sarasota – Sarasota Pickleball Organization, LLC

April 10, 2024April 14, 2024

Dill Dinkers? What’s That All About?

There is a new indoor facility coming to North Sarasota in late 2024. “The more the merrier,” I say. Heather and Tim Dull, the developers, and I met for a second time to talk about what their pickleball facility is going to be about.

First, without giving me the exact location, it is going to be west of 75 and somewhere north of the airport. It is already an existing building and will focus exclusively on pickleball. No frills, no restaurant, no bocce ball; just good old pickleball. Built for the pickleball enthusiast.

I like Heather’s and Tim’s laid-back attitude. Their down-to-earth personalities are totally relatable and welcoming. I would imagine their facility will have the same atmosphere. Come on in and play pickleball. Everyone is welcome!

This location will have 11 courts, a kitchen area for catering and private parties, and restrooms. “Maybe a ping pong table,” said Tim. “But nothing more. We are focusing on pickleball.”

Their brochure did mention a pro shop. You got to have a pro shop.

Heather and Tim are pickleball lovers. They play whenever they can. They just helped sponsor a pickleball tournament at Pompano and plan to do more.

They hail from Maryland where they were avid tennis players, but COVID shut down all the courts. Before COVID they did see the start of their tennis friends migrating over to pickleball, so Tim had the great idea to order a net and paddles on Amazon, and turn his driveway into a makeshift pickleball court. And that’s what started his and Heather’s pickleball fever.

The Dulls were already investors in other companies and businesses, so when the owner’s of Dill Dinkers approached when a pickleball investment opportunity arose, they were all IN.

https://amzn.to/3vJru61 — Click here for price

Soon they thought about their winter location in Sarasota and the need for more indoor pickleball, and that adding Dill Dinkers in the sunshine state just made sense.

There’s a growing need for indoor clubs as the population of players continues to grow, and that is how Heather and Tim are spreading the Joy of Pickleball.

I said, “Everybody is going to want to know how much?” No initiation fee and $49.95 per month plus discounted court fees. Court rentals will be through Court Reserve, and members will be able to reserve seven days in advance. In addition to court fees, non-members may make reservations up to two days in advance.

Also offered will be lessons, clinics, open play, and tournaments. Members will be able to bring their own food and beverages, and have private parties. The club will hold special events like Pizza and Pickle. It sounds like a great time.

As the Dulls open other locations around Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, membership at one will work at all the other locations. I should mention that there is a discount if you pay for a 12 month membership upfront.

I inquired about the ability of a pickleball coach (Pickleball Terry) to rent out courts for clinics and about volunteering. They replied positively to both questions. I plan to do both once it opens.

If you would like more information, you can go to the Dill Dinkers website.

To sign up for more information and to be on the waiting list, scan the code.

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry
PPR Certified Coach
Dealer for Gearbox, Diadem, Veloz

Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

September 10, 2023

The Question I Get Asked Most Coaching Pickleball

As a pickleball instructor and having taught over 1k students so far, the question I get asked most by novice to intermediate players is, WHY DO WE PRACTICE DINKING IF WE NEVER DINK DURING A GAME?

What is dinking? A dink shot in pickleball is a type of shot that is used to control the pace of the game and to gain an advantage over the opponent. The shot is executed close to the net, usually with a soft touch and with the aim of landing the ball just over the net.

Good question and so true. Warmup in my bootcamps/clinics/private lessons starts with dinking. Usually 100 times back and forth. followed by cross-court dinking, I can image that it is boring to some or even futile as when they play on the public courts, all they do and their opponents do is BANG! Slam! Hit as hard as the can.

Make sure you signup for the tournament at Pompano Park in Sarasota.

I explain, hitting the ball as hard as you can works well during lower level play, but not in advanced intermediate to advanced. If you are not seeing dinking in your games, you are playing in a lower level. Period.

In advanced games, dinking is an essential strategy. Keeping the ball low is mandatory, and one pop-up is what your opponents were waiting for, and it’s no second chances.

EASY BLUEPRINT What should you do?

1.Serve deep
2 Return deep
3. 3rd Shot Drop
4.Dinking with patience
5.Waiting for your opponents to make the unforced errors

To win in a dinking battle a player must practice dinking in a non-game setting like in one of my clinics. We drill, drill, drill.

If you would like to join one of my BOOTCAMPS, send me your email address and I’ll add you to the list. We practice keeping the ball low, speedups and resets, target practice, put-a-ways, doubles strategies, and 3rd Shot Drops.

Thanks for reading and keep playing pickleball.

Pickleball Terry

941-400-0978
Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

June 25, 2023

Plantar Fasciitis Can Ruin Your Pickleball Game

“What’s wrong, John?” I said after I saw a player grimace between shots on the pickleball court. “My foot is killing me,” he said through clenched teeth.

Turns out he has plantar fasciitis. An extremely painful foot condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. The plantar fascia provides support to the arch of your foot and helps absorb shock during walking and playing pickleball.

Luckily and fingers crossed, I have never experienced that kind of pain, but so many pickleball players have and it is debilitating usually causing them to suspend playing pickleball. Yikes! Having plantar fasciitis can ruin your pickleball game!

When the plantar fascia is excessively strained, it can develop small tears and become irritated, leading to plantar fasciitis. This condition is often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, such as playing pickleball too much. It can also be associated with certain risk factors, including flat feet, high arches, obesity, tight calf muscles, and wearing improper or unsupportive footwear.

The primary symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of the heel, which may be sharp or dull. The pain is usually worse in the morning when taking the first steps after waking up or after prolonged periods of rest. It may also worsen with activity and improve with rest. In some cases, the pain can extend along the arch of the foot.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis typically involves:

Rest and activity modification: Avoiding activities that worsen the pain and giving the foot adequate rest.
Applying ice packs to the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain.
Stretching and strengthening exercises: Performing specific exercises to stretch the calf muscles and plantar fascia and strengthen the foot muscles.
Orthotic devices: Wearing supportive shoes or using orthotic inserts to provide better arch support and cushioning.
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Make an appointment with a podiatrist or a physical therapist. They may provide additional treatment modalities like ultrasound therapy, massage, or taping techniques.
Night splints: These devices keep the foot in a stretched position while sleeping to alleviate morning pain and stiffness.
In severe cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.

9. Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically reserved for cases that do not respond to conservative treatments after several months. I have met a couple of people who have had surgery though, with great results.

(Another good article to read. The Amazing Benefits of Rolling Out Your Feet)

How to avoid plantar fasciitis.

Maintain a healthy weight.
Choose supportive footwear or use inserts specially made for plantar fasciitis.
Gradually increase activity levels: When starting a new exercise routine or increasing your physical activity, do so gradually. Sudden, intense activities can strain the plantar fascia. Allow your body time to adjust and strengthen gradually.
Warm up and stretch: Before engaging in any physical activity, warm up your muscles and perform stretching exercises for your feet and calves. This helps prepare your muscles and reduces the risk of injury.
Avoid prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces: If your job or daily activities involve long periods of standing or walking on hard surfaces, try to take breaks, wear supportive shoes, or use cushioned mats to reduce the impact on your feet.
Maintain a healthy foot posture: Practice good foot posture by avoiding excessive rolling inwards (pronation) or outwards (supination) of the feet. If you have any foot abnormalities or imbalances, consider using orthotic inserts or arch supports prescribed by a podiatrist.
Strengthen your foot and leg muscles: Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your feet and lower legs, as strong muscles provide better support to the plantar fascia. Calf stretches, toe curls, and toe towel scrunches are some examples of exercises that can help.
Take regular breaks from repetitive activities: If you have a job or hobby that involves repetitive foot movements (such as running or standing for long periods), try to take regular breaks and vary your activities to avoid overstraining the plantar fascia.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to any foot pain or discomfort. If you experience persistent heel pain or other symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis, seek early treatment and avoid activities that worsen the pain.

If you’re experiencing persistent foot pain or suspect plantar fasciitis, it’s always important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Treat it before plantar fasciitis places you on the bench.

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry, Founder and owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization

941-400-0978 or dinkpickleball@gmail.com

April 16, 2023April 17, 2023

Pickleball: The Long Road to The Olympics

Pickleball in South Africa playing with paddles from Pickleball Terry

By Terry Ryan

On a sunny afternoon in Sarasota, FL, Lieve Olivera and I, Terry Ryan, A.K.A. Pickleball Terry, gave a presentation on pickleball in a conference room in the Selby Library. Julianne Bosch, of the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, had called me a couple of months before and asked if I would be willing to give a talk on pickleball. I replied, “Sure!” I figured I would just give a presentation on what was pickleball all about. However, she requested I put an international spin on the presentation because it was a Sister Cities Association. That’s when I suggested that Julianne get in contact with our local pickleball connection, Lieve Olivera, a certified pickleball coach for Special Olympics, and a Global Pickleball Diplomat appointed by the International Federation of Pickleball.

A few days before the event, I put together a power point presentation. Basically, it was how pickleball started, how it grew, and my start and role in pickleball. But as I was digging in to putting all the info in the slides, it occurred to me how many global connections I have made because of pickleball. Looking at the subscribers to my weekly newsletters, I have subscribers from Thailand and Australia, England and Ireland. I have met people from all over the world at tournaments and played with people like Karen Mitchel from PickleballEngland.org in the World Pickleball Tournament. The tournament director put us together. I would never have met her and other people who live in different countries if it wasn’t for pickleball.

I sent these paddles to South Africa with stars and stripes on them because I heard that they love anything that represents USA.

My last US Open partner was from Canada and spoke only French. I soon learned that cuisine was French for kitchen. We are still all friends through Facebook. And I know that I could fly into Ireland and soon find a pickleball court and play games; make friends. That’s the power of pickleball.

But enough about my presentation, Lieve gave a more interesting presentation about the Road to The Olympics.

Steps to the Olympics

Number of countries that already play/have pickleball.
Currently there are 195 countries (conflicting info…193/195) and presently according to the IFP (International Federation of Pickleball, there are 76 countries that play pickleball.

Many rules and regulations control whether the sport will become part of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Charter indicates that in order to be accepted, a sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents. The sport must also increase the ‘‘value and appeal’’ of the Olympic Games and retain and reflect its modern traditions. (source: https://www.britannica.com/story/how-are-sports-chosen-for-the-olympics)

2. Financial
What is the cost to host pickleball tournaments? What is the draw? Is it popular enough for the Olympics? Is it a spectator sport?

3. Does it look good on TV? Will advertisers pay to have their commercials on when pickleball is being played?

In the picture above is Theresa Capozzoli, USAPA Ambassador and Special Olympics Pickleball Coach, Lieve Olivera, Special Olympics Pickleball Coach and Global Pickleball Diplomat, and me, Terry Ryan, PPR Certified Coach and owner of SarasotaPickleball.com.

Light up pickleballs CLICK ON THE PICTURE

Lieve said we have a long ways to go. Many hurdles to overcome. Somebody in the audience mentioned curling. How did curling pass all these requirements? (Good question!) Lieve said it could be as simple as someone who liked curling to be on the board of directors for the Olympics to pass it through. I asked if changing the name of pickleball to something else might speed up the process? After all, ping pong was changed to table tennis. She didn’t know.

Lieve Olivera giving a presentation on pickleball and the Olympics at the Selby Library in Sarasota — Lieve Olivera

This is from the internet.

In recent years the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has worked to manage the scope of the Olympics by permitting new sports only in conjunction with the simultaneous discontinuation of others. Sports that have already been part of the Games are periodically reviewed to determine whether they should be retained. The Olympic Programme Commission notes that problems have arisen when trying to find venues to accommodate some sports’ specific needs, such as baseball and softball, which were discontinued from Olympic programming after the 2008 Beijing Games. When choosing sports to include in the program, the IOC must take into consideration media and public interest, since these are a key drive behind the Olympic Games, but must simultaneously manage costs.

Anyway, I googled Summer Olympics and I read that breakdancing in now an Olympic sport so I think that maybe in 10 years or less, pickleball just might be in the Olympics. But as Lieve reminded the audience, it’s a long road to the Olympics.

https://www.britannica.com/list/7-canceled-or-reintroduced-olympic-sports

Above link: 7 Canceled or Reintroduce Olympic Sports

To contact me: Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

What Makes Pickleball Great?

What makes pickleball the fastest growing sport in the country right now? Is it because it is simple to learn? No. (The scoring system is enough to spin a beginner’s head off.) Is it because it is easy to play? Yes and no. It was easy when I started and now…wham! The balls come at me at lightning speed.

So, what makes it the fastest growing sport in the country? Answer: It is because of the OPEN PLAY/DROP-IN part that makes it so popular.

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My friend told me she went to a hoity toity tennis club and they were playing something called POP TENNIS. “Have you ever played?” she said enthusiastically. I admitted I had never heard of it. “It’s going to be the new craze,” she told me.

I Googled it. They use 1/2 a tennis court. Same rules as tennis. Smaller racket. Foam ball. Touted as EASIER on the knees than regular tennis. Then I noticed that the YouTube video I was watching was from 6 years ago. Why hasn’t that caught on like pickleball? Because you have to belong to a club. Then you have to get 3 other people to play. Yada yada yada. That’s sort of where tennis has failed, hasn’t it?

I don’t want the pressure of having to find 3 other people to play. BORING! Troublesome! What I want to do. and thousands of other pickleball players want to do, is go to the courts and drop into a game. If you are opening COUNTY COURTS and requiring people to reserve courts to play pickleball, you are missing the point. The beauty of pickleball is being able to go to a court and play with players who are soon to be friends. Pickleball is very social. Who wants to play with the same people over and over again. Isn’t that what caused the decline in tennis?

Oh yes, there is a decline in tennis. My business was by tennis courts in the 80s, and there was a line of people to play. The rules posted said something about you could only play 30mins then you had to let the next group of 4 play. By the time I left 20 years later, nobody was playing on the courts and the only thing left on the courts were a few brown leaves getting blow about by the wind.

Now. municipalities are quick to realized tennis courts were being under utilized and converted them into pickleball courts. Some, not wanting to offend the few old timers who still played tennis, would combine the 2 sports on the courts by keeping the tennis nets and adding pickleball lines. More progressive Parks and Recs would convert tennis courts entirely into pickleball courts, thereby, keeping up with the ever growing demand for pickleball courts.

Some town and government officials tried to keep their heads in the sand and pretend that pickleball didn’t exist, or it was a temporary trend. You can tell which towns or cities were in the the right progressive direction by how fast they reacted to the growing sport by erecting dedicated pickleball courts for their citizens. It didn’t matter what their budgets were. I have witness the poorest communities react quicker to the trend then the wealthier cities. All depends on who is in charge.

I am now vacationing in Upstate New York in a relatively small town, and they have pickleball courts all around me. I have my pick of where to play. Every place I go they are accommodating and friendly. One place I play is in a beautiful park with 8 dedicated courts that are constantly being maintained. There are 2 boxes with around 6 slots that you can fit 4 paddles into each slot. So, if you want to mix it up, you can put your paddle into any slot you want. The rule is, when you are done playing your game, you must come off the court and put your paddle into a slot even if there are free courts to play in. That way, it keeps it fair. There is no…let’s stay on the court because there are only 2 people waiting. No! That doesn’t happen. These are not your personal, private courts. (To explain how rural it is, the players on the side closest to the barn is the starting side. That cracked me up the first time I heard that.)

People are so incredibly nice and polite. I never heard a harsh word or an argument over a bad call. Nothing!

I was also invited to a social event that everyone was invited to. Around 100 people attended. There were no cliques that only invited their friends. No club you had to belong to. The way pickleball should be.

Another thing I noticed at the park in NY, is that the intermediates play from 8:00am-10:30am then they leave. I thought…hey, where is every one going? It’s summer and they all had something else to do. Then the beginners and novice people show up to play. There were always a couple of volunteers there to assist them. I was blown away by the system. People were so nice. “No, no, finish your game,” one volunteer said to us when our game went a little long and they needed the court for the beginners. Unbelievable kindness.

And, that is my point. That’s what makes pickleball so great. The wonderful fellow players, the drop-in play, the fun of starting your day off with a great sport, the ability to meet new people and to make new friends, and a fantastic way to get some exercise.

Plus, I can go anywhere and look up on Google PICKLEBALL COURTS NEAR ME and pick up a game of pickleball with strangers. What other sport can you do that? None that I can think of.

As being the self-described SARASOTA’S PICKLEBALL AMBASSADOR from Sarasotapickleball.com, my pickleball heart is always in beautiful Sarasota. I am so proud of how far we have come as far as courts to play, indoors and out. But I need to be able to send people to places such as Pompano Park and Longwood Park, etc. that has drop-in pickleball without being told that they went there and were turned away or were treated unfriendly. Please! NO! Welcome our visitors with open arms and make sure they have a good experience.

Did I hear that some people are staying on courts and claiming them to be “theirs,” and no one can join them? (Called COURT HOGGING) Please do not start that trend. Keep pickleball the fun and the inviting sport that makes it great.

If you have a county official that says…it should be just like tennis and you can stay on the court and not let anyone play with you, then he or she doesn’t know the first thing about pickleball being a social sport.

If a few players want to drill or play competitively together, by all means, play in the afternoon when the courts are empty. Not in the morning where people expect to be able to use the court you are on. I hear reports and people are not talking nicely about the COURT HOGS. Pickleball news gets around and if you want people talking about you unfavorably in our sweet Sarasota pickleball community, then all you have to do is HOG a court.

Another annoying thing some pickleball players do (give me a oh yeah if this has happened to you) is they are afraid to make eye contact or say “hi” if they don’t want to play with you. Yup! What the heck?! They are so afraid that they will have to play with you if they make eye contact?! That is so immature it makes me cringe. Be polite please to all players on the courts. If you do have to play with someone you don’t want to play with, it’s only 10 mins. Geezzzzz.

Lastly, these are not your personal courts. If you want private time, play in the afternoon when the courts are empty or build your own courts. Let’s keep pickleball social and enjoyable. That’s why Pickleball is great!

Thanks for reading.

Pickleball Terry/941-400-0978 or Dinkpickleball@gmail.com

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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.

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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 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

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