How to Form a Team and Some Catchy Team Names for The Dink Minor League Pickleball
If you've ever watched Major League Pickleball (MLP) – with its unique scoring and team-based format – and wished you could play in something exciting like that, then you have to check out The Dink Minor League Pickleball (The Dink MiLP).
When you sign up (not if, but when), you'll have an opportunity to build your team and even give it a super fun (puns are always welcomed) name.
- Looking to organize a Minor League Pickleball event in your area? Click here for more details and information
We've got some tips and advice for forming a team for The Dink MiLP and some fun names you're more than welcome to steal.
Jason Flamm
Team requirements for The Dink MiLP
The Dink MiLP teams must consist of four players: two men and two women. With those four players, you'll play a total of four games per match (a fifth if a tiebreaker is needed. More on that later):
- Women's doubles
- Men's doubles
- Mixed doubles
- Mixed doubles
Each person plays in two of the above games.
The fifth match, if needed, is called a Dreambreaker and consists of one singles game where all four players compete (players switch after every four points).
Once the Dreambreaker is complete a winner is crowned. Okay, maybe not actually crowned, but you get it.
The challenge of finding teammates
Anyone who has played tournaments knows that sometimes there is a challenge to finding teammates.
But, hey, that's why we're here.
The challenges you'll face in creating a team for The Dink MiLP include:
- Finding players of a specific gender - two males and two females
- Finding others with similar DUPR ratings - Divisions are determined by the team's combined DUPR rating
DUPR-based divisions are unique to The Dink Minor League Pickleball. In order to create a fair and balanced system, the four players must combine their scores and not exceed a specific overall rating.
For example, if you and your team sign up for DUPR 14 Division, your combined DUPR score cannot exceed 14.30, and one single player cannot have a DUPR over 4.10.
So, the makeup of your team might look something like this:
- Player A - Male, 3.450 DUPR
- Player B - Male, 3.600 DUPR
- Player C - Female, 3.800 DUPR
- Player D - Female, 3.250 DUPR
The aggregate rating for this team would be 14.10, and because no one player is above 4.10, they would qualify for the DUPR 14 Division.
These details are designed to reduce sandbagging and keep each division as competitive as possible.
So, how do you find your team? We're glad you asked.
Five surefire ways to find teammates
Here are a handful of ways you can find a team to compete in The Dink MiLP events:
No. 1 - Simply ask
It sounds so simple, yet the easiest and most often overlooked way to find a teammate is to ask. If you have a group of pickleball friends or regulars you play with at rec play, ask them.
Some people will not know what The Dink Minor League Pickleball is (but, of course, you'll happily tell them), and others might be too shy to ask if they can play.
It's like prom. If you want someone to dance with, sometimes you just have to ask.
No. 2 - Join a Facebook Group
Even if you're not an avid social media user, we're willing to bet you are on Facebook (and if you are, go ahead and follow us). Simply go to Facebook Groups and search "pickleball and your area." There is likely to be a group for you to join.
If it looks active, go ahead and post that you're looking for players within a specific DUPR range and see if anyone else is also looking for teammates.
If they don't know what The Dink MiLP is, send them this article:
Jason Flamm
No. 3 - Look on DUPR
The DUPR app is a great place to go to find players of a specific skill level in your area. You can direct message them or add them as friends and then invite them to play on a team with you.
Again, asking is 99 percent of the challenge.
No. 4 - Ask your local club owner
If you are a member of a local pickleball club, contact the coordinator or owner and see if they know of anyone looking for team members. There's an excellent chance you're not the only one asking and, even if you are, they'll know who to reach out to in case someone else comes to them later.
No. 5 - Ask the event organizer or sign up as an individual
The Dink Minor League Pickleball Event organizers want you to play in their event. If you are absolutely stuck filling out a team, e-mail the person running the upcoming tournament and ask if they happen to know anyone in the area who might be looking for a teammate.
Most events offer individual signups, which doesn't guarantee that you'll be on a team but at least gives you one last chance to find your squad. If enough individuals sign up (or a team has a player drop), then you'll be placed in the proper division and get to play the tournament on game day.
What to do once you find your team
Hopefully, this helps you find your team for an upcoming The Dink MiLP event. If not, keep trying with future events. With hundreds planned for this year, the next one is likely right around the corner.
Jason Flamm
Once you do have your team together, it's time to put in some work to ensure you make it to the podium. Here are some suggestions for making your team as strong as possible.
Practice, practice, practice
Whether you have a few days or several weeks to prepare, practicing together can go a long way toward helping you gel as a team. You'll learn each other's strengths and weaknesses and develop a sense of who the best pairings will be.
Mimic real games
The beauty of having four players is that you can practice each type of game you'll be in during the tournament – even the singles. When you practice with a purpose, there's a better chance it'll translate over to real games.
Provide each other feedback
Support each other by providing feedback or strategy tips. Knowing who your strongest and weakest players are ahead of the event can help ensure you make your strongest pairings and perform your best during the tournament.
Develop a game day game plan
During the tournament, there is a lot to worry about beyond the games themselves. Develop a strategy for on the court, but also one for off of it. Know what time you'll all show up, where you'll warm up together, etc ...
Jason Flamm
Come up with a fun team name
Matching outfits isn't required, but highly suggested. What is required, though, is coming up with a team name. You can use something generic, but why? Instead, have some fun with it.
Here are a few of our favorite (most are puns, of course) team names that you are welcome to steal.
Names based on bands/Musical Artists
- Spin Doctors
- Dinkin' Park
- Paddle at the Disco
- Pickleback
- Net Zeppelin
- Dink Floyd
- The Net Hot Chili Peppers
- Volley Parton
Names based on popular TV shows or movies
- Blazing Paddles
- Parks and Wreck
- Stranger Swings
- The Walking Dinks
- The Netbusters
- The Dropfathers
- Super Smash Bros
- The Wizards of Lobs
Random Names
- Abraham Dinkins
- The Volley Llamas
- Designated Dinkers
- For Hits and Giggles
- Stiff Dinks
- Red Lobsters
- The Kitchen Staff
- Don't Lob Us Bro
If none of those are interesting to you, hopefully they at least provided some inspiration for your own creation. The options are endless.
Register for The Dink Minor League Pickleball
Events are happening nationwide constantly. The best way to stay updated is to check the Events Calendar.
And, if you're interested in organizing The Dink Minor League Pickleball Events in your area, here's your guide ...
Jason Flamm
We hope to see you at one of The Dink Minor League Pickleball Events soon!
