Pickleball News – 20200305 – Archived Version

March 19, 2020Jeff

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This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter.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!

Latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News – March 5, 2020

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

Get a Pickleball Grip

Get a Grip: My Three Keys

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

********** 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

********** Archived Versions of 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 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

********** Archived Versions of 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

The Mental Side of Pickleball

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019Jeff

It is interesting that today I received two articles about the mental side of pickleball. Both are somewhat related and might be of interest to those who count themselves more competitive than the casual “lets go out and get some exercise” players. Of course there is nothing wrong with just wanting to play to have fun and get exercise. That is one of the wonders of pickleball…it can be enjoyed on many levels!

Sarah Ansboury’s post, Being Present addresses a situation that I have been in at one time or another, but thankfully not that often. What I am talking about is letting something that happened on a previous point affect future play. It doesn’t make a difference if it is in the same game, the last game, the game last week or several months ago.

As Sarah points out, successful athletes have the ability to compartmentalize situations and focus on the here and now. Here is a quote from her article:

That point is over. Whatever happened, happened. That moment in time cannot affect the future unless we choose to let it. If a player focuses on a bad shot, the fact that their last serve did not go in, or what they consider a bad line call they cannot focus on the task at hand, i.e. the current point. To focus all your energy on the current point you must learn to turn off the thoughts that don’t contribute to the moment at hand.

I have played in games when after the game a player focuses on some of his or her mistakes disregarding the very good plays they made. I think that is part of the human condition. At the end of her article Sarah Ansboury says: “There is always something you did well. Focus on that, and forget the rest.” It may be hard to do at first, but its a skill that needs to be developed.

Read the entire article Being Present

**********

On a related topic, In2Pickle.com talks about the Dreaded 9. If you have been playying pickleball for a significant amount of time, you may have been in this situation on one side or the other.

A team is winning by a fair amount, let’s say 9 to 5. Realizing that you only need two points to win, you begin to become more aggressive and end up losing. Tony, of In2Pickle.com, explains the strategy he would use to avoid losing in this situation. I have been on both sides of this scenario and I have noticed the momentum shift.

This too is part of the mental mindset behind winning pickleball. Read Tony’s article, The Dreaded 9!

**********

Pickleball News – 20181103– Archived Version

December 3, 2018March 7, 2019Jeff

Catch the latest N. Phoenix Pickleball News
November 3, 2018

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:

********** City of Phoenix Vendors **********

I have been asked to circulate the message below for those who would like to work in City of Phoenix facilities coaching, selling or teaching. If you don’t have any interest in these opportunities feel free to skip to the next section.

The following information is for becoming a vendor with the City of Phoenix to provide classes or supplies with the Parks and Recreation Department.

Currently the City’s process requires potential vendors to register with the City using a two-step process. Step one, which can be done immediately, enables you to acquire your official City of Phoenix vendor number and be placed on a Qualified Vendor notification list. You will be notified by e-mail when to complete Step two. This process will require you to submit your qualifications with the Parks and Recreation Department to be eligible for the Qualified Vendor List (QVL). This second “QVL” process is only opened twice a year, in late fall and mid spring and again, you will be sent an e-mail notifying you that the list is open. Please click the attached link for further information.

https://www.phoenix.gov/parkssite/Pages/become-a-program-instructor.aspx

Thank you,

John-Mark Shea, Recreation Coordinator II
John.Mark.Shea@phoenix.gov
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation
Pecos Community Center
Office: 602-534-5252

********** Sunnyslope Community Center Sign Up **********

NOTE – This effort is not a part of, or endorsed or sponsored by the City of Phoenix/Parks and Recreation Department. This is an independent attempt to facilitate pickleball play at Sunnyslope CC.

In an effort to support and facilitate pickleball at Sunnyslope as other venues are becoming more crowded, I have created a SignUp Genius page. By using SignUp Genius to indicate that you will be playing at Sunnyslope on a particular day, others will know if there will be enough attendees to have a robust and enjoyable day of pickleball.

If you are interested, please read the description and instructions at this link:

Sunnyslope SignUp Genius

For those interested in playing at Sunnyslope CC, you can get started by scrolling down to the calendar at the link above and click on a date. Enter your information including your email and click Submit and Sign Up. YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT although it is handy. If you run into difficulty, I will try to assist for the first few weeks until the system becomes familiar to those using it – email me.

PS – Low attendance is good for more court time for beginners, those who want extended practice or teaching!

********** Reminder Week of Thanksgiving **********

November 21 is a regular day for community centers. City holiday closures for Thanksgiving – 11/22 & 11/23

********** End of an Era – Onix Pure 2 Orange Pickleball **********

The Bad News

In my effort to purchase replacement Onix Pure 2 Orange Indoor Pickleballs for use at Paradaise Valley CC, I learned that these pickleballs are being discontinued. Many people enjoyed playing with this particular ball because it had a nice bounce, responded well to the paddle and it was very durable.

If you enjoy the Onix Pure 2 and would like to prolong the inevitable you can try to purchase some while supplies last.

There will continue to be a Pure 2 pickleball, but it is designed for outdoor use.

The Good News

Onix is producing a new version of the Orange indoor pickleball which is called the “Fuse.” It is my understanding that the Fuse will also be manufactured in yellow. Communications with other PB ambassadors indicate that the new Fuse does react a bit differently during play, but is very similar. One drawback has been that the ball does not hold up to play as long as the Pure 2 did.

Also on the plus side, the new Onix Fuse Indoor balls have been USAPA Approved for tournaments and I always enjoy playing with sanctioned equipment. [It seemed to me that the Fuse is closer to the color of the original Pure 2 than the pictures indicate.]

Notice that the Fuse does not have a dark imprint of the word ONIX (as of this date) and the FUSE will have USAPA Approved in black ink.

********** Halloween Pickles Came to Play **********

There were a number of players who were at PVCC on 10/31 and they were in the Halloween Spirit. Can you tell which one of these Pickle-ball-players was the dill pickle and which one was the sweet pickle?

********** WORLD TEAM PICKLEBALL LEAGUES COMING SOON **********

Interclub pickleball leagues may be starting in our area soon. Please check www.worldteampickleball.com to learn about their activities. I have been contacted by people who are trying to organize local leagues starting during the winter of 2019. I will share details as they become available to me. I just wanted our players to have a “heads up.”

********** For Those Who Have Read This Far **********

In a recent Internet article Sarah Ansboury, Professional Pickleball Player and Coach makes a very bold statement:

“…today I actually am going to suggest something that will instantly improve your game.”

The issue around which she bases this advice is related to the question – “Does your team have a plan (strategy) for the return of serve and perhaps the third shot?”

She challenges us to do more than just try to get the ball back over the net, and to return it to a player or place on the court to support a strategy. If this is currently beyond your skill level or interest, don’t worry. It is still an interesting read and offers something to which we can all aspire.

You can read MAKE THESE PICKLEBALL DECISIONS BEFORE EVERY POINT by clicking the link/title.

PS – Even during non-competitive club play, it is a positive thing to have a plan before the ball comes at you!

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

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

Regards,

Jeff Ross

Pickleball Paddle: Get the Lead Out!

August 14, 2018Jeff

Lead Tape for Racquet or Paddle Customization

Picture courtesy of Tennis Express

I am going out on a limb here by suggesting that most pickleball players probably do not know that some of the competitive and/or professional players add lead tape to their paddles to change the weight and feel.

Of course there are rules about what can and cannot be done with a paddle and still have it qualify for USAPA certification. I understand that many people don’t play in tournaments, but my personal philosophy is that I want to play with certified and approved equipment whenever I can.

Keeping that in mind, let’s consider what the rule book says about making changes to the paddle:

“2.E.5. Alterations. The only alterations or additions that can be made to a commercially made paddle are edge guard tape, lead tape, changes to the grip size or grip wrap, and adding name decals and/or other identification markings on the paddle face. Decals, markings, and tape can extend no farther than 1.0 inches (2.54 cm) above the top of the grip nor more than 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) inside from the outer edge of a paddle or paddle edge guard if in place. Altered paddles must meet all specifications.”

One of the professional players I follow, Sarah Ansboury, uses quite a bit of lead tape on her paddle. She has written an essay explaining why she does it and what some of the advantages might be.

She ends her blog post with encouraging players to try different things and experiment. Sarah says:

“You can buy 100″ of lead tape on Amazon for under $13, so experimenting won’t break the bank. You may find altering your pickleball paddle just feels more comfortable. And we all know comfort is a key to playing better pickleball.”

Read the entire blog post at the link below. Even if you don’t try it, I think it is an interesting option that many players don’t appreciate.

Should You Add Lead Tape to Your Pickleball Paddle?

Pickkleball: Why do you do what you do?

July 2, 2018July 6, 2018Jeff

When you are playing pickleball and you are ready to return serve, do you try to place the ball in a specific spot on your opponent’s side of the court? If you do, does your partner understand where they need to be to help you defend against the third shot? Do you know where you should be in relationship to your partner to best counter the returning ball?

In a recent post by Sarah Ansboury, Pickleball Tip: Follow the Ball, she explains the importance of knowing “why” you want to accomplish something on the court. She suggests that technique and knowing how to hit the various types of shots are not really enough. Sarah continues to explain why successful players need to follow specific strategies depending upon the variables.

If you want to “up your game” and begin to bring it to another level, check out her recent post by clicking this link:

Pickleball Tip: Follow the Ball

Pickleball: Acquiring and Maintaining the Offense

February 26, 2018Jeff

During a game of pickleball, as you are engaged in the quest for points or a side out, how often are you aware of what I will call your “position of engagement”? Do you know if you are in an offensive, defensive or neutral position?

It may be important for you to understand the difference between these different situations because they should affect your strategy at any given moment in a game.

You might correctly assume that the best position to be in is an offensive one, but what does that mean and how do you get there?

To quote from an article by Sarah Ansboury:

“A big part of thinking offensively is being aware of what position you are in. Defense….neutral…offense. It is difficult to make an effective offensive shot if, at the time, you are in a defensive position. I often see players trying to come up with a marvelous winner when, in fact, they are in a defensive position with only a 50/50 chance of hitting a winner or an error.”

Sarah then goes on to explain her thoughts about the best way to get to an offensive position if you are not currently there.

Learn more about this important and perhaps less considered topic by reading the full article at this link:

Pickleball Defense, Neutral, Offense: Positions You Need to Know

**********

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.

*********

Pickleball: Slow It Down

October 27, 2017Jeff

In my last pickleball post, I included a link to an article which explained that there doesn’t necessarily have to be dinking in any given pickleball game. If you missed that essay, you can catch it at this link:

There’s No Dinking in Pickleball

Below is a short video explaining the opposite view, i.e. why you need to use the slow game (which includes dinking).

Top 3 Reasons You Should Slow The Game Down | Pickleball Quick Tip

If you are convinced that this is something you would like to learn, Deb Harrison explains the general technique in the video below. At one point, she was a proponent of what she referred to as the “elephant dink.” She has since revised her thinking and is now a proponent of a slightly different dinking style.

Here is a video explaining her revised, new technique for hitting the dink.

NOTE – One of the key points she makes is to ALWAYS FACE THE BALL. This is good advice for all shots as champion Sarah Ansboury advocates.

If you would like to improve your soft/slow pickleball skills, here are three videos by 5.0 player Jordan Briones to help you practice dinking.

Pickleball Dink Drill | Straight On Dinks

Pickleball Dink Drill | Forehand Dinks

Pickleball Dink Drill | Backhand Dink

I hope you have found these helpful and that you are inspired to try to improve your dinking!

Pickleball – The 3rd Shot “Drop” Is Not Always the Best Option

July 19, 2017July 19, 2017Jeff

Photo of Pickleball Champion Sarah Ansboury Courtesy of naplesnews.com

Pickleballers who have competed for a period of time and who have investigated how to improve their skills, have probably been given the impression that the third shot drop shot is the holy grail of pickleball championships.

In a recent blog post, Sarah Ansboury explains that although the third shot drop is very important and is a necessary skill for those seeking to move upward beyond average pickleball play, it isn’t the only option.

In part, she explains:

“Remember, the goal of the third shot drop is to give you and your partner time to get to the non-volley zone when the other team is already there. However, if your opponents are not yet all the way to the net your best bet is to keep them back. Hitting a hard, flat ball to the deeper player is always a good option. In fact, dropping it into the non-volley zone will actually give them time to come forward. When you can capture the net before your opponents, you have the advantage. Don’t invite them to join you! Keep them back.”

You can read the entire article on Sarah’s website:

The Third Shot Drop is Important…But Not Your Only Option

Sarah Ansboury has won many pickleball championships. She is a coach and player who shares her hard-earned knowledge of pickleball via her blog. You can read more about her HERE.

Pickleball – Lose Time, Lose the Point!

March 30, 2017Jeff

Sarah Ansboury has won many pickleball championships. She is a coach and player who shares her hard-earned knowledge of pickleball via her blog. You can read more about her HERE.

Sarah recently wrote an article, The Most Common and Most Deadly Pickleball Mistake , in which she explains how in our fast sport of pickleball seconds and fractions of seconds can make a difference.

As she explains, one way we lose time is by not returning to the ready position. This is often seen during a dinking sequence. Most players, and I am one of them, tend to keep their paddle down when dinking begins. What happens if the ball is returned as a forehand or an intended lob and our paddles are down? We now have to move the paddle farther to attempt a return.

You can read the entire article at the link above to see how Sarah Ansboury recommends you improve your game by eliminating this bad habit.

A companion article which continues the theme is Returning a Lob Serve…Take Time Away from Your Opponent.

JBRish.com – quips & queries

A life of musings, queries, quips and quandaries

Sarah Ansboury

Pickleball News – 20200305 – Archived Version

The Mental Side of Pickleball

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball News – 20181103– Archived Version

Pickleball Paddle: Get the Lead Out!

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickkleball: Why do you do what you do?

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball: Acquiring and Maintaining the Offense

More Pickleball Videos and Information

Pickleball: Paddle Dos and Don’ts

More Pickleball Videos

Pickleball: Slow It Down

More Pickleball Videos

Pickleball – The 3rd Shot “Drop” Is Not Always the Best Option

More Pickleball Videos

Pickleball – Lose Time, Lose the Point!

More Pickleball Videos