ball

Pickleball Birthday Cake

Jeff

Well, I knew this day was coming and naturally I am glad I am here to enjoy it. A week ago, I celebrated my three-quarter century birthday. It has been an interesting journey and one of the most exciting facets of that journey is my enjoyment of Pickleball (America’s fastest growing sport).

My dear best friends helped my wife and I mark this milestone by taking us out to a local Italian restaurant for a wonderful dinner. I made sure to “leave room” because I had a hunch that the dessert was going to be something very special.

Sure enough, they unboxed this amazing pickleball birthday cake.



Note: The pickle and the ball are obvious, but the words on the bottom say “75 (hidden from view) and still dinking it.” The colors were much more vibrant in “real life.”

The cake was scrumptious. It had a vanilla layer and chocolate layer with a thin, tasty layer of raspberry preserves between. All the flavors melded well with the buttercream frosting.

This is truly a birthday to remember!

Pickleball: Reflex Drill – A Ball, A Paddle and a Wall

Jeff

I am one of those people who want to become a better pickleball player, but I don’t like drills; my bad! Most coaches tend to agree that proper drills will do more to help pickleballers improve than will playing games.

Having said that, I often invoke the woe is me defense: “I don’t have a drill partner! Nobody I know wants to drill.” Well, there are some drills that don’t require a partner. What they do require is the will to do them.

Let’s add this question to the “I don’t like drills” equation: “Can pickleballers develop faster reflexes?” Most of the reading I have done from the websites of certified pickleball coaches uphold the idea that reflexes can be improved, i.e. it isn’t necessarily something built into your DNA! Of course we all have physical abilities and limits. Reflexes however can be improved.

Once again I turn to PrimeTime Pickleball and Jordan Briones to show us a drill to help us develop our pickleball reflexes. Good news, all you need is a paddle, a ball and a wall – – – no partner require.

Takeaways: Start by hitting the ball higher so it will take longer to return to you. This is how to sart; slower. Once you can do that well, lower the ball a bit and it will return to you a bit faster. Continue to lower the ball as you get better.

Remember – 1) Watch the ball until it hits the paddle. 2) Hit the ball in front of your body.

I guess I don’t have as many excuses now!

 

More Pickleball Videos and Information

To See additional Pickleball Videos & Information Click Here (primarily for beginners and less experienced players)

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


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All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2018 – JBRish.com



Pickleball: Welcome to the Ball

Jeff

One nice perk of playing pickleball is that there is not a lot of equipment to worry about. Gym clothes and a paddle will usually get you entry into the pickleball scene. Of course you can add a variety of accoutrements, but the bare eseentials are few.

An important item that often gets short shrift is the pickleball itself. Many players just use whatever ball is provided, BUT…there can be a big difference in your game depending on the ball being used!

Whenever we are playing where there are multiple courts and a shot goes astray, there are times when the ball from our court is switched with a ball from another court. Most players just accept this and go on with their game; hmmmm! Is that the best protocol?

If you have been playing with a ball that is a bit softer (from usage) or harder than the one that was replaced, does that affect your game?

Was the ball you were playing with newer or older than the ball you received? Is it smoother or rougher? Does it make a difference?

You might be surprised by the answers, but you can read more about this topic in a post written by Sarah Ansboury: “Tennis Balls vs Pickleballs…There are Differences”

Don’t be confused by the title, there are some good points related to pickleballs and how it affects our play.

*** NOTE ***– I play with several pickleballers who have a color preference for a variety of reasons. Some like the dark green pickleball, others like the light lime-green color, a few like only the white and many prefer the dark orange. There is no right or wrong, in my opinon, as long as it is a USAPA approved pickleball. After all, each side plays with the same ball and needs to adjust accordingly.

One other thing…It is my opinion that when playing on an “indoor”surface like a wooden gymnasium floor, players will have a better pickleball experience if they use an indoor ball. I have seen players use and outdoor ball on such surfaces and they skid quite a bit and this changes the game!

More Pickleball Videos

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)


**********

 

All original content on this blog is copyrighted by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved. While reference links back to JBRish.com are appreciated and encouraged, please acquire approval for any reproduction of original content from this website.

©Jeffrey B. Ross – 2017 – JBRish.com