Five Dink Friday, 1572 e 1000 n, Layton, UT (2026)

03/02/2026

🥒 Pickleball Has Entered the Snack Aisle (And It’s Spicy)
Well.

We’ve officially made it.
Not just ESPN coverage.
Not just sold-out rec centers.
Not just DUPR drama.
We now have…
Vlasic Pickle Balls.
Yes. That is the name.
Dill Pickle Corn Puffs.

“The volley is on.”
“The perfect doubles team of dill and vinegar.”
“A real pickle putting this bag down.”
Marketing team? Elite.
But WAIT.
There’s more.
Spicy Dill Pickle Balls.
“Serve an ace in snacking.”
“Perfect snack size for away games.”

They literally put the bag on a paddle.
We are not a niche sport anymore.
We are a flavor profile.
Now let’s talk reality.

Internet reviews say they taste like a pickle-flavored Cheeto.

Which is either:
• Amazing
• Horrifying
• Or both

Naturally, I zoomed in on the ingredient list.
And listen…
If I need Google Translate to understand what I’m eating, I’m not eating it.
Corn maltodextrin.
Disodium guanylate.
Red 40 Lake.
Yellow 5.
Green 3.

We’re dyeing our tongues tournament-ball green now.
Hard pass for me.
But I respect the branding commitment.

You know pickleball has officially hit mainstream when snack brands are designing court-themed packaging around it.

Does the NFL have corn puffs shaped like footballs?
Does the PGA have neon golf dust balls?
No.
We do.
We are the cultural moment.

So I’m curious:
Have you seen these in the wild?
🥒 Smash the bag
🔥 Spicy or bust
🚫 Absolutely not
👀 I’ll try one… for science

02/27/2026

🎃 Pickleball Halloween Inspo (We Can Do Better)

I went hunting for pickleball Halloween costumes on Amazon.
And… the options were thin.

Basically:
🥒 Be a pickle (classic, timeless, expected)
🏓 Be a paddle-and-ball duo (cute couples costume, zero mystery)
🎾 Or full-send in a giant pickleball suit
But the real gold?

A thread inside The Kitchen Facebook group where players actually got creative.

A few favorites:
🦞 The Lobster — full red claws, commitment level 10/10
🧚‍♀️ D**kerbell & Captain Hookshot — elite couple energy
👬 Bert and Ernie (if you know, you know… and yes, I wrote a full exposé on Bert once)

That’s when I realized:
Pickleball players are way more creative than Amazon.
So now I need to know:
Are you dressing up pickleball-style this year?
And if you are… please send photos.
I may or may not feature the best ones next week.

Also, if you’re carving pumpkins? See if you can top a pickleball paddle silhouette.
Game on. 🎃🏓

And if Five D**k Friday made you laugh, learn, or at least add one drill to your list this week, forward it to your favorite pickleball pal.

Let’s keep growing the fam, one laugh and one lob at a time.

02/26/2026

🛠️ How Often Should You Replace Your Paddle? (Asking for a friend)

Tuesday night during league, someone asked:
“So… how often do you replace your paddle?”
Confession: I almost never buy paddles.
I just wait for CRBN to send me one.

They sent me the TruFoam a couple months ago and… wow.
Immediate upgrade: • crisper drives
• heavier spin
• more control

But two months later?
That “new paddle magic” already feels… less magical.
If I were shelling out $300 every time, I’d probably play mine until it disintegrated.
Frugal queen energy.

Then, because the pickleball gods have timing, I stumbled on a Reddit thread asking the exact same question.

Here’s what real players actually notice:
🧩 What Changes Over Time
• Grit wears down → less bite, less dip
• Core softens → dead spots + weird rebounds
• Grip ages → doesn’t break, just feels tired
• Outdoor courts chew faces faster

⏱️ How Long People Keep Paddles
• Heavy hitters (20+ hrs/week): 2–3 months
• Regular players (4–6x/week): 3–6 months
• Moderate play: 6–12 months
• Team “’til it snaps”: multiple years
• Budget crew: rotate two paddles to stretch lifespan

💥 The “New Paddle Window”
Most players say the wow lasts 15–20 hours.
After that? Still good. Just not chef’s kiss.
That tracks.

🧼 How to Stretch Paddle Life
• Clean the face (damp microfiber + dry)
• Use a “beater” paddle on rough outdoor courts
• Pay attention when spin disappears, it might not be you

🧠 My take?
Fresh grit matters.

And yes, paddles are a worthy expense if you love testing the latest.
I just happen to get lucky sometimes.

So really, thanks for reading Five D**k Friday.
You’re quietly fueling my paddle habit.
Poll time: How often are you refreshing your paddle?

02/25/2026

💞 Mixed Doubles: Marriage Edition

A reel from Friday Pickleball dropped this week that every married pickleball couple will feel in their soul.
Comedy gold.

And if I’m being honest?

The only person I ever get mentally frustrated with on the court is my husband, Lance.

Probably because we drill together.

So in my head, we should play flawlessly together.
Which… is not how reality works.
If we’re getting smoked by 5.0s? Fine.
If I’m playing with someone less experienced? Totally fine.

But if Lance and I lose to people we should beat?
It bugs me.
I hate losing.
So I’ve had to reframe what “winning” means.

Now?
Winning = everyone’s having fun.
By that definition, I’m winning a lot more these days.
But let’s not pretend I suddenly love losing. 😉

So I’m curious:
Do you and your partner play together?
Be honest: • Yes — and we’re still married (barely)
• Nope — learned that lesson fast
• Yes — and we’re actually great together (unicorn status)

Pickleball: strengthening marriages… or stress-testing them since 1965. 😅

02/24/2026

🎯 ⚡ The Forehand Flick (and When to Use It)

Last week I shared the height hack for knowing when to tap, roll, or flick.

So you can imagine my excitement when I found a killer tutorial that breaks down exactly how to drill the forehand flick.

What I loved:
The progression.
You can actually see how to build: • control
• acceleration
• timing

Instead of just “try flicking it harder.”
But the best part?
Someone in the comments asked the question we’re all thinking:
When do you actually use it?

The coach’s answer was gold:
👉 Out of the air on net-height (or slightly below) balls when you’re reaching in on a dead d**k.
👉 Off the bounce for speed-ups or those dipping “drip” shots in transition.
👉 Anytime you can accelerate through the ball while keeping it low and unreadable.
Simple.
Sneaky.
Seriously effective.

This is one of those shots that doesn’t look violent, but it feels violent to defend.
And yes… it’s officially on the drill list.

Which, at this point, is starting to look like a Costco receipt. 😅
Are you flicking intentionally… or just occasionally getting lucky?

02/23/2026

💥 The Inside-Out Overhead (Because Molly Murdered Me)

I just found a killer new shot I have to drill.
Why?
Because I got absolutely wrecked Monday night in mixed league by a woman named Molly.
Former volleyball outside hitter.
Now high school coach.
Ridiculous overheads.
Every time we popped one up?
She pounced.
Precision. Placement. Power.
And the disguise? Savage.
Turns out, it’s the inside-out overhead, and it’s pure deception.

Here’s the gist:
1️⃣ Set up like a normal overhead (paddle up, shoulders turned)
2️⃣ As the ball approaches, open the paddle face slightly
3️⃣ Instead of smashing straight down, swipe across it (left to right)
4️⃣ Snap the wrist on contact

It looks normal until the last second.
Then it’s gone the other way.

At higher levels, people get everything back.
That’s when disguise becomes the real weapon.

Make them think one direction.
Go the other.

So yes, this one’s officially on the drill list.
The ever-growing drill list.

Because lately?
I’ve been playing way more than practicing.

Be honest:
Are you drilling… or just playing league and calling it “training”? 😅
I need moral support.

02/20/2026

🇳🇿 Advanced Pickleball in New Zealand (Found Them)

Okay… we found the advanced players. 😏

Lance met Clayton at open play earlier in the week, and they coordinated a proper day of higher-level play.

And I’ll say this:

They play just like the good players back home.

Smart.

Competitive.

Creative.

And an absolute jolly good time (the accents alone were worth it).

Indoor Courts — Update

I’ve been hard on indoor gym floors.

But when you’re playing with strong players?

It’s still a blast.

The adjustment was the ball. Indoors, when it’s hit fast and flat, it almost dies, like phantom backspin. It skips low and forces you to really get underneath and lift.

And yes… the lines are still chaos.

Between the glare off the shiny wood and my glasses catching light, it forced serious focus.

But on a rainy Wanaka day?

Indoor courts felt like a gift.

As if that wasn’t enough, we also found a private outdoor court.

A kind gentleman let us play on his cement court, wouldn’t even let us pay him.

The setting?

Ducks.

A pond.

A tire swing.

Mountains.

And a statue of a guy in a Hawaiian shirt holding a paddle like the patron saint of rec play.

We played skinny singles in what might be one of the most idyllic pickleball settings I’ve ever seen.

Absolutely surreal.

Three sessions. About six hours total.

Which might be the least I’ve played in a long time… and I’m still completely tickled I got to play at all.

Pickleball finds you.

Even on the other side of the world.

New Zealand, you’ve been very, very good to us. 🏓✨

But I won’t lie, I am beyond stoked to be home in time for my Monday and Wednesday morning league. It’s been over a month since I’ve played with my homies, and I miss them mucho.

02/19/2026

✋ Serve Grip Tweaks (That Actually Made a Difference)

I came across a quick reel breaking down different serve grips, from choking up on the handle to sliding your pinky all the way to the bottom.
And I’ve actually been experimenting with this for a while.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:
When I’m serving from the baseline, I slide my hand all the way to the end of the handle.

More paddle extension = more leverage = more power.
I’ve been generating heavier serves and forcing more errors, especially in skinny singles against Lance this week.
But when I’m up at the kitchen?
I choke way up.
Think Hayden Patriquin-style fast hands.

That choked-up grip gives me:
• quicker reactions
• better resets
• more control
• cleaner placement

I’m fully committed to the split-grip strategy depending on where I am on the court.
Baseline = length + leverage.
Kitchen = compact + quick.

If you want a quick visual of the grip differences, the reel is worth 30 seconds.
Sometimes small adjustments = free points. 🏓✨

02/18/2026

👣 Footwork (The Video I Almost Skipped)

I’ll be honest.
When I see “footwork tutorial,” I’m tempted to scroll.
But this one? I’m glad I didn’t.

After playing skinny singles with Lance this week in New Zealand (two hours on a court to ourselves 🙌), I realized something:
My kitchen control felt dialed.
Not more powerful.
More precise.
And it was 100% because of my footwork.

This video with Jordan Briones focuses on something foundational but huge:
Get there early.
Get around the ball.
Then regulate your swing.
That combo = control.

Here’s what stood out to me 👇

1️⃣ Shuffle, don’t jump
Smooth lateral movement. Head level. Efficient.

2️⃣ Wide stance matters
Narrow base = unstable contact.
Wider base = balance = cleaner shots.

3️⃣ Move past the ball
Most players stop at it.
He teaches getting your outside foot past it so contact happens in front, not stretched.

4️⃣ Create space = create time
If you feel rushed, it’s usually footwork.
Move slightly back and lateral so the ball reaches its apex instead of short-hopping everything.
The difference between rushed and composed?
Sometimes just two extra shuffle steps.

5️⃣ Control placement with swing speed + swing size
• Slower swing = shorter ball
• Shorter backswing = more control
• Same mechanics, calibrated differently

That explained exactly what I was feeling this week.
It wasn’t power.
It was precision.

When your feet are right… everything else gets easier.
And honestly?
That’s a weapon. 👣🔥

02/17/2026

🎯 Top 4 Point Enders (According to the Data)

I found a YouTube breakdown from Cracked Pickleball covering the four shots that statistically end the most rallies in pickleball…

And as I watched it, I realized:
Each of these could easily be its own Five D**k Friday section.
So instead of rewriting it, here’s what stuck with me 👇

1️⃣ D**ks — Exploit the Weakness
Big reminder:
When you find a weakness… stay on it.
We love to mix things up because it feels smart.
But if someone struggles on their backhand foot? Or hates balls at their feet?
Why stop going there?
I don’t love “picking on” people…
But in a competitive match?
I will absolutely exploit it.

2️⃣ Pop-Ups — Match Technique to Height
This was gold.
They break pop-ups into three zones: • Overhead height
• Chest-to-head height
• Net height
The takeaway?
Don’t treat every pop-up the same.
Angle vs power matters.
Spin vs smash matters.
Height tells you everything.

3️⃣ Drives — Clean Fundamentals Win
Nothing revolutionary here, but worth reinforcing:
• Power starts in the legs
• Get below the ball
• Create space (no T-Rex arms)
Simple. Effective. Repeatable.

4️⃣ Volleys — The Real Point Ender
Statistically, volleys end more points than anything else.
Two reminders I loved:
• Take volley d**ks out of the air to steal time
• Secondary target: right shoulder

And the reset?
When chaos starts, I reset.
Some call it defensive.
I call it strategic survival.

And honestly?
My opponent often implodes first.

If you want the full breakdown, it’s worth a watch.

Which of these is your biggest weapon right now? 🏓🔥

02/16/2026

🏆 Best Point of the Week (Yes, We’re Doing This)
Okay.

Apparently this is a recurring segment now.
Last week it was two “Shots of the Week.”

This week?
Best. Point. Of. The. Week.
This rally from the Carvana PPA Tour featuring Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio is ridiculous.
They start fully on defense.

Lobbing. Resetting. Floating balls back just to stay alive.
But it never feels desperate.
It feels deliberate.

They look almost nonchalant, calmly absorbing pressure, buying time, waiting. The other team throws in incredible returns. Even a tweener. It’s high-level chaos.
And then… you feel it shift.

Step by step, they move forward.
Defense becomes offense.
The tide turns.
Suddenly the point belongs to them.
It’s not just that they win it.
It’s how they win it — cool, composed, completely unbothered.
Two masters at work.

Reminder: It’s not over till it’s over.
Elite players don’t panic, they manage.

Count how many times you thought the point was done. 🏓🔥

Five Dink Friday

03/02/2026

02/27/2026

02/26/2026

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

02/23/2026

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

02/18/2026

02/17/2026

02/16/2026

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