Category: Pickleball

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Playing Pickleball in the Heat and How it Affects Your Heart

playing pickleball in the heat and how it affects your heart

You remember living in the cold, northern part of the country and how people, mostly men, would go out to shovel snow, and a few ended up in the emergency room, or even worse, face first into the sidewalk? That was because shoveling heavy snow caused stress to the heart, and if you’re in advanced years or have an underlying heart condition, shoveling snow is going to cause a heart attack. The same thing is going to happen if you play pickleball in extremely hot temperatures, and to add even more stress, soul-sucking humidity.

I’m not just picking on Florida about the heat, I remember torturous,  long heat spells in northern New York, when it was so hot the horses were not allowed to run at the track in Saratoga Springs. Air conditioning is very limited in northern New York, They are too stubborn to admit they need it. When I was working in New York, I had a large clubhouse with central air conditioning, and this is where people would come and just hangout to escape the heat. In the morning, I would step over sleeping bodies. But back to playing pickleball in the heat in Florida.

women suffering from heat for Sarasota pickleball

Sad to report, that two people had heart attacks on the pickleball courts just last week in the area, and one did not make it. I can’t imagine what they went through and the other players around them that were trying their best to help.

Hot temperatures combined with playing pickleball puts stress on everyone’s heart by causing it to beat faster and works harder to keep the body cool. Throw in a lack of keeping up with hydration, and if there is any kind of underlying heart condition….well, that’s a recipe for disaster. I know we are all addicted to pickleball, but I don’t think we want to sacrifice our life for it.

And please bring ice! I see players come to the courts in 90 degree temperature with high humidity, and they have one bottle of water. Nope! That’s not going to work. You perspire around 34 ounces of water while playing for just an hour. Of course, some people sweat more because of medications they are taking, being overweight, overall health, and lack of physical fitness. And some people just sweat a lot. (Hello Sweaty Dan!)

Things to do to prevent a heart attack on the court.

  • Go to your doctor for a stress test and heart health check.
  • Try to play indoors or early in the morning, late at night.
  • Don’t play as many games as you do in cooler weather.  (Three hours of continuous play in this heat! Really?!)
  • Play a game then sit out two. (I know, torture!)
  • Don’t play everyday.
  • Drink 17 to 20 ounces or water before you play.
  • Bring a cooler of ice. Make sure you ice your water to cool yourself down with between games. Strive to drink 8 to 10 ounces between games. Put a pinch of sea salt in your drinking water.
  • At the first wave of dizziness, please sit down, rest, then go home and soak in your pool or stay inside with A/C.
  • If you feel very unwell, (heat stroke or exhaustion can strike suddenly) ask another player to call 911. Better safe than sorry.
  • Good gracious! What are you doing playing in a summertime pickleball tournament?! It’s too hot!

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

  • Cool, moist skin
  • Possibly a sudden headache
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling like you have lost peripheral vision
  • Loss of balance

Misting fan/Portable Click Here 

The more serious one…Heat Stroke!

  • Irrational behavior. (Yes, sometimes hard to recognize on the pickleball court.)
  • Weak pulse
  • Dry/hot skin to the touch
  • Seizure
  • Unconsciousness

Did you know that if you are taking certain medications, you are more likely to have heat related problems?

  • Beta Blockers
  • Ace inhibitors
  • Calcium channel blockers

Please keep it safe on the courts this summer. There are plenty of places to play indoors around Sarasota. Church of the Palms, CoreSRQs, Health Fit, RL Taylor. Venice Community Center on Mondays. Englewood Sports Complex. GT Bray has shade on their outdoor courts, and I hope that the Pickleball Club with indoor courts would please open soon.

Stay cool, Stay hydrated. Don’t overdo it.  (If you think you have a pickleball addiction problem, call 941-400-0978)

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry

  • Clinics
  • Bootcamps
  • Tournaments
  • Pickleball consulting
Terry Ryan or Pickleball Terry with friends
Pickleball Terry

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

Founder and owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization LLC
Sarasotapickleball.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Are You Addicted to Pickleball?

Might as well face it you’re addicted to pickleball.  That’s a twist on the song MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT YOU’RE ADDICTED TO LOVE.  Ha ha! It is real? The addiction?

Let’s look at the signs you may be addicted:

  • Lack of control, or inability to stay away from playing pickleball
  • Abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships to play pickleball
  • Ignoring risk factors as in playing on an injured knee even though your doctor told you not to
  • Physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing to play more and more pickleball

Most people reading this will check off all four, and I am also in that group. Case and point: I broke my toe a while back and my doctor told me to wear an orthopedic boot for 3 weeks until my next appointment, and no pickleball. Did I listen? Nope! I shoved my foot into a court shoe every morning and played through the pain. Once I took that shoe off, my foot would blowup like a balloon, and I would soak it in ice water until I could limp around again. Ugh! I know!

The other day, I went to the courts and ran into people I haven’t seen in awhile. Veteran players who started this wonderful sport called PICKLEBALL around the same time I did, and it seemed like they all had different injuries that they were trying to work around. Plantar fasciitis. Rotator cuff tears. Meniscus injuries. Tennis elbow.  Sciatica pain. I’m thought, it looks like they have all come back from being in a war, and the war is pickleball. Oh, the limping, the moaning and the rubbing of sore parts. It was sad to see.

Take some time off

Hey, it’s okay, that’s right, OKAY to take some time off. In fact, it can help your game. Playing non-stop can be bad for your play. Doing the same mistake over and over again may just being adding insult to injury. Stepping away for a couple of weeks or a month may be just what your body ordered.  I know you may have FOMO (fear of missing out), but you’ll be fine and probably better when you come back.

What do the orthopedics at SMH call pickleball? Oh, that’s right CRIPPLEBALL! They see so many injuries from pickleball it has earned it the nickname “crippleball.” They secretly despise pickleball, but I don’t know why, it’s good $$$ for the doctors.

Pickleball Terry

Skirt with leggings

Things people have told me:

  • I can’t wait to get finished with physical therapy so I can get back to pickleball.
  • I broke up with her because nothing gets in the way of my pickleball!
  • I can play with my left hand until my shoulder heals from shoulder replacement.
  • I went back up north and I couldn’t wait to get back here to play pickleball because I felt withdrawal symptoms.
  • I’m putting off surgery because I don’t want to take time off from pickleball.

Other ways to know if you are playing too much:

  • You have no other interests or hobbies.
  • You only socialize with people who play pickleball.
  • You dream about pickleball.
  • Your non-pickleball friends and family roll their eyes because all you want to do is talk about pickleball.
  • You have an extensive court shoe collection.
  • You own more than 2 paddles.
  • Every weekend you spend competing in tournaments.
  • You play morning, afternoon and night on the same day.
  • You play more than 3 days a week.
  • You are obsessed with pickleball and feel offended when someone plans a game time and doesn’t invite you.
  • You’ll ditch your bestfriend to play with a better player.
  • You are obsessed with buying different paddles because you think what’s wrong with your game is your paddle.
  • You snap at people on the courts because, let’s say, they don’t run for the ball fast enough. (I have seen this.)
  • You fight with people on the courts.

 

When I coach a beginner for their first time, I say, “Your whole life will change,” and it does. They become addicted and I feel like the dealer.

But we also have a good time. I have the honor and pleasure of playing with many wonderful people. I just want to see them last a long time and play for many years, so I warn them about overdoing it.

Pickleball. It can take over your life. So, be wise and play with care. Have other activities and hobbies besides pickleball.

As a wise man once said, if you’re not having fun, why play?

I always say, “It’s just pickleball.” Or, “Do we have 10k on this game?”

Thanks for reading.a picture of pickleball Terry for Sarasota Pickleball a cure for depression

Pickleball Terry
Founder and CEO of Sarasota Pickleball Organization LLC
Sarasotapickleball.com
PPR Certified Instructor
Seen in Sarasota Magazine, The Scene, VisitSarasota.org.
Head Pickleball Coach at The Isles and Core SRQ Sarasota
All around nice person…

Dinlpickleball@gmail.com
941-400-0978

 

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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

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941-400-0978

 

 

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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
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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

 

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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.

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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

 

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An Interview With Gold Medal Winner, Chris Hayashi

A picture of Chris Hayashi for Sarasotapickleball.com

Christine Hayashi played in the recent Minto US Open Pickleball Championship held in Naples. I sent her a few questions and here are her answers.

Chris Hayashi at the US Pickleball Open
Elizabeth and Chris

Christine Hayashi won Gold and Bronze at the Minto US Pickleball Championships in Naples held in April.
(Do you like Christine or Chris?) I like Chris, either is fine.
Pickleball Terry (PT) Chris, congratulations on your wins. Who were your partners?
Chris: Women’s 3.5 Age 55+ Elizabeth Warrier – Gold
Mixed 4.0 Age 19+ Ben De Jesus – Bronze
PT: Did you practice a lot with your partners before the tournament?
Chris: As the Open was approaching, Liz and I started practicing by playing a couple of tournaments,
playing in a weekly league, and practicing another night if possible.
Ben was a last-minute replacement and good friend who stepped in! We played together a couple of
times before the tournament and did some drilling. He is a great player. I am a good listener and
followed his lead for our mixed play ��


PT: What did you do to prepare yourself for the tournament?
Chris: For me, I simply love playing! I was fortunate to be invited to Sarah Saari’s Viking Pickleball
Clinics and she has been instrumental in my development. I very much enjoy playing different players
so I played at different locations with different groups and tournaments (Englewood, GT Bray, Indigo
(the community where I learned about Pickleball!), Island Walk, Palm Aire, Lakewood Ranch HS,
Sarasota Pickleball Club Newtown, Punta Gorda PicklePlex …)
PT: Athletes have rituals before a game. Do you have any like carry a lucky charm or anything?
Chris: No lucky charm. Just grateful to be playing in the Open and for the experience!
PT: Normally, how many times do you play pickleball a week?
Chris: I work full-time at Beall’s (check out their pickleball clothes etc.) so I play where there are good lights at night (GT Bray, Englewood) a couple of times a week and then most definitely as much as
possible on the weekends!
PT: Do you like playing with the same partner or do you like to play with different people?
Chris: For tournaments I think it’s so important to have a partner that you enjoy playing with and your style of games work together to be successful, while having fun!
Otherwise, for recreation play I love playing with different people and against different people. That’s one of the great gifts of pickleball are the people you meet and friends you make.
PT: What paddle do you use?
Chris: Prince Spectrum Pro
PT: What is the best shot is your wheelhouse?
Chris: If you know me, you know I love to dink and reset ��

PT: Do you like to dink or are you a banger?
Chris: Dink
PT: What was the best part of the US Open?
Chris: It was my first time being to the US Open. It was amazing to walk onto the venue with ZingZang Championship Court and to see so many players and people passionate about the sport and the
high level of play, amateurs and pros all playing on the 60 dedicated courts. To be able to play something you love, to dig in and never give up, at the largest PB tournament was so fun. And to do with partners I admire and am grateful for. And, in our Women’s event, we got a text for our 2nd
round match. Liz says, where is CC? Where are the lettered courts? Liz, that’s Championship Court!
That definitely was a highlight. We won there and went undefeated against some very tough
competition!


PT: What was the worst part?
Chris: Something we cannot control, the weather. It didn’t impact me, but for friends who waited
over a year to play in the Open, practiced and playing at the top of their game, to be told their event is
being rescheduled (at least it wasn’t cancelled), and unfortunately they were unable to play the next
day. They were very disappointed. Also be prepared for lengthy waits if there are weather delays (for
any tournament).
PT: Will you do it again?
Chris: You bet, if I can!
PT: What advice would you give to other players who are thinking about playing in next year’s open?
Chris: Do it! It’s Open to everyone. Even if you are eliminated after 2 matches, you played! If you enjoy pickleball and want to “experience” and be a part of the biggest pb event, it is so worth it in my
eyes. I am amazed at the level of play …. from the growing number of juniors to seniors! I’m inspired and motivated to continue to develop. So much joy!
Thank you, Chris. We are all so proud of you. Congratulations!
Thank you, Terry, for being our Ambassador. Without you and your passion for the sport many of us would not be playing. Thank you for all that you do for us and for promoting and growing the sport!


 

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Ode to Dick-Our Man at Colonial Oaks Park

It was a few years ago that Dick Friede and Jan Wilhelm showed up to play pickleball inside at Colonial Oaks Park. I must admit, we were all a little scared of his serves and drives. Boy, he could and still can hit the ball hard. He got many serves by us, but alas, things have changed and the rest of us have stepped up our game and now return Dick’s high-powered serves. Well, most of them. And thanks to Dick’s BLOCKING DRILLS, we are able to block his lighting-fast drives…again most of them.

 

One day, a few years ago, Dick asked me advertise in my newsletter, Intermediate and Advanced Play Everyday at Colonial Oaks Park outside on the courts, much to the dismay of the tennis players.

Now Dick religiously comes every morning at 7:30a.m. with 4 nets and sets them up. One side of the courts have painted lines for pickleball, but the other side, Dick manages to chalk in somewhat straight lines. No one questions them by pulling out a yardstick; we’re just happy he does it.

A picture of Dick and Jan of Sarasotapickleball.com

His lovely partner, Jan, is also a force to be reckoned with on the courts. Though small in stature, she is fast as a bullet, and from years of playing tennis, knows how to place a ball so it’s out of reach for the other team. Anyway, they make a good couple on and off the pickleball court.

On Saturday, May 8, the usual Colonial Oaks gang arrived around 7:30 only to find that someone was there before them and left a message for Dick. An anonymous message by the way.  It was a nice way to say, “Dick. you are appreciated!” (Jan, you too.)

Thanks Dick and Jan from all the players at Colonial Oaks Park.

 

Ode to Dick in Sarasotapickleball.com

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Your Lizard Brain And Pickleball

Your Lizard Brain and Pickleball

Your lizard brain…what?! I have a LIZARD BRAIN and what does it have to do with pickleball? Good question. Let’s start with the lizard brain…

Also referred to as your reptilian brain as it refers to the most primitive part of our brain, where lay the instincts that warn us of danger when it lurks.

Image result for reptilian brain psychology–

The “basal ganglia” (lizard brain) refers to a group of subcortical nuclei within the brain responsible primarily for motor control, as well as other roles such as motor learning, executive functions, emotional behaviors, and play an important role in reward and reinforcement, addictive behaviors and habit formation.
In Nick Bollettieri, tennis master and founder of IMG tennis camp, said in his documentary (Love Means Zero-Showtime) about your lizard brain, it is the part of your brain that automatically knows when to step out of the way of a speeding car. You don’t have to process it…look there is a car…what should I do?  No, the lizard brain automatically takes over and you jump out of the way.
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Activate your automatic…This is what your pickleball instructor means when they say, “MUSCLE MEMORY.” The pickleball students execute a drill over and over again until it is locked and loaded into their brain and it becomes automatic.
Example: I was standing at the net at my Friday clinic when one of my students popped the ball up.  At the moment, my thinking was more on what I was going to cook for dinner, but my lizard brain saw the ball and I automatically slammed it down the middle and past the dinking students. I apologized immediately. One of  them said wide eyed, “How did you do that?”  I said, “My lizard brain took over.”
Hence: to be better, to level up, and to be a competitive player, you have to DRILL DRILL DRILL.  What do you have to do? DRILL!!! Lock in to your muscle memory.
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If you don’t want to drill, you don’t want to win.
But Terry, drilling is boring. No. it isn’t. If you find it boring, you are doing it wrong. Get a foursome together and go to a court, not during the morning rush, and drill. Set a length of time, say for an hour or two.  Somebody gets lazy in the group and declares it is boring and they want to play a game, then don’t ask them to drill next time. Get a group of DEDICATED TO IMPROVE. DRILL FOR THE THRILL!
Pickleball Terry
Receiving instructions at Pickleball Camp

Examples of some drills

Youtube is an excellent source to find pickleball drills. You can do 3rd Shot Drop drills, and dinking drills. Or sign up for a drill session with me.

Complaining students…

Whoa… I have blogged about this before, that in a clinic I was taking in Punta Gorda, one of the players complained to the instructor that his drill was boring. Oh, it went from bad to worse in just a few seconds as the student was scolded by the coach. “Don’t tell me how to run my class.” he demanded.

And I’ve had that happen to me. “Let’s move on, this is boring,” said one of my students. I moved on to another drill hoping she would find it more interesting.

IF YOU WANT TO MASTER ANY SPORT, YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE!
Tom Brady: Hey Coach, I don’t have to practice anymore, I’m Tom Brady.
Coach: Get out of here!
Muscle Memory and Learning Skills

The famous saying practice makes perfect applies here.

You might have heard people mention the term muscle memory when you’ve been training and exercising. Muscle memory can also be referred to as motor memory and it refers to your body’s memory to perform certain actions.


And researching MUSCLE MEMORY I find this…

The two parts of the brain which are responsible for controlling the muscle memory are the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. They help to learn sequences of actions and help to adjust errors in learning in order to improve our ability to perform the movements correctly.

The cerebellum (which is Latin for “little brain”) is a major structure of the hindbrain that is located near the brainstem. This part of the brain is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements. It is also responsible for a number of functions including motor skills such as balance, coordination, and posture.

In order to learn movements and make them habits which can be performed efficiently, you must go through a process of attempting the movements and then refining these movements until you are happy with how you perform them. The movement or behavior becomes learned and ‘hard wired.”

 

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A good example of this could be the first time you preform a pickleball underhanded serve with a continental grip. It feels weird and you fail at first, but keep on trying and you are able to improve your serve. During this process, you go from thinking really hard about how to execute it to performing it effortlessly without thinking!

The best example of motor memory would be learning to drive or to ride a bicycle – combinations of movements which at first are extremely difficult but once mastered are performed mostly without over thinking.

I hope this blog post inspires you to drill and not just get out there and play. Unless you are just a Sunday/Funday- kind of player, then ignore all of the above. But for the players who want to become better and be the kind of player everyone wants to challenge on the courts, then drilling is thrilling, and practice makes a better player.

Thank you for reading! All the best!

Pickleball Terry

Picture of Pickleball Terry, Terry Ryan

USA Pickleball Ambassador
PPR Certified Coach
Owner of SarasotaPickleball.com
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com