Pickleball Success

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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

Tags: Add new tag, single elimination tournament, tournaments

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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!

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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.

Tags: pickleball strategy

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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”.

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If your intent is to play in USAPA age-group tournaments, then the first factor to consider  when choosing a doubles partner is age.  You and your partner should be in the same age group unless one of you is willing to “play down” to the partner’s age group.  Another factor to consider, and perhaps the most important, is compatibility.  Are you compatibile on the court?  Do you communicate well with each other?  Are you both “on the same page” in terms of competitiveness?  Do your strengths compensate for your partner’s weaknesses and vice versa?  The bottom line is: do you blend well on the court and do you ENJOY playing together?!

Tags: compatible partners, playing doubles

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