Kitchen-first pickleball is getting exposed. In this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Dayne Gingrich — senior pro player, top-level coach, and co-author of Pickleball Mindset — to talk about where the game is really being played (hint: transition zone), why MLP is a different sport, and how the next generation will change everything.
00:00 Intro + who is Dayne Gingrich
06:50 Why MLP reveals adjustment (and exposes players)
13:10 Bad coaching vs no coaching + how to vet coaches
15:40 The “kitchen-first” myth + transition zone priority
20:50 The future: aggression, paddle tech, and next-gen players
29:00 Youth pickleball in 2026: academies, scholarships, high school growth
33:45 Best tip for 3.0–4.0: joy + intention
Follow Coach Dayne:
Website: https://www.coachdayne.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/dayne_gingrich/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/dayne.gingrich
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZML929B?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_SBA7VGE45FB04QSB64DR&language=en-US
Follow Smashing Plastic:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic
