A dinking drill, Tyson McGuffin Impersonation {Video}, and one strategy to improve faster.

Welcome back to the 39th edition of this newsletter — powered by Selkirk! 

If you’re one of the 32 people who joined last week and you’re anything like me — the “binge reading type” —  click here to see all previous editions. 

Now, let’s get to it!

Today’s edition has three parts: 

1. A Helpful TIP - a 4-person dinking drill to improve your kitchen play. 

2. An Entertaining Video - In honor of one of the all - time greats, I made a special Tyson McGuffin impersonation video. (my favorite part is at the 1:03 mark.😂)

3. An Update on my Journey To Pro - I share a strategy I use to train smarter and improve faster. 

A HELPFUL TIP 

Ever done four person drills before? My guess is, probably not. 

Most of us (if we’re drilling at all), do it with one partner. Which makes sense. It helps maximize reps and if you have four there, you might think, “why don’t we just play games?” 

I’m with you. 

But…

4 person drills that simulate real game situations have value.

So, in today’s video, I share a drill (not originally mine) my friends and I like to do before getting into rec play.  I call it, “Four - Person Dinking.”

This drill has two benefits. It… 

1. warms you up to play and

2. gets you more real reps around the kitchen. 

Because, as players at the highest level know, the kitchen is where the money is made.

Check it out and give it a try next time you go out to play! 

And DON'T forget to screenshot the rules at the end of the video so you'll remember them next time out.

AN ENTERTAINING VIDEO 

A few months ago, I had an idea. Make a Tyson McGuffin impersonation video.

And for those who don’t know, Tyson is one of the all time great pickleball players. He’s currently top 10 in the world in singles & doubles. The guy’s an absolute beast.

So after a long wait, inspiration struck. Last week, I bought a mullet, a mustache, and took my camera out to the courts to have some fun.

I probably spent wayyyyyyyy to much time working on this, but wanted to do Tyson justice.

I hope you enjoy! 👇

AN UPDATE ON MY JOURNEY TO PRO

The greatest distance in the world is the distance between knowing something and doing it. 

I know I should spend less than I save, but sometimes I don’t. 

I know I should eat healthy, but sometimes I don’t. 

I know I should workout, but sometimes I don’t. 

As I’ve written about in a past edition…

pros do consistently what amateurs do occasionally. 

And to get to the place where I want to get to (top 10 in the world), I can’t have an amateur mindset. 

Yet I have to confess. I do, all the time. 

I fall prey to, “lackadaisical training.” 

Show up to the court. Meet my buddy who I’ll hit with that day. Dink a little bit, then say,“Soooo, what should we work on today?” 

If I ever say those words, I’ve already failed. About a month ago, I caught myself saying it and was later frustrated I let myself default to that lazy training mindset. 

Because as humans, that’s what happens. We don’t default to hard work. We default to laziness. We have to choose to be intentional in our work. We have to choose to push ourselves outside our comfort zones.  

Coincidentally, the next day I heard a story about how one of the top athletes in the world trains - consistently. 

And it jolted me back to who I’m trying to become as a player. And it reminded me how a player who wants what I want would act in their training. 

So I thought, what’s the one change I need to make to start the dominoe effect of better training. 

And I remembered something I’ve taught many young athletes (in basketball) over the years. 

I call it, “5 minute prep.” 

A quick heads-up: if you do choose to do this before your next training session, you'll be more productive, guaranteed or your money back!

Here’s what it is. 

1. Identify the 3-4 things to work on during the session

2. Then choose an intent (or focus area). 

 

When I do my 5 minute prep before a training session, I’m more productive! And when I say productive, I mean..

I work on skills that matter. 

I get better faster. 

And at the end of the session, I’m more satisfied with the work I just did. 

It’s also worth noting, I’m always open to changing the “what” after I run it past my partner - if they have different skills they want to train that day. 

So here’s my challenge for you:

Give 5 minute prep a chance the next time you go hit the courts and see if you feel different about what you got done when you finish playing.

If you try this and it helps, let me know! I’d love to hear about it.

Until next time, 

Kyle 

PS:  My mission here is to educate (and teach) people this awesome sport, make them laugh, and inspire others to have the courage to go after what they want in life.

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