Pickleball News – 20220801– Archived Version

January 2, 2023February 13, 2023Jeff

Latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News – November 2, 20222

Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter
OLD NEWS

This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter.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

Latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News – November 2, 20222

Hello N. Phoenix Pickleball Players and Friends:

*****Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships *****

One of the major national pickleball tournaments is coming to a court or screen near you!

The Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships will feature Live @ Nationals with expansive coverage on ESPN+, For The Fans, Roku, Selkirk TV and YouTube, and over 80 total hours of live action from 3 courts. The program will provide coverage from November 8 – 13 (originally they had the 5th as the start date which apparently was an error!- see their graphic above!!) on the respective platforms and accessible from the official event website.

********** Celbrities are buying Pickleball Teams **********

Read the story about LeBron James HERE

and Tom Brady HERE

Reset the Point to
********** Get out of a Jam **********

USA Pickleball
********** Rule Changes **********

DID YOU KNOW that the USA Pickleball website maintains a list of proposed rule changes and those that have been passed and those that failed to be accepted?

One rule change (ID #521) that seems likely to go into effect in 2023 is the “Clothing as a distraction” rule. For years I argued that in tournament play, players should not be able to wear clothing that is the same (or very similar) color to that of the ball being used. There are times, depending upon the server’s motion, that a ball matching a garment color would be difficult to pick up immediately upon serve.

If you want to see the proposed rules, the USAP Board Voting Status and the USAP Rules Committee Voting Status click THIS LINK: [ See Hints Below ]

HINTS:

1 – There are multiple pages of proposed changes. Look at the upper, right-hand side above the headings and you will see numbers 1 through 6. Click on 6 to see most of the current rules that have passed.

2 – Reading the “View Details” notes often clarifies the reasons for and the anticipated results of the rule change.

To read about the rule change process or suggest one of your own, visit THIS WEB PAGE!

For Advanced Players
********** Around the Post Shots & Strategies **********

1 – ATPs – Around The Post shots – A pickleball shot can go around the side of the net without going directly over the net and still be a valid shot!
2 – Court Coverage

NOTE – There are many courts where there is not enough room around the courts to attempt ATPs so be very careful and AVOID RUNNING ONTO ADJACENT COURTS WHEN PLAY IS IN SESSION!

Doubles Strategy
********** Getting to the Net **********

While the video below is a demonstration of “higher level play,” there are good, basic strategies discussed by Jordan Briones throughout (don’t rush the net willy-nilly, court coverage, when to move back as a defensive strategy, and more).

********** Pickleball Problems Podcast **********

For those who cannot get enough pickleball or who want something of interest to listen to in the car while driving, you may want to drop by Mark Renneson’s Pickleball Problems website to check out his podcasts.

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

Stay Well and Play Safely!

Regards,

Jeff Ross
N. Phoenix Pickleball Enthusiast

Pickleball News – 20201124 – Archived Version

December 18, 2020Jeff

Latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News – November 24, 2020

Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter
OLD NEWS

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

Hello N. Phoenix Pickleball Players:

Before I begin with the “news,” I want to encourage everyone to read the USA Pickleball’s Statement on the Coronavirus.

So…You Want to Be a
********** Pickleball Referee **********

The Following information comes to us from Lynn & Linda Laymon via Larry “Bud” Lite – Southwest Regional Director.

In our capacity as regional Referee Training Coordinators we are trying to gauge interest for an online referee training course, primarily to support the Southwest Regional tournament, but also to increase the number of trained refs for all future tournaments.

The interactive course would utilize the USA Pickleball PowerPoint presentation in one or two sessions totaling 3 to 4 hours. We ask that, prior to the course, participants watch the Referee Quick Start video and read through the Rulebook and Referee Handbook, located in the Officiating section of the USA Pickleball website (https://usapickleball.org/get-involved/pickleball-officiating/).

In order to access the Zoom platform all that is required is a computer and Internet connection; the access code will be provided. The training would take place in January to encompass the newly revised rules. It will be free, but we would expect to elicit an agreement from participants that they would begin to practice their skills during recreational play and eventually at local tournaments, since we cannot meet in person for on-court training. We will also work with Certified refs in the region to connect participants with opportunities for supervised practice and skill assessment for a rating.

Could you please utilize your regional Ambassador organization to spread the word?

Anyone interested in referee training should contact us at laymonwalden@gmail.com

Once we have an idea of those interested we will set up a time and date.

Thanks,
Stay safe!

Lynn & Linda Laymon
USA Pickleball Southwest Region
Referee Training Coordinators

Free Pickleball Strategy Course
********** By Mark Renneson *********

Many of you know Mark Renneson of Third Shot Sports. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mark, he is a premier pickleball coach and advocate. He also provides on-air commentary for some of our most prestigious tournaments. Mark has partnered with Selkirk Sports to develop a pickleball strategy course.

For some of our advanced PB friends, much of this may be repetitive. Like most sport-related skill development or learning however, we often tend to forget some of the subtle tips, tricks and suggestions discovered if they are not reinforced.

For those who have been away from pickleball for some time because of COVID-19 or other reasons, this may serve as a good refresher.

Here is what you can expect…

Receive a free Pickleball strategy video every day for 14 days:

Learn never before revealed strategies
Discover what pro players do differently
Elevate your technical skills to win more games

If you are interested, here is the link to sign up for the FREE PICKLEBALL STRATEGY COURSE.

PPA Mesa Grand Slam Qualifier
Feb. 18-21, 2021
********** $55K Prize Pool *********

– Grand Slam Filling Fast –

PPA event at Mesa Tennis Center in Mesa, AZ
Pro & Skill/Age events
Over 910 players already registered
Registration ends 2/21/21

Registration Information HERE:

Find other tournaments HERE AND click “Tournaments” on the top menu.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THIS FAR

How To Generate Effortless Power
********** On Your Pickleball Serve *********

Jordon Briones, of PrimeTime Pickleball, provides three tips that will help playaers generate more power on their pickleball serve which he claims has “devastating speed.”

Watch Below!

********** 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

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

Marketing Image USAPA 1

Join the USA Pickleball Association – Click HERE for More Information!

Marketing Image USAPA 2

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

Stay Well and Play Safely!

Regards,

Jeff Ross

Pickleball: is the Third Shot Drop Offensive or Defensive

October 7, 2020Jeff

Mark Renneson, Third Shot Sports, discusses offensive and defensive shots/tactics in the video below. He then continues to examine whether the third shot drop shot (the gold standard of professional pickleball) is an offensive or defensive play. If you haven’t thought about this before, I think you will find this interesting.

**********

Pickleball: Is it SAFE to Play?

March 25, 2020Jeff

As our nation works its way through this national emergency I am sure there a number of pickleball players are wondering whether there is a safe way to play pickleball. Of course the word “safe” may be a relative term.

To help JBRish readers decide for themselves whether or not it is safe, I would like to offer the following resources.

NOTE the interview below is by a licensed and well-respected medical professional.

********************

Can We Play Pickleball Please?
********** The quick answer is NO! **********

Below is an excerpt from the above article written by the Pickleball Rocks Team. Pickleball Rocks is a long-time business that has supported our sport for many years. I am sure the information they are providing is with your best interest in mind.

To play almost 100% safely….

1) You must wash the balls before you begin your game.
2) Every person on the court would have been through 14 days of isolation directly prior to coming out to play. This would assure they have not unknowingly picked up the virus anywhere. If they’ve been anywhere around people after completing the 14 days of isolation and prior to coming to play, they could potentially be carriers again, so invite someone else.
3) Any benches or chairs at the court would need to be sanitized.
4) The courts you are about to play on haven’t had anyone carrying the virus playing on the courts in the last 9 days (supposedly that is the maximum about a time the virus can live on a hard surface). So there is no danger of the ball picking up the virus while you are playing.

Read the complete article for more information and details by clicking HERE

EP 35: Pickleball and Covid-19 – What You Need to Know
********** How Safe is it to be Playing Pickleball? **********

Please understand that the opinions expressed in this interview are not my opinions. The views are those of the interviewer, Mark Renneson and Dr. Anne Matlow (Professor of Medicine, Paediatrics, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and retired infectious disease physician who was on Ontario’s provincial advisory committee during the SARS outbreak of 2003.)

The interview is via telephone and some of the audio is low-volume. To go to the page with the interview, CLICK HERE and click the green arrow! I recommend listening to the entire interview to get all of the information presented.

NOTE – Mark Renneson has been a good friend to pickleballers around the world especially in the US and Canada. I have featured a number of his videos on my website and in newsletters I send to you.

In his latest newsletter Mark asks for help keeping his small business functioning. Click HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO READ HIS PERSONAL MESSAGE !

Thank you for your consideration in this regard.

**********

Pickleball News – 20190423 – Archived Version

May 1, 2019Jeff

April 23, 2019

Hello Phoenix Area Players:

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!

********** City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation **********
Summer Pickleball Schedule

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation has published their summer pickleball schedule.

Current Schedule – Above

To download a color PDF copy of the 2019 Summer, Phoenix Community Center Pickleball Schedule, click HERE!

I want to thank the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department for giving us a timely copy. ALSO…please keep in mind that “things happen” and adjustments may be made to the schedule. I know we all appreciate the summer accommodations considering that the youngsters need to have time at our Community Centers.

*** 2019 Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships ***

2018 WOMEN’S PRO SINGLES Champion – Simone Jardim

Naples, Florida is hosting the Minto US Pickleball Open Championship this year from April 27-May 4, 2019 with singles, doubles and mixed doubles contests.

Information from the website linked below tells us:

Pickleball grew from 3.1 million players last year to 3.3 million this year.

Players will be coming from 48 states and 16 countries.

Players range from age 11 through age 86.

“National television: The event will be covered by CBS Sports Network and live streamed on CBS Sports Live from May 1 – May 4 on their app. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the finals at a later date.”

I believe our good friend Mark Renneson from Third Shot Sports will be one of the commentators which is good for us. Mark is often able to gather additional videos to share with his followers and I will link to them on my websites via pikcleball posts when they become available. You can look for them by following this link:

JBRish.com Pickleball

For those who use a two-handed backhand, watch to see how well upcoming pickleballer Lindsey Newman, recently highlighted by Selkirk Sports, does.

Selkirk Athlete, Lindsey Newman

To read more about the 2019 Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships from the organizers, click HERE.

********** Don’t Play Pickleball Like a Tree, Move **********

The ultimate goal of both players on a team to work their way up to the NVZ and hold that position can, at times, be carried to an extreme especially when a dink game ensues. In the video below, Jordan Briones, – Prime Time Pickleball Coach – details when it is advisable to back up and move away from the NVZ line as a smart strategy.

********** Partner Communication **********

Wherever and whenever we play pickleball, it is always a good idea to develop some method of communicating with our partners. I have probably shared this video before, but it deserves to be repeated.

Did you ever notice how much better your “team” does when you play several games with the same partner? Generally speaking, that is because some “communication” has evolved.

Thanks to Mark Renneson from Third Shot Sports for explaining why!

********** 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

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

Join the USAPA – Click HERE for More Information

Join the USAPA

Picture Courtesy of Pickleball Magazine and the USAPA

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

I hope to see you on the courts!

Regards,

Jeff Ross

Pickleball: Review, Repeat, Reward – The Dink

April 6, 2019Jeff

The cast of a Broadway show involved in a long-run hit is called together on a routine basis, perhaps twice a month or more, to walk through the script repeating their lines and discussing issues that might have arisen since the last review. One might ask why, after performing so many shows over the course of weeks, would they need to go over the script in a rehearsal mode.

The answer is rather simple. Over time, words in a script get dropped or modified and over time, a sentence may take on a meaning that was not intended by the author. This type of review is not unusual, but standard operating procedure.

What does this have to do with pickleball?

I think the answer is relatively simple. From what I have read and witnessed, most pickleballers are not tournament players. They like recreational pickleball and enjoy the fun and benefits of social, competition and exercise.

When we learn to play pickleball, many of us are taught certain skills such as the proper dink technique and unless you are a serious competitive or tournament player, the odds are you don’t “practice” much and that’s OK. Many of us just enjoy playing and don’t enjoy (or desire to) practice.

Although I prefer to play more than practice, I am interested in improving and doing better and therein lies the rub. Every once in a while, I like to review how to execute certain skills such as dinking, the overhead smash, serving, etc. That doesn’t mean I am going to spend hours practicing. What it does mean is that I will pay more attention to how I execute certain shots and focus on proper technique when I do play. Hopefully I will pick up a tip or two (or just a reminder) that will help me improve my current skill set so that I can perform better.

With that in mind, I am including two videos for those who want a refresher on dinking skills. This is an important, yet often overlooked part of the game that tends to favor the more dramatic power shot.

Best Pickleball Dink Technique

When you are at the net and receive a low ball, you must be careful not to pop up something high and attackable. A dink (yes, that’s what it is called) is a great response to a low ball since it makes it hard for the other team to pounce. In this video from Third Shot Sports, coach Mark Renneson breaks down some key elements to a great dink.

Pay attention to the following:

* Point of contact
* Short stroke on the shot
* Stiff (stable) wrist (and arm)
* Maintain proper balance

Dinking Strategy – 3 Steps to Dominate with Dinks & the #1 dink you must avoid

Jordan Briones of Primetime Pickleball explains some of the more modern strategies behind the dinking game. Learn what a dead dink is and how to avoid them.

I hope you have found this review useful and that it helps you enjoy your play even more!

**********

Pickleball: Explained Q & D Video

February 3, 2019February 3, 2019Jeff

As a USAPA Pickleball Ambassador and enthusiast, I am often asked to answer the question: What is pickleball? Luckily for me, most people asking the question have heard something about the sport and have a vague idea of how it is played.

It is a difficult answer to give in a quick and concise manner. It was originally developed as a family sport and because of that it has some interesting, others might suggest strange, rules! Let me just say that it is a lot of fun! Most people who try pickleball continue to play and many become “hooked.”

Pickleball-It's Like Tennis, only Better!

Picture Courtesy of Third Shot Sports

Mark Renneson of Third Shot Sports – Pickleball, who is a tournament player, coach and commentator, has created a relatively short and concise video that gives a quick explanation of the sport of pickleball. Keep in mind that this is just an introduction and viewers may have a number of questions. If you would like more information, leave a comment or question below and I will do my best to provide an answer.

If you want to get a good idea of what pickleball is, watch the video below:

NOTE – If you like the shirt pictured above and would like to purchase one, visit Mark’s website: Pickleball-It’s Like Tennis, only Better!

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Pickleball: Between Games Don’t Just Wait

August 17, 2018Jeff

When you are playing in a non-tournament situation what exactly is your goal? Is it to get exercise? Is it to have fun? Is it to do your best? Is it to do everything you can to win? Whatever your goal may be, I think we all want to do well.

The question then arises…If you are at a club and there is a ten or fifteen minute wait between games, what do you do with that time? I think depending upon your answer to the goal question above, you may have a couple of different answers, but some coaches suggest that there are several things to consider doing.

* If there is space, can you get on a practice court and stay warm?

* Is there a wall you can use to hit against? You can practice your dink or reflex vollies.

* Can you do some in-place movement to stay limber?

NOTE – The ideas above were excerpted from the article 3 Pre-Game Tricks to Play Better Matches by Mark Renneson. While his essay focuses on those in tournament or more serious play, I believe we can all benefit from his admonition that between games “Don’t just stand (or sit) there.”

If you are a serious, competitive player, you might want to check out the article linked above.

Pickleball Video: Oh, Oh…Move Back!

January 26, 2018Jeff

When I am playing at one of the Community Centers and I watch the games, I notice that most of the time, when a player is at the NVZ (net), they tend to stay there in almost every situation.

There is one school of thought that actually recommends this strategy, but there are times when it might be better to back up to give yourself more time to return a ball coming at you quickly.

Mark Renneson of Third Shot Sports has video to explain why…

Pickleball Strategy: 3/4 Court Defence

If you can’t get enough of pickleball and you like to listen to podcasts (web broadcast like radio), Mark also has a Pickleball Problem show. You can download them into an app or listen to them directly from the web page

Pickleball Problems

There are some very good hints and you get to hear what pickleball problems others are having.

Pickleball: Paddle Dos and Don’ts

November 30, 2017Jeff

I haven’t written about pickleball in a while and today I thought I would talk about one aspect that most players probably take for granted. Before I get into the detials however, let me explain something about stagecraft.

When a theater production is prolonged and continues for months, every week or two weeks, the crew, actors, stage managers, director, etc. would conduct a walk through of the play to see if anything has inadvertently been changed. They recite the dialogue and compare it to the written script. They want to ascertain if any words have been altered, if all the the props are in their precise location and if the blocking (marks where actors are to stand) have remained intact. All of these are checked and double checked.

The reason this is important is because over time, simple changes seem to creep in and even though they may not be huge deviations, when added together, they can alter the production.

Now back to pickleball…

How many times have you reviewed how you hold the paddle when you are playing? Is it possible that your grip has gotten a bit off kilter? Is the face of your paddle in the correct orientation when striking the ball?

Mark Renneson of Third Shot Sports has an interesting video about keeping the paddle in the proper orientation when hitting the ball.

Sarah Ansboury also shares some thoughts about proper paddle placement/orientation in a recently penned essay. She goes on to explain

“One of the biggest differences between an advanced and intermediate pickleball player is where they hold their paddle…”

And she goes on to offer further details. You can read the entire essay, Pickleball Bulleye: You Have One on Your Chest, at her website.

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JBRish.com – quips & queries

A life of musings, queries, quips and quandaries

Mark Renneson

Pickleball News – 20220801– Archived Version

Pickleball News – 20201124 – Archived Version

Pickleball: is the Third Shot Drop Offensive or Defensive

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball: Is it SAFE to Play?

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball News – 20190423 – Archived Version

Pickleball: Review, Repeat, Reward – The Dink

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball: Explained Q & D Video

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball: Between Games Don’t Just Wait

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball Video: Oh, Oh…Move Back!

More Pickleball Videos

Pickleball: Paddle Dos and Don’ts

More Pickleball Videos