Third Shot Rants

Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
  • 4.8 (32)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We're two friends in Chicago who love talking about pickleball.

Episodes

  1. FEB 10

    Listener Feedback 2: Etiquette

    Howard and Gina continue with listener feedback. We cover additional etiquette questions and discuss a little bit of feedback on DUPR. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Paddle rack etiquette continued More pickle etiquette Sharing court time on Chicago public courts Retrieving balls from adjacent courts Partner communication Sending the ball back to the other side (between points) Celebrations during play DUPR feedback Differences between male and female DUPRs Playing with partners with lower reliability scores Closing remarks Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Bar Games shit talking Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    55 min

  2. JAN 20

    Listener Feedback 1: Etiquette

    Howard and Gina finally get around to listener feedback.  We give an update on the challenge court controversy at Grant Park. Then we talk about paddle rack etiquette, how much to mix at open play, and kitchen violations. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Grant Park challenge court controversy update. Paddle rack etiquette Mixing at open play Kitchen violations Closing remarks Coaches Corner. Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Restaurant reviews Chim Thai Website: https://www.chimthaicuisinetogo.com/ Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2CL24eLpwHMdxtiC9  Block Club Article: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/02/11/chim-thai-cuisine-owner-brings-love-of-home-cooked-authentic-thai-food-to-albany-park/ Central Gyros Website: http://centralgyros.com/ Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/d4TsUjQZWxmWaLH99 Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina (from last time) Website: https://www.rositastacoscocina.com/  Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/da8z6StxxUgdDokL9  Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    57 min

  3. 12/22/2025

    The Lob

    Howard and Gina talk about everyone’s favorite shot, the lob.  We talk about our lob journeys, when it’s okay to lob, and Gina gives some coaching tips for lobbing. In the aftershow, we discuss what happened when we finally get started with our bar game olympics challenge. Please check out our Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Howard and Gina’s lob journeys How to establish a reliable DUPR rating When is it okay to lob Rec play Organized play Tournaments Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for lobs Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina start their bar game olympics challenge, with pool Resources: Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://pickleballkingdom.com/clubs/waukegan-il/ Leigh Waters lobbing controversy: https://youtu.be/EKm3UUFP1Eg?si=h6SHOdXKEBGfEjSS  Leigh Waters interview about lobs: https://youtu.be/4IOEOf9FUIw?si=6l95VLcPjGYj-qc6  Anna Bright lobbing: https://youtu.be/ZuNxsZj-yfY?si=V4xwTcuG30xvKiC4  Nick’s Billiard Academy: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCX18d8CBmFppqey6  Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Pickleball Kingdom Waukegan: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.waukegan/ and Coach Felix: https://www.instagram.com/coachfelix.pb/ Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    55 min

  4. 11/24/2025

    Supr Dupr 3: Advice

    Howard and Gina can’t stop talking about DUPR even though Howard doesn’t even have a DUPR. We give our best DUPR advice, including some thoughts about what to watch out for in a partner. (It’s not what you might think.) Also, please buy our merch, even though we don’t make any money from it. Third Shot Rants Merch Shop, free shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Life without a DUPR How to establish a reliable DUPR rating Strategic DUPR tips Don’t fixate on a numerical goal Don’t play too early in your pickle journey Women should think about whether to play in open gender groups Don’t stay in the same biome Play up in tournaments Every point counts If you think you’re underrated, don’t play with a low reliability score partner Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for drops Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s birthdays Resources: Third Shot Rants Merch Shopfree shipping until Monday Dec 1 with code THANKYOU25: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/ Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    1h 1m

  5. 11/03/2025

    Supr Dupr 2: CEO Tito Machado

    Howard and Gina interview DUPR CEO Tito Machado. Tito announces news about DUPR subscores that are coming soon. And we talk to Tito about the new algorithm and whether DUPR ratings are comparable across gender, age, and geography. We also announce our Third Shot Rants merch shop!   Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants Feedback on the new algorithm Are DUPR ratings universal across gender, age, and geography? New DUPR feature: subscore ratings by gender and age Closing remarks Coaches Corner: tips for drop shots Please follow and rate our show! Aftershow: Howard and Gina’s Halloween plans   Resources: Third Shot Rants Merch Shop: https://cottonbureau.com/people/third-shot-rants DUPR CEO Tito Machado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilberto-tito-machado-19004670 DUPR: https://www.dupr.com/ Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN    Instagram: Tito Machado: https://www.instagram.com/titomachado.dupr Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    1h 8m

  6. 10/20/2025

    Supr Dupr 1: Introduction to DUPR

    Howard and Gina discuss everyone’s favorite topic, DUPR ratings and reliability scores–how they work, the new algorithm, whether they’re accurate, whether men’s and women’s ratings are comparable. Basics of DUPR DUPR Rating Reliability Index Where to play DUPR matches New algorithm Rating can go down with a win Pros/cons Are DUPR ratings accurate? Our impressions DUPR Biomes DUPRs in Hong Kong Are men’s and women' s DUPRs comparable? Our impressions Need for DUPR to assess and correct Closing remarks Coaches Corner: compact strokes at the kitchen line Please follow and rate our show! Restaurant reviews Pita Inn Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina Note 1:  Our discussion of DUPR is based on the publicly available information we are aware of.  We welcome corrections and comments.  The statement that DUPR starts everyone at a 3.5 rating is based on what we believe occurs in a game among four non rated players.  It is less clear based on publicly available information what the algorithm assumes about a non rated player who plays a first game with three rated players, but based on anecdotal data, it does appear that there is a presumption that non rated players tend to start around 3.5. Note 2: The discussion of a potential upward adjustment in DUPR ratings if a discrepancy were identified between men's and women's ratings based on the data would be intended to apply to men (or women) whose ratings came from matches played with men.  No adjustment would apply to men (or women) whose ratings came from matches played with women. Resources: DUPR info Background: https://www.dupr.com/how-it-works New July 2025 algorithm: https://www.dupr.com/post/dupr-algo-update-common-questions FAQs: https://www.dupr.com/post/dupr-faqs-your-top-questions-answered-by-sarah-and-dave Sarah Carpenter, Lead Data Scientist at DUPR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPtCLNT1sEU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDnXxDEAJg&t=204s Hong Kong amateur DUPRs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_lhgYrRgc&t=297s Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN    Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang   Aftershow: Restaurant Recommendations Pita Inn Skokie Website: https://pitainn.com/pita-inn-skokie/ Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1nagjPc3Lo7A2f46  Rosita’s Tacos and Cocina Website: https://www.rositastacoscocina.com/  Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/da8z6StxxUgdDokL9

    1h 4m

  7. 10/07/2025

    SPF Founder Rich Green

    Howard and Gina interview Rich Green, founder of SPF, the first pickleball club in Chicago. Rich discusses his personal pickleball origin story and SPF’s. Rich announces some exciting SPF news.   Rich’s origin story SPF’s origin story SPF news Honey Butter Beach Club at SPF Operating challenges for club owners Closing remarks Coaches Corner: beginner lessons CRBN TruFoam Waves paddle launched September 25. Howard has one that listeners can try! Please follow and rate our show!   Resources: SPF: https://www.playspf.com/ Honey Butter Beach Club: https://www.honeybutterbeachclub.com/ Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN    Instagram: SPF: https://www.instagram.com/playspf Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    1h 5m

  8. 09/22/2025

    Pickleball Pro Vivian Glozman

    Howard and Gina interview top pickleball professional, Vivian Glozman.   Vivian’s pickleball origin story Becoming a pickleball pro Life as a pickleball pro Pickleball and life advice from Vivian Closing remarks Three and me sessions with Gina CRBN TruFoam Waves paddle launches September 25. Howard has one pre-launch that listeners can try!   Please follow and rate our show! Vivian Glozman Bio   Resources: Vivian’s MLP page: https://majorleaguepickleball.co/player/vivian-glozman/ Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code, including for new Trufoam Waves paddle: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN    Instagram: Vivian Glozman: https://www.instagram.com/vivian_glozman Vivian’s Food Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toastwithviv Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    57 min

  9. 09/09/2025

    Targeting!

    Howard and Gina talk about whether targeting a weaker player is an acceptable strategy. Targeting Games with inexperienced players at open play Competitive open play Closed invite only groups Leagues Tournaments Bodybagging Closing remarks Please follow and rate our show! Learn how to lob from Gina! CRBN TruFoam Waves paddle launches September 25. Howard should have one pre-launch!   Resources: Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Ben Johns head shot at Quang Duong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp11GaekBGQ   Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    51 min

  10. 09/02/2025

    APP Chicago Week

    Gina talks about her APP week and Howard joins her at APP on Saturday. APP Chicago Volunteering at APP Third Shot Rant: poorly organized amateur brackets Watching pro pickleball Closing remarks: please rate and follow our show! Notes:  We were told that the APP entry fee was approximately $145 per person and that APP did not refund the fee for the 3.5 women's doubles bracket we discussed but did offer to waive the spectator fee.   Resources: Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  2025 APP Chicago Open: https://www.theapp.global/tour-schedule/2025-app-chicago-open Megan Fudge Video of Megan’s Third Shot Rants interview with Gina: https://youtu.be/T-VwFL0WbyA  Mixed Doubles Gold: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOCUGkLEjKb/ Womens Doubles Silver: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOCH35JkkPz/ Jack Munro ball tracking: https://youtu.be/Ps59V0GbnRc Fudge DeHeart kid champions: FudgeDeHeartKids.jpg Gina doing the wave: GinaWave.jpg Howard refusing to do the wave: HowardNoWave.jpg   Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    49 min

  11. 08/25/2025

    Challenge Court Controversy

    Howard and Gina explain the Grant Park challenge court controversy, give their views, and describe their field trip experience. Grant Park–the park and the pickleball courts Challenge Court Controversy Closing remarks: please rate and follow our show and tell your friends! Resources: Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments, including voice recordings, about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Grant Park: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/grant-ulysses-park Grant Park pickleball courts: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/grant-pickleball-courts Grant Park pickleball court funding: https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/09/20/16-pickleball-courts-open-in-grant-park-thanks-to-500k-from-lollapallooza/ Teach Reach: https://www.teamreach.com/ Team Reach code for Grant Park: PlayChicago Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle  Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    53 min

  12. 08/16/2025

    Origin Stories

    Howard and Gina preview what their pickleball podcast will cover, describe their personal origin stories, and rant a bit about people who don't know the rules at open play. Introduction to our podcast Howard and Gina’s personal journeys into pickleball Pickle Peeves: people who don’t know the rules but like to argue about them anyway Closing remarks   Resources: Contact info for Gina as coach: gtpicklecoach@gmail.com Send questions and comments about the show to: thirdshotrants@gmail.com CRBN 10 percent discount code: use code CRBNTEN at https://www.crbnpickleball.com/CRBNTEN  Pickledilly in Skokie, IL: https://www.pickledillyskokie.com/ Pickleball Clubhouse in Chicago, IL: https://www.pickleballclub.house/ Horner Park Pickleball Courts in Chicago, IL: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/horner-park-pickleball-courts   Instagram: Third Shot Rants: https://www.instagram.com/thirdshotrants Gina: https://www.instagram.com/gtpickle    Credits: Hosts: Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis Audio Engineer: Henry Chang

    52 min
  • 12 Episodes

4.8
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

We're two friends in Chicago who love talking about pickleball.

Information

  • Creator
    Howard Chang and Gina Tsapralis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Third Shot Rants

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