Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter

This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter. The most current N. Phoenix Newsletter is available by clicking HERE!

 
Hello Phoenix Area Players:

I just want to touch base with those on the email list about a few items.

Normal schedule will resume on Tuesday, 1/22!

Larry Lite, USAPA Southwest Regional Director, will be meeting with the North Central Arizona Ambassadors on February 1, 2019, to provide an update on the various programs being offered by the USAPA. He will go over his goals for the region, an update on the Ambassador program and a discussion about issues and concerns amongst our ambassadors. There will be opportunities for ambassadors to share their questions and ideas as well.

I will keep you posted regarding pertinent information!

Over the last several weeks I have heard some players make line calls by saying: “I think the ball was out!” We can probably all agree that on some courts the lines are difficult to read and calling balls correctly may be a bit tricky at times, but let’s examine the sentence above.

It seems to imply that there is some doubt as to whether the ball was “in” or “out!” In such an instance, we can look to the official rulebook to learn how to deal with this situation.

Here is what the rulebook states:

“6.D.3. The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made. Any ball that cannot be called “out” will be considered “in.” A player cannot claim a “let” because the ball was not seen or there is uncertainty. A player may appeal to the referee to make the call if he or she did not clearly see the ball land. If the referee is unable to make the call, the ball is “in.” [ USAPA & IFP Official Tournament Rulebook, p. 31 ]

The remedy to “thinking” the ball was out, in my opinion, lies in the first sentence, i.e. the benefit of the doubt goes to the opponent. Secondly, “Any ball that cannot be called ‘out’ will be considered ‘in’.” Careful reading of that sentence seems to imply that if the ball cannot definitively be called “out” it is considered to be “in.”

When playing recreational pickleball, we should always be in a position to give the opponents the benefit of the doubt. After all, isn’t that what sportsmanship is?

In a recent post on my website, Pickleball – Let’s Talk Etiquette, I included the above section and I also addressed the issue of pickleballs from other games coming on to the court. This can be dangerous at worst and often frustrating at best! If you are interested in that subject, you can read the post [if you read the item above, skip to the second part at the link below]:

Let’s Talk Etiquette

So, you think you have had some long rallies? How about a 68 shot rally at the Las Vegas Pickleball Open.

Previous newsletters that may have pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. are now archived at the following link. You can check out previous newsletters there.
Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters

The next round of Introductory and Beginner Pickleball Lessons at Paradise Valley Community Center are now online and they are filling up fast. If you know someone who would like to learn about our sport, they can check out the offerings HERE.

 
Join the USAPA – Click HERE for More Information

Picture Courtesy of Pickleball Magazine and the USAPA

 
I hope to see you on the courts!

Regards,

Jeff Ross

Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter

This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter. The most current N. Phoenix Newsletter is available by clicking HERE!

Hello Phoenix Area Players:

I hope everyone had a joyous holiday celebration and that you are looking forward to more of the same to begin the new year. I didn’t want our players to miss out on an opportunity so I am passing along this interesting information. I just received this information so if it is a bit late, I apologize!

********** 2019 World Team Pickleball Championships **********

You may remember that a while back I wrote about the World Team Championships coming to our general area. Well, it is happening. They are hosting three days of tournament play in Surprise, AZ at the Surprise Pickleball Courts, W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374.

According to the information I received, “NO TEAM IS EVER ELIMINATED! Teams will accumulate court wins, game wins, and total points to determine the overall winner!”

Here are the Details

Event & Divisions:

Mixed Team Event: 2 Men & 2 Women

Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0

*Players must all play at the level of the highest skilled player on the team.

Age Brackets: 18+, 50+, 60+, 70+

*Brackets may be combined to complete the division.

Tournament Ball: Dura Fast 40

TEAM FORMAT:

Each team will consist of 4 players (2 men and 2 women).

Each team may carry 2 more players for substitutions* each round of play.

6 players maximum for each team.

Day 1 = Mixed Doubles (2 courts of mixed doubles played at the same time/Round)

Day 2 = Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles (played at the same time/Round)

Day 3 = Mixed Doubles (2 courts of mixed doubles played at the same time/Round)

FORMAT OF PLAY:

Round Robin or Pool Play will be determined by the number of teams entered in your division.

Every team is guaranteed a minimum of 9 matches over the weekend!

*Player Substitutions: Each Round a Team Captain may substitute 1 player during a match.

For example: Kimi and Peter are playing Mixed Doubles against Orlie and Ashley. Kimi is not playing well or gets a cramp (yikes). Team Captain Carol can substitute Donna in for Kimi, but no other substitutions can be made for any of Carol’s players during that remainder of that Round.

WTP Championship Registration:

The 2019 World Team Pickleball Championships is scheduled for February 1-3, 2019 in Surprise, Arizona on the Surprise Pickleball Courts.

Registration Fee: $85.00 per player for all 3 days

No refunds after December 31, 2018

Every player will receive a WTP Swag Bag at registration!

Registration Process: All players will register on R2Sports.

Click the registration button at the top of this page.*** [ See link below! – Jeff]

Team Captains should register first, as the rest of the team will select the captain or team name to register under.

Registration closes January 25, 2019

Last date to cancel is December 31, 2018

QUESTIONS? Contact Kim Waddell at WorldTeamPickleball@gmail.com

Register at this link: https://www.worldteampickleball.com/register-wtp-events/2019/1/4/wtp-sectional-tournament-arizona-tbd

NOTE – I am still in need of a couple of previously owned, but still usable paddles for beginner classes at the community centers. Kindly keep that in mind as well! – Jeff

This is related to the idea I mentioned in a previous newsletter, i.e. having a plan. When you return the ball, do you try to return it to a particular spot. Better players are able to hit a target spot whether it be the opponent’s forehand or down the middle.

The video below gives some good pointers, especially about the return of serve. This one tip may help you improve your game even if you need to make adjustments in the course of a game.

Improve Your Accuracy – Something Most Players Don’t Do<>/strong>

 

********** Archived Versions of Previous Newsletters **********

 

Previous newsletters that may have pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. are now archived at the following link. You can check out previous newsletters there.
Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters

********** Winter Session Pickleball Lessons at PVCC **********

 

The next round of Introductory and Beginner Pickleball Lessons at Paradise Valley Community Center are now online and they are filling up fast. If you know someone who would like to learn about our sport, they can check out the offerings HERE.

********** Support your Sport – Join the USAPA $20 for 1 Year **********

 

 
Join the USAPA – Click HERE for More Information

 

Picture Courtesy of Pickleball Magazine and the USAPA

 

********** That’s All for Now **********

 
Stay well and I hope to see you on the courts!

Regards,

Jeff Ross

Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter

This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter. The most current N. Phoenix Newsletter is available by clicking HERE!

Hello Phoenix Area Players:

If you would like to see how a pickleball tournament is conducted or just have fun watching the competition, here is your chance. The following message was sent by Steve Manolis via the Phoenix Area Pickleball mailing list.

This Thursday through Saturday come on out to Pecos Park as we start our first full scale local tournament. All levels are signed up to play. We will have a food truck, vendors, raffle items and practice courts open.

We are also accepting paddle donations for schools and students.

Sunday, December 9th is kids day, we will have prizes, coaching, contest and games for kids and adults…free to attend, no registration to play on Sunday.

Try paddles from various vendors.

All registration fees and donations go back to the schools and community.

To see more please come or visit us at PhoenixPickleball.com

Pecos Park is located at 17010 S 48th Street, just west of I-10 and south of Chandler Blvd.

See you there.

Steve Manolis, Pickleball Teaching Pro

www.PhoenixPickleball.com

NOTE – I am still in need of a couple of previously owned, but still useable paddles for beginner classes at the community centers. Kindly keep that in mind as well! – Jeff

The indoor pickleball venues are crowded this time of the year. One way to avoid long waiting times between games is to arrive a bit later during the scheduled day. I understand that this is not possible for everyone, but you may have noticed that towards the end of the session, the crowds thin out. Last week a group was playing almost nonstop during the last hour at one of the community centers.

What does it take to move from being an intermediate player to an advanced one? Well, there isn’t a magic bullet but there are a few things that I’ve noticed have made the difference. Here’s a short list of what I think separates the two levels.

Be More Consistent. Higher level players don’t really hit fundamentally different shots than their less-skilled counterparts. But what they do is hit quality shots more often. While a 3.5 might be able to hit a deep return 5 out of ten times, the 4.0 can do it 7. The difference is often not much more than having a clear intention.

On a related note, if you miss many “easy balls” you’re going to have a tough time advancing a level. Standard volleys, dinks, serves and returns should be near 100% success. Missing them should be a surprise.

Finish Points. Strong players are good at ending points when they have the chance. Whether it is identifying angles, finding a gap or using speed effectively, strong players capitalize on opportunities.

Have a Plan. Intermediate players often look (and feel) like they are just ‘trying to survive’ on the court. Advanced players have clear plans. When you are under fire pinned at the baseline, for example, a good plan would be to calmly play a drop that forces an upward hit from the other team. 4.0s try to do this. Most 3.5s just hit the ball back hard (or lob).

The above article is courtesy of Third Shot Sports

When I teach pickleball to beginners, I emphasize the ideal groundstroke position, i.e. shoulders perpendicular to the net when possible. Of course if you are running hither and yon trying to get to an angled shot, etc. all bets are off.

Here is a video explaining a technique for the groundstroke.

Mary Travis, USAPA Ambassador at Large, suggested that the “old” or previous newsletters be made available in some form now that they are web-based so that they can be reviewed in the future for pertinent content.

That is a good idea (Thank you Mary!) since there are often pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. From this point on, you can review previous web-based emails at this link:

Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters

The next round of Introductory and Beginner Pickleball Lessons at Paradise Valley Community Center are now online and they are filling up fast. If you know someone who would like to learn about our sport, they can check out the offerings HERE.

 
Join the USAPA – Click HERE for More Information

Picture Courtesy of Pickleball Magazine and the USAPA

 
Stay well and I hope to see you on the courts!

Regards,

Jeff Ross