New Pickleball Rules For 2022
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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
Boomers 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.
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:
- Remembering the score
- Recalling names
- Concentrating on the flight of the ball
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
Pickleball Coach
SarasotaPickleball.com
Gearbox Paddles Dealer
The Proposed Rule Changes for 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The IFP Rules Committee will complete their deliberations and voting by August 15.
- 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.
- 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’.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
SarasotaPickleball.com
Pickleball lessons and clinics
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com
Will the Serve Rule Change in 2022?
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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Dear Rules Committee
Soon you will be asked to vote on a proposed rule change that will ban some or all techniques that create additional spin on the serve. As founder of one such technique in question, I believe I am entitled to offer an opinion.
What’s primarily in question is whether or not offensive serves are in the spirit of the game. It’s been 3 years since I started imparting spin on the ball toss, however only recently has the style gained notoriety, largely due to the creative adaptation from fellow pro player, Zane Navratil, that incorporates the use of the paddle and/or the paddle hand to provide a kind of pre-spin on the ball toss.
Allow me to wind back the clock for a moment. One day in the late 90’s Levon Major hopped the kitchen line, hit a volley and won the point. Soon Erne Perry performed the same move in a tournament, and the Erne was born. When opposite Tyler Loong, we all fear the repercussions of an errant dink, and I wouldn’t have it any other way because without the threat of the Erne, players wouldn’t have learned how to defend against them. Moves and counter moves. Levon and Erne changed the game.
The game grew.
Pickleball was born in the mid-sixties. You know what else started around then…The Alley Oop. The wild new way to score hit the big time with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain leading the charge. The technique is still used today but we don’t see it 10 times a game. Why? because teams learned how to defend against it.
The game grew.
In 2016 Marcin Rozpedski and myself invented the shake and bake. We were being out-dinked at the Le Master Davison classic and we needed a solution. After a couple of bottles of 5 Hour Energy we patented the new style of attack. In the following years hundreds of players had to deal with Marcin crashing the line and poaching with deadly intent. You know what those opponents did? They got better. Returns got deeper, players reacted faster, hit sharper volleys and successfully learnt how to defend against the attack.
The game grew.
The return of serve is a skill and I believe we will stifle the development of that skill by taking away the most challenging serves. Necessity is the father of invention. These creative serves force players to improve their return of serve skill. Dekel Bar can hit a serve faster than most people can pitch a baseball, and his opponents have had to learn how to return it. Power is a skill. Spinning a ball is a skill. Accuracy is a skill. No one has ever been told that a ball toss can’t be a skill. Not one Referee has ever given me so much as a warning. I’m not 220lbs with the power of an Israeli Demi-god, but I’m good with my hands so that’s what I use in order to compete in a rapidly deepening field. I believe that if the technique used is within the rules of the game, what difference should it make which skill is employed to make a serve better? If you ban one skill that makes a serve more offensive, under the pretense that the game wasn’t intended to have offensive serves, doesn’t it then stand to reason that you must ban any kind of offensive serve. Who wants to go down that road? There would be no serves with power, accuracy, or spin. That doesn’t sound too fun does it?
Imagine baseball without the curveballs, imagine tennis without the kick serve, basketball without the Alley-Oop.
What if a technique was developed under the full rules of the game, that allowed a player to serve at full speed with laser-like accuracy. I imagine it would be very effective. Should we take that technique away from the game?
What do we all get asked? When is the sport going to be in the olympics? Well, I would argue an offensive sport is more popular and much more marketable than a defensive one. People don’t clammer to see Mayweather just duck and weave for 12 rounds, and people aren’t on eBay buying tickets to the next NBA Rebound Championships.
Let’s imagine this scenario. It’s the year 2032. We finally have flying cars but the number one cause of death is…. flying cars. Pickleball is alive and well. 95% percent of professional pickleball players have either played ATP/WTA tennis or have been pro pickleball players for 10 + years. Ben Johns is approaching his mid 30’s but still looks 18. The best players are making $100K plus and the mainstream media is embracing the sport. A scrappy but adorable young Australian washes ashore, starts playing the game and develops a new way to serve, well within the rules of the game. During tournaments, the serve is used and returned by essentially everyone who meets it. It’s 2032 and the level of skill required to return the serve is possessed by all but a few. The game grew. In this scenario, would we need to ban the serve? No. It would only be seen as innovation because there is no downside. It looks different, makes the game more interesting and only slightly more challenging.
Now let’s consider another scenario. The year is once again 2032. It’s the 10yr anniversary of an important moment in the history of the game. The day the rules committee agreed to continue to allow a one handed ball toss to impart spin. In the years after the serve was born, players adapted their return technique and developed their skills to meet the demands.
The game grew.
I don’t think the problem is that the serve is not in the spirit of the game. It just came along too soon. If this serve was born 10 yrs from now, the spirit of the game wouldn’t be affected because everyone would be able to return it. I think this is a classic chicken and the egg scenario. Let’s not kill the egg before we meet the chicken.
What’s being deemed as not in the spirit of the game is being labeled so not because of the action, but by the reaction. Not by the serve, but by the return. I present to you that it’s too early to understand the reaction. I can also attest that the chief proponents of this serve, myself and Zane Navratil, both report the same thing, the players that have the most experience returning these serves, don’t have any problems getting the return in. It’s not a matter of IF players will be able to effectively return the serves, it’s just a matter of WHEN.
Each and every year the bar is raised. There are moments. People, Shots. Plays that never were, are suddenly born and once again the game grows.
This is one of those moments.
I ask you kindly to allow the game to grow once more.
Yours sincerely
Morgan Evans
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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 list… she 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.
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.)
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,
Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
Owner of Sarasotapickleball.com
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com
In The Beginning By Pickleball Terry
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.
We 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
What’s The Difference Between the APP and PPA
Recently, I signed up for a tournament where I had to be a member of the USA Pickleball Association and SSIPA. What the heck is the SSIPA and why do I have to be a member? Good question but I had to pay the $20.00 or I wouldn’t be able to play in the tournament. The SSIPA is
Okay, fine. I realize that pickleball is a sport that is exploding in popularity and everyone is jumping on the gravy train, or to be more polite, helping to educate and promote pickleball.
There is the APP. The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP)
From the APP Website. With the exploding popularity of pickleball, Ken, CEO, has a vision of creating a series of tournaments where individuals could set performance goals, track results, and play against peers in a sanctioned tour environment while adhering to all USA Pickleball guidelines. The 2021 APP Tour has over $700K in prize money for professionals, while all player athletes are encouraged to qualify for the season ending championships — The APP Miami Masters International Pickleball Championships on January 19 – 23, 2022.
The 2021 APP Tour has 18 tournaments scheduled throughout the United States and Europe. We are hosting tournaments in nine of the 12 USA Pickleball regions. Our purpose is to confirm that all player athletes, professional and amateur, have access to our competitive APP tournaments.
Then there is the PPA – Pro Pickleball Association
Their tagline is, Play Where The Pros Play. They also are starting their own rating system (OMG! Not another one!) called DURP to bring a new rating solution.
USA Pickleball Association is probably the first official organization for pickleball. They are associated with the PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry), where I received my certification for coaching pickleball.
Mission
The mission of the USA Pickleball Association (USA Pickleball) is to promote the development and growth of pickleball in the United States and its territories.
About Us
The USA Pickleball Association (USA Pickleball) is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the US and provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials.
The association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and governed by a board of directors and professional staff who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued growth and development of the sport.
Then there is the rating system for the USA Pickleball Ass. called the UTPR.
The UTPR (No idea what that stands for. United Tournament Pickleball Ratings???) is the rating system for USA Pickleball Association.
Okay, then what is the International Federation of Pickleball? International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)
The International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), the world governing body of pickleball, was established to perpetuate the development and growth of the sport throughout the world. The IFP’s goal is to introduce pickleball to all nations so that they may embrace the sport as one of their national sports, and ultimately to achieve official recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in order to establish pickleball as an Olympic sport.
The IFP is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to promoting international play and competition, maintaining the official rules for pickleball, and providing a worldwide code of conduct for pickleball athletes. The IFP focuses its resources on supporting organizations that foster the sport around the world for all ages and ability levels.
USA Pickleball is the United States member of the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP), the world governing body of pickleball. The IFP was established in 2010 by the USA Pickleball Association to perpetuate the development and growth of the sport throughout the world.
What is a sanctioned tournament? A tournament approved by the USA Pickleball Association.
Is the Minto US Pickleball Open a sanctioned tournament? No.
Where can I go to find tournaments? Pickleballtournaments.com
And there is the IPTA. International Pickleball Teaching Association. Yes, another teaching association and another rating system.
This is from their website.
Why did the IPTPA create a new national rating system?
After receiving feedback from many of our teaching professionals, there seemed to be a trend among self-rated players of “over-rating”. Over-rating obviously causes many problems during organized play and clinics offered at designated levels. It effects instructors trying to give everyone the attention they deserve for skills specific to level and to keep organized play fun and balanced for all. After reviewing the IFP & USAPA rating descriptions in depth, there seemed to be a disconnect with the skill progressions taught by IPTPA professionals and those descriptions. At IPTPA, we strive to be the leaders on the court by instructing the most current and progressively accurate way to improve level by level (from the inside out). The descriptions of each level by other organizations do not currently reflect this level of standardization.
Does the IPTPA Rating System conflict with the current USAPA rating system?
No. The USAPA system is designed for players that compete in sanctioned tournaments. However, as we all know, that is only a small percentage of the playing population. There are players of all ages and skill abilities that need an accurate rating. However, many may not be able to obtain one due to lack of sanctioned tournament play.
Let’s not forget the AAU Pickleball. (Amateur Athletic Union) Athletes Pursuing Greatness
The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations. The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games. After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level. The philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever,” is shared by nearly 700,000 participants and over 150,000 volunteers.
Since 1888, the AAU has raised tomorrow’s leaders on today’s playgrounds. Join the more than 700,000 members and compete in one of our 35 sport programs across the nation today.
I’m sure there are more or more will pop-up tomorrow. Let me know if you know of one I missed.
Thanks for reading,
Pickleball Terry
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com