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Better Pickleball

8/22/2024

Better Pickleball: Elevate Your Game
By Wayne Preston
Pickleball is more than just a game; it’s a community, a passion, and for many, a way of life. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, there’s always room to improve and enjoy the game even more. Here are some tips to help you play better pickleball and have more fun on the court.

1. Master the Basics Before diving into advanced techniques, ensure you have a solid grasp of the basics. This includes understanding the rules, mastering the serve, and getting comfortable with the dink shot. Consistency in these fundamental areas will set a strong foundation for your game.

2. Focus on Footwork Good footwork is crucial in pickleball. It allows you to position yourself correctly for each shot and maintain balance. Practice drills that improve your agility and speed. Remember, being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference.

3. Develop a Strong Serve A strong serve can give you an immediate advantage. Work on different types of serves, such as the power serve, the spin serve, and the soft serve. Varying your serve keeps your opponents guessing and can disrupt their rhythm.

4. Improve Your Dinking Dinking is an essential skill in pickleball, especially in the kitchen area. Practice soft, controlled shots that land just over the net. This can force your opponents to make mistakes and open up opportunities for you to attack.

5. Communicate with Your Partner In doubles, communication is key. Always talk to your partner about positioning, strategy, and shot selection. Clear communication can prevent confusion and ensure you both work as a cohesive unit.

6. Stay Mentally Tough Pickleball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Stay focused, positive, and resilient, even when things aren’t going your way. Mental toughness can help you overcome challenges and stay competitive throughout the match.

7. Keep Learning The pickleball community is full of resources to help you improve. Watch instructional videos, read articles, and attend clinics or workshops. Learning from others can provide new insights and techniques to enhance your game.

8. Have Fun Above all, remember to have fun. Pickleball is a social sport that brings people together. Enjoy the camaraderie, the competition, and the joy of playing. When you’re having fun, you’re more likely to play your best.

By incorporating these tips into your practice routine, you’ll be well on your way to playing better pickleball. Keep pushing yourself, stay dedicated, and most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Happy playing!

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Mastering the Art of Pickleball Serving: Strategies and Techniques

8/16/2023

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Serving is a pivotal aspect of pickleball, setting the tone for each point and dictating the flow of the game. A well-executed serve can put your opponents on the defensive right from the start, giving you a strategic advantage. In this article, we'll explore the intricacies of pickleball serving, including techniques, strategies, and tips to enhance your game.

The Serve: Setting the Stage

The serve in pickleball is a foundational shot that initiates the point. It's a unique blend of finesse, precision, and strategy. Understanding the key elements of an effective serve can greatly impact your success on the court.

Your stance should be balanced and slightly open to the court, with your non-dominant foot slightly forward. This stance provides stability and allows for quick movement after the serve.

Grip and Stance

Before serving, ensure you have the correct grip on your paddle. The most common grip is the "continental" grip, where the paddle handle rests diagonally across your palm. This grip allows for versatility in generating different types of spin and power.

Your stance should be balanced and slightly open to the court, with your non-dominant foot slightly forward. This stance provides stability and allows for quick movement after the serve.

Types of Serves

Flat Serve: This is a straightforward, low spin serve aimed at speed. Use a fluid motion to strike the ball cleanly and direct it diagonally across the court. A well-executed flat serve can catch opponents off guard and limit their response time.
Topspin Serve: Apply topspin to the ball by brushing it upward while serving. This type of spin causes the ball to dip more quickly after crossing the net, making it challenging for opponents to return. The topspin serve is effective for forcing opponents into a defensive position.
Slice Serve: The slice serve involves brushing the ball downward during the serve. This imparts a backspin that causes the ball to bounce lower after crossing the net. The slice serve can be used to keep opponents on their toes and restrict their offensive options.

Placement and Strategy

Effective placement is crucial in pickleball serving. Aim to place your serves in the opponent's "kitchen" or no-volley zone, which is the area closest to the net. By doing so, you force opponents to hit the ball from a disadvantageous position, increasing the likelihood of an error.

Vary your serves to keep opponents guessing. Mix up your serve type, speed, and placement to create uncertainty and prevent opponents from settling into a rhythm. A consistent element of surprise in your serving can give you a significant edge.

Foot Faults and Etiquette

Be cautious of foot faults, which occur when any part of your foot touches the baseline or the court beyond it during the serve. To avoid this, practice your footwork and ensure a clean take-off during your serve. Foot faults can lead to points being deducted from your score, so pay attention to this aspect of your game.
Pickleball is known for its sportsmanship and friendly atmosphere. Show respect to your opponents by waiting for their readiness before serving and adhering to the rules and etiquette of the game.

Practice and Perseverance

Like any skill in sports, pickleball serving requires practice to master. Spend time refining your techniques and experimenting with different strategies. Work on your consistency and control while also developing the ability to adapt to different opponents' playing styles.

Conclusion

The art of pickleball serving combines technical prowess, strategic acumen, and mental agility. By understanding the various serve types, honing your grip and stance, and embracing strategic placement, you can become a force to be reckoned with on the pickleball court. Remember, serving is not just about hitting the ball over the net; it's about seizing control of the game and setting yourself up for success. With dedication and practice, your serves can become a potent weapon in your pickleball arsenal.

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National Pickleball Day 2023

8/8/2023

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If you're seeking a departure from activities like badminton, tennis, squash, and ping-pong, consider giving pickleball a shot! This engaging racket sport amalgamates aspects from various other racket-based games. Notably, there exists a designated National Pickleball Day, commemorated on August 8 in the United States and on the second Saturday of August in Canada.

The inception of pickleball involved a fusion of influences from badminton, tennis, and table tennis: the playing court resembles that of badminton, the net is akin to a tennis net, and the paddles bear semblance to those employed in table tennis. Curiously, the ball's design was modeled after a wiffle ball, constructed from plastic and perforated with holes. Pickleball is a game enjoyed by either two or four players, utilizing paddles to propel a ball over a net.

The origins of pickleball date back to 1965 when Joel Pritchard, a member of the Washington House of Representatives (later serving in the United States House of Representatives and as the 14th Lieutenant Governor of Washington), embarked on its creation. During a leisurely Saturday afternoon, Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell discovered their families yearning for amusement upon returning from a game of golf. In lieu of the missing badminton shuttlecock, Pritchard and Bell encouraged their children to devise a novel game. The result led them to experiment at a badminton court, employing assorted rackets and balls.

The inaugural game of pickleball was played employing a wiffle ball alongside table tennis rackets. Subsequently, the Cosom Fun Ball replaced the wiffle ball, and Barney McCallum, another of Pritchard's companions, enhanced the paddle design. This collaborative effort led to the establishment of Pickle Ball, Inc. in 1968, with the game's name trademarked in 1972.

Presently, pickleball stands as the swiftest growing sport across North America. Its proliferation can be ascribed to its popularity within public parks, physical education classes, community and youth centers, private fitness clubs, and retirement communities. Additionally, the surge in interest towards outdoor activities and sports, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to its ascent. Notably, in 2022, the Washington State Legislature designated pickleball as the official state sport of Washington.

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The History of Pickleball

7/31/2023

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The history of pickleball is an interesting tale of innovation and recreation that dates back to the mid-20th century. Here's a brief overview of how the sport came to be:

Origins (1965): Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA, by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. The story goes that their families were looking for a new game to play, and they improvised with some equipment they had on hand.
Naming the Game: The game was initially played with a plastic ball, a badminton net, and ping-pong paddles. The name "pickleball" is said to have come from the Pritchard family's dog, Pickles, who would often run off with the ball during their early matches. As a result, they playfully called it "pickleball."
Spread in Popularity: Pickleball's popularity grew steadily within the local community on Bainbridge Island and the surrounding area. As players began to introduce the game to friends and neighbors, it quickly spread to other regions in the United States and beyond.
Formalization and Rules Development: In the late 1960s, the first pickleball court was created, and the game began to be played more formally. The rules were established, and the game's unique characteristics, such as the non-volley zone, were set in place.
National Recognition (1970s): In the 1970s, the sport gained significant traction and became organized, with the formation of the USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association) in 1984 to oversee and promote the sport.
Global Expansion: Pickleball's popularity continued to grow across the United States and internationally. Many countries adopted the sport, leading to the formation of various national pickleball organizations and the inclusion of pickleball in international tournaments.
Continued Growth (2000s - Present): In the 2000s, pickleball experienced a surge in popularity, especially among older adults, due to its ease of play and low impact on joints. The sport also gained recognition in schools, community centers, and retirement communities.
Competitive Scene: Today, pickleball has a thriving competitive scene, with numerous tournaments and championships held at various levels of play. The sport continues to attract players of all ages and skill levels and has become one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in the world.

Overall, pickleball's fascinating history is a testament to the power of innovation and the joy of recreational sports, as it evolved from a simple family game into a global phenomenon cherished by millions of players worldwide.

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Better Pickleball

Mastering the Art of Pickleball Serving: Strategies and Techniques

National Pickleball Day 2023

The History of Pickleball

Wayne Preston

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