Pickleball: Forehand Refresher

Jeff

I consider myself a casual pickleball player and as such I find that I have developed certain habits and style. This may be good or bad.

Vince Lombardi (former Football coach of the Green Bay Packers) is credited with having said:

“Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”

But maybe you don’t have time to practice or you don’t want to practice because it isn’t as much fun. The great thing about pickleball is that you can make it whatever you want. If playing and doing the best you can under your individual circumstances satisfies you, then let it be. When I play, I am out to get exercise and have a good time.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to get better. I would like to improve my game if I can. Just to make sure I am doing things the way I should, I like to review how I am delivering certain shots. The video below is a review of how to hit a forehand and I find that I don’t always accurately do two things demonstrated and suggested in the video:

  • Follow through strong above the shoulder
  • When the intent is to “drive” the ball, swing through it

Watch the video below to review or find out how to hit a successful forehand.

This is the synopsis from the YouTube Video Page:

“How do the PROS hit winning forehands? Check out this helpful video with top pickleball champion Scott Moore who is known for his strong forehand shot. Watch his form in super slow motion with additional tips that pop up to give you more focused instruction on how to improve your forehand. The forehand is one of those strokes that you use again and again in pickleball. Make yours a forehand you can count on!”

A Wildflower Meadow – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 213

Jeff

wildflower meadow

A meadow of wildflowers at Yosemite

There were times when we would be hiking through a meadow or certain microclimate and we encountered a swath of wildflowers. This particular patch had a great variety of colors and wildflowers in various life cycle stages.

The yellows and purples mixed with the green and chaotic patterns of stems was interesting if not very artistic in nature.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 213 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture date: June 11, 2016
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STATUS QUOtes — 20170209

Jeff

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“Be the first to the field and the last to the couch.” — Chinese Proverb

“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” — Voltaire

“Your energy introduces you before you even speak.” – Unknown

“Don’t worry if you’re making waves simply by being yourself. The moon does it all the time.” — Scott Stabile

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Thousands and thousands of quotes delivered since 2011!

The Serendipity of Photography

Jeff

Planning can often improve one’s ability to capture the best images when on a photography excursion. Having a checklist with the correct equipment and ancillary supplies is also important in that process. Checking the weather is also a must if the journey is to be outside.

Plan all you want, but every once in a while your best shot, or at least a very good shot, might be captured in a moment of serendipity that could never have been planned.

Scott Bourne, bird and nature photographer, had such an experience and he posted it on his twitter feed on February 11, 2017. This is the picture he took:

 


Mountain Lion
A unplanned WOW moment captured

Also keep in mind, that being prepared when the opportunity presents itself is also the key.

“Chance is the first step you take, luck is what comes afterward.” — Amy Tan

Picture Via Scott Bourne

 

See previous Photography posts HERE

Lupines Along the Path – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 212

Jeff

Lupines appeared along the trail

Lupines were abundant along the different trails. I highlighted lupines HERE and you can see that the plant looks quite different in the earlier post.

The variety in the picture above may be a different type or the fact that it is in full exposure of the sun, wind, snow, rain, etc. has stunted the growth. I find the leaf form very interesting and the leaves shed water which tends to form into drops.

NOTE – Lesson learned: Taking photographs from above the plant doesn’t always render the best perspective.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 212 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 12:24:49 PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/100 sec @ f/18
Focal Length: 55mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

STATUS QUOtes — 20170208

Jeff

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 
“You may delay, but time will not.” — Benjamin Franklin

“Put yourself on view. This brings your talents to light.” — Baltasar Gracian

“I don’t want just words. If that is all you have for me, you better go.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Never position a rock near a hard place.” — Rohan Candappa

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Thousands and thousands of quotes delivered since 2011!

Jeff Shank’s Pickleball Strategy – Time Out, Dinking, Ego

Jeff

We are continuing our series based on Jeff Shank’s YouTube video about pickleball strategy. In this segment Jeff explains why, when playing in a tournament, it is important to take time outs at certain points, the importance of dinking and how to handle your ego.

Dinking – A love-hate relationship

There are those who do whatever they can to avoid the dinking game. Sometimes this leads to unforced errors because although a return dink may be the best option, a player may lack confidence or run out of patience and try to hit a hard line drive return.

The good news and bad news about dinking:

Bad news first…It is a big part of the game when your skill set gets you into the 3.5 and above playing levels. Skilled players dink to win.

The good news…It isn’t that hard to gain proficiency in dinking.

Jeff offers a number of tips:

  • What type of foot movement does he suggest?
  • What stance should the player have when waiting for a return dink?
  • What is the problem with cross-stepping?
  • What is the best dink option that provides the largest margin for error?
  • What are the advantages to taking a dink as a volley if possible?

No room for ego

After the dinking lesson, Jeff explains why pickleballers (as well as other team sport members) need to play with no ego. What that means is, recognize when other players (i.e. your partner) are better and let them take certain shots. Also…listen to information that other players might have about your opponents.

NOTE – When I play doubles, I will usually discuss our opponents with my partner. I try to tell them who has a spin serve, who is good at lobbing, etc. I also like to explain that if I run to their side of the court to cover a lob, they should move over to my vacated side. I will often yell “switch.”

Weak partner, strong partner relationship

If you play in tournaments or at very competitive venues, listen to what Jeff has to say about the weaker-stronger partner relationship.

 

 

For a refresher video about how to perfect the dink shot, click HERE

NOTE – To find out about this series of posts, i.e. 100 Pickleball Strategies by Jeff Shank, read the first post HERE

 

To See additional Pickleball Videos Covering Many Aspects of the Game Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

Check out Additional Pickleball Info and Videos! (for all players including average to more experienced players)

Pussy Paws on the Trail – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 211

Jeff

Pink Wildflower at Yosemite

Pink wildflower along the Sentinel Dome Trail

I find that wildflowers are one of the treasures nature has created for all of its animals to enjoy. Whenever and wherever I hike, I try to pay attention to all of the wildflowers and plants. There are some plants that are lovely because of their leaf structure and form with or without flowers.

The plant above, Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum), had a very interesting presentation. This particular specimen had leaf damage, perhaps from the harsh winter snows, but it sent out a number of radial stems with clusters of pink flowers on top. Each flower carried a number of shades of pink and the clusters appeared almost fuzzy because of the form. A bee on the rightmost cluster was enjoying the spring’s bounty.

For additional pictures, perhaps more detailed, showing other colors and giving more information about Pussy Paws (Calyptridium umbellatum), click HERE.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Meta Data – Day 211 YOY – Year of Yosemite

File Name: 0360.NEF
Capture time: 12:24:28 PM
Capture date: June 9, 2016
Exposure: 1/80 sec @ f/18
Focal Length: 55mm
ISO 100
Nikon D3300

 

STATUS QUOtes — 20170207

Jeff

Today’s STATUS QUOtes

 

“A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.” — Charlotte Bronte

“The world is governed more by appearances than realities, so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it.” — Daniel Webster

“Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” — George Halas

“I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.” — Ashleigh Brilliant

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Thousands and thousands of quotes delivered since 2011!

SignEdge: Now That’s A Curve

Jeff



Now That's A Curve
Eyes on the road for this one!

Returning from a jaunt in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, not far from Mt. Whitney, the roads were steep and curvy. We don’t often get to see a sign this extreme!

BTW – If you want to see another “rare” sight from the same trip, check this out!



Photography Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross, ALL Rights Reserved.

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous SignEdge posts HERE
Just for SignEdge wine or beer labels HERE