If I had a dollar for every time I am asked a question for clarity about the KITCHEN, A.K.A. the non-volley zone (NVZ), I’d be buying a home in Monaco. The kitchen rules are mind benders for beginners, and especially for former tennis players. I can tell by the way their eyes glaze over that THIS DOES NOT COMPUTE! My patience for repeating and reconfirming the rules again and again deserves an award for determination. Sometimes, my newbie will try to contest the rules, but I calmly repeat, “No, you cannot rush the net and slam the ball unless it bounces in the NVZ.” My newbie’s face, that a second ago had the look of VICTORY, turns into a sour frown. But, but, but….they respond.
Along with figuring out how to keep score, keeping out of the NVZ ties with -scoring on hard to remember. That 7 feet by 20 feet area is a big hurdle to get over. No, you cannot go in the kitchen unless the ball bounces. Yes, you can hangout in the kitchen all you want but you still can’t hit the ball if it doesn’t first bounce in the kitchen. Oh, that confuses them more than the 2 bounce rule.
So, here are the most questions I answer about the kitchen as a pickleball coach.
Student: So you mean I can’t go into the kitchen?
Me: Yes you can but it’s not a good idea to hangout there because you can’t hit the ball during a volley.
Student: What’s a volley?
Me: It’s when you strike a ball in the air before it bounces.
Student: Can I go into the kitchen after the ball bounces in the kitchen?
Me: Yes, you can enter the kitchen if the ball bounces but it is a good idea to get right back out or you will be a target for the next shot.
Student: Why do you call if the non-volley zone sometimes?
Me: Because kitchen is another name for the non-volley zone or NVZ. A volley is striking the ball before it bounces.
Student: Yeah, but why “kitchen.”
Me: Because pickleball is several sports put together and KITCHEN comes from shuffle board. You are penalized for being in the kitchen in shuffleboard.
Student: Can I go into the kitchen before the ball bounces?
Me: Yes you can.
Student: Do I have to go out of the kitchen and back in to hit a ball?
Me: If the ball bounces in the kitchen again you don’t have to go out and back into the kitchen.
Student: What if I hit it in the air?
Me: Then you do have to be out of the kitchen and both feet have to be on the ground to hit a volley ball right after you hit a ball that bounces in the kitchen.
Student: So, you’re saying I can’t rush the net?
Me: You can if the ball bounces in the kitchen.
Student: Can the ball go into the kitchen during a serve?
Me: No, that’s a fault.
Student: Can I return a ball into the kitchen after it is served to me?
Me: Yes.
Student: Can I go into the kitchen after I hit a volley outside of the kitchen?
Me: No, your momentum cannot take you into the kitchen.
Student: If my toe is on the NVZ line is that considered being in the kitchen?
Me: Yes.
Student: If the ball bounces outside of the kitchen in the court and I hit it then run into the kitchen is that okay.
Me: Yes.
Student: Can the ball strike the NVZ line on the serve?
Me: No. It’s a fault.
Student: If being in the kitchen is so dangerous, why are you always telling me to RUN UP TO THE KITCHEN?
Me: Because being at the kitchen line gives you the advantage of cutting your opponents reaction time and putting the ball away winning the point.
Some other things I point out.
You cannot drop anything in the kitchen during a volley like a hat, a ball that drops out of your pocket, a tissue, etc. It’s a fault.
Your partner cannot pull you out of the kitchen during a volley so you can hit the ball if he/she is standing in the kitchen. It’s a fault.
You cannot hit a dink then strike the net. That’s a fault. A dink is a light hit of the pickleball that drops it just over the net into the kitchen area.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at dinkpickleball.com.
Thanks for reading!
Pickleball Terry
Terry Ryan
dinkpickleball@gmail.com
941-400-0978
SarasotaPickleball.com – owner/Gearbox Dealer
Clinics
Group and private lessons
Tournaments
941-400-0978
On the courts one day, while I was sitting on the sideline waiting to play, and one of the older players leaned over to me and said, “You know, pickleball saved my life.” That statement out of the blue, took my breath away. Normally, I just go about my days filled with pickleball activities such as: playing pickleball, coaching pickleball, answering questions about pickleball, and fielding phone calls from visitors coming to Sarasota. I guess you could say I’m taking pickleball for granted. I forget how much it means to people.
Somebody asked me if this was a full-time job being Pickleball Terry, the self-described Sarasota Pickleball Ambassador. Job? Nahhhh. It’s too much fun to be considered a JOB!
So, when somebody reminds me on the courts, that pickleball means so much more to them then just a game well, it’s like a kick of reality. That a small part of me is involved in something that means so much to people is absolutelyhumbling.
The player on the court who leaned over to me that day, went on to say that he did not know what would have happened if he didn’t have pickleball during COVID. He lives alone but thank goodness now has a satisfying social life through pickleball along with getting fresh air and exercise.
There are approximately 76 million Baby Boomers; people born between 1946 to 1965. They now are retiring and moving to warmer climates to continue on the next chapters of their lives. They move away from family and friends, and find out that it’s not as easy to make friends for they don’t have the normal ways; kids in school, work friends, and maybe pub buddies. So, how do they make friends when they become seniors and move to a new place? Pickleball! Try Prime Discounted Monthly Offering
Boomers are not ready to hang up their athletic gear. They are raring to go! No sitting in a rocking chair for them. Pickleball is a great solution. It is an activity setup with open, drop-in play. Anyone can join in for a game, and it is a way to make friends with a common interest.
I know a nurse that travels to different medical centers to work around the country, and she says all she does to get a social fix is find out where the pickleball courts are. Instant friends wherever she goes.
Another player shared with me that she was thinking of moving from Sarasota until she found pickleball. It opened up a whole new world to her and now she has a very active social life and plays pickleball with her friends several times a week. Life is good for her now in Sarasota.
When I coach, usually I start out by saying, “I am a dealer and I’m going to make you a pickleball addict.” This is met by smirks and laughter as in…no you’re not. So funny because I do hook them in. Months later I’ll still see them playing on a pickleball court.
A woman took a lesson around a year ago. She arrived with a big floppy hat on and not the best shoes for the court. She was so quiet and timidly tried to hit the ball. I thought, I’ll never see her again. Well, she came back week after week and now the floppy hat is gone, new court shoes have been bought, and she can slam the ball. She is tricky too with angle shots, and gets into dinking. I’d say she plays well with others and has definitely come out of her “shell.” I love witnessing the transformations.
Other health benefits of playing pickleball.
It strengthens your bones. If your doctor tells you you have osteopenia or osteoporosis which is bone loss, play pickleball. The pounding on the floor with your legs as you run after the ball causes a vibration that promotes bone growth.
Osteopenia or Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn’t keep up with old bone removal.
Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture.
Here’s a good example. A few years ago, a female player in Sarasota had a bone density test. Her doctor informed her that she had osteopenia. Unfortunately, while playing on the pickleball court she went back for a lob and fell backwards on both wrists causing them to fracture. Six months later, and to the shock of her doctor, she went back to playing pickleball. When she had her next bone density test it showed bone mass improvement. Credit to her playing pickleball.
Cognitive thinking. We lose cognitive thinking as we get older. But pickleball helps:
Remembering the score
Recalling names
Concentrating on the flight of the ball
Remembering all the rules
Cognitive skills are the essential qualities your brain utilizes to think, listen, learn, understand, justify, question, and pay close attention. (From dictionary)
Pickleball boosts your happiness hormones.
And exercise…good old-fashioned exercise.
New students start huffing and puffing in the first 5 minutes of the lesson. “I thought pickleball was easier than this?” said my weary student. No, pickleball will get your heartrate up. You have to move, move, move. Don’t let that 1/2 a tennis court fool you. It’s a workout. We get sweaty together, and we will play for 3 hours or more. It is not unusual for my Fitbit to start buzzing announcing that I have racked up 10k steps after a few hours. I wait for the buzz, not satisfied if I haven’t hit the 10k mark.
Let’s get back to the social aspect.
One of the most detrimental things to happen to a senior citizen is when they start to isolate themselves. Pickleball gives them a reason to get out of the house and meet friends. It goes beyond pickleball, too. Soon, after-game lunch dates are formed, Happy Hours, and celebrating birthdays become big deals. If you don’t show up for an extended time, players will start asking around. “Hey, have you seen George lately?” We will track you down. Best to tell us if you are going to be out of town for awhile or we start to worry. You are appreciated, welcomed, and missed.
We take a passing away of a fellow pickleball player with great sadness and respect. They are deeply missed and always remembered. I have contacts that I will never be able to delete on my phone even though they have passed on. I think of them every time I scroll past their name.
So please, keep active, keep social, and keep playing pickleball.
Sincerely,
Pickleball Terry
Owner of Sarasota Pickleball Organization LLC (Not the club)
I was standing on the court between pickleball games and passing the time by talking to a relative newbie to pickleball. I said to him, “Did you know when we all started playing pickleball in Sarasota we all played indoors?” He…dead silence and a look of shock on his face. But that is right, we did not play pickleball outdoors. We only played indoors, as shocking as that now sounds.
We had a certain schedule and played inside at Arlington Park on certain days, and other days, we played inside at Colonial Oaks, RL Taylor, and YMCAs when they were the YMCAs. Then more places opened up and we had Newtown and Longwood Park. The Salvation Army on Tuttle offered pickleball on a couple of days. Never, NEVER did we venture out and play pickleball outdoors. Most of us didn’t have our own nets, and we preferred the air conditioning and no wind inside. Nets were provided at all the indoor facilities and the Salvation Army even started putting up the nets and taking them down for us. The cost was all of $2.00 and we paid with cash. You always had your bag of ones and quarters in your backpack.
And balls….we had one kind of ball. The standard green Jug ball that is cheap to buy. The facilities would supply them. At first, they would leave a bucket of balls for the players to pick from and return them to afterwards. They didn’t last long as they quickly got soft or would crack, and some places started handing balls out one at a time, so you would have to bring a cracked ball to the desk to get a new Jug ball.
Also, for example, Arlington had four courts and it ranged from the beginner court located closest to the door, and the quality of the players got better as it got to the 4th/last court where the strongest players played. Things would get tricky when a not-so-good player would try to play on a court that he/she wasn’t really qualified to play on. I would see fights break out, feelings getting hurt, and people complaining at the front desk. Oh boy. Lots of drama.
I also remember the LONG WAIT during the winter season. We would wait 45 minutes to an hour between games. UGH! But you got a lot of time to visit with fellow players. We also had pot lucks and a couple of us would reserve the indoor courts for private play. People would wait to see if they would get an invite. Some people wouldn’t. They still talk about that.
I had a women’s league inside at Colonial Oaks for 2 years that was a wonderful time. Someday, after COVID, I hope to resume that and expand on league play to include men’s and mixed.
Two years ago, one of the last things that Coach Russell and Terry W. did was approach Church of the Palms and ask them if they would consider having pickleball. After a little negotiations, the Church offered pickleball in their beautiful new gym. It has been an outstanding relationship.
Speaking of Coach Russell, the man was instrumental in getting major pickleball pros to come to Sarasota and host clinics. I took clinics from Kyle Yates and Lucy Kitcher for all of $30.00. What an honor to meet people like them. Those clinics were held at RL Taylor Community Center which also is a wonderful place to play indoor pickleball.
I remember the first time i played outdoors. It was on the courts at Newtown. I was so thrown off. The net looked too high, the court looked too big. It was a totally different experience. I didn’t like it. There was , wind and sun in my eyes and I preferred playing inside. Even all the tournaments I played in were indoors. Summer came in 2019 and the indoor facilities were closed because the kid’s camps were using the indoor space, except the Church of the Palms and the Ys had some limited time to play.
Then Dick Friede starting something amazing, he started borrowing portable nets and setting them up every morning outside at Colonial Oaks Park. It was a slow start but now has become a popular place to go. The success is mainly because Dick with his partner, Jan, are reliable and you can count on them being there everyday.
In the fall of 2019, the indoor facilities opened back up after school started again, and we all happily went back to playing indoors. Players began to become more interested in playing outside especially on the weekends when most facilities were closed, and we ventured to the courts of Siesta Key. Oh boy, did we clash with the tennis players who thought we were not worthy to play on their courts. God help you if a pickleball rolled on their court.
In 2020 COVID hit and everything changed. We were forced to play outside as the indoor facilities shut down. There were a couple of weeks when we were not allowed to play even on the outdoor courts as the country went into lockdown.
But life goes on, and here it is, the summer of 2021 and we are all now devoted outdoor pickleball players. We have learned to love playing outside and playing inside is no longer as desired. We play in the heat, the cold, the wind, and even the rain. We have pretty much taken over the courts at Colonial Oaks Park during the mornings, much to the dismay of the few tennis players that want to play there. After all, we live in beautiful Sarasota, FL. Who wouldn’t want to play outdoors.
And the wait time is less. I never will wait 45 minutes to play a ten minute game as I did at Arlington. No thank you!
Hopefully soon, Sarasota will construct the outdoor courts they have been promising us. The Longwood project has been delayed for another year. and don’t hold your breath for the courts off of Pompano. That may be 3 years into the future.
As pickleball takes off as the fastest growing sport in the country, I have seen on the Internet, new outdoor massive pickleball complexes popping up. There is a trend of people buying or renting warehouse and putting courts in; some keeping them for private use and others charging for public to play. Malls are converting empty space into pickleball complexes. It’s really an exciting time to be involved in pickleball.
Lastly, along with all the different paddle brands out there (I’m a Gearbox authorized dealer), there are now over 300 brands of pickleballs. The Jugs balls I still use in my clinics and for my ball machine, but people are now very picky about what ball they are playing with indoor and outdoor. I once saw one player throw a ball down and announce. “I won’t play with that ball!” Wow! How far we have all come.
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!
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.
Paddles, Paddles…how do you choose? When I started playing pickleball, I used the standard of gold…only kidding. It with a wooden, heavy pickleball paddle. Here is a picture of that bad boy.
Quickly, I realized that the more seasoned pickleball players were using esthetically more appealing paddles, and I purchased a BLASTER. I believed I bought it at Wal-Mart. Cheap and did the trick. Don’t be conned into purchasing an expensive paddle if you are brand new to pickleball. I suggest you learn the sport first before you invest in an expensive paddle.
Sadly, I left my BLASTER at a facility and it was lost forever. I then moved into a PADDLETEX WAVE.
I didn’t know anything about the paddle. The person I bought it from just placed it in my hand and said, “Try this.” I thought okay, and I bought it for a whopping $150.00. What the heck?! I just paid $150.00 for a paddle that I knew nothing about?!
Years later and much more educated about paddles, I now go around with a LL Bean canvas bag that contain about 10 different paddles. I have low end to high end. I pass them out at my clinic on Fridays at the Y Berlin, and let interested buyers demo my more expensive ones.
There are many brands on the market today. Selkirk, Onix, Head, Paddletek, Gamma, Golden, Vulcan, Third Shot Drop, Nuipopo, just to name a few. The pros will use whatever paddle they are being sponsored by. So, let’s just get this out there… no one paddle will instantly make you a 5.0 player. That takes years of practice. (Having a natural athletic ability doesn’t hurt.)
Most paddles begin with a honeycomb core that has a surface material (also referred to as the skin or face) glued to both sides of it. These 2 materials determine the COMPLETE BALL RESPONSE OF YOUR PADDLE. After the core and surface are assembled, an edge and handle are attached. It is then finished by wrapping the handle to form your grip.
Simple, right?WRONG! The catch is that there are a variety of cores, surfaces, paddle shapes, thicknesses, weights, grip shapes, and grip sizes to choose from.
Overwhelmed yet? We sure were when we started learning that there were all these different options and, worse yet, no one was telling us accurate facts about them. That’s how Third Shot Drop began!
First, we had to figure out how paddles really worked. Then, we had to sort through the “information” and learn what was correct and how to make it all make sense.
1 MINUTE LESSON IN PADDLE MATERIALS
Honeycomb core – There are 3 popular materials currently being used:
Aluminum– the softest (most touch)
Polymer– medium (most neutral)
Nomex– the hardest (most power)
The core determines about 75% of the paddle’s performance.
Surface (face, skin) – The 3 materials most used for paddle surfaces are:
Carbon Fiber (aka Carbon Fiber weave) – softest
Composite (aka Fiberglass) – medium
Graphite (aka non-woven Carbon Fiber) – hardest
The surface is used to fine tune how your paddle responds to the ball.
Finishing touches – These choices are what make your paddle fit you and your game precisely.
They are customizations that are not generally available in all aspects from most manufacturers. However, it is these factors that will immediately improve your game and help step up your confidence and skill level.
Grip shape– Most common are
oval
octagon (tennis)
square
Grip size – Should fit your hand/finger length; Sizes range from 4” to 5 ½” circumference
Paddle weight– Weights range from 7 ounces to 11 ounces. Although it’s a matter of personal preference, many pros recommend heavier weights for improved balance and control.
Okay, if you are reading this and got this far, you already know more than I knew the first 3 years of playing pickleball.
If you have played with me on the courts, you know that I have been playing with a Gearbox G6 Joey Faris special edition.
It is not a honeycombed paddle. Instead it is constructed with Patented SST. Patented SST uses an advanced proprietary molding process utilizing high strength unidirectional carbon fiber, that is meticulously hand laid and arranged at very precise angles. The angle configuration of these carbon fiber is critical and directly related to the paddle’s overall durability and playability. I love it! More here.
I also use the Vulcan V550 , a hybrid. Good for power and control. I prefer a 5 inch long handle and 4 1/4 gripe. Jack, from Third Shot Sports recommended a heavier paddle to take most of the force of hitting the ball therefore saving my elbow, so my paddles will weigh 8.0 ounces and up.
HERE ARE WORDS OF WISDOM WHEN PLAYING RECREATIONAL PICKLEBALL WHICH IS WHOLLY DIFFERENT THAN TOURNAMENT PLAY. FOLLOWING THIS ADVICE WILL HELP HONE YOUR SKILLS AND GET YOU INTO BETTER PHYSICAL SHAPE.
IF YOUR OPPONENT IS A BETTER PLAYER, RESET THE POINT AND WORK ON PLACEMENT VERSES HITTING WINNERS. REALLY GOOD PLAYERS CAN EXTEND THE POINT TO HAVE LONGER RALLIES. HIT THE BALL TO CHALLENGE YOUR OPPONENTS WITHOUT HITTING IT SO HARD THAT IT DOESN’T GIVE YOUR OPPONENT A CHANCE ON RETURNING THE BALL. KEEP YOUR SHOTS CHALLENGING; NEVER BE CONDESCENDING BY HITTING BALLS THAT ARE TOO EASY.
INSTEAD OF TARGETING THE WEAKER PLAYERS, HIT THE BALL TO THE BETTER PLAYERS SO YOU GET LONGER RALLIES. IT IS A LOT OF FUN TO HAVE EXTENDED POINTS WITH LONGER RALLIES. YOU WILL GET MORE EXERCISE, TRY DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND HAVE MORE FUN ALL THE WHILE YOU ARE DEVELOPING YOUR PLACEMENT AND FINESSE.
FINALLY, FOR RECREATIONAL PLAY, BE INCLUSIVE TO ALL PLAYERS ON THE COURT BECAUSE THEY CAME TO PLAY.
WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING IN TOURNAMENTS OR MATCHES THAT REALLY MATTER TO YOU, IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY. GO AHEAD AND UNLEASH YOUR SKILLS. GO FOR THE KILL SHOTS, AND YOUR BEST ANGLE SHOTS AND HIT ALL BALLS TO THE WEAKER PLAYER SO YOU CAN WIN.
You will not find one particular paddle brand taking on the courts in Sarasota. I see a plethora of different designs. A couple of years ago, I thought Selkirk was going to dominate, but they lost ground as more companies started competing for a piece of the paddle pie.
Don’t rush out and buy the most expensive paddle because someone told you it was going to make you a winner. I see great players with entry level paddles dominating on the court. Please take your time and once you think you are ready to advance to a better paddle, think about what you want from it. Control? Power? A longer handle for two-handed backhands? Nomex core? A little education goes a long way.
There are now over 300 paddle companies. Check to see that the paddle you want to buy is USA Pickleball approved. Click here.
Also, where is it made? What is the warrantee? Is this the best price or could I do better on Amazon or at Dicks?
If you have more questions, feel free to shoot me an email. Dinkpickleball@gmail.com.
Someone said, “If you watched Pickleball Terry you wouldn’t know there was COVID.” It’s true. If you saw my calendar, you would see that I play outside and inside with a lot of different people. So far, so good. (Knock on wood.) But I am certainly not encouraging you to take risks. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable with the situation, please listen to your conscience and don’t play, especially if you have underlining health conditions.
RL Taylor
Some people are shocked when they see me in pictures with other players close together, and we are not wearing masks. I know. Believe me, I know. If I contract COVID I give you permission to say, “I told you so.”
The indoor pickleball facilities are doing their best to keep things safe. They are limiting the number of players, and disinfectant is easily accessible The staff does their part in sanitizing areas after/between pickleball times.
Remember: You must preregister to play inside at a county facility. No preregistering for the Ys, Church of the Palms, RL Taylor Community Center (except for the beginner’s class-limited to 8.)
Masks are mandatory to enter a building but not while you are playing. I want everyone to realize this before your travel to an indoor facility or outdoor court to play and find out that not everyone wears a mask while playing. Based on this understanding, you should make an informed decision. Are you comfortable playing inside or outside if everyone is not wearing a mask?
Some people feel more secure playing outside with a better air flow but again, not everyone wears a mask. They do try to social distance between games, and touching someone else’s paddle is considered taboo. Also standing closer than 6 feet is not good. I have to admit, that sometimes I forget and I come too close when I’m talking with someone. They gently remind me to “step back.”
( Currently, my favorite paddle. Gearbox GX6)
Remember, if you are not feeling well, please do not come to the courts. And being tested for COVID is as easy as standing in line at RL Taylor for 30 mins. No cost. Testing also available at the old dog track on 5400 Bradenton Rd, Sarasota. When in doubt, get tested. (I’ve done it and it’s painless.)
Yesterday I received an email with the new rule changes to the Official Pickleball Rule Book from the USA Pickleball Association. Surprisingly, the “let” rule has been eliminated. Meaning, that there are no more LETS on the serve. If during the serve, the ball hits the net but lands in the opponents correct side of the court, and not in the kitchen, it is a playable ball. No more TAKE OVERS. If someone calls a FAULT and stops the play, they lose the serve, or if the opponents yell LET during serve the, the serving side gains a point.
Or when the ball hits the net then lands in the kitchen, the server loses the serve. This should move the game along.
Another interesting change, you can not hit a ball then call BALL and a replay if a ball rolls on the court. You must stop play before returning a stroke. As in no more, I messed up but it was because a ball rolled on the court.
Rule 4 M 11 States that it is a FAULT if the ball is served before the entire score is being called. This is to end quick serving. (A tactic to catch opponents off guard. Can’t do that anymore.)
Here is a new one…a player may use their paddle to toss the ball up for the serve. You no longer are just limited to your other hand to toss the ball for the serve. Reason…to stop the spread of disease. (Not making this up.)
There are 81 pages of changes, most have to do with clarifications when a referee is present. But here it is in PDF for you to review.
Where is everyone playing? It used to be easy…before COVID. We all went to one of the county or city facilities and played inside. Not this fall. Sarasota pickleball players are scattered all over the county playing outside, and we are finding out we like playing outside.
Why aren’t we playing indoors? All the county facilities are open for play.
It requires registering. Seems that pickleball players do not like to register. We don’t know who is going to be playing, and this requires commitment. Ha! This is not going over well.
I personally tried to organize a few friends to signup to play indoors at Colonial Oaks Park, and I went online to register. But try as I might, I couldn’t. I went to the office the next day and asked why I wasn’t successful. Patricia, who is the park manager there, said I had to register 48 hours prior. She said she only had one person who signed up so she cancelled the time slot. Unfortunately, It also is not possible to see who else is signed up to play. On pickleball signup apps like the Pickleball Den, you can see the names and sometimes level of who is playing.
A couple years ago, I did try to organize a signup program on Signup Genius, but unfortunately it didn’t catch on and it fizzled out. It was especially great for the RL Taylor Friday night play because players could see if enough people were playing before they drove to the facility. But, nope, it was not successful and I abandoned promoting it.
Then there were the private groups. I and other people rented county facilities for a couple of hours on certain days then invited our friends of equal playing ability to play. These were great because X number of people would play and there was no long waiting between games. We all remember the LONG WAIT TIME at Arlington, RL Taylor and Salvation Army. Ugh! 45 minutes of waiting to play a 10 minute game.
I also sought out info on renting an indoor facility this year but the paperwork that was sent to me was scary! I would have had to submit an action plan on How Would I Keep the Players Safe From COVID? That did it for me. Nope!
While indoor play at the county facilities is down or nonexistent right now (Colonial Park-2 courts, Longwood Park-3 courts, Newtown-4 Courts) I hear that people are playing inside at Englewood and Venice Community Center.
City Indoor Facilities
RL Taylor does not require preregistering. They have 2 courts open at 9-3 Monday – Friday. You can only sign up for blocks of time. Masks are worn to come into any inside facility but not while you are playing. Taylor is a COVID testing center and if there is a line of cars to get into the parking lot, just go around and tell the attendant that you are there to play pickleball.
Arlington Park is not open at this time.
Salvation Army on Tuttle has not opened at this time.
Church of the Palms does not require preregistering. They have 3 courts in their beautiful gym and limit it to 24 people. Eye protective glasses are required.
INDOOR PICKLEBALL 12/14-12/20
CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR’S DAY CLOSED
City Facilities Indoors
RL Taylor Community Center
1845 34th St, Sarasota, FL 34234
You can register now at the front desk. If there is a line of cars for COVID testing, just go around them and tell the guard you are there to play pickleball. He’ll let you right in.
Monday and Wednesday: Beginners
Tuesday and Thursday: Intermediate/Advanced Fridays: Open play
Hours: 9:00am to 3:00pm broken into 2-hour blocks of time.
In order to maintain the cleanliness with an abundance of caution the courts will have to be cleared 15 minutes prior to the end of the time block in order to give the staff adequate cleaning time. The playable time will be 9am-10:45am, 11am-12:45pm and 1pm-3pm.
More people are showing up. Mornings are busy, Afternoons are empty.
Pickleball Terry and Coach Russell, owner of Suncoast Pickleball
Arlington Park Still Closed
Below is a list of indoor county facilities
Englewood Sports Complex
1300 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
You must pre-register before going CLICK HERE to any county facility!!!!
Venice Community Center 326 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285
Newtown Park
2800 Newtown Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34234
Colonial Oaks Park
5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd.
Sarasota, FL 34233
Longwood Park
6050 Longwood Run Blvd, Sarasota, FL
Woodmere Park
3951 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
DON’T FORGET THE Ys
Below are the times for the Ys. Drop-in. No pre-registering required. Cost is free for members, Guests are free for first visit (please check in at the front desk. After that $7.00) OUR Y ESL (Formally the YMCA)
Potter Park Dr., Sarasota, FL 34238Members free and Drop-in $7.00
Did you know…if you are new to the Y they will give you a free pass?Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Intermediate/advanced (2 courts)
Intermediate/Beginners (1 court)
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Beginner lessons with Bob
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Beginner/Novice clinic with Pickleball Terry Drills/Techniques/Strategies/ Games
Fridays 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
(Members free and $7.00 for non-members)
Friday Beginners – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Intermediates/Advanced
Sundays 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Open play
The Church of the Palms
3224 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239
(Note: Protective lenses are required.)
Tuesday and Thursday NEW MORNING TIME
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Intermediate and Advanced
Tuesday and Thursday NEW AFTERNOON TIME
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
All play
Thursday, December 24 – no Pickleball
Friday, December 25 – no Pickleball
Thursday, December 31 – morning play only from 9:00 – 12:00.
Friday, January 1 – no Pickleball
*We will try to maintain a maximum of 24 players in the facility
GT Bray (Indoors) For more information contact Jay Jaudon at 941 742-5923 x6 – Send Email
All levels and no reservation required for outdoor pickleball at GT Bray. Click Here and Here
G.T. Bray Pickleball Outdoor Courts are OPEN Outdoor drop-in with skill-level choices is now Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday:8:30-noon.
(941) 742-5923
OUTDOOR PLAY
Outdoor play, as you expect, is popular in Sarasota with COVID and we live in Florida with beautiful weather. Who wouldn’t prefer to play outside! Love it!
Colonial Oaks Park is the HOT place to play in central Sarasota. Dick Friede is the volunteer that sets the nets up everyday, 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. – 11ish. There are 2 tennis courts with one court lined for 2 pickleball courts. Nets are not supplied by the county. You have to bring your own if you want to play in the afternoon or at night. There are lights for nighttime play, bathroom facilities close and plenty of parking.
Because this location is popular and many players showing up, we have chalked out the other tennis court for 2 more pickleball courts. This is where the problem is. When and if tennis players show up, the pickleball players have to vacate the tennis court. This has caused friction between the tennis players and the pickleball players. Oh boy. We need dedicated pickleball courts in central Sarasota so we don’t have to share with the tennis players.
Fruitville Park has 2 tennis courts and all are lined for 4 pickleball courts. There are lights and a bathroom close by. We also do not need to give up the courts if tennis players show up. It is first come, first serve. NO ORGANIZED PLAY. You must wrangle up your own players and your own nets.
Siesta Key Public Tennis Courts have 4 tennis courts and 2 are lined for 4 pickleball courts. No organized play and bring your own nets. The bathrooms are a hike away but plenty of parking and lights. The tennis players can get pretty testy with pickleball players so be cautious with running behind their courts or letting balls wander onto their courts. First come, first serve so try to get there early to beat the tennis players.
Gillepsie Park in downtown Sarasota has 3 tennis courts and one of the courts has lines for 2 pickleball courts and nets that are left by the fence that you can move to the pickleball courts. It is hit of miss. Sometimes I go there to play and I have to wait. Other times, no one is there. Can’t figure the pattern out. No lights and the last time I tried to use the restrooms, they were locked.
Newtown Park has 2 tennis courts and both are lined for 4 pickleball courts. Bring your own nets. Bathrooms in the main building or across the street at the library. NO organized play. If you see a group playing there and any place I have written that does NOT have organized, drop-in play, it is a private group of friends. Will they let you play if you happen upon them? Maybe, but they are not required to.
Lakewood Ranch has dedicated pickleball courts by the high school for drop-in play. I have heard mixed reports and some people have told me they don’t like new people, and people have said it is a very inviting group. Here is info from Bob Haskins who “runs” things at the courts. LWR Pickleball Club Newsletter LWR DECEMBER
No lights and not sure what the bathroom situation is.
…If you see a group playing there and any place I have written that does NOT have organized, drop-in play, it is a private group of friends. Will they let you play if you happen upon them? Maybe, but they are not required to…
Twin Lakes Park does not have organized play and does not supply the nets. They have 2 tennis courts and both are lined for 4 courts. No lights, sorry. The bathrooms are a hike but plenty of parking. Tennis dominates at this location and hard to plan a group to play there because you never know if all the courts (and they usual are) have tennis players. Sorry.
Laurel Park in Venice has 2 tennis courts that are lined for 4 pickleball courts. There is NO organized play there but yes for lights. Lots of parking and bathroom close by.
Foxworthy Park in Venice. Finally, dedicated courts for pickleball! Yea! 6 of them with drop-in play in the mornings. (All organized, drop-in play is in the morning.) Bathrooms are a HIKE! Might as well drive to them. No lights! They used to have a porta-potty but kids kept on tipping it over so it was removed. Also, there are 2 tennis courts nearby with one court lined for 2 pickleball brings. Bring your own net and friends to play on the tennis courts here.
Englewood Sports Complex has indoor and outdoor dedicated courts. Outdoor: (12) Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts. Lights available until 10pm Sept-May. No Reservations or fees for outdoor courts, 1st Come, 1st Serve. M-W-F mornings are intermediate to advanced play. Tu-Th-Sat are beginner to intermediate play. Bathrooms nearby and plenty of parking.
The schedule is constantly changing so to keep everyone up-to-date I send out a weekly newsletter. Please signup for my newsletter.
Sarasota Pickleball and Pickleball Terry is not Sarasota Pickleball Club. We are two different entities promoting pickleball in Sarasota.
I know that recently, the Club sent out an email asking for membership donations. A few people questioned me about that and were a little confused. I don’t blame them. It’s confusing and it is not me. I am not the Sarasota Pickleball Club, Inc.
Pickleball Terry and Sarasota Pickleball’s History
In 2017 I was happily playing pickleball, (not well I might add so I was dismissed to the first court at Arlington, but trying hard to make my way up to the second court), where I met Deann who was already sending out emails listing the places to play in Sarasota. She decided to hand that responsibilty over to someone else, and I eventually took over where she left off. That was the fall of 2017, and I purchased domain names (SarasotaPickleball.com, SarasotaPickleballAssociation.com, SarasotaPickleballOrganization.com, PickleballTerry.com), built a website and Sarasota Pickleball has been growing since to 1,300 subscribers.
My game has gotten slightly better, and I have the honor to introduce other people to pickleball. The newsletter has improved with more news, tips, memes, and funny jokes to get you all through COVID.
My weekly goal is to play at different locations, meet new players, and keep the familiar faces on the courts informed. Soon, I will be hosting the Welcome Back Pickleball Tournament indoors as soon as I am able to secure a County or City location. I hope my enthusiasm is inspiring. Really, I have a great time doing this. Thank you for letting me be a part of your pickleball life.
Pickleball Terry and Coach Russell, owner of Suncoast Pickleball
Now what’s the Club all about?
Sarasota Pickleball Club, Inc. (not Sarasota Pickleball) has recently filed as a corporation with the State 4/30/2020 CLICK HERE. They are a not-for-profit and currently work as lobbyists for building more DEDICATED, outdoor pickleball courts in Sarasota.
I, as Pickleball Terry and Sarasota Pickleball, promote playing pickleball in Sarasota as an USAPA Ambassador, through marketing on this site and weekly newsletter. I report news about Sarasota County, Sarasota City, Our Ys, Lakewood Ranch Pickleball, Bradenton Parks and Recreation, Health Fit, Church of the Palms and Salvation Army, by advertising their times of play, levels of play, and any special events.
If my name, Pickleball Terry, isn’t on the email, it’s not from me.
Confused?
People were confused because SPC was requesting memberships, and they may think they are contributing to me. That is not the case. Not me or Sarasota Pickleball. If you want more info about the Sarasota Pickleball Club (Board members, Tom Everitt, Carrie Palmer, and Cathy Denault), you can go to their website by clicking here.
If I had a dollar for every time I am asked a question for clarity about the KITCHEN, A.K.A. the non-volley zone (NVZ), I’d be buying a home in Monaco. The kitchen rules are mind benders for beginners, and especially for former tennis players. I can tell by the way their eyes glaze over that THIS DOES NOT COMPUTE! My patience for repeating and reconfirming the rules again and again deserves an award for determination. Sometimes, my newbie will try to contest the rules, but I calmly repeat, “No, you cannot rush the net and slam the ball unless it bounces in the NVZ.” My newbie’s face, that a second ago had the look of VICTORY, turns into a sour frown. But, but, but….they respond.
Boomers are not ready to hang up their athletic gear. They are raring to go! No sitting in a rocking chair for them. Pickleball is a great solution. It is an activity setup with open, drop-in play. Anyone can join in for a game, and it is a way to make friends with a common interest.
Simone Jardine – 
