Cracked Paddles Podcast (Pickleball Podcast)

Cracked Racquets
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Daily

“Cracked Paddles Podcast” is a weekly pickleball podcast hosted by Alex Crum (AC) and Kevin Dong (KD) that brings you the biggest storylines, controversies, guests, and tips for both professional and recreational pickleball. This is a podcast that undoubtedly will bring joy and belly laughs to your life both in and outside the kitchen – guaranteed, or your money back. Tune in every Wednesday to hear what outrageous topics AC and KD will cover that you would only talk about with your closest pickle friends. This podcast is produced and managed by Cracked Media Ventures.

  1. 5d ago

    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.

  2. Sep 8

    Beating Connor Garnett, PPA Nationals, and 4.5 Pickleball Mistakes

    AC and Kevin start by preparing Kevin’s brother Brian for his first 5.0 tournament, breaking down the most common mistakes they see from 4.5-level players. From overhitting drives and forcing offense to poor transition decisions, counter technique, and unclear shot intentions, the guys explain the adjustments that can help intermediate and advanced players take the next step. Later, they recap the MLP Finals in Central Park and debate whether MLP or the PPA offers the better viewing experience before turning to AC’s week at PPA Nationals. AC details his run through qualifying, his win over Connor Garnett, the brutal playing conditions, doubles struggles, his singles performance, and the encouraging progress of his knee. The episode closes with a strange DUPR issue involving several high-profile results disappearing from the system and a preview of what’s next for both AC and Kevin. Check out the video of this episode 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 2:23 The biggest mistakes 4.5 players make 19:05 Midwest Racquet Sports 22:15 MLP Finals recap and PPA vs. MLP debate 31:48 AC’s PPA Nationals qualifying and doubles recap 43:19 AC’s singles run, Connor Garnett win, and Nationals takeaways 51:16 DUPR deleting matches and upcoming tournaments 54:19 Closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Aug 26

    DreamBroken and How to Make In-Game Adjustments

    AC and Kevin break down the end of the Columbus Sliders’ MLP season in Newport Beach, including the playoff loss to Brooklyn and AC’s difficult DreamBreaker performance against Christian Alshon. AC reflects on the pressure of returning to singles after months without a DreamBreaker, lineup decisions that didn’t work out, what he learned from his first MLP season, and whether he can earn another opportunity in the league through improved doubles results. The guys also look ahead to the remaining MLP playoff matchups and the championship weekend in New York. Later, Kevin recaps his weekend at APP Detroit, from the unique convention-center setup to his mixed and men’s doubles results. He discusses the technical issues he noticed in transition, a frustrating officiating situation, and the adjustments he and Wade made throughout men’s doubles. The conversation closes with lessons about adapting faster during matches, Kevin’s continued ankle recovery, AC’s ongoing knee work, and what lies ahead as both guys prepare for their next stretch of tournaments. Check out the video of this episode 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 & Columbus Sliders playoff exit 10:02 AC’s MLP season reflection and what comes next 19:55 MLP playoff picture and championship weekend preview 24:52 Midwest Racquet Sports 26:32 APP Detroit: venue, mixed doubles, and transition struggles 36:49 Officiating controversy and Kevin’s mixed doubles recap 45:08 Men’s doubles, tactical adjustments, and match awareness 55:02 Injury recovery, training, and upcoming tournaments 1:01:51 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Aug 13

    Pickleball Clothing Scandal and Tournament Lessons Learned

    AC and Kevin break down one of the strangest controversies of the season after Thomas Yu and Max “Purple Jesus” Manthou were forfeited from an APP event over matching-clothing requirements. The guys dig into the rule itself, the conflict between tournament policies and player sponsorship obligations, and whether the punishment fit the situation. They also discuss recent APP format changes, including the return of the backdraw and the growing effort to give players more input on tour decisions. Later, Kevin recaps his return to competition at APP Chicago after battling an ankle injury, including the mental hurdle of trusting his movement again, mixed and men’s doubles results, and the adjustments he made throughout the weekend. The conversation then turns to off-court reflex training, as AC and Kevin debate whether gaming, juggling, eye-tracking exercises, and balance work can actually improve pickleball performance before wrapping with rehab updates and AC’s upcoming MLP playoff trip to Newport Beach. Check out the video of this episode 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 and episode preview 3:50 APP clothing scandal: Thomas Yu & Purple Jesus 15:20 Did the APP follow its own policy? 18:00 Player feedback and the return of the backdraw 21:05 Kevin’s return to competition at APP Chicago 26:30 Mixed doubles struggles 40:00 Injury recovery, movement, and confidence 45:41 Midwest Racquet Sports 48:09 Can video games improve pickleball reflexes? 1:01:32 AC previews the MLP Newport Beach playoffs 1:03:52 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Aug 11

    Pickleball Etiquette: What's OK and Not OK?

    AC and Kevin return with plenty to catch up on, starting with injury updates before breaking down the end of the Major League Pickleball regular season. They discuss the electric atmosphere at MLP Orlando, John Lucian Goins’ continued rise, the first round of the playoffs in Dallas, and the newly announced matchups for Newport Beach. AC also looks ahead to potentially helping the Columbus Sliders in a DreamBreaker as the MLP postseason heats up. Later, the guys debate pickleball etiquette after the heated Zane Navratil–Casey Diamond moment in Dallas, covering everything from celebrations and body bags to paddle taps and where competitive intensity crosses the line. They finish with an extended discussion of the new World Pickleball Rankings, including the 50% gender doubles, 35% mixed doubles, and 15% singles weighting, how it could affect tournament qualification and byes, and why AC believes singles still deserves an important place in professional pickleball. Check out the video of this episode 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 and injury updates 3:47 MLP Orlando and the playoff race 11:30 MLP Dallas and Newport Beach playoff matchups 19:57 Pickleball etiquette, celebrations, and paddle taps 37:03 Midwest Racquet Sports 38:23 New World Pickleball Rankings explained 50:38 Challengers, qualification, and ranking strategy 54:12 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jul 30

    Pickleball Hot Takes and the MLP Playoff Picture

    AC and Kevin return after a brief break to recap the latest Major League Pickleball action in San Diego and Chicago. AC breaks down the Columbus Sliders’ run to the San Diego final, the difficult matchup against Dallas, and how the Chicago results affect the team’s chances of earning a first-round playoff bye. The guys also discuss DreamBreaker strategy, the rapidly changing MLP standings, and AC’s preparation for a potential return in Newport Beach. Later, AC and Kevin compare their ongoing knee and ankle recoveries and explain why rehabilitation is rarely a linear process. They then share several pickleball hot takes they genuinely believe, including why you do not always need to practice with better players, why rising lefty Elliot Schup could become one of the sport’s best, and why tournament players should practice taking timeouts during recreational games. Check out the video of this episode 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 3:16 MLP San Diego recap 9:44 MLP Chicago recap 14:26 Orlando and the Sliders’ playoff scenario 18:00 Why injury recovery is not linear 22:12 Midwest Racquet Sports 23:50 Pickleball hot takes 39:11 Outro Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jul 20

    Why Stats Matter in Pro Pickleball

    AC and Kevin break down the biggest storylines from MLP Grand Rapids, including the Shock's dominant performance, Georgia and Anna Leigh Johnson's first women's doubles loss of the season, and the tactical decisions that shaped the championship weekend. They also discuss the growing parity across Major League Pickleball and which teams are emerging as legitimate title contenders heading into the second half of the season. Later, the conversation shifts into one of the most educational episodes yet as Kevin dives into Real Clear Stats and explains the advanced metrics that actually correlate with winning. From third-shot success rates and slugging percentage to transition efficiency and kitchen-line performance, the guys discuss how players of every level can use analytics to better understand—and improve—their game. Check out the video of this episode 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 2:12 MLP Grand Rapids 11:04 Real Clear Stats 18:12 Midwest Sports 19:18 Using match statistics to improve your game 23:48 Which statistics matter most in singles? 27:30 Kevin’s upcoming tournament schedule 28:42 MLP San Diego preview 31:40 Closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jul 8

    AC's First Gold +Treating Your Body like a Pro Athlete

    AC and Kevin recap everything that happened at MLP New York, breaking down the biggest surprises from the weekend, standout team performances, and how recent roster moves are already changing the league. The guys discuss which teams are beginning to separate themselves, the impact of recent trades, and why chemistry continues to be one of the biggest factors in Major League Pickleball. Later, AC shares an update on his recovery and preparations for the remainder of the season, including where his game currently stands after months of battling injuries. The conversation also touches on paddle recommendations, upcoming tournaments, and what each of them is looking forward to over the next stretch of the professional pickleball calendar. Check out the video of this episode 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 1:10 MLP New York recap 5:55 Team performances and standout results 10:50 Dylan Frazier trade and Nico Montoya discussion 16:10 AC's injury recovery and returning to competition 25:30 Midwest Sports 27:20 Paddle recommendations and equipment talk 29:15 Portland Challenger preview and tournament plans 33:50 Long-term recovery, rehab, and training philosophy 40:15 Closing thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

“Cracked Paddles Podcast” is a weekly pickleball podcast hosted by Alex Crum (AC) and Kevin Dong (KD) that brings you the biggest storylines, controversies, guests, and tips for both professional and recreational pickleball. This is a podcast that undoubtedly will bring joy and belly laughs to your life both in and outside the kitchen – guaranteed, or your money back. Tune in every Wednesday to hear what outrageous topics AC and KD will cover that you would only talk about with your closest pickle friends. This podcast is produced and managed by Cracked Media Ventures.

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