Cracked Paddles Podcast (Pickleball Podcast)

The MLP Season Has Begun

AC and Kevin break down everything that happened at MLP Dallas, including the biggest surprises of the weekend, standout player performances, and why certain teams exceeded expectations while others struggled to find consistency. AC gives an inside perspective from competing during the event, discussing team chemistry, momentum swings, and how strategy changes throughout a long MLP weekend. The conversation also dives into individual player performances, including reactions to Ben Johns and several of the tour’s biggest names, along with broader discussion about where MLP currently stands and how teams may continue evolving moving forward. The guys also touch on Kevin’s recent Philippines trip, upcoming tournaments, and what they expect from the next stretch of the professional pickleball season. ---------------------------------------- Midwest Sports If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. ---------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro and Kevin’s Philippines medal story 1:45 MLP Dallas overview and AC’s perspective from the event 6:10 Best teams, surprises, and Dallas takeaways 11:40 Team strategy, momentum swings, and DreamBreaker pressure 17:15 Standout performances and player reactions 21:50 Ben Johns discussion and top player analysis 28:20 Midwest Sports 29:10 Upcoming tournaments and Portland Challenger talk 33:15 AC’s training, recovery, and preparation moving forward 37:40 Future tour outlook and closing thoughts 41:40 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Should Beginners Focus on in Pickleball

AC and Kevin break down the biggest conversations happening around professional pickleball, including recent tournament takeaways, player performances, and how the pro game continues evolving at the highest level. The guys discuss strategy trends, confidence swings, and what separates players who are consistently rising from those struggling to maintain momentum on tour. The conversation also expands into paddle technology, player development, and the broader direction of professional pickleball moving forward. Along the way, AC and Kevin mix in personal updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and their thoughts on what fans should be watching closely as the next stretch of the season approaches. ---------------------------------------- Midwest Sports [http://midwestracquetsports.com] If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. ---------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:10 AC’s upcoming MLP schedule and summer travel 4:30 APP signings and Omar Wazir discussion 6:45 What beginners should focus on first 10:40 Counters, blocking, and fast hands 18:47 Midwest Sports 20:05 Footwork, court positioning, and efficient movement 27:30 AC and Kevin preview their Portland Challenger partnership 30:15 Doubles strategy: drives, crashes, and limiting errors 34:10 Kitchen movement, Ernes, ATPs, and match patterns 37:20 Outro and upcoming travel plans Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Tama Time!

AC and Kevin break down one of the biggest breakout performances in recent pickleball, diving deep into Tama Shimabukuro’s rise and why his game has suddenly become one of the most talked-about stories on tour. The guys analyze what makes Tama so effective, including his movement, hands, court awareness, and ability to transition his tennis background into high-level pickleball success. They also discuss Tour Finals storylines, standout results, and what these performances could mean moving forward. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts toward the global growth of pickleball as Kevin previews his upcoming trip to the Philippines with Friday Pickleball. The guys explore how paddle brands may expand internationally, what the pickleball scene looks like overseas, and why Asia could become one of the sport’s biggest growth opportunities in the coming years. AC also shares updates on his knee recovery, training progress, and preparation heading into the next stretch of MLP and tournament play. ---------------------------------------- Midwest Sports [http://midwestracquetsports.com] If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. ---------------------------------------- 0:00 - Intro 3:25 - PPA documentary reaction and AC’s “Partners” snub 8:15 - Tama Shimabukuro’s breakout run 11:05 - Tama’s game style, hands, footwork, and pickleball IQ 15:50 - Midwest Sports 17:20 - Utah, Connor Garnett, and Tour Finals storylines 21:35 - Tour Finals format, results, and TV implications 23:20 - Kevin’s Philippines trip with Friday Pickleball 26:20 - Friday’s Asia strategy and global paddle growth 30:20 - Travel logistics, clinics, and overseas pickleball plans 34:05 - Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How and When Will Paddle Brands Break Into Asia + KD Honeymoon + PPA Recaps

AC and Kevin catch up after Kevin’s honeymoon in China, diving into his experience exploring the country and getting a firsthand look at the growing pickleball scene overseas. From playing at local clubs to seeing which paddle brands are actually being used, they discuss how the sport is developing in Asia and what it might take for American brands to break into that market. Later, the conversation shifts back to the tour as AC reflects on a frustrating stretch of results following his return from injury. He breaks down what’s been holding him back, where his game currently stands, and why he’s optimistic heading into the next phase of the season. The guys also touch on upcoming events, future travel plans, and what’s ahead both on and off the court. Watch this latest episode on the Cracked Paddles YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/6QEqczUgC44]. ---------------------------------------- Midwest Sports [http://midwestracquetsports.com] If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. ---------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro and catching up 3:30 Kevin’s honeymoon 12:40 Pickleball scene in China and playing overseas 19:30 Paddle brands in Asia and US expansion discussion 27:10 Midwest Sports sponsor 28:30 AC’s recent results 41:00 Training plan, MLP prep, and upcoming tournaments 49:00 “Partners” documentary and media discussion 55:30 Closing thoughts and outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Asia Taking Over Pickleball?

AC and Kevin dive into the PPA’s Asia swing, breaking down what the events looked like on the ground and how players experienced the transition to international competition. They discuss travel demands, scheduling challenges, and how conditions impacted play, while also evaluating the overall level of competition and which performances stood out throughout the trip. Beyond the matches themselves, the conversation shifts to what this international push means for the future of professional pickleball. The guys explore how global expansion could shape the tour, influence player decisions, and impact the long-term growth of the sport. They wrap by looking ahead to what’s next on the calendar and whether this marks a turning point for the PPA moving forward. Watch this latest episode on the Cracked Paddles YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@CrackedPaddles]. ---------------------------------------- Midwest Sports [http://midwestracquetsports.com] If you play pickleball, you’ve gotta check out Midwest Pickleball—they’re part of Midwest Racquet Sports, a trusted name in the game for over 30 years. Whether you're just getting started or already a court regular, they’ve got one of the biggest selections of paddles, shoes, and gear from all the top brands. Need help choosing? Their team actually knows the sport and can help you find the perfect fit. Plus—fast shipping, easy returns, and a paddle demo program if you want to test before you commit. And they are offering our listeners a special offer. Use code CP15 to get 15% off your order today at midwestracquetsports.com. Gear up, game on. ---------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro and opening thoughts 4:50 Midwest sports 10:30 Overview of the PPA Asia events 18:40 Player experience, travel challenges, and event conditions 27:20 Level of play, competition differences, and standout performances 36:10 What the Asia swing means for the future of the PPA Tour 44:30 Broader tour implications: scheduling, growth, and player decisions 50:40 Closing thoughts and upcoming events Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.