Will Howells is a pickleball pro who has been lighting up the courts lately, especially on the APP Tour and as a member of the New Jersey 5s Major League Pickleball (MLP) team.
Zane, a teammate of Will's, and Thomas sit down with him on the PicklePod (subscribe here) to discuss how he got started in pickleball, how soon after finding pickleball he quit his job (spoiler: immediately), and what he thinks about the everchanging serve rules in pro pickleball.
The Will Howells Fan Page
The episode kicks off with a lighthearted discussion about Will Howells’ unexpected rise to fame, including the creation of his fan page.
Will speculates that some of his pickleball students in Florida might be behind it, though he insists he’s not the mastermind.
“Some might say that I run it, but that isn’t the case,” he quips.
Did Will Think He’d Go Premier?
When asked if he ever imagined playing at the Premier level, Will admits he was hopeful but wasn’t certain.
“I thought I was more outside looking in than inside looking out,” he shares.
It turns out his selection came down to a gut feeling from the team. Zane admitted that the decision actually came down to a look.
“Ryan (Harwood, GM of the 5s) said, ‘Will just has this look in his eye,’ and that was it.”
Taking Will has clearly paid off for the team, as he’s been one of the best players in the league for the last few events, especially in New York.
Erik Tice
How Do You Decide Where to Play?
Will is one of a half-dozen or so players who play on all three tours (APP, PPA, and MLP). He breaks down the thought process behind choosing where to compete, balancing his involvement with each pro league.
“There are more opportunities for me right now in the APP,” he explains, noting that the PPA involves higher entry fees and more expenses. Will emphasizes that MLP provides a nice balance, allowing him to get tournament reps while also competing in the team format.
“All Serves All Legal”
"Why is your serve so illegal?" the pot said to the kettle.
To which the kettle...er, Will asked Zane, "Why are YOUR serves so illegal?"
After the fun exchange between two of the players responsible for making pro leagues change serving rules, Will, Zane, and Thomas discuss how, actually, “All serves are legal.”
"Except the drop serve," chimes in Thomas.
And they all laugh.
With new serve rules coming for the MLP event in Virginia Beach, Will and the crew break down the changes.
The Most Annoying Team in MLP
In this segment, Will and Zane's team earns the title of “the most annoying team in MLP,” a label they both embrace.
“I love it,” Will says with a grin.
The team’s polarizing nature seems to either inspire strong fan support or equally strong dislike from the opposition. Ryan Harwood, a key figure on the sidelines, draws mixed reactions from fans as well.
“He’s absolutely our fifth man,” Will says. “Love him or hate him, Ryan gets in people’s heads and riles up the crowd.”
The 75 Percent Rule
Will and the guys dive into the murky waters of the controversial 75 percent rule, which aims to clarify close calls but often leads to more confusion.
Will is skeptical about its effectiveness: “I don’t think it’s as black and white as 75 percent out means it’s out.”
The group jokes about over-complicating things, with Zane commenting on his recent tweet (that the PPA Tour reposted), “We finally have close-call replay technology, and we’re still figuring out how to blow calls.”
We finally have close call replay and we’re still finding a way to blow calls with this new 25/75 rule 😂
— Zane Navratil (@ZaneNavratil) September 22, 2024
What’s Clicking for Will and Zane?
Will and Zane went from a rough start to a 4-1 record at their latest event, and they attribute the turnaround to growing trust and communication.
“We’re figuring out how to play with one another,” Will explains.
Zane praises Will’s improvement, saying, “You’re playing so much better—it’s clear you’re on an upward trajectory.”
The two have developed a stronger rhythm, particularly on middle shots, which they’ve learned to share more effectively.
Guess My DUPR
In the final segment, the group plays “Guess My DUPR,” where they watch amateur players and guess their DUPR ratings.
The game ends with some lighthearted banter (and poking fun at Jack Munro), and Will wraps up the episode by giving a shoutout to his fans and encouraging them to follow his journey.
