Pickleball News – 20200305 – Archived Version
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This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter.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 North Phoenix Pickleball Players:
Here is some timely N. Phoenix news and other items related to pickleball.
******************** School Recess Community Center ********************
Schedule Changes
UPDATE – All City of Phoenix Community Centers are closed to Group Activities including Pickleball UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
Deer Valley Community Center – – 602-495-3735 – – Pickleball is cancelled from 3/16-3/20
Paradise Valley Community Center – – 602-495-3777 – – Pickleball is cancelled for two weeks, 3/9 – 3/20 (Pickleball will resume on 3/23/2020)
Washington Activity Center – – 602-262-6971 – – Pickleball is cancelled from 3/16-3/20
**It is my understanding that all other City of Phoenix Community Centers will be maintaining their regular pickleball schedules.
******************** Getting A Grip ********************
To paraphrase Cyndi Lauper, it has been my experience that most recreational pickleball players just want to have fun. Having said that, however, I know from my conversations that there is a core of those players who long to improve their game. Most of us have not had formal training and we have just “picked up” how to play. In my opinion, pickleball is addictive because it is simple in concept, but challenging in execution.
Let’s talk about one aspect of the sport that is sometimes taken for granted… Every time we step on to the court, we grip the paddle in a way that we were taught or one with which, over time, we have become comfortable. I am willing to conjecture that most of us don’t often think about how we are gripping the paddle. The grip is the grip and we have used it for a long time and we just continue to “do it that way!”
How often do you check your grip? Most advanced players check it quite often and perhaps between every point. Has your hand slipped a bit? Has your Continental Grip now become something else? Are you gripping your paddle as though it is a life preserver and you are holding it tight so it doesn’t slip away? Maybe it is time to reexamine the way in which we are holding our paddles.
Truth be told, I am working on revising my grip because I find that I am not “relaxed” enough at the NVZ and my grip is more tense than it needs to be. Sometimes this results in a shot going too long; “Out!”!
Professional pickleballer and coach Sarah Ansboury has two interesting articles about the pickleball grip. If you haven’t thought about how your are holding your paddle in a while, perhaps these will be helpful
******************** High Visibility Red Pickleballs ********************
The life of a pickleball is a difficult one. After all, how would you like to be whacked on a serve, pounded with an overhead and dinked over and over again before being smashed? In an effort to find other USAPA approved pickleball options for use on our indoor pickleball courts, I contacted Head/Penn and they sent sample pickleballs to try at a couple of our venues.
Just above the white underline are the words USAPA Approved. They are lightly embossed, but not printed as they are on pickleballs from other manufacturers. The picture doesn’t exactly match the color red of the actual ball which tends a bit more to the vibrant, pinkish side.
After using these balls for two days, I can say that they provide a very good, consistent bounce and play very well. If you have ever “lost” a ball because it blended in with the surroundings or the lighting was poor or the ball was somewhat hidden when crossing close to the top of the net, don’t worry when using these. You won’t easily lose sight of them. After all, the are highly visible.
The Penn/Head balls are not as hard as some of the Onix balls we have purchased and seem to play as well as or better than those. My concern with the orange Onix balls is that they seem to crack quite readily. We generally start with five balls at PVCC and almost every day, at least one needs to be replaced.
The “trial” balls mentioned above are what I would call “high visiblility” red. The balls are easily seen on the darker floors at the FLC and the lighter floors at PVCC. I plan on putting them out for players to try at PVCC when pickleball resumes there in two weeks. I will also carry a couple with me so if you see me at the FLC and you would like to try one, let me know. I would appreciate your feedback if you do try the new balls! [ Did you like the color? Were they easy to see? Did you like the way they played? ]
Video
******************** For Those Who Have Read This Far ********************
There are some shots in pickleball that are just a little more important than others. The serve, for example, may stand supreme in its importance because if you don’t get it “in,” you can’t score a point.
The return of serve is noteworthy because you want to keep the other team far back in the court for the longest period of time.
The third shot is very important because a good one can enable the serving team to get to the NVZ.
What happens after that? Well, I’m glad you asked because Prime Time Pickleball gives us their take on another important shot in the video below.
#1 Most Overlooked Pickleball Shot That Is Killing Your Pickleball Game
NOTES:
Notice how Jordan Briones hits the ball when he is at the net. It is somewhat subtle, but he flicks his paddle in an upward motion giving topspin to the ball. This helps keep the ball low and in the court.
Another point to keep in mind is, that if you are approaching the net and the opposing player is getting ready to hit the ball, stop and prepare to return a shot if it comes your way. After your team returns the ball, continue to the net. It is very difficult to hit a good shot on the move.
Don’t worry about “no man’s land” at this juncture. If you are moving with the intent to get to the net, this is really just a transition zone
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
********** 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 **********
I hope to see you on the courts!
Regards,
Jeff Ross
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
********** 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 **********
I am sending my best wishes to all my pickleball friends and acquaintances for a Happy, Healthy and Fulfilling Holiday Season!
I hope to see you on the courts!
Regards,
Jeff Ross
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
********** 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 **********
I hope to see you on the courts!
Regards,
Jeff Ross