Pickleball – Page 2 – Sarasota Pickleball Organization, LLC

July 3, 2022July 3, 2022

10 Things Novice Players Do That Ruin Their Pickleball Game

As a pickleball coach, I have been coaching for around 3 years. I am a fully insured PPR Certified Coach, and love introducing people to pickleball. I have taught over 500 people so far, and besides a few students falling, there has not been many bad moments. It’s always a good time teaching pickleball. I believe I have found my calling. Let’s just say, if you play pickleball, retirement is great!

Am Image of Sarah Ansboury — Sarah Ansboury

After observing student after student on the court, there are 10 things that a novice student should stop doing that SCREAMS I’m a novice player. Here they are:

Not standing on the balls of their feet.
I tell my students, if you are not putting pressure on the balls of your feet and standing flat-footed, you are not in a ready position. Sarah Ansboury says pretend that there is a button on the bottom of your big toe and press that button.
Standing too close to the baseline.
If you are standing too close to the baseline when you are receiving a deep serve, you are going to either miss the serve, hit it before it bounces, or hit the ball up in the air and out of bounds. Always stand a foot behind the baseline. My students say, “But what happens if they serve short?” Then you run like you’re 18 years old and get to the ball, I always say jokingly. But, if you see someone who constantly serves a weak and short serve, take a step inside the baseline.
Creeping up after you serve.
Oh, seasoned pickleball players love to see their opponents do this…take a couple of steps forward onto the court after they serve. That’s a sign of definite weakness. Your receiver is going to return the ball deep back to you who is already a couple of steps too far forward, therefore you hit the ball before it bounces. FAULT! The saying is SERVE AND STAY!
Not getting up to the NVZ line.
This is a drill I do over and over with my students. It’s return and RUN. Or I like to say…RUN LIKE HECK! Now, this is when I’m teaching people who can run and who want to become aggressive players. If you are not returning the ball deep and running up to the kitchen, it says…I’m still learning.
Standing like a statue.
They hit the ball and don’t move as they watch their ball fly over the net. Why? They are admiring their shot. Then what happens? They are not prepared for the return shot and miss it. Stop admiring your shot and immediately move and be ready for the ball coming back.
Not keeping their paddle up.
If I see a player standing with their paddles down by their side, I know they are not ready to return a fast ball coming at them. In pickleball, a player does not have the time to bring the paddle up from the side of their leg, to return a fast ball coming at their backhand. Keep your paddle up! A coaching trick I use is telling my students to put their finger tips of their non paddle hand on the back of their paddle after every return. If this doesn’t work, I give them a ball that they have to hold on the back of their paddle so they remember to keep their paddle up. And this one seems to work…I tell them keeping their paddle up makes them look 10 years younger.
Not Focusing.
Sometimes I see a ball fly by a student and they try to hit it after the pass. You know, the whiffing stroke. They look at the paddle like there must be a hole in it. How could they possibly miss that ball? They look at me, their coach, in disbelief. But seconds before, I could tell their mind was someplace else. I ask them, what were you just thinking of? They admit, they were thinking they had to get an oil change, or make a dentist appointment. Definitely not on the game at hand. You have to stay laser focused in the game. If not, it’s not fair to your partner, you or your opponents that are there because they want a good game.
Hitting the ball back to your opponent (politely).
Isn’t that what you are suppose to do? No! During warmup we hit the ball back and forth to each other because we are WARMING UP. After that, make your opponents move. Don’t give them an easy shot to return. And go for their backhand, the weaker side. When I’m playing, I will hit to one opponent and if he gets it back, I’ll switch direction and hit to the other opponent. Keep them guessing. {Select Ray-Ban Oakley & Costa active polarized sunglasses}
Hitting into the net.
Time after time, I witness a novice player go for a put-a-way and they hit the ball with extreme force right into the net. That will hurt your ego. Then I look at their feet and find them standing a foot behind the NVZ line. If they were rather standing an inch back from the line as they should have, they would have gotten that ball over the the net and past their opponents. Win! Get as close to the NVZ line as you can.
Not watching the ball.
A ball comes towards you and you swing and miss it. Why? You thought you were watching the ball but just as it comes a foot from your paddle, you look across the court towards your opponents, and you completely miss the ball. What happened? You took your eyes off the ball. Another good hint from Sarah Ansboury is point your paddle paddle at the ball as it goes back and forth. This is good practice for your brain to train it to keep track of the ball.

If you are a novice, above are 10 things you should work on if you want to STOP looking like a novice. If you master the above 10, you are no longer a novice player and moving in to the intermediate zone.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 941-400-0978 or email at dinkpickleball@gmail.com.

Clinics
Bootcamps
Private lessons
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Thanks for reading, Pickleball Terry

Pickleball Terry, Founder and owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization, LLC

June 19, 2022July 30, 2022

Acetaminophen is Dangerous

One day on the pickleball court, the person next to me casually told me they take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as a preventive way to fight pain from playing pickleball every day. I didn’t know what to say. Didn’t they know how dangerous acetaminophen was for the liver? Reading the warning label, the directions are take no more than 1000 mg every 6 hours and do not exceed 6 capsules (500mg each) in 24 hours. Also, only take for 10 days!

This brings back the memory of one of my favorite people in high school, Bobby. He was quite the practically joker and I recall one time when I arrived at a party by the lake we lived by, I got out of my car and he ran over, picked me up and ran down a dock and jumped into the water with me still in his arms. I couldn’t be angry at him as I was soaking wet for the entire party. I just laughed at another Bobby antics. He was the kind of guy everybody liked. He was always smiling, smart and did well at school, and built his own house from the foundation up. It was there that it was the beginning of Bobby’s end. He was working one night by himself in the house he was constructing, when he pulled a stack of drywall that was leaning against the wall looking for a misplaced tool. The drywall came crashing down on Bobby’s leg trapping him for 12 hours before his brother came looking for him after Bobby was missing from work. He was rushed to the hospital almost losing his leg. For years I would glance at the terrible scar on his leg. He limped and was in constant pain. Tylenol was his go-to pain management drug. After years of taking Tylenol, the toxicity built up in his liver and sadly Bobby passed away from liver cancer last year. I was shocked when I read his obituary. He was just one of those guys that made the world a better place.

Acetaminophen can cause liver toxicity if taken over the maximum dose.

The drug is metabolized mainly by the liver and broken down into glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, but a minor percentage of the drug is converted into a highly toxic byproduct called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). NAPQI is typically detoxified in the liver if used safely and sparingly under the recommended guidelines, but too much acetaminophen over an extended period of time can overload the liver and cause toxins to build up. (https://www.tmc.edu/news/2020/05/does-acetaminophen-cause-cancer/)

What about Advil? (Ibuprofen) Is it just as toxic? Instead of being toxic on the liver, ibuprofen is tough on the kidneys. Again, I’m on the pickleball court when a nurse who works in the dialysis department tells me that many of the patients are on dialysis from taking too much Ibuprofen. What??!! I was stunned.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, as many as 3 percent to 5 percent of new cases of chronic kidney failure each year may be caused by the overuse of these painkillers. Once kidney disease occurs, continued use of the problem drug makes it worse.

Nonprescription pain medicines should not be used without your doctor’s permission if you know you have low kidney function. Also, even if your kidney function is good, long–term use with high doses of these pain drugs may harm the kidneys. Kidney damage happens because high doses of the drugs have a harmful effect on kidney tissue and structures. These drugs can also reduce the blood flow to the kidney. If you are older, your kidneys may have a stronger reaction to these medicines and you may need a smaller dose.

Kidney disease from pain medicines is often preventable. You can change your risk by how you take medicines. To avoid kidney problems, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. You should drink plenty of fluids and avoid becoming dehydrated when you use these medicines.

Even with normal kidney function, you should use pain medicines:

Exactly as prescribed or as on the label
At the lowest dose possible
For the shortest period of time.

What are analgesics?

Analgesics are medicines that help to control pain and reduce fever, and some types also decrease inflammation. These are commonly used analgesics:

Acetaminophen. Although aspirin was most common analgesic for decades, today, the most commonly used over–the–counter pain medicine is acetaminophen. This drug is available under the brand name Tylenol® and as a generic (no brand name) with the word “acetaminophen” on the package. It is often effective for mild to moderate pain. Its safety depends on how it is used. People who take too much or take it too often risk side effects or worse. Acetaminophen is also found in combination with other ingredients in many cold, sinus, and cough medications. If you take these drugs together, the dose can add up.

Aspirin. This is one of the drugs grouped together under the name “nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs” or NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a specific group of pain relievers. Some NSAIDs are available over the counter. This includes different brands of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and ketoprofen.

Another warning on the Tylenol and Advil box is take no longer than 10 days! There are players on the court that take Tylenol like they are Tic Tacs. Why? Because it is an OTC drug, and people have the impression that they are harmless. Sadly, this is not true. Taken at a higher dose than recommended or using when you are also drinking cocktails at night, can be a deadly combination.

So, what can you do if you have constant pain? Well, the old story of the patient who goes to his doctor and says it hurts every time he bends his arm, and the doctor tells him to stop doing that, is true. If banging your knees on hard asphalt is causing pain, it may be time not to play as much.

Natural pain relievers like turmeric may give relief. https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/surprising-natural-pain-killers#boswellia

Talking to your doctor about pain relief is a definite conversation to have with them. Discuss your concern with long-term OTC pain relief.

The takeaway to this blog is, taking OTC pain relief is serious and can cause damage to your liver and kidneys. Definitely stop taking Advil and Tylenol as a PREVENTATIVE pain solution for more than 10 days is not advised. Read the the back of the box or Google Tylenol risks. The next time you want to take an OTC pain reliever, you’ll give it a second thought.

Stay safe on the courts.

Pickleball Terry 941-400-0978

May 29, 2022

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.

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

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

Founder and owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization LLC
Sarasotapickleball.com

May 1, 2022

I Played In The US Pickleball Open Championship

I played in the US Pickleball Open by Terry Ryan

What is the US Open? It is the biggest pickleball championship in the country held in Naples, FL, that is not associated with the APP, PPA, or USA Pickleball (Non Sanctioned). The event was held (April 23rd — April 30th, 2022) at the East Naples Community Park on 3500 Thomasson Dr. There you will find a sea of 64 pickleball courts, a covered center court for the BIG SHOW and a new check-in center with pro shop.

While the US Open is going on, there are a couple of tents set up for displaying products, music, food such as chicken sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, etc. Zing-Zang tickets for center courts are being resold there, and this is where the competitors check-in everyday. Outside is a booze wagon, Moo Cow ice cream. and on the other side of the park are 2 more food trucks; one with the name Earth, Wind, and Fry.

Parking at the Open is filled by 8:00am and costs $5.00 per day or $30.00 for a week’s pass. All other cars are directed to an overflow parking lot. There a golf cart will pick you up and drive you to the shuttle bus waiting area. Busses will come and go quickly, so there is not a very long wait. The entrance fee to the Open is free for spectators. For players it is $100.00 initiation fee plus $40.00 additional for each event you signup for. You’ll need to have tickets for the center court to watch the finals and pros, which went quickly through a lottery system. People who do not want to go on a particular day for center court can sell them on the white board, or give them to friends. I managed to pick up one and spent some time watching semi-pros play. To tell you the truth, whoever I watching wasn’t that impressive. Lots of desperation lobs. They looked exhausted. Hmmmm.

This covered area also has boxed seating for people who spend $1000.00. They get snacks and open bar, in case you are interested.

Now. let’s talk about the play. It was intense. The 3.0s were dinking and stacking. I played in 4.0 and I was quickly crushed. Every ball I hit came back at me faster and harder. I signed up for Women’s 65+ any skill, and Doubles 65+ Skill. and MXD 65+. Gulp!

My male partner dropped out and I decided not to replace him. Turned out to be a good idea because it was a RAIN OUT.

Previous to the Open, in March I got a case of the nerves and thought about dropping out. Then to top it off, I had an energy crash from an autoimmune disease (thyroid disease) that I have. My thyroid levels were checked, and my doctor tweaked my medication. Still feeling ongoing fatigue, muscle aches, and sore throat, I started juicing veggies and fruit everyday. I hit the vitamin store and bought C, D3, and B Complex, although I already had these in my cabinet most had expired.

Another problem. All of a sudden my feet started hurting. They ached on the courts then for hours afterwards. I tried inserts but that made it worse.

Okay, let’s recap here; I am feeling fatigued, my feet hurt to the point I want to cry, and along with heat intolerance, I seriously wanted to dropout, but could I? Did I want to miss the experience, the excitement, or worse, disappoint my partner? My intuition told me to stick with it, and I did.

My first event was scheduled for Monday at 12:00 (April 25). Yep! The heat of the day. Checking the weather app, it read no chance of rain and 90s. Oh boy…

So, I did this to prepare:

-Vitamins everyday
-Consume many fruits and vegetables
-Juiced veggies and fruit
-Drank frozen smoothies that I got out of the frozen food section
-Bought compressions socks for my feet (pain disappeared)
-Took walks in the middle of the day when temp was the highest trying different way to cool down. Best one –was soak my hat and scarf in cold water before putting on.
-And drink water, water, water!

Scott J. recommended a book, Water, You Body’s Many Cries For Water. According to this book, adding a pinch of sea salt is extremely important, and of course, drinking lots of water the days before the competition is just as important as drinking during the competition.

I followed the book’s directions and drank 16 ounces when I got up in the morning and tried to drink at least 8 ounces every hour. I read on the internet, your urine should be very pale before you go to bed.

Dehydration can sneak up on you. It happened to me on Siesta Key Beach, years ago. One minute I was walking the beach from the beginning by the village to the wall at Point o’ Rocks. I felt a wave of dizziness and next thing I knew, I was in the emergency room. So, to say I was worried about the heat and soul-sucking humidity is an understatement.

Plus, I had a group coming down to cheer me on, and a few of us were staying at a tiki bar motel, then we were all going out to dinner together. It was a big deal! No way was I backing out now. I was in!

The day finally came and I drove down to the East Naples Community Park. The minute I stepped past the gate to the US Open all my fears dissipated. The fatigue, uncertainty and nervousness went away. The excitement of being at the biggest pickleball event in the country was thrilling. Milling around a few thousand like-minded people is truly a wonderful experience.

It was an honor to compete and I thoroughly enjoyed every second. Did I win a medal? Not even close. But for me, just to be there and competing is a win personally.

We all had an amazing time and some came close to winning medals. (Ann Mitchell From Sarasota won bronze in 75+ Doubles.) I witnessed excellent players play their best. Yes, it was scorching hot but we all hung in. My soaked hat and scarf worked, and I had no issues with the heat. Hallelujah!

I want to mention, that the spectators and players were polite, and practiced good sportsmanship. The volunteers were friendly and tremendously helpful. I didn’t see a “sour pickle” the entire week. All good fun!

The only criticism I would say, is that it is hard to figure out what court your friends are playing on. It works like this; The administrators sends you a text that says you have 10 minutes to make it to certain court. You jump out of your seat and dash. But how do you let all the people who came to watch you know what court you will be playing on? I had to text them but sometimes it was run, run, run and no time to text. The PT app is what I would call “archaic.” It needs a fresh look and to be more user friendly.

Will I enter the US Open again next year? Who knows, but this is my second time and both have been an amazing experience. I give it a 99% chance I’ll signup next year. See you there!

Sincerely,

Pickleball Terry
941-400-0978
Clinics/Private Lessons/Bootcamps
Founder and CEO of Sarasota Pickleball Organization

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

April 24, 2022April 26, 2022

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.

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.

If you find yourself doing this, you are taking the game too seriously.

Franklin Outdoor Balls

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.

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

March 27, 2022

Depression and Pickleball

Mary woke up with the same feeling of dread she felt every morning since her husband passed away. His death came so suddenly. He was experiencing pain in his side followed by a trip to the emergency room, tests and more test, and the horrible diagnoses of pancreatic cancer. They were holding hands as the doctor delivered the bad news. Prognosis wasn’t good; only months to live. He was sadly gone in one month. Mary was devastated. Here she was, in the dream home she and her husband had always wanted in beautiful Sarasota after they both retired from their jobs, and she was now all alone. What to do?

New to the area, she didn’t have many friends, but someone told her about pickleball. This was interesting because Mary wasn’t ready to sit in a rocking chair. She looked up Sarasota Pickleball and soon found me, Pickleball Terry. After her first lesson she felt more alive than she had in months, and she was hooked. Pickleball became her new way to exercise mixed with a social network.

What is depression? (from the internet)

A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Possible causes include a combination of biological, psychological, and social sources of distress. Increasingly, research suggests these factors may cause changes in brain function, including altered activity of certain neural circuits in the brain.

Social isolation and depression in older adults

Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive. But as people age, they often find themselves spending more time alone. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher rates of depression.

What happens as we get older or as I like to put it, seasoned? Loneliness? Feeling isolated? Feeling unwanted or not needed? We have spent all of our lives hurrying through the days of our youth and middle age, when we finally achieve our retirement years. Now what to do? Read the entire New York Times everyday? Then what? Puzzles? What about social interactions? Or something to live for? No wonder people get depressed.

Is pickleball the cure for depression?

I am not so bold to say that pickleball is the cure for depression, but it can’t hurt. As long as you’re physically able, pickleball is a great way to stimulate dopamine, the happiness hormone. It also great for keeping you busy. The part of the brain that causes anxiety and depression is amygdala, hippocampus, and the dorsomedial thalamus. Amygdala is what is called the lizard brain that sends out danger signals. But unfortunately, these signals continue through the day for no reason. Thinking about what the score is, who is serving, trying to get the 3rd shot drop in can give your brain something to do besides worrying.

Things that set off depression can be a big life change like moving to a new town, divorce, or the loss of a spouse. Sometimes there is no reason you can put your finger on why you are depressed.

I was talking to another player who told me that her way to manage her depression was to get up every morning and get moving. She heads to the pickleball court where she mingles with fellow players and gets her daily exercise quota mixed with fun.

Everyone needs a purpose

It also supplies a purpose in life. Implementing pickleball as your new hobby is an excellent way to get out of the house and to see other people. I know when I go to Colonial Oaks Park, it’s an uplifting experience. I’m happy to see everyone, and I talk and laugh with the other players. Before I know it, my Fitbit is buzzing letting me know I hit 10k steps. But I take it lightly until I talk to someone who lets me know how pickleball has changed their life. That takes my breath away. When I hear some of the struggles people have gone through or are going through, and then tell me how much pickleball has helped them, it send shivers down my spine. I realize just how important pickleball is to the seniors in Sarasota and to the rest of the country. It’s bigger than I ever realized. Not just a game.

You are not alone

So, if you think your the only one who is using pickleball to help your depression or anxiety, you are not alone. My pickleball circle is large and I talk to many players. Some players are going through incredible hardships and they still show up on the court. That’s their “ME” time. A time to not think about dying relatives or their next chemo treatment. You never know what the player next to you is going through.

COVID and pickleball

Pickleball was a saving grace during COVID. What the heck would we all have done without pickleball. I took all of 2 weeks off and I was back on the courts as soon as the county allowed us. And I have spoken to players who have said if it wasn’t for pickleball they didn’t know how they would have gotten through COVID.

What other sport do you know where you can just go anywhere and drop in for a game? I was in Pompano and looked up pickleball courts nearby. With in 30 minutes I was playing on a court with new people making friends and having fun. This sport is amazing.

Sure, my upstate NY friends think I’m crazy. They have actually said they would come and visit me but they won’t play pickleball. Boy, they don’t know what they are missing. I’m busy and happy. I’m in a good place.

Thanks for reading!

Pickleball Terry

Clinics

Lessons

941-400-0978

pickleball Terry

February 27, 2022

A Night to Remember

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks for reading.

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

February 27, 2022

Questions Players Ask Me About The Kitchen

If 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.

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.

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

Clinics
Group and private lessons
Tournaments
941-400-0978

January 26, 2022

Sarasota Pickleball

January 9, 2022January 9, 2022

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.

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

Drop Serve

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

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.<br />

A slice of pickleball pie. Pickleball Terry

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.