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.
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.
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.
Resting between games.
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.
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
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 peopleoff 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 and Zane
Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
Owner of Sarasotapickleball.com
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com
Christine Hayashi played in the recent Minto US Open Pickleball Championship held in Naples. I sent her a few questions and here are her answers.
Elizabeth and Chris
Christine Hayashi won Gold and Bronze at the Minto US Pickleball Championships in Naples held in April.
(Do you like Christine or Chris?) I like Chris, either is fine.
Pickleball Terry (PT) Chris, congratulations on your wins. Who were your partners? Chris: Women’s 3.5 Age 55+ Elizabeth Warrier – Gold Mixed 4.0 Age 19+ Ben De Jesus – Bronze
PT: Did you practice a lot with your partners before the tournament? Chris: As the Open was approaching, Liz and I started practicing by playing a couple of tournaments, playing in a weekly league, and practicing another night if possible. Ben was a last-minute replacement and good friend who stepped in! We played together a couple of times before the tournament and did some drilling. He is a great player. I am a good listener and followed his lead for our mixed play ��
PT: What did you do to prepare yourself for the tournament? Chris: For me, I simply love playing! I was fortunate to be invited to Sarah Saari’s Viking Pickleball Clinics and she has been instrumental in my development. I very much enjoy playing different players so I played at different locations with different groups and tournaments (Englewood, GT Bray, Indigo (the community where I learned about Pickleball!), Island Walk, Palm Aire, Lakewood Ranch HS, Sarasota Pickleball Club Newtown, Punta Gorda PicklePlex …)
PT: Athletes have rituals before a game. Do you have any like carry a lucky charm or anything? Chris: No lucky charm. Just grateful to be playing in the Open and for the experience!
PT: Normally, how many times do you play pickleball a week? Chris: I work full-time at Beall’s (check out their pickleball clothes etc.) so I play where there are good lights at night (GT Bray, Englewood) a couple of times a week and then most definitely as much as possible on the weekends!
PT: Do you like playing with the same partner or do you like to play with different people? Chris: For tournaments I think it’s so important to have a partner that you enjoy playing with and your style of games work together to be successful, while having fun! Otherwise, for recreation play I love playing with different people and against different people. That’s one of the great gifts of pickleball are the people you meet and friends you make.
PT: What paddle do you use? Chris: Prince Spectrum Pro
PT: What is the best shot is your wheelhouse? Chris: If you know me, you know I love to dink and reset ��
PT: Do you like to dink or are you a banger? Chris: Dink
PT: What was the best part of the US Open? Chris: It was my first time being to the US Open. It was amazing to walk onto the venue with ZingZang Championship Court and to see so many players and people passionate about the sport and the high level of play, amateurs and pros all playing on the 60 dedicated courts. To be able to play something you love, to dig in and never give up, at the largest PB tournament was so fun. And to do with partners I admire and am grateful for. And, in our Women’s event, we got a text for our 2nd round match. Liz says, where is CC? Where are the lettered courts? Liz, that’s Championship Court! That definitely was a highlight. We won there and went undefeated against some very tough competition!
PT: What was the worst part? Chris: Something we cannot control, the weather. It didn’t impact me, but for friends who waited over a year to play in the Open, practiced and playing at the top of their game, to be told their event is being rescheduled (at least it wasn’t cancelled), and unfortunately they were unable to play the next day. They were very disappointed. Also be prepared for lengthy waits if there are weather delays (for any tournament).
PT: Will you do it again? Chris: You bet, if I can!
PT: What advice would you give to other players who are thinking about playing in next year’s open? Chris: Do it! It’s Open to everyone. Even if you are eliminated after 2 matches, you played! If you enjoy pickleball and want to “experience” and be a part of the biggest pb event, it is so worth it in my eyes. I am amazed at the level of play …. from the growing number of juniors to seniors! I’m inspired and motivated to continue to develop. So much joy!
Thank you, Chris. We are all so proud of you. Congratulations! Thank you, Terry, for being our Ambassador. Without you and your passion for the sport many of us would not be playing. Thank you for all that you do for us and for promoting and growing the sport!
It was a few years ago that Dick Friede and Jan Wilhelm showed up to play pickleball inside at Colonial Oaks Park. I must admit, we were all a little scared of his serves and drives. Boy, he could and still can hit the ball hard. He got many serves by us, but alas, things have changed and the rest of us have stepped up our game and now return Dick’s high-powered serves. Well, most of them. And thanks to Dick’s BLOCKING DRILLS, we are able to block his lighting-fast drives…again most of them.
One day, a few years ago, Dick asked me advertise in my newsletter, Intermediate and Advanced Play Everyday at Colonial Oaks Park outside on the courts, much to the dismay of the tennis players.
Now Dick religiously comes every morning at 7:30a.m. with 4 nets and sets them up. One side of the courts have painted lines for pickleball, but the other side, Dick manages to chalk in somewhat straight lines. No one questions them by pulling out a yardstick; we’re just happy he does it.
His lovely partner, Jan, is also a force to be reckoned with on the courts. Though small in stature, she is fast as a bullet, and from years of playing tennis, knows how to place a ball so it’s out of reach for the other team. Anyway, they make a good couple on and off the pickleball court.
On Saturday, May 8, the usual Colonial Oaks gang arrived around 7:30 only to find that someone was there before them and left a message for Dick. An anonymous message by the way. It was a nice way to say, “Dick. you are appreciated!” (Jan, you too.)
Thanks Dick and Jan from all the players at Colonial Oaks Park.
I did it! I signed up for the Lucy Kitcher Club Med Sandpiper Championship; the most difficult process I have ever gone through to sign up for a tournament in my life. Holy moly!
First of all, I talked a few players into signing up for the tournament. Just look at the flyer. It sounds like a fantastic time. All inclusive for 4 days! Plus a sanctioned tournament.
This is the email I received from Lucy Kitcher, pickleball pro.
zerozero stay
Mon, Apr 26, 2:40 PM (4 days ago)
to Dinkpickleball
Pickleball Tournament Club Med Port St. Lucie.
All Inclusive Pickleball Tournament and Trip
22 pickleball courts
Port St. Lucie, Florida
What’s included
This is a four day all inclusive tournament and trip for only $599 per person. Everything is included from the moment you arrive at the resort until you leave. It covers all day gourmet dining and open bar (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks), lovely accommodations, daily pickleball tournament, play, and court rental, day and night entertainment, cocktail party, and unlimited water and land activities around the resort. Plus medals and a t-shirt! A limited number of single rooms are available for a $100 supplement.
Location
This trip is held at the Club Med in Port St. Lucie, Florida not far from West Palm Beach on the east coast of Florida. The closest airport is Palm Beach International (PBI). There is a resort shuttle from the airport available for an additional fee (shuttle is only included in international trips). Advanced reservations are required. Another option is get an Uber from the airport. The ride is about fifty minutes.
Alternatively, you can rent a car. If you do so, you will have a greater selection of flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando or Miami airports which are all approximately one hour thirty minutes. Miami is slightly more.
Arrival and departure info.
Check in on day one is at 3pm. If you want to arrive before three and use the facilities, they charge $20 per person. That gives you full access to the resort which includes meals, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and the use of all the resort amenities. However your room may not be available until 3pm. You can leave your bags in your car or at the front desk. We will meet at the pickleball courts for open play at 3:30. Stop by after you arrive. If you arrive early, feel free to go play!
Check out on the last day is 10am. You can stay and enjoy the resort all day for no additional charge, but you have to have your belongings out of your room by 10am. If there is no one checking into your room that day, you can ask for late check out at noon. There are showers available around the resort and you are welcome to leave your luggage at the front desk until your departure.
Pickleball activities
The tournament will take place first thing in the morning. In the afternoon there is optional open play.
On day three there will be an award ceremony at a cocktail party with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. There will be presentations for gold, silver and bronze medals for each skill group. There will also be a paddle give away on the last evening.
We have a reserved section in the restaurant for dinner and the option to sit together at breakfast and lunch. If you prefer to sit outside this is also an option.
This list is during Covid. It may expand prior to our trip
Available for an additional fee:
Access to The Saints Golf course, 18-holes, 5 min from the resort
Water skiing
Spa
Deposit and payments
The total price of this trip is $599 per person based on double occupancy. There are a limited number of single rooms available for a supplement of $100. Your deposit of $199 is due when you book on PickleballTournaments.com (plus single supplement where applicable). Two additional payments of $200 each are due prior to the trip start date. You must be paid in full 60 days before travel. Your deposit is nonrefundable, however if you’re unable to attend, you are able to send someone else in your place, as long as you provide fourteen days advanced notice. After that, there is a $60 name change fee. If there are guests on the waitlist you will be provided a refund minus a $30 administrative fee. Included in the price of your trip is Club Med’s basic travel insurance which covers the cost of your stay at Club Med in case you are unable to attend the trip due to an injury that might prevent you from traveling, a death in the family, or similar.
Okay, we were all in. Here comes the hard part. Signing up. Yep! FRUSTRATION! And I am dang good on the computer, so you know if I had a hard time….it had to be hard,.
To sign up you have to go through Pickleballtournaments.com. Okay, that’s not unusual because that’s where I sign up for most of my tournaments, Been there many times. And I went to pickleballtournaments,com and logged in. It went like this:
Log in
Go to FUTURE TOURNAMENTS
Type in LUCY in keyword
I find the Club Med Tournament…REGISTER
MUST BE MEMBER of USAPA or also know as USA Pickleball Association. Well, I am an AMBASSADOR. I am a member and on automatic renewal. I try many times and get the same message. MUST BE A MEMBER.
I log on to the USAPA site and click the button to renew for another 4 years just out of frustration, and I go back to Pickleballtourments,com to try again. Same message. What the????
I call Lucy. She looks into it and says it may take a day to reset.
That night at 7:00, I receive a call from USAPA that I have signed up for 4 years of magazines and not 4 years of membership. The USAPA will refund the $$$, and I am to go back in and renew the membership again. OH MY GOODNESS! By the way, I am also talking to Diane who is going through the same thing. She signed up for the magazine, too. She is also going though hell and high water to sign up for the Club Med tournament.
I have emailed Pickleballtournanments.com about my difficulties. They responded by saying I have to contact the tournament director. By this time, I have Lucy Kitcher on speed dial so I have talked to her, texted her and emailed her.
Lucy explains that you must be a member of the USA Pickleball Association at the time of the tournament which is at the end of the January 2022. That’s right, we are planning ahead. I tell Lucy, I better get a private room. She says she’ll save one for me. (I already know that one of my friends from New York is going to beg to come stay with me last moment and I’ll let them bunk in so private room….probably not.)
My membership at USAPA was up for renewal 7/21. Even though I am on automatic renewal, when I tried to register for the Club Med, it said I wasn’t a member in January 2022. USAPA corrected that for me and I was back to Pickleballtournaments.com to try again and again and again.
Next snafu…you have to be a member of the SSIPA. What?! You cannot sign up unless you have a membership to the SUPER SENIOR INTERNATIONALPICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION.
Another test of my patience…I went thought the steps and signed up for $20.00.
Back to Pickleballtournaments.com. (Any sane person would have given up by now.) We also ran into the issue of someone who was in our group was under 50, so did she have to join the SSIPA? Another Lucy text.
Now all things right at USAPA and SSIPA, I went through the process once again; chose PRIVATE ROOM, MIXED DOUBLES AND WOMENS DOUBLES to play in the tournament; paid the down payment, and I am happy to report—I am signed up and good to go!
Now that I have become a sort of EXPERT on signing up for this tournament, feel free to contact me if you run into problems. I have done this for a couple of people. Last time I checked, over 90 from all across the country have signed up. I am hoping to have a large group from Sarasota attend.
So, that’s my story. I must really want to go to go through all that rigmarole.
It never rains in southern Florida. Oh wait, that’s California because it did rain the first part of the week in Naples where the Minto US Pickleball Open was held. There were a lot of rain delays and disappointment because some people didn’t get to play.
If you don’t know, players signed up last year to play in April 2020, however that was cancelled due to COVID. April 2021, the show did go on and you wouldn’t have known that COVID existed. I didn’t see many masks. Possibly people are feeling safe because they had the vaccine . Not sure but I wasn’t worried and enjoyed participating in an event where I didn’t have to think about COVID. Ah, the joy! (Just to be clear, there was sanitizer all around and COVID warning signs—KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.)
Rain
Abbie Brooks
Pickleball Terry and Zane
My partner, Rich, arrived at the US Open on Saturday, I drove down on Sunday to check things out and stayed with friends in Fort Myers. On Monday, I moved to a motel in Naples because my match started on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. and I had to be there at 7:00 a.m. Rain was predicted. By 7:00 there was already a line of cars to get in. Parking was $5.00 per day or $30.00 for a week’s pass.
I met up with Rich and his gang; great crew from The Villages. They all cheered us on when we played. We managed to squeeze a match in, 2 games (we lost) before the rain started. Then I explored the area. There are suppose to be 59 courts, and I saw a sign that Collier County was going to add more under cover. Wow!
Gizmo and Margaret in blue top
Pickleball Dog
Teri and her partner won bronze.
People set up canopies everywhere, and some have names imprinted on them like “The Pickleball Ladies.” You can fit roughly about 8 chairs and coolers under each one. I understand they leave everything there overnight and no one touches them.
Tents were set up over the bleachers so you have shade when watching the matches. In fact, there are tents everywhere providing shade. One of my concerns was that it was going to be too hot to play. I have heard stories of players overheating. This wasn’t the case. Of course with the overcast days and rain, the temperature was in the 70s. But the last day I played, Saturday, was blue sky and windy; the temperature was 89 and humid, and I felt fine playing. On Saturday, Rich and I won 1 and lost 2. We were done. Out of the action.
I did some more scouting and made a couple of videos. I found out where the pros were playing and watched them for awhile. I saw Sarah Ansboury, Lucy Kitcher, Zane Navratil, Corrine Carr, Ben and Collins Johns, Tyson McGruffin, Christine McGraff, the Waters and others.
vv
The Zing Zang center court with the blue roof is only for spectators that have paid a hefty price. Boxes are a couple of grand, and week passes are $600.00. Day passes at $25.00 were on the lottery system and went quickly last year. They were called the “cheap seats” on the bleachers.
The other main tents had registration, food, t-shirts and paddles for sale. A few booths outside the tents offered freebies like hand sanitizers, tiny flashlights, etc. Nothing too exciting.
Jana and Cassandra won Gold in 5.0
USA Pickleball Ambassador, Toni
Junior winner
And there was a few booths selling pickle-tasting alcohol along with mixers. I tried a shot of whiskey laced with pickle taste, and ummm, nope. No, thank you.
On the other side of the event were 3 food trucks, One looked like a barbecue truck, another offering ice cream treats, and the 3rd had bagels and subs. I did not sample any of those and instead I had lunch inside one of the tents; grilled chicken sandwich. Pretty good!
The event was incredibly organized. Before the event started, I was sent an email with a video on what to do when I arrived. Very helpful. Also, emails were constantly sent out giving updates about rain delays and when it play would begin again. Every day that you played, you had to go to registration to let them know you arrived. You could also do this by going to one of the QR readers.
Once there, players could warm up on the courts before 8:00 a.m. hence why everyone wanted to get there early. When the competition started, it was impossible to find a court to warm up on. My partner and I waited anxiously for a text to come in telling which court to report to. I think you had 10 minutes to get to your court. Once on the court, we were greeted by a “starter.” A starter is a volunteer that explains the rules, and gives you the clipboard with the your names and your opponents names on it. On the back is written a number 1 o 2. The starter asks one of the players if they think it is a 1 or 2. If that person guesses the correct number their team gets to choose what side they want to play on, or if they want to start first. In one of our games, we had a referee which was really nice. The ref called a kitchen fault on our opponent that we would never have seen.
The format was 2 out of 3 games to 11, win by two. Then if you lose, you play fellow losers in a game to 15. If you win, you go on. If you lose, you’re out.
Competition was great. I think people were playing much better than we all were 4 years ago. And nice! People were all there having a great time and nobody was in a bad mood. Smiles and “hellos” everywhere.
I did hear that one man was escorted off the property for using foul language. Keep it clean, people.
So all in all, yes, I will do it again. I’m not going to miss all that fun. I love meeting people and networking. I am also happy with the way I played. I was not nervous and focused on my game, and I played my best. Good time, played my best, smiled all day long… what’s not to love.
What did I just read? There is such a thing called the COVID serve??? Okay, first there was the standard underhand serve which pickleball players used since the game was invented. Then in 2021, the provisional DROP SERVE was introduced, but not even on the first of the year, but on January 21. So there was a little bit of controversy that some players were using it before the 21st, and other people were saying, “No, not until the 21st.” Any who, the drop serve is being used by a small percentage of players. Most seasoned players can get a more aggressive serve in using the standard serve. I must admit, I still have to correct players who BOUNCE the ball rather than dropping for the drop serve.
So, how do I know there is a 3rd style of serve? I just received an email from the US Pickleball Open where I will be participating in next week. And here it is:
(What??? No let serves for pros???)
And here is a video of Zane demonstrating the COVID serve around in the middle of the video. I also have heard it called the chainsaw serve. But I see that serve will NOT be allowed in the pro division.
If you are confused about the drop serve, here is a video I made back in January.
So, there you have it. The COVID serve. Not officially in the rule book that I can see but some of the PROS were using it. Well, you learn something new every day. What do you think of the COVID serve?
Thanks for reading,
Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
AKA Pickleball Terry or Coach Terry
PPR Certified Coach
USA Pickleball Ambassador
Everyday, I am thankful I can still play pickleball.
I tell my students, the first thing is you want to look prepared to play a good competitive game of pickleball. That means, proper foot wear, court attire. correct stance, and a good paddle. At a clinic I was doing at a development, I was talking about this, and one man spoke up and said, “I just want to come out here and socialize.” Meaning, he didn’t want to be competitive. Okay, I get that but I cater to the more competitive souls. If you just want to learn the basics; here’s the kitchen, serve it across court, then I can teach you that in one lesson. But if you want to be someone other players want to play with, then you continue to work on your game to improve.
Sarah Ansboury
A good player will have:
Endurance
Court etiquette
Proper clothing
Brings plenty of water for hydration
Knows the importance of a good court shoe
Has a good paddle (Like a Gearbox)
And they will:
Focus on the game
Know pickleball strategies
Be able to move fast
Gets up to the kitchen and knows when to hang back
Executes a serve that worries the opponents
Is supportive of their partner
Makes few unforced errors
Does not take their partner’s forehand
Knows the line down the middle of the court is only for the serve
Makes shots to make their opponents fight for each return
A gracious loser and winner
Keeps score well without asking everyone else what the score is
What a novice will do:
Stand up straight with the paddle dangling down by their leg usually looking around
Mentally not prepared and thinking about everything else but the game
Hasn’t worked out in a while so little endurance
Slow moving up to the NVZ.
Doesn’t know why they call it the NVZ
Fears the kitchen
Doesn’t like to dink
Shows up wearing running shoes
Forgets water or ice when it’s hot out
Says things like, “That was on my side of the court!”
Steals their partner’s forehand
Crowds their partner
Always plays defensively
Shows frustration when they miss a ball
Doesn’t have an eye to know a ball is going out so they hit it
Gets angry and fights over the calls the opponents make
Never says the correct score
Seems to hit it into the net often
How to move from novice level to intermediate level?
Practice makes perfect. Drill, drill. drill until it becomes second nature. Turn on your laser focus when you are playing. Think of nothing but the game and do not be distracted.
It’s good idea to video your games then play it back to dissect your game. I just had a video of myself playing in a tournament reviewed by a pro player who gave me helpful suggestions. I can do the same for you.
When I started playing pickleball, I remember asking people what I was doing wrong in my game. They couldn’t tell me because a) they didn’t want me to get any better, b) they didn’t know what the heck they were doing so how could they tell me? Now, players have more advantages to improve quickly. Lucky them! If they listen to what their coaches say, like Coach Terry, they will improve in months to be a smart, competitive player.
Things you must know and do:
Move fast
Have a good 3rd shot drop
Confident at the kitchen
Can dink 100 times in a row
Return the serve with a topspin groundstroke
Know it is : serve and stay: return and run
Put-away the put-aways
Be ready when an attackable shot comes over
Support your partner
Never throw away a serve
Always target the opponent’s weakness
Be ready to do a ATP when opportunity presents itself
Play as much as you can but also know when it is time to take some time off
Stretch and warmup before playing
Use the proper paddle to improve performance and reduce elbow stress
POACH!
Those are just a few suggestions I have. If you want to play better, you have to practice. Some people I see out there never drill/practice and I see them making the same mistakes over and over again. So, basically they are just reinforcing their bad habits. A good coach can stop you from doing that and put you on the right track.
Good Place To Begin
My Y Berlin clinic every Friday at 1:00 – 3:00 is a great place to drill. We have drills like: Weakest Link, 3rd Shot Drop.Walk of Shame,Red light/Greenlight,Pop Up, Money Ballzzzz
I also have a ball machine that we drill with. In my clinics I do not stand around and talk. You will begin playing as soon as you walk in. It’s two hours of action and you will leave with knowledge and slightly tired…well maybe very tired.
Competitive players know they need to practice. Novice players just want to have fun and that’s okay, too. What kind of player do you want to be?
Thanks for reading,
Pickleball Terry
PPR Certified Coach
USA Pickleball Ambassador
Creator and owner of SarasotaPickleball.com
Dinlpickleball@gmail.com
Want a Gearbox? Contact me. dinkpickleball@gmail.com
We all have been there. The magic number 10. Just one point away from 11 and victory. You can almost taste the success. And that’s when it happens. You turn cocky. Cocky as heck! OVER CONFIDENT. Then what happens? The opponents start gaining on you. All of a sudden, you and your partner start making silly mistakes as in hitting the ball out or knocking it into the net. You and your partner look at each other in total disbelief as another side out happens, and the opponents gain a couple more points. Uh-oh! They are catching up and now the score is 9-10.
So now you are really frustrated and try to do some kill shots but alas, they go sailing by your opponents and they yell OUT! Your partner, feeling the same angst, serves the ball into the net. Side out again!
Now the opponents can see you coming unglued and quickly get 3 more points, much to your horror, and win the game. You all go to the net to tap paddles and you have to congratulate them on their comeback.
What happened? It’s the curse of the number 10. I’ve seen it happen over and over again, and it has happened many times to me. But not anymore. Because I figured out how to UNCURSE the number 10.
How do you solve the curse of number 10?
You play with even more control then you did throughout the game. I teach this technique to my students. When you have 10 your strategy is to just get the ball over the net. Do not try for a kill shot. Don’t be tricky with your strokes, just get it over the net. Let the opponents make the mistakes. And they will as long as you stay cool as a cucumber and just place the ball over the net . Sooner than later, your opponents are going to crumble like a saltine cracker, and sweet victory is yours.
Play smart out there.
Pickleball Terry
USA Pickleball Ambassador
PPR Certified Coach
Owner of SarasotaPickleball.com
