Jun 2nd 2009Uncategorized
Forgive us for being somewhat passive this past month or so with our blog site! We have just moved from Apache Junction to the Ahwatukee area in Phoenix. As I’m sure many of you know, moving is a major production that allows for just one focus - that of surviving! We intend to continue to add articles of interest to pickleball players so stay with us!
Apr 9th 2009Uncategorized
Is pickleball being taught in the schools? If so, where and at what level? If you know of this happening, we would greatly appreciate the following information: name and address of the school; what level is the school; how long pickleball has been taught there; any other information that you feel is pertinent to contributing to a survey of “pickleball in the schools”. You can send us the information via: info@pickleball.com. Thanks so much for your help!
Mar 10th 2009Uncategorized
It is suggested that the following factors should be considered when organizing and running a pickleball tournament.
1. How many matches will there be in each division? Be realistic as to how many matches can be completed in a given amount of time. Playing a marathon is generally not fun for anyone nor safe. If all matches cannot realistically be completed in one day, schedule an extra day for the tournament.
2. How long do you anticipate a match taking? Keep in mind that, because rallies between advanced teams tend to be longer than rallies between lower-skilled teams, a match between advanced teams will probably be longer than one between lesser-skilled teams.
3. How many courts do you have available?
4. Are you going to run all the way through each division including the finals on the same day?
5. How much time should be given to a team that has just finished a match before they are expected to start another one? Consider age; weather; playing conditions; how many matches that team has played prior to the current one and gender.
6. There’s a fine line between allowing “just the right amount of time” for a team to rest and making that team wait hours between matches. It is safest for players to continue playing while they’re still warm rather than playing with cold muscles and respiratory system.
7. Try to allow all matches to be played under the same conditions. For ex. - If you’re running late and have inadequate lightling for a court, those teams playing on that court are not given a fair chance to do well. In addition it is not safe to play when players are struggling to see the ball. Their movements are less controlled and more apt to cause injury.
Feb 10th 2009Uncategorized
Every year there are more and more pickleball tournaments. Every tournament that we have experienced, both as players and spectators, includes the common divisions of women’s doubles; men’s doubles; mixed doubles; women’s singles; men’s singles; masters and legends. Some are “skill level” tournaments and some are “age group” tournaments. The majority of tournaments include a double elimination type of competition if the number of teams entering that division is sufficient. If there are 4 or fewer teams entering the division, a round robin competition is generally offered. We would like to suggest that the following points should be considered when organizing a pickleball tournament:
1. While skill level tournaments do offer an opportunity for competition for the lesser skilled players, they discourage older players of 4.0 or 4.5 calibre to compete. A 75-yr. old who is a 4.0 player CANNOT stay with a 55-yr. old 4.0 player on an equal basis over the long run. Their strength, endurance and speed is NOT comparable. It’s just a fact of aging.
2. Oftentimes the same players who compete in men’s and women’s doubles in the 65+ divisions, are the very same players who then compete in the Legends Division. Why do it twice?!
3. Instead of running a straight double-elimination for the 70+ and 75+ divisions, it’s suggested that the Bronze medal match be one 15-pt. game instead of the best 2 out of 3 games. A team of older players who drop down into the loser’s bracket have to play lots of games in order to make it back to the finals. It’s very trying on these players physically. Let’s give them a break! No matter how well conditioned an older player is, there’s only so much that he should expect from his body. He should never be subjected to a situation that might cause serious injury or illness.
Jan 9th 2009Uncategorized
Theoretically, just prior to the first serve of the first game of a match, both teams are even. The score is 0 to 0. One team, the serving team, serves the ball and one player on the receiving team returns the serve. So far it’s still even. The receiving team gets to the net first because of the two-bounce rule. Assuming that the serving team executes an offensive shot as a return of the return of the serve, there are now all four players at the net. It’s dink - dink - dink - until a player errs and dinks the ball too high and too far. THAT is the turning point of that sequence of shots - or at least it should be the turning point. Whichever player is in the strongest position to hit that high dink down and hard into the opponents court, should “put the ball away” - the end of the rally and either point or sideout. It’s offense vs. offense until a player errs - makes a defensive or a bad shot - and then it becomes offense vs. defense. Be patient and wait for an opening that allows you or your team to take the offensive!
Dec 9th 2008Uncategorized
An ongoing problem of running a pickleball tournament of any size is finding enough “qualified” referees. What inevitably happens is that those players who are spectators are called upon to officiate matches. The efforts of all of those volunteers have been greatly appreciated. Someday, the status of a pickleball referee needs to be elevated to the same level as that of referees in other competitive sports. Are we there yet?!
The following is a suggested recommendation for training USAPA officials: 1) designate one or two people who have this same dream and are capable of training officials; 2) establish a list of potential officials within each state; 3) offer training sessions within the each state; 4) observe potential officials, offer a written test and award a rating to those who qualify as a “USAPA Picklebal Rated Official”.
The goal would be to provide USAPA rated officials for all sanctioned tournaments. Officials would be provided with a USAPA white shirt with a logo indicating that person has completed the training and is a USAPA rated official. The second goal would be to eventually pay a minimal fee and/or mileage to officiate USAPA sanctioned tournaments.
Are you a potential USAPA rated official? The following checklist provides you with a few characteristics of a good official. 1) A genuine interest in the sport; 2) Confidence; 3) Good communication and interpersonal skills; 4) The ability to remain focused on the competition; 4) The ability to remain calm under pressure; and 5) The ability to maintain control of a match. An official is a person who can be placed into a position of authority and can handle the responsibilities without being over-bearing. As a pickleball official, you are in charge, however, it is the players who the fans have come to watch, not YOU!!
Dec 7th 2008Uncategorized
I’m not sure how many pickleball matches we have observed while waiting “our turn” to take a court and match our skill with the opponent’s. It is apparent that the majority of the players out on the courts are “playing their hearts out” - trying their very best to play a good game. Most are out there because they not only enjoy the opportunity to get exercise while having fun doing it but because they WANT to pit their skill against the other team’s. While winning rather than losing is important - because the reality is that it’s more fun to win! - it is NOT so important that they would cheat or “bend the rules” in order to win. So it’s disturbing when a player talks about using “mind games” in order to gain an advantage over the opponent. Go out on the court with the idea that, if you play well and if your team is in fact the better team, you will most likely win the game or match. However, the other team may just be the better team - at least at that time - and you may lose the match. So what?!! Life still goes on and THAT is what’s important!
Nov 13th 2008Uncategorized
The key to avoid injuries is prevention - a Warm-Up Period, Stretching Exercises, Play Pickleball, Stretching Exercises and a Cool Down Period.
Warm-Up Period - The main purpose of a warm-up period to to raise the body temperature prior to doing the stretching exercises. A fast walk to the courts, riding a bike, the treadmill are just a few examples for a total body warm-up. This should be approximately 5 minutes.
Stretching Exercises - Stretching will increase your flexibility, which allows for better performance and decreases the posibility of injury. Start with the ankles and work towards the head and stretch each muscle group. Place the muscle group on stretch (this is when you begin to feel the pull) and hold for 10-15 seconds. Relax and repeat this process for 3-5 times for each muscle group.
Play Pickleball - the key is to play within your limits. Age, experience, physical condition and athletic ability will all impact the level of your game.
Cool Down Period - After playing, you may want to do a little stretching, as well as a slow walk home. This will help lower the body temperature and bring the heart rate slowly back to normal.
Nov 13th 2008Uncategorized
Whenever you agree to play doubles with someone in a pickleball tournment, you are agreeing to do the best you can to make it possible for your doubles “team” to succeed. While you have control only over what you do - how you play - and how you act, as a “team” member you also can affect your partner either positively or negatively by your behavior towards him or her. Be positive - supportive - and don’t be critical of your partner’s play! We all respond more favorably to positive comments and, just as important, positive body language. You’re a team!! You’re in it together! Give it your best effort and have fun!
Nov 13th 2008Uncategorized
We are interested in offering to you the opportunity to learn some methods that can be used to improve your pickleball skills. Because our combined “past lives” include 66 years of teaching and coaching a variety of sports, we are experienced and knowledgeable about teaching techniques and drills. We also both play pickleball and have for the past 6 years. Sandy has a 4.5 rating and Mary a 4.0 rating. Since this is a new venture for us, we’re still trying to decide on equitable fees. So - call us - we’ll discuss what your concerns are - and then agree on a fee. Our home phone no. is 480-288-9401 and cell no. is 480-209-4886. Thanks for your interest.