Pickleball Success

The Key to Avoid Injuries is Prevention

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:05:07 +0000

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.

Responsibility to Your Pickleball Doubles Partner

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:27:45 +0000

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!

Pickleball Clinics, Camps and Lessons

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:14:14 +0000

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.

Pickleball at the Huntsman World Senior Games

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:22:32 +0000

We just arrived home after a week of competition, fun and the opportunity to visit once again with pickleball buddies from around the country. This was our 6th year of attending the games in St. George, Utah. We want to thank the members of the Sun River Pickleball Club who were responsible for making this 2008 edition of the games so wonderful. We also want to thank the Sun River Homeowner’s Association for allowing us to use their courts for this event and also for the use of the dirt field adjacent to the courts for those of us with RV’s. We commend all concerned for producing a truly great experience for pickleball players!

A New Book - Teaching for Success in Pickleball

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:55:23 +0000

Our new book, “Teaching for Success in Pickleball”, is now available to purchase. The contents of this book can be read on the “Synopsis of Books” link available on our home page. To purchase the book, send $16.00 + $3.00 for shipping/handling to: 200 E. Southern Avenue, #201, Apache Junction, AZ 85219. Add $1.42 for Arizona sales tax if you’re a resident of Arizona. We will send you an autographed copy of the book via 1st class US Mail. If you have any questions, please email us thru the “Contact Us” link.

You also can pay for the book via a credit card by clicking on the book cover. If you choose this route, paypal will automatically add the sales tax to your bill if your address indicates that you’re an Arizona resident.

Please Note: “Teaching for Success in Pickleball” is only available in hard cover. It is NOT downloadable!

Thanks for your interest.

Pickleball News from the White Mountains in Arizona

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:01:57 +0000

Since we assisted in starting pickleball in the White Mountains four years ago, it has grown tremendously. There are two groups of players - one in Show Low and one at Pinetop Lakes Country Club. Approximately 50 players play several days a week, on three courts, in the old Show Low junior high gym. There are 4 pickleball courts at Pinetop Lakes Country Club where approximately 60 players participate. Instrumental in the success at Pinetop Lake Country Club are Barb Adams and George Uber. At the Show Low site, much of the credit goes to Donna and Don Weisheit. They have devoted many hours and much effort into making pickleball a success.

Tournament Formats for Pickleball

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:38:07 +0000

There are several types of tournaments that can be used for pickleball competition. The simplest and least time consuming is a single elimination tournament. Teams are placed in a 4-team; 8-team; 16-team; or 32-team draw. If there is an odd-number of teams entered, byes are placed at the top and bottom of the draw. The #1 seeded team (the best team) is placed at the top of the draw and the #2 seeded team (the second best team) is placed at the bottom of the draw. As long as a team continues to win, they move out to the right. If a team loses, that team is eliminated. Theoretically, the two best teams, then, play each other in the final match. The advantage of this type of tournament is that it is the quickest to run on a minimum number of courts. The disadvantage is that a team is assured of playing only one match.

The other types of tournaments are: single elimination with consolation; double elimination; round robin and drop down. These formats will be explained at a later date.

To Serve or Not to Serve!

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:44:09 +0000

Prior to the beginning of a match, one pickleball team is given the opportunity to choose to serve first in the first game OR to choose which side of the court they wish to occupy to start the game. Which do you choose? Is there one choice better than the other? Several factors should be considered before making that choice. Does your team have a server who is dominant - who has a serve difficult to return? Is the sun and/or wind a factor? Does one side of the court have more clearance behind the endline than the other? Is the background behind the court more distracting on one side of the court than the other? All of these factors, as well as perhaps others, should be considered. Most important is that you want your team to gain the immediate advantage over your opponents. Winning the first game of a match is always a morale booster!

Some Pickleball Strategies to Think About

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:28:35 +0000

Skill in stroking the ball is not the only requirement for being successful in the game of pickleball. The thinking player has a definite advantage! Some things to think about:

1. Utilize your strengths against your opponent’s weaknesses. For instance: play to the weaker player in doubles; play to the backhand rather than the forehand; if an opponent is slow or has difficullty in moving, place your shots such that he HAS to move; etc.

2. Anticipate! Where you hit the ball governs the options that your opponent has for the return of the ball. After your shot, look at the player hitting the ball rather than watching and/or admiring your shot! What is that player’s body position? Where is he on the court? What are his shot possibilities?

3. Keep your opponent moving! Effective combinations of shots will keep your opponent off balance. When you’re successful in moving your opponent out of position, don’t get so excited about the huge open court area for your return that you goof up!

4. Change the pace! Vary the speed and placement of your shots - deep, short, right, left, lob, drop shot.

5. Remember - more points are “lost” on errors than “won” on placement. Let your opponents make the errors. Focus on consistency and accuracy of each shot.

6. Don’t change a winning game! If things are working well for you and you’re satisfied with your game, don’t change it! If, on the other hand, you’re not playing well and losing, ask yourself what needs to be changed and try to do that in the next game.

The Importance of the Paddle Position in Pickleball

Sun, 25 May 2008 16:55:20 +0000

What am I talking about?! Regardless of the stroke being used in pickleball, the position of the paddle in relationship to the ground and the net is crucial in determining where the ball is going to go. Assuming that you are hitting a straight shot and not putting spin on the ball, the ball will always come off of the face of the paddle at a right angle to the paddle face. When the head of the paddle is perpendicular to the ground, it is said to be a “square face” and the ball will come off of the paddle parallel to the ground. If the head of the paddle is angled down, the paddle is “closed” and the ball will travel downward from the paddle face to the ground. If the head of the paddle is angled up, the paddle is “open” and the ball will travel in an upward direction. Knowing this is important to the player who is attempting to correct his own errors. For example: if he is consistently hitting a ground stroke into the net, he needs to pay attention to the position of his paddle at the moment of contact with the ball. It’s highly likely that his paddle is in a “closed” position rather than “square”.