable tournament weekend.

“We are excited to partner with The Dink, the premier media and news source in pickleball, to grow Minor League Pickleball into the largest amateur pickleball league worldwide by providing more and better playing opportunities and a unique ‘play like the pros’ experience,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “Combining the power of The Dink’s media platform with MiLP’s exciting format and engaged community offers new ways to spotlight the game, the players and the venues, and further develop the most exciting amateur league the world has seen.”  

The Dink Minor League Pickleball Key Events 

Northeast Regional – July 20th

Bounce Pickleball – Malvern, PA 

Hosted by All State Pickleball League, Stephen Conger

Midsouth Regional – July 27th - 28th

Pickleball Kingdom Plano, TX 

Hosted by OPC, Caroline Luelf 

Midwest Regional – August 10th

PickleCon (Kansas City Convention Center) – Kansas City, MO 

Hosted by iPickle Nation, Rick Fortuna 

West Coast Regional – August 31st

Willow Pass Community Park – Concord, CA 

Hosted by Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club, Carmen Sanz

Northwest Regional – September 7th - 8th 

Cavelero Courts – Lake Stevens, WA

Hosted by ZZ2 Pickleball, Pablo Granados 

Southwest Regional – October 5th - 6th

Picklemall – Tempe, AZ

Hosted by iPickle Nation, Rick Fortuna

Southeast Regional – November 9th -10th 

Lone Palm Country Club – Lakeland, FL

Hosted by All Florida Pickleball, David Tabb 

National Championship – December 13th - 15th 

Missouri Pickleball Club – Fenton, MO 

Hosted by DUPR 

The Dink Minor League Format: Teams compete against each other in Matches using the MLPlay™ format, featuring team matches that are composed of four 21-point games, one women’s doubles, one men’s doubles, and the final two games consisting of mixed doubles. Teams play in a round robin pool, with guaranteed matches and a playoff bracket to determine the winning team. All participating players must have a DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) account, and teams are formed by combining the DUPR ratings of all four players.

For a full list of events and to sign up to participate as a player or host, please visit dupr.com/minorleague.

For further information on partnership and sponsor inquiries, reach out to thedinkteam@heydink.com.

About Minor League Pickleball

Minor League Pickleball offers an innovative team competition format, bringing together teams consisting of four players (two women and two men). Spanning multiple days, our events feature a unique and engaging format with exciting variations on traditional match-ups and scoring systems for games, matches, and tiebreakers. With events hosted in 25 states across the nation, including 108 confirmed events and 7 Regionals, Minor League Pickleball has attracted over 8000 players since its inception in 2022, providing a dynamic and competitive platform for pickleball players of all skill levels For more information visit www.dupr.com/minorleague.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

About The Dink

The Dink is pickleball’s #1 media and news source, offering a range of content via its newsletters, website, podcast network and social media channels. The Dink publishes daily to over 1 million pickleball players of all levels, covering news, stories, tips & strategy, product reviews, pro analysis and basic information about the sport. The Dink is also the creator of The Pickleball Box, a pickleball subscription box, and hosts a number of pro, amateur and celebrity events throughout the year. Visit thedinkpickleball.com to learn more.

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In a milestone deal for pickleball, Pickleball Inc. and the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent company of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour), and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) today announce a strategic partnership to provide pickleball players with a best-in-class experience when engaging in pickleball play, including tournaments, leagues, club and recreational play.

This partnership unites the pickleball play industry leaders to deliver the following:

• UPA has designated DUPR as the official rating across its properties and competitions. DUPR elected to align with UPA due to the organization’s gold-standard competition entities and unmatched global audience of pickleball enthusiasts. 

• Pickleball Inc., will adopt DUPR as the exclusive rating provider for its leading software and technology, including Pickleball Brackets, Pickleball Tournaments, and Pickleball.com’s club, league and ladder software. 

• DUPR will exclusively utilize Pickleball Inc.’s Pickleball Play Solutions to run DUPR-owned events and will benefit from Pickleball Inc.’s reach and powerful technology to receive the most comprehensive competitive player match data in pickleball.

“This partnership with Pickleball Inc. and UPA aligns us with the industry leaders across pro and amateur pickleball and positions DUPR as the common language of pickleball,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “UPA, Pickleball Inc. and DUPR are united in growing and providing a best-in-class pickleball play experience to establish the foundational systems of the sport that will grow the game for generations to come. With DUPR, players, organizers and fans have a simple way to know their skill level, find and organize better events and have more fun on the court.”

“DUPR has established itself as the standard for player ratings in pickleball, and we are excited to move forward as industry leaders together,” said Connor Pardoe, CEO of Pickleball, Inc. and Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. “Integrating DUPR ratings across our properties will enhance our industry leading pickleball play software solutions, as well as competitive, pro and amateur events.” 

About DUPR 

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. Today, DUPR has over half a million users, a 20% month-over-month growth rate since its founding, and a presence in over 140 countries, including China, India, Germany, and the UK. 

In early 2024, DUPR welcomed new board members and investors, including David Kass, tennis legend Andre Agassi, and others to support its mission of unifying the pickleball community with a common language through an accurate, global rating system. The company's partners and supporters include Life Time, The Picklr, JOOLA, Gamma Sports and many others.

About Pickleball Inc.

Pickleball, Inc. is the go-to organization for all things pickleball. Across amateur and professional events, world-class instruction, premier content, data and software, unrivaled commerce and more, Pickleball, Inc. serves fans and players alike with everything they need to enjoy the sport. Entities overseen by the organization include: The Carvana PPA Tour, the competitive circuit for the best professional players in the world and the host of more than 25 pro and amateur events at top venues across the country; Pickleball Central, the leading pickleball omnichannel retailer with gear for people of all ages and levels;  Pickleball Tournaments and Pickleball Brackets, leaders in tournament software delivering a next-generation experience for events, leagues, and ladders; PickleballTV, the 24/7 pickleball network; Pickleball.com, the go-to source for pickleball news and information; and TopCourt, the premier provider of online pickleball and tennis instruction.

About the United Pickleball Association

The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the steward of the fastest-growing sport in the United States and brings the world’s best professional and amateur pickleball to millions of people globally. As the parent company of the Professional Pickleball Association (Carvana PPA Tour), Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) and the United Pickleball State Championship Series, UPA serves as the go-to entity for players and fans to compete in world-class events and enjoy the top pickleball athletes on the sport’s biggest stages.

Media Contacts

DUPR: Erica Annon / erica@mydupr.com 

Pickleball Inc, UPA: Jeff Watson / J.watson@ppatour.com; Jay Moskowitz / jay@majorleaguepickleball.net

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