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The ULTIMATE Tournament Prep Guide (How to Win Before You Even Step on Court)
In this episode, we dive deep into the most controversial news in the sport: the DUPR Reset. Is it a necessary validation tool for the "boots on the ground" players, or is it just a $35 money grab? Rick shares a personal horror story of how winning a gold medal actually caused his rating to tank and why he refuses to play another tournament without paddle testing.
The guys also lay out the ultimate blueprint for tournament success. From 48-hour hydration windows and the "Bazooka" paddle setup to the psychological art of calling a timeout right as your opponent winds up to serve. Whether you are a 3.5 player looking to jump to 4.0 or a seasoned veteran, Rick's 48 years of competitive pickleball experience will give you the edge you need to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay winning.
Key Takeaways
The DUPR Reset: Starting March 16th, players can pay $35 to reset their rating by playing 8 games with 2 different partners.
Hydration is a 48-hour Process: Don't wait until the morning of the tournament to drink water; start two days prior to avoid cramping.
Drive the Thirds when Nervous: The drop is a "touch" shot; if your nerves are high early in a match, use a drive to settle in.
Timeout Tactics: Use timeouts not just for score runs, but for mental resets—especially if your partner just got "tattooed" (hit) by a speed-up.
The Lob Return: Amateurs should use high, slow lob returns to ensure they have enough time to get to the kitchen line safely.
ADD US ON INSTAGRAM: / thisispickleballpodcast
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:21 DUPR Reset Debate 05:51 Ratings And Paddle Testing 09:40 Spring Invitational Preview 10:32 Choosing Your Division 13:03 Pre Tournament Prep 16:12 Bracket Anxiety And Sleep 20:39 Arrive Early Warm Up 22:10 Partner Practice Reps 24:47 What To Pack And Wear 27:26 Lead Tape Setup 28:23 Backup Paddle Essentials 28:50 Carbon Face Cleaning 29:31 Hydration Against Cramps 30:34 Edge Guard Style 32:51 Extra Shirts Strategy 33:33 Base Camp Planning 35:27 Rapid Fire Decisions 38:18 Third Shot Under Nerves 40:30 Timeouts And Momentum 44:08 Bounce Back Mindset 48:01 Handling Long Delays 52:39 Vary Serves Returns 53:49 Wrap Up And Thanks
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By Rick Witsken & Fabian RodriguezIn this episode, we dive deep into the most controversial news in the sport: the DUPR Reset. Is it a necessary validation tool for the "boots on the ground" players, or is it just a $35 money grab? Rick shares a personal horror story of how winning a gold medal actually caused his rating to tank and why he refuses to play another tournament without paddle testing.
The guys also lay out the ultimate blueprint for tournament success. From 48-hour hydration windows and the "Bazooka" paddle setup to the psychological art of calling a timeout right as your opponent winds up to serve. Whether you are a 3.5 player looking to jump to 4.0 or a seasoned veteran, Rick's 48 years of competitive pickleball experience will give you the edge you need to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay winning.
Key Takeaways
The DUPR Reset: Starting March 16th, players can pay $35 to reset their rating by playing 8 games with 2 different partners.
Hydration is a 48-hour Process: Don't wait until the morning of the tournament to drink water; start two days prior to avoid cramping.
Drive the Thirds when Nervous: The drop is a "touch" shot; if your nerves are high early in a match, use a drive to settle in.
Timeout Tactics: Use timeouts not just for score runs, but for mental resets—especially if your partner just got "tattooed" (hit) by a speed-up.
The Lob Return: Amateurs should use high, slow lob returns to ensure they have enough time to get to the kitchen line safely.
ADD US ON INSTAGRAM: / thisispickleballpodcast
Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:21 DUPR Reset Debate 05:51 Ratings And Paddle Testing 09:40 Spring Invitational Preview 10:32 Choosing Your Division 13:03 Pre Tournament Prep 16:12 Bracket Anxiety And Sleep 20:39 Arrive Early Warm Up 22:10 Partner Practice Reps 24:47 What To Pack And Wear 27:26 Lead Tape Setup 28:23 Backup Paddle Essentials 28:50 Carbon Face Cleaning 29:31 Hydration Against Cramps 30:34 Edge Guard Style 32:51 Extra Shirts Strategy 33:33 Base Camp Planning 35:27 Rapid Fire Decisions 38:18 Third Shot Under Nerves 40:30 Timeouts And Momentum 44:08 Bounce Back Mindset 48:01 Handling Long Delays 52:39 Vary Serves Returns 53:49 Wrap Up And Thanks