Cracked Paddles Podcast (Pickleball Podcast)
AC’s Full-Body Cramp + Kevin Competes with 4.5 Bro
AC and Kevin catch up after a chaotic stretch that included illness, travel, and one of AC’s roughest tournament experiences yet. AC recounts suffering full-body cramps during singles in Mesa, the dehydration that ultimately forced him off the court, and the IV treatment he needed afterward. That leads into a larger conversation about the current pro pickleball landscape, including rankings, qualifying, international events, prize money, wild cards, and the difficult position unsigned players can find themselves in while trying to climb the professional ranks. Later, Kevin breaks down a 5.0 tournament he played alongside his brother Brian, using the experience to highlight some important lessons for players trying to move up a level. The guys discuss third-shot decisions, recognizing when to advance toward the kitchen, escaping “no man’s land,” positioning in transition, and adapting to the quality of your opponent’s fourth shot. They also take a closer look at Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters to show how much strategy and anticipation goes into elite-level pickleball before looking ahead to their upcoming tournaments. Watch the episode on YouTube by clicking here . 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 2:57 AC full-body cramps in Mesa 12:13 Pro rankings, international events, and the unsigned-player grind 22:33 AC’s future on tour, sponsorships, and Vegas qualifying 29:31 What Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters can teach you 34:23 Midwest Racquet Sports 35:28 Kevin and Brian take on a 5.0 tournament 43:45 Positioning, transition movement, and lessons from playing up 50:33 Vegas, upcoming tournaments, and outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
