A Night to Remember

A night to remember by pickleball Terry

One night a couple of months ago, I was playing pickleball  with a few people at Colonial Oaks Park. The lights were on and the mosquitoes where biting. I saw a older man and a young man around 15 peering through the fence with great interest as to what we were doing. After about 5 minutes I couldn’t stand it anymore and I asked them if they wanted to give it a try. “Really?” they responded with surprise mixed with enthusiasm. Moody teenager for Sarasota Pickleball

They were soon on the court with paddles. I learned that it was a grandfather and his grandson. Their names I cannot remember now as I tell you this story. What I do remember is that the grandson was cocky and rebellious. He was my partner, and as I tried to explain the rules he would look away or roll his eyes. When I tried to help him serve with some tips, he would angrily answer with. “I know what I’m doing.” Jeeezzz Louiseee! I thought. I began to regret that I extended the offer for them to play.

And then I looked down at the grandson’s feet. A-ha! He had flip flops on. A good reason to suspend his play. Besides, I had other players showing up. I said to him, “You can’t play with flip flops. Can you go home and put of some sneakers?”

Flip Flops fpr A Night To Remember Pickleball

He replies, “If I go home, I’m not coming back.” So what do I care if he comes back, but I look across the court and I see his grandfather trying to send me a message. His eyes are pleading with me to let his grandson stay and he mouths PLEASE!

I say, “OKAY, you can stay.” Boy, I must have been in a good mood that night to let a teenager with attitude stay and play.  A teenager I didn’t even know and his grandfather.

Eventually, another net was put up and we had around 10 people playing. The teenager greatly improved as the night went on. Granddad called the rest of the family and soon uncle, aunts, mom, dad, the cousins all arrived and played with balls and tennis racquets and frisbees on the other side. All ages were running and yelling.  It was a total zoo. But then I saw it. A smile across the cranky teenager’s face. His eyes were lit up and even with flip flops on he was getting the ball past his opponents. He latched on to one of the male players that had come that was a really good player, and together they were the dual to beat.

His grandfather had come over to me as we were getting ready to take down the nets…oh yes, they stayed for hours…and told me that what happened tonight was amazing. He said that they were concerned about his grandson who was very depressed and wasn’t socializing anymore.  To see him playing and interacting with the other pickleball players brought tears to his eyes. He had called the rest of the family to observe this “miracle.” By then, the teenager was smiling and joking with all of us. He was now transformed from a moody kid to a fun to be around person.

Then this happened…he came over and hugged me and said, “thank you!” I froze for a second before I wrapped my arms around him and looked past him to see his mom and dad smiling at him. They were so happy.

I invited him to come back anytime he wanted to play with proper shoes, I joked, but I have not seen him since.

The other day, I was talking to somebody who explained to me that pickleball is the sport that brings the athlete out of the average person who didn’t know they were an athlete. Pickleball is more than just a sport. It is a way to be social. It molds an introvert into an extrovert.

I’ll never forget that night, the eyes of the grandfather pleading with me, the smile on the sulky teenager, the laughter and banter from the pickleball players. And I’ll never forget to bring bug spray again to Colonial Oaks Park. Ouch!

Here’s to playing pickleball with flip flops and may that never happen again.

Thanks for reading.

Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
Coach Terry owner of Sarasotapickleball.com
Clinics/Lessons
941-400-0978
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

A picture of Terry Ryan
Coach Terry

Questions Players Ask Me About The Kitchen

Picture of Pickleball Terry

cartoon of coach for Sarasota PickleballIf I had a dollar for every time I am asked a question for clarity about the KITCHEN, A.K.A. the non-volley zone (NVZ), I’d be buying a home in Monaco. The kitchen rules are mind benders for beginners, and especially for former tennis players. I can tell by the way their eyes glaze over that THIS DOES NOT COMPUTE! My patience for repeating and reconfirming the rules again and again deserves an award for determination. Sometimes, my newbie will try to contest the rules, but I calmly repeat, “No, you cannot rush the net and slam the ball unless it bounces in the NVZ.” My newbie’s face, that a second ago had the look of VICTORY, turns into a sour frown. But, but, but….they respond.

Pickleball court for Sarasota Pickleball on kitchen rules

Along with figuring out how to keep score, keeping out of the NVZ ties with -scoring on hard to remember. That 7 feet by 20 feet area is a big hurdle to get over. No, you cannot go in the kitchen unless the ball bounces. Yes, you can hangout in the kitchen all you want but you still can’t hit the ball if it doesn’t first bounce in the kitchen. Oh, that confuses them more than the 2 bounce rule.

So, here are the most questions I answer about the kitchen as a pickleball coach.

Student: So you mean I can’t go into the kitchen?

Me: Yes you can but it’s not a good idea to hangout there because you can’t hit the ball during a volley.

Student: What’s a volley?

Me: It’s when you strike a ball in the air before it bounces.

Student: Can I go into the kitchen after the ball bounces in the kitchen?

Me: Yes, you can enter the kitchen if the ball bounces but it is a good idea to get right back out or you will be a target for the next shot.


Student: Why do you call if the non-volley zone sometimes?

Me: Because kitchen is another name for the non-volley zone or NVZ. A volley is striking the ball before it bounces.

Student: Yeah, but why “kitchen.”

Me: Because pickleball is several sports put together and KITCHEN comes from shuffle board. You are penalized for being in the kitchen in shuffleboard.

A picture of shuffleboard rules for Sarasota pickleball

Student: Can I go into the kitchen before the ball bounces?

Me: Yes you can.

Student: Do I have to go out of the kitchen and back in to hit a ball?

Me: If the ball bounces in the kitchen again you don’t have to go out and back into the kitchen.

Student: What if I hit it in the air?

Me: Then you do have to be out of the kitchen and both feet have to be on the ground to hit a volley ball right after you hit a ball that bounces in the kitchen.

Student: So, you’re saying I can’t rush the net?

Me: You can if the ball bounces in the kitchen.

Student: Can the ball go into the kitchen during a serve?

Me: No, that’s a fault.

Student: Can I return a ball into the kitchen after it is served to me?

Me: Yes.

Student: Can I go into the kitchen after I hit a volley outside of the kitchen?

Me: No, your momentum cannot take you into the kitchen.

Student: If my toe is on the NVZ line is that considered being in the kitchen?

Me: Yes.


Student: If the ball bounces outside of the kitchen in the court and I hit it then run into the kitchen is that okay.

Me: Yes.

Student: Can the ball strike the NVZ line on the serve?

Me: No. It’s a fault.

Student: If being in the kitchen is so dangerous, why are you always telling me to RUN UP TO THE KITCHEN?

Me: Because being at the kitchen line gives you the advantage of cutting your opponents reaction time and putting the ball away winning the point.

Some other things I point out.

You cannot drop anything in the kitchen during a volley like a hat, a ball that drops out of your pocket, a tissue, etc. It’s a fault.

Your partner cannot pull you out of the kitchen during a volley so you can hit the ball if he/she is standing in the kitchen. It’s a fault.

You cannot hit a dink then strike the net. That’s a fault. A dink is a light hit of the pickleball that drops it just over the net into the kitchen area.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at dinkpickleball.com.

Thanks for reading!

Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
dinkpickleball@gmail.com
941-400-0978
SarasotaPickleball.com – owner/Gearbox Dealer
Pickleball Terry for Sarasota Pickleball

Clinics
Group and private lessons
Tournaments
941-400-0978

 

 

New Pickleball Rules For 2022

What's new in 2022 pickleball rules

Yes, the new rules by the International Federation of Pickleball and therefor the USA Pickleball Organization have been released.  The big question everyone wants to know…IS THE DROP SERVE STILL IN?  Yes, it is.

A picture of Terry Ryan, pickleball Terry for Sarasota pickleball
Pickleball Terry

Drop Serve

4.A.6.a. Servers must release the ball from one of the server’s hands or dropped off the server’s paddle face from any natural (unaided) height and hit the ball after the ball bounces. There is no restriction how many times the ball can bounce nor where the ball can bounce on the playing surface. The
server’s release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before the return of serve if the release of the ball is not visible. The rules for feet placement (4.A.4) still apply.
4.A.6.b. The ball shall not be propelled (thrown)
downward or tossed or hit upward with the
paddle.
4.A.6.c. If the drop serve is used, the ball may be
struck with either a forehand or backhand
motion without any other restriction i.e., the
location restrictions of the ball and paddle.

No more chainsaw serves Zane

Is the Chainsaw Serve legal? No!

New Rule: The Volley Serve. The server shall use only one hand to release the ball to perform the serve. If the ball is visibly spun by the server during the release, the part(s) of the hand contacting the ball must be bare. The server’s release of the ball must be visible to the referee and the receiver. In matches without a referee, the server’s release of the ball must be visible to the receiver. A replay shall be called before there turn of serve if the release of the ball is not visible or if the referee (or receiver in non-officiated matches) cannot discern whether an item on the hand contacted a visibly
spun ball. Exception: A player who has the use of only one hand may use their hand or paddle to release the ball to perform the serve.

Can I bring 2 balls on the court with me? 

Yes, but the second ball must be hidden. You cannot at anytime have 2 balls in your hand. If the ball you are carrying in a pocket and out of view, suddenly slips out of your pocket and lands on the court, that is a fault.

Are headphones allowed?

No, Nope.

Calling the wrong score

YOU CAN’T STOP PLAY IF YOU THINK THE WRONG SCORE IS CALLED!!! You now must wait until the rally is over than say, hey I believe you called the wrong score. Correction is made then to the score. It is not a fault. If you do STOP play and say…hey, you called the wrong score, then the player who stopped the play receives a fault. (I know, right!)

Existing: Wrong Score Called. If the server or referee calls the wrong score, any player may stop play before the “third shot” occurs to ask for a correction.
New: Wrong Score Called. If the server or referee calls the wrong score, once the serve is made, play shall continue to the end of the rally and the correction made before the next serve. After the serve is made, a player who stops play based solely on an incorrect score call, will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.

 

Did you know there is a difference between a fault and a FOUL?

A fault occurs when a player hits the ball out of the court, steps into the NVZ before a bounce, steps on the baseline during a serve, hits the ball into the net, touches the net during a shot, etc.  When that happens, the serving team either loses their serve or, if the opponents made the fault, the serving team wins a point. BUT if during a game, a player uses profanity (in a tournament) he receives a FOUL and a point is deducted from his team’s score. Or if he intentionally slams the ball after a point because of anger and doesn’t care where it ends up endangering his opponents or spectators, that is a FOUL.


Proposed changes that didn’t make it in. (Thank goodness!)

Rally scoring
Partners not rotating when winning a point

Surprising things

  • You can now change starting servers between games in tournaments.
  • You can take your 2 time outs between games. There are usually 3 minutes between games, but now if you think you’ll need more time (like for a bathroom break) you can add your 2 upcoming time outs (2 minutes total) to the time between games. Thought you’d like to know.

Something I wished made the cut

Saying the starting score as zero-zero-start. It stays as zero-zero-two. Why? I coach a lot of beginners. Saying zero-zero-start is easier when teaching scoring.

Click here for a copy of the Official 2022  RulesUSA-Pickleball-Rulebook

SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES FOR 2022
Spin Serves (4.A.5)
In 2022, the server shall use only one hand to release the ball to
perform the serve. If the ball is visibly spun by the server during
the release, the part(s) of the hand contacting the ball must be
bare.
The Drop Serve (4.A.6)
No changes were made to the drop serve other than to remove its
Provisional status.
Wrong Score Called (4.K)
The rules concerning what happens if the wrong score is called by
a player or a referee have changed. If a player thinks a wrong
score has been called, a player may stop play to ask for a
correction before the ball is served. If it has been served, the rally
is to be played out and the score correction (if any) is made before
the next serve occurs.
A Dropped Ball (7.N)
In non-officiated matches, it is not uncommon for a player to carry
an extra ball. If an extra ball is carried, it must not be visible to the
opponent. If a player accidentally drops an extra ball during a rally,
it will result in a fault. This does not apply in an officiated match
because the referee is responsible for removing any extra
pickleballs from play.
Medical Time-outs Called by a Referee (10.H.2.a)
If a referee, in the interest of player safety, determines that either
medical personnel or the Tournament Director should be
consulted for a player health issue, that time-out is not chargeable
to the player as a medical time-out. The player retains the right to
call their own medical time out later in the match, if needed.

There you go. NEW RULES FOR THE NEW YEAR
Thanks for reading! All the best!

Pickleball Terry
Owner of SarasotaPickleball.com
PPR Certified Coach

941-400-0978

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

Pickleball-The Cure For Senior Loneliness

Picture for Senior Loneliness for Pickleball Terry

On the courts one day, while I was sitting on the sideline waiting to play, and one of the older players leaned over to me and said, “You know, pickleball saved my life.” That statement out of the blue, took my breath away. Normally, I just go about my days filled with pickleball activities such as: playing pickleball, coaching pickleball, answering questions about pickleball, and fielding phone calls from visitors coming to Sarasota. I guess you could say I’m taking pickleball for granted. I forget how much it means to people.

Somebody asked me if this was a full-time job being Pickleball Terry, the self-described Sarasota Pickleball Ambassador. Job? Nahhhh. It’s too much fun to be considered a JOB!

Picture of Chris Farley pickleball at Sarasota Pickleball

So, when somebody reminds me on the courts, that pickleball means so much more to them then just a game well, it’s like a kick of reality.  That a small part of me is involved in something that means so much to people is absolutely humbling.

The player on the court who leaned over to me that day, went on to say that he did not know what would have happened if he didn’t have pickleball during COVID. He lives alone but thank goodness now has a satisfying social life through pickleball along with getting fresh air and exercise.

sarasota pickleball

There are approximately 76 million Baby Boomers; people born between 1946 to 1965. They now are retiring and moving to warmer climates to continue on the next chapters of their lives. They move away from family and friends, and find out that it’s not as easy to make friends for they don’t have the normal ways; kids in school, work friends, and maybe pub buddies. So, how do they make friends when they become seniors and move to a new place? Pickleball!
Try Prime Discounted Monthly Offering

baby boomer image on Sarasota PickleballBoomers are not ready to hang up their athletic gear. They are raring to go! No sitting in a rocking chair for them. Pickleball is a great solution. It is an activity setup with open, drop-in play. Anyone can join in for a game, and it is a way to make friends with a common interest.

I know a nurse that travels to different medical centers to work around the country, and she says all she does to get a social fix is find out where the pickleball courts are. Instant friends wherever she goes.

Another player shared with me that she was thinking of moving from Sarasota until she found pickleball. It opened up a whole new world to her and now she has a very active social life and plays pickleball with her friends several times a week. Life is good for her now in Sarasota.

When I coach,  usually I start out by saying, “I am a dealer and I’m going to make you a pickleball addict.” This is met by smirks and laughter as in…no you’re not. So funny because  I do hook them in. Months later I’ll still see them  playing on a pickleball court.

You see doc by Pickleball Terry

A woman took a lesson around a year ago. She arrived with a big floppy hat on and not the best shoes for the court. She was so quiet and timidly tried to hit the ball. I thought, I’ll never see her again. Well, she came back week after week and now the floppy hat is gone, new court shoes have been bought, and she can slam the ball. She is tricky too with angle shots, and gets into dinking. I’d say she plays well with others and has definitely come out of her “shell.” I love witnessing the transformations.

Other health benefits of playing pickleball.

It strengthens your bones. If your doctor tells you you have osteopenia  or osteoporosis which is bone loss, play pickleball. The pounding on the floor with your legs as you run after the ball causes a vibration that promotes bone growth.

Osteopenia  or Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn’t keep up with old bone removal.
Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture.
Here’s a good example. A few years ago, a female player in Sarasota had a bone density test. Her doctor informed her that she had osteopenia. Unfortunately, while playing on the pickleball court she went back for a lob and fell backwards on both wrists causing them to fracture.  Six months later, and to the shock of her doctor, she went back to playing pickleball. When she had her next bone density test it showed bone mass improvement. Credit to her playing pickleball.

Cognitive thinking. We lose cognitive thinking as we get older. But pickleball helps:

  1. Remembering the score
  2. Recalling names
  3. Concentrating on the flight of the ball
  4. Remembering all the rules
Cognitive skills are the essential qualities your brain utilizes to think, listen, learn, understand, justify, question, and pay close attention. (From dictionary)
Pickleball boosts your happiness hormones.
Happiness Hormones for Sarasota Pickleball
And exercise…good old-fashioned exercise.
New students start huffing and puffing in the first 5 minutes of the lesson. “I thought pickleball was easier than this?” said my weary student. No, pickleball will get your heartrate up. You have to move, move, move. Don’t let that 1/2 a tennis court fool you. It’s a workout. We get sweaty together, and we will play for 3 hours or more. It is not unusual for my Fitbit to start buzzing announcing that I have racked up 10k steps after a few hours.  I wait for the buzz, not satisfied if I haven’t hit the 10k mark.

Let’s get back to the social aspect.
One of the most detrimental things to happen to a senior citizen is when they start to isolate themselves. Pickleball gives them a reason to get out of the house and meet friends. It goes beyond pickleball, too. Soon, after-game lunch dates are formed, Happy Hours, and celebrating birthdays become big deals. If you don’t show up for an extended time, players will start asking around. “Hey, have you seen George lately?” We will track you down. Best to tell us if you are going to be out of town for awhile or we start to worry. You are appreciated, welcomed, and missed.
Pickleball Terry
We take a passing away of a fellow pickleball player with great sadness and respect. They are deeply missed and always remembered.  I have contacts that I will never be able to delete on my phone even though they have passed on. I think of them every time I scroll past their name.
So please, keep active, keep social, and keep playing pickleball.
Sincerely,
Pickleball Terry
Owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization LLC (Not the club)
PPR Pickleball Coach
941-400-0978
dinkpickleball@gmail.com

Have You Signed-Up For The Pickleball Fest Tournament?

Join us on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Newtown Estates Park in Sarasota for our inaugural Sertoma Kids’ Pickleball Fest! Space is limited to the first 64 registered players, so don’t wait! There are GREAT prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each skill level, plus lots of free gifts and giveaways for ALL participants. Continental breakfast and after-party are included as well. Register today at sertomakids.org/pickleball

Only 64 players. Filling up fast.

Tournament


 

What is Sertoma Kids, LLC?

It is a non-profit that provides speech therapy for children who may not be able to afford services. Many of the children have autism or disabilities.

How did Pickleball Terry become involved with this tournament?

I was sent an invite for lunch at Lauren Johnson’s house for the first brain-storming meeting for the possibility to host a tournament as a fundraiser. Lauren and most of the other women at the meeting, were avid pickleball players, and I recognized them from playing on the courts. Great ideas were tossed around as we ate lunch, and the Sertoma Kids’ Pickleball Fest was born.

Sarasota Pickleball
Where it began

 

Now moths later, they have already secured sponsors, and joined up with the Flanzer Foundation that will match all funds that are taken in for this great tournament.

The Flanzers for Sarasota
Louis & Gloria Flanzer
The mission of the Flanzer Philanthropic Trust is to enhance the life of the people of the Suncoast through social services and healthcare initiatives

 

If you would like to be a sponsor for the Sertoma Kids Pickleball Fest, here are more details. Click Here.

What is the tournament format?

It is a fun round robin. You do not need to sign up with a partner, and will play with other liked skilled players. The winners from each skill level will compete with each other for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. They will receive great prizes!!!

Each person is guaranteed 6 games.

What else will be there?

It’s a festival… a pickleball festival! The Toasted Mango is providing breakfast to all tournament participants, the Surly Mermaid is providing lunch. All FREE for tournament participants! If you bring guests, they may purchase food from the vendors.

Silent Auction

Themed gift baskets and other surprises will be auctioned off.

MUSIC! DANCING! MUSIC! DANCING!

Do not miss out on the fun. Spots are filling up fast! Max 64 players.

How do you sign up?

Go here and sign up. NOTE: And this is important. When you sign-up, you will be directed to the Flanzer Foundation site. There is a drop down tab and you will have to filter through many non-profits. Make sure you select SERATOMA KIDS. That way you will get credit and be officially signed up for the tournament. If you have any questions. please email Lauren Johnson at  johnsonlauren642@icloud.com.

Lauren JohnsonLauren Johnson. Lauren is a recent retiree from the Sarasota County School District, having taught kindergarten through second grade for 44 wonderful years. She earned her master’s degree from USF in Gifted Education and was most passionate about gifted education and the sensory needs of gifted children. She also helped begin the first chartered middle school, Sarasota School for the Arts and Sciences, in Sarasota and worked tirelessly on that board of directors for three years. Lauren has been recognized for her accomplishments with children and the arts, being named Teacher of the Year at Fruitville Elementary School and Florida Studio Theatre’s Teacher of the Year. Now, she is loving retirement with her husband, Mark, and taking the time to frequently see their grandchildren. Playing pickleball, learning golf, biking, kayaking and recently joining the Sertoma Kids Board of Directors has kept Lauren quite active in the community.

Go here and sign-up and I’ll see you there!  sertomakids.org/pickleball

Thank you for supporting our tournament. 100% of funds donated for this tournament all go to the Sertoma Kids!

Thank you for reading.

Pickleball Terry is a Gearbox Dealer

Pickleball Terry
Pickleball Coach
SarasotaPickleball.com
Gearbox Paddles Dealer

 

The Proposed Rule Changes for 2022

NEW RULES SUGGESTIONS PICKLEBALL 2022

The USA Pickleball Rule Committee has recently posted the PROPOSED rule additions/changes for 2022. There are 71 . Some are controversial, and many are clarifications to existing rules.

The ones I feel are most interesting are as follows.

Keep the Drop Serve

The Drop Serve requirement to drop the ball is designed to control the ball from bouncing above the server’s waist so that an underhand/upward arc serve is automatically made.  However, the restrictions imposed relating to releasing the ball at a natural height and without additional force have been difficult for referees to judge and to judge consistently. The procedure could be greatly simplified by allowing the server to release the ball in any manner and merely requiring the ball to be hit when it is no higher than the server’s waist, as is done with the traditional serve. Players could then bounce or toss the ball when making a Drop Serve and there would be no need to try to judge whether a player moved his/her hand or jumped a fraction of an inch or imparted force on the ball. Hitting the ball at or below waist level guarantees that the serve is made with an underhand motion/upward arc by most people except those who are really tall.

First serving team gets 2 serves

Doubles. Both players on a team will serve before a side out is declared.

Maintain Serving Order throughout Game

The serving order remains the same throughout each game such that server 1 for each team is the first to serve the ball after each side out followed by server 2 from that team.

Change back to 0 0 Start and discontinuance of drop serve

1 Return the first score to 0 0 Start

2 Discontinue the provisional Drop Serve

No spin on the serve

“At the start of the service motion the ball must be held in the palm of the hand and released either by tossing the ball up from the palm or rotating the hand until the ball is released. If the server is unable to hold the ball in the palm, then the toss of the ball should be done with a minimum of spin applied to the ball.”

Reinstate let serves

4.O Service Lets. There is no limit to the number of lets a server may serve. The serve is a let and will be replayed if:
4.O.1. The serve touches the net, strap, or band and is otherwise good and lands in the service court.
4.O.2. The referee calls a service let.
4.O.3. Any player calls a service let. If the referee determines that a service let called by a player did not occur, a fault will be declared against the offending player.

Rally-point scoring

Doubles. One player on a team will serve before a side out is declared. A side out will occur once a rally is lost or a fault is committed by the serving team and service is awarded to the opposing team.

Since pickleball was originally developed based on a badminton court and some of the badminton rules, you would expect that rally-point scoring would have been implemented in pickleball back when it was implemented for badminton is 2006. (Volleyball implemented rally-point scoring in 1999).

Pickleball remains the only racquet/net sport that has not permanently implemented a rally-point scoring system!

What is rally-point scoring?

  • The difference between (traditional) side-out scoring and rally-point scoring is that in rally-point scoring a point is awarded after every rally, regardless of which side served.
  • This means that the non-serving side is also able to score points.
  • Unlike side-out scoring where the serve goes from server one to server two and then to the opposing team, in rally scoring, it only goes through one server before going to the opposing team.
  • As a result, the server number is not called out since there is only one server.
  • Server will serve from the side appropriate to their score, i.e. if their score is even the serve will be from the right-hand side, if odd from the left-hand side.


Allow a second serve

4.0 If a player faults on a serve due to a service motion fault, foot fault, or because the ball does not land in the service court, they get a second attempt before the serve is transferred to their partner or opponent(s).

Remove COVID/carry serve

A player deliberately carrying or catching the ball on the paddle while the ball is live/in-play

 

(From the USA Pickleball website.)

NEW 2022 RULEBOOK REVISION PROCESS

The improved 2022 Rulebook Revision process has begun. We do not expect the 2022 Rulebook to have the extent of change seen in 2021. The window for public input into suggested rulebook revisions is open in accordance with the overall process described below.

What follows is significantly different than last year. Changes were made in response to USA Pickleball member comments and after benchmarking other sport Rulebook processes. We trust that you will see greater transparency, public input and comment opportunities in what follows below. Ambassadors are welcome to share the process below with fellow USA Pickleball members.


Any USA Pickleball member wishing to suggest a modification to the 2022 Rulebook is welcome to submit changes by visiting https://rules.usapickleball.org

 

Background and Purpose: The process outlined below will be used for the 2022 Rulebook revision. The process addresses the need for improved transparency and greater opportunities for player input and comment. In addition, it formalizes the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) involvement in rule creation and approval.

The steps below are designed to result in an effective date of January 1, 2022 for the new Rulebook and Change Document.

pickleball bags

  1. Public Input Opportunity. The window for public input for potential Rulebook changes is now open and will end on June 10. Each idea submitted will have a tracking number assigned that will not change throughout the process so interested parties can follow or track a particular idea through the process.
  2. Public Comment Opportunity. Rulebook submissions will be listed (without attribution) on the USA Pickleball website for public comment. If desired, the IFP President may elect to do the same with the IFP website. The ideas will be posted no later than June 15. This will open up a two-week public comment period.
  3. Public Review Opportunity. On or before June 30, the USA Pickleball Rules Submission Coordinator will transmit the list of ideas and all public comments collected to the IFP Rules Committee Co-Chairmen. The IFP Rules Committee Co-Chairmen will add any comments collected from the IFP website public comment period. The complete list will be posted on the USA Pickleball website. If desired, the IFP President may elect to do the same with the IFP website.

 

  1. The IFP Rules Committee, under the leadership of the IFP Rules Committee Co-Chairmen, and with the advice and counsel of the USA Pickleball Rules Committee Recording Secretary (if needed), will consider each of the ideas on their merits by voting. Each IFP Committee member will vote independently of one another. The vote will be on a 1-10 scale with 10 the highest score, meaning the person voting thinks that idea should be adopted without reservation. There is no relative ranking among the ideas. After voting, the IFP Rules Committee members will have an opportunity to discuss their votes with other members of the IFP Rules Committee in one or more conference calls arranged by the IFP Rules Committee Co-Chairmen. The need for the conference call(s) is at the discretion of the IFP Rules Committee Co-Chairmen. All rule ideas with a combined average score of 5 or more is considered IFP Rules Committee-approved.
  2. The IFP Rules Committee will complete their deliberations and voting by August 15.
  3. Transparency of Results. The results of the IFP Rules Committee voting and the status of all Rule ideas submitted to the IFP Rules Committee is planned to be shared on the USA Pickleball website no later than August 20. If desired, the IFP President may elect to do the same with the IFP website.
  4. The Rules Revision Committee begins writing rules for those ideas with an IFP Rules Committee combined average voting score of 5 or more. Note: Some ideas are submitted already written in ‘rules language’. Those typically don’t require much work. Most submissions, however, require significant attention to get them in the required format and ‘rules language’.
  5. Each rule idea with a combined average voting score of 5 or more will also be entered into the Change Document. The Change Document will include the reason for each rule change idea. Note: that at this point every rule idea has been subject to either public input and/or comment.
  6. Transparency of Results. The Rules Revision Committee finishes rule writing and the Change Document by September 15. Once finished, all the written IFP Rules Committee-approved rules (with corresponding tracking number), all the rule change ideas with less than a combined score of 5, and the Change Document are forwarded to the USA Pickleball Rules Committee and posted on the USA Pickleball webpage.
  7. Transparency of Results. The USA Pickleball Rules Committee meets to vote on each IFP Rules Committee-approved rule. Each rule is voted on separately in the meeting. A rule is approved by a simple majority of the 5 members. The vote is recorded. After the meeting, the voting results will be posted on the USA Pickleball website.
  8. Transparency of Results. All the written IFP Rules Committee-approved rules (with corresponding tracking number), the rule change ideas with less than a combined score of 5, the Change Document and the results of the USA Pickleball Rules Committee voting are forwarded to the USA Board of Directors for final approval. The USA Pickleball Board of Directors voting results will be posted on the USA Pickleball website.
  9. Public Comment Opportunity/Transparency of Results. The Rulebook is proofed and published to the USA Pickleball website by December 1. That action starts a 30-day clock where the public can comment on any obvious errors in the draft. This public comment period normally ‘finds’ a small number of errors of omission and it allows players time to get familiar with the changes before the official effective date. The USA Pickleball Rules Committee Chairman can approve changes needed to correct errors that don’t change the intent of the rule. Any changes needed that change the intent of a rule must be approved by the USA Pickleball Rules Committee and Board. The outcome of any such voting will be posted to the USA Pickleball website.

Again, this is just under review and most will not make it into the official rules, so review and let me know what you think by commenting below.

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry and Coach Russell

Pickleball Terry

SarasotaPickleball.com

Pickleball lessons and clinics

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

 

Will the Serve Rule Change in 2022?

Sarasota Pickleball

The serve has been controversial since  the drop serve was introduced in January 2021. Then Zane came up with the COVID serve, also know as the chainsaw serve…or the Zane serve. Now that  tournaments are beginning to outlaw the drop serve, the questions is…will the only serve allowed in 2022 be the standard and back to basics, underhand serve.

Here is a post I saw on Facebook and Morgan makes a good point.

Why I Resigned as an USA Pickleball Ambassador

As of today (8/04/21), I am no longer an USA Pickleball Ambassador. (I loved being a USA Pickleball Ambassador.) Why? I received a call from a director of the Florida USA ambassadors last night, and he informed me that USA Pickleball Org had received a communication from a fellow player in Sarasota complaining that they were not being treated fairly by Pickleball Terry. I thought the complaints were rather silly…she drops people off her email listshe won’t post our pictures…things of that sort. First of all, my weekly emails have nothing to do with the USA Pickleball Org, but I agree that an ambassador should keep things separate. For example, don’t mix being a paddle dealer with I’m a USA Pickleball Ambassador. USA Pickleball has a strict rule about that. Now I know.

Pickleball Terry with friends at RL Taylor

So that there is no more confusion, and so that I am able to carry on without worrying that someone is going to go over my head and complain to my “boss,” I decided to leave on a high note. That way I won’t be responsible for doing anything wrong in conjunction with  USA Pickleball. (Being an ambassador is a volunteer position.)

Pickleball Terry

USA Pickleball Organization is a great resource, and I recommend all pickleball players to become a member. Their website is full of wonderful information, and I enjoyed my time as an USA Pickleball Ambassador, but it’s time to move on.  Maybe that guy who complained about me would like to pick up the torch and become an ambassador? No hard feelings. People have to do what they have to do.

My new title is (Self-appointed) Sarasota Pickleball Representative.

Thanks for reading,

Zane with Pickleball Terry
Pickleball Terry and Zane

Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
Owner of Sarasotapickleball.com
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

In The Beginning By Pickleball Terry

A picture of blog post In The Beginning By Sarasota Pickleball

I was standing on the court between pickleball games and passing the time by talking to a relative newbie to pickleball. I said to him, “Did you know when we all started playing pickleball in Sarasota we all played indoors?” He…dead silence and a look of shock on his face. But that is right, we did not play pickleball outdoors. We only played indoors, as shocking as that now sounds.

Picture of Chris Farley pickleball at Sarasota PickleballWe had a certain schedule and played inside at Arlington Park on certain days, and other days, we played inside at Colonial Oaks, RL Taylor, and YMCAs when they were the YMCAs. Then more places opened up and we had Newtown and Longwood Park. The Salvation Army on Tuttle offered pickleball on a couple of days. Never, NEVER did we venture out and play pickleball outdoors. Most of us didn’t have our own nets, and we preferred the air conditioning and no wind inside. Nets were provided at all the indoor facilities and the Salvation Army even started putting up the nets and taking them down for us. The cost was all of $2.00 and we paid with cash. You always had your bag of ones and quarters in your backpack.


 

And balls….we had one kind of ball. The standard green Jug ball that is cheap to buy. The facilities would supply them.  At first, they would leave a bucket of balls for the players to pick from and return them to afterwards. They didn’t last long as they quickly got soft or would crack, and some places started handing balls out one at a time, so you would have to bring a cracked ball to the desk to get a new Jug ball.

Also, for example, Arlington had four courts and it ranged from the beginner court located closest to the door, and the quality of the players got better as it got to the 4th/last court where the strongest players played. Things would get tricky when a not-so-good player would try to play on a court that he/she wasn’t really qualified to play on.  I would see fights break out, feelings getting hurt, and people complaining at the front desk. Oh boy. Lots of drama.

I also remember the LONG WAIT during the winter season. We would wait 45 minutes to an hour between games. UGH! But you got a lot of time to visit with fellow players. We also had pot lucks and a couple of us would reserve the indoor courts for private play. People would wait to see if they would get an invite. Some people wouldn’t. They still talk about that.

I had a women’s league inside at Colonial Oaks for 2 years that was a wonderful time. Someday, after COVID, I hope to resume that and expand on league play to include men’s and mixed.

Two years ago, one of the last things that Coach Russell and Terry W. did was approach Church of the Palms and ask them if they would consider having pickleball.  After a little negotiations, the Church offered pickleball in their beautiful new gym. It has been an outstanding relationship.

Speaking of Coach Russell, the man was instrumental in getting major pickleball pros to come to Sarasota and host clinics. I took clinics from Kyle Yates and Lucy Kitcher for all of $30.00. What an honor to meet people like them. Those clinics were held at RL Taylor Community Center which also is a wonderful place to play indoor pickleball.

I remember the first time i played outdoors. It was on the courts at Newtown. I was so thrown off. The net looked too high, the court looked too big. It was a totally different experience.  I didn’t like it. There was , wind and sun in my eyes and I preferred playing inside. Even all the tournaments I played in were indoors. Summer came in 2019 and the indoor facilities were closed because the kid’s camps were using the indoor space, except the Church of the Palms and the Ys had some limited time to play.

Then Dick Friede starting something amazing, he started borrowing portable nets and setting them up every morning outside at Colonial Oaks Park. It was a slow start but now has become a popular place to go. The success is mainly because Dick with his partner, Jan, are reliable and you can count on them being there everyday.

In the fall of 2019, the indoor facilities opened back up after school started again, and we all happily went back to playing indoors. Players began to become more interested in playing outside especially on the weekends when most facilities were closed, and we ventured to the courts of Siesta Key. Oh boy, did we clash with the tennis players who thought we were not worthy to play on their courts. God help you if a pickleball rolled on their court.

In 2020 COVID hit and everything changed. We were forced to play outside as the indoor facilities shut down. There were a couple of weeks when we were not allowed to play even on the outdoor courts as the country went into lockdown.

But life goes on, and here it is, the summer of 2021 and we are all now devoted outdoor pickleball players. We have learned to love playing outside and playing inside is no longer as desired. We play in the heat, the cold, the wind, and even the rain. We have pretty much taken over the courts at Colonial Oaks Park during the mornings, much to the dismay of the few tennis players that want to play there.  After all, we live in beautiful Sarasota, FL. Who wouldn’t want to play outdoors.

And the wait time is less. I never will wait 45 minutes to play a ten minute game as I did at Arlington. No thank you!

Hopefully soon, Sarasota will construct the outdoor courts they have been promising us. The Longwood project has been delayed for another year. and don’t hold your breath for the courts off of Pompano. That may be 3 years into the future.

As pickleball takes off as the fastest growing sport in the country, I have seen on the Internet, new outdoor massive  pickleball complexes  popping up. There is a trend of people buying or renting warehouse and putting courts in; some keeping them for private use and others charging for public to play. Malls are converting empty space into pickleball complexes. It’s really an exciting time to be involved in pickleball.

Lastly, along with all the different paddle brands out there (I’m a Gearbox authorized dealer), there are now over 300 brands of pickleballs. The Jugs balls I still use in my clinics and for my ball machine, but people are now very picky about what ball they are playing with indoor and outdoor.  I once saw one player throw a ball down and announce. “I won’t play with that ball!” Wow! How far we have all come.

Keep playing pickleball!

Pickleball Terry