Christmas Party

What fun! Food, games and good company. Thanks to Sharon and Don Stangel for hosting the second annual Christmas party. This year we changed things up with a White Elephant gift exchange, thanks to Susan Bankos. According to the rules, a gift could be "stolen" to become the prized possession of another, so notice how many times you see Jane Klettke opening a different gift. You're a good sport, Jane!

 

Not sure this is your style Bill, but be sure to cut off the tag.

Oh my!!!!!!

Christmas candle holder for Santa.

Someone else is eying Snoopy.

Oops. Snoopy found a new home.

A four legged friend for Sue. How purrfect!

Mikey's excited.

Planters for the spring. Now you have to get through winter.

The singing hamburger. We think Chase will love this.

The vodka glasses become popular. Watch and see.

Love the earrings, Diane

Jane's first gift.

Charlene took the "steal".

Jane's second gift. A nice frame becomes another's.

Jane's third gift. I think she wanted this to be a keeper, but Harold wanted Paul's, let's say, unusual coffe mug and Paul wanted Janes's wine and opener. Sorry Jane, one more gift to open.

Jane's fourth and final gift. A sailboat clock. Ahoy mate.

Hmmmm, do I eat this or bathe in it?

Bill stole the glasses and Gary gets puzzled.

Now Gene can hone your Pickleball skill on the kitchen table.

I get the Christmas light box, but lost it to????

Dorothy wanted the garland and got her wish.

Robert got an antique mirror, but lost it to yours truly when I lost the Xmas light block.

Harold's thrilled with Paul's mug. His Bible study group has a surprise coming.

Court positioning

Tips from a Pro...

Court Positioning...

By Mark Friedenberg

I once played in a major Pro-Am racquetball tournament in Seattle, Wash., where I asked one of the big professionals, “What is the most important thing that I can learn and practice in racquetball?” He thought about it and said, “Court positioning.” Then he walked away! What did he mean? After a while I finally realized what he was talking about! My definition of court positioning is, “Your position on the court in relationship to your partner, your opponents and the ball. Where you position yourself on the court will prevent or limit errors. The fewer errors you make, the more points you win. The more points you win, the more games you will win. And whether you are solely recreational or a tournament player, we all want to win.
The highest chance for errors and lost points is the return of serve. In my clinics and lessons I have always preached, “Forehand, forehand, forehand!” For most players your forehand is your strongest and most reliable stroke. Use it! I know, I hear this all the time, “But my backhand is my best stroke.” If you observe players in your area, you will see that most of their errors are made on backhand strokes. Also, most backhand strokes are defensive shots, whereas forehand strokes are offensive shots.
You must position yourself for a forehand return. Therefore, right-handers stay to the left and left-handers stay to the right. Position yourself so that you can use a forehand on the return of serve. I also position myself for a forehand return when I am the server. I serve and return in the same spot.

Editors' Note: Mark Friedenberg is the author of The Official Pickleball Handbook.

Pickleball Rating for those who are interested

Ways To Get a USAPA Skill Rating…
By Chris Thomas, USAPA Ratings Chair
 
I've recently received emails from players asking how they get an official USAPA skill rating. There are basically two methods. One is to receive a recommendation from a Tournament Director (TD), usually of a sanctioned USAPA tournament at which the TD and others have viewed the player. Based on the TD’s observations and the player’s results in the tournament, the TD sends an e-mail to me at ratingschair@usapa.org. If there is no further research to be conducted the player will be informed via e-mail of either his or her initial rating or a rating change. The rating will then be entered as a “T” fortournament rating, in the USAPA.org player rating file.
The second method is for the player to review the skill level definitions at USAPA.org to determine what his skill level may be. The player then e-mails the ratings chair (ratingschair@usapa.org) with a request to be self-rated, and includes any supporting data such as recent tournament results, etc. The ratings chair reviews the request and informs the player of the decision. Such a rating would be an “S” type for self-rated in the USAPA ratings file.
Both “S” and “T” are official USAPA skill ratings. Unrated players, those that have no official USAPA rating, will often rate themselves to enter a tournament. It’s important to understand that this is the player’s self-assessment for a particular tournament, not an official USAPA rating. In fact, TDs of sanctioned USAPA tournaments have the authority and flexibility to assign a tournament rating to any unrated player for that tournament, based on the TD’s knowledge and observations of the player. It is only after the tournament is completed and the TD sends in a recommendation to the ratings chair that the player would subsequently be assigned an official USAPA rating.
There are a limited number of individuals and rating committees who have the authority to assign ratings. These rating committees have a more comprehensive knowledge of the individual player, and these committees efficiently distribute the ratings workload with regard to the explosive growth of this sport. In these situations, the individuals or rating committees who update the ratings file need to inform the player via e-mail of a rating change.
You can review more information on skill ratings at: http://www.usapa.org/ratings-usapa/.
 

Pickleball Rating for those who are interested

Ways To Get a USAPA Skill Rating…
By Chris Thomas, USAPA Ratings Chair
 
I've recently received emails from players asking how they get an official USAPA skill rating. There are basically two methods. One is to receive a recommendation from a Tournament Director (TD), usually of a sanctioned USAPA tournament at which the TD and others have viewed the player. Based on the TD’s observations and the player’s results in the tournament, the TD sends an e-mail to me at ratingschair@usapa.org. If there is no further research to be conducted the player will be informed via e-mail of either his or her initial rating or a rating change. The rating will then be entered as a “T” fortournament rating, in the USAPA.org player rating file.
The second method is for the player to review the skill level definitions at USAPA.org to determine what his skill level may be. The player then e-mails the ratings chair (ratingschair@usapa.org) with a request to be self-rated, and includes any supporting data such as recent tournament results, etc. The ratings chair reviews the request and informs the player of the decision. Such a rating would be an “S” type for self-rated in the USAPA ratings file.
Both “S” and “T” are official USAPA skill ratings. Unrated players, those that have no official USAPA rating, will often rate themselves to enter a tournament. It’s important to understand that this is the player’s self-assessment for a particular tournament, not an official USAPA rating. In fact, TDs of sanctioned USAPA tournaments have the authority and flexibility to assign a tournament rating to any unrated player for that tournament, based on the TD’s knowledge and observations of the player. It is only after the tournament is completed and the TD sends in a recommendation to the ratings chair that the player would subsequently be assigned an official USAPA rating.
There are a limited number of individuals and rating committees who have the authority to assign ratings. These rating committees have a more comprehensive knowledge of the individual player, and these committees efficiently distribute the ratings workload with regard to the explosive growth of this sport. In these situations, the individuals or rating committees who update the ratings file need to inform the player via e-mail of a rating change.
You can review more information on skill ratings at: http://www.usapa.org/ratings-usapa/.
 

Bicycle trip to Lanesboro, MN

Our group not only plays Pickleball, but we like to bike. Many of us went to Southeast, MN to the Cottage House Inn to bike to Root River Trail. We biked during the day and rewarded ourselves at the pie shops along the trail for a ride well done. Then it was more food, drinks and games before and after dinner. A good time was had by all, so much so that we'll do it again next year. 

The town is seriously considering painting lines on their 2 tennis courts for Pickleball. Seems we were't the only ones to visit Lanesboro that wanted to play. Hopefully, next year it will be biking and Pickleball. We'll let you know when we go. Perhaps more of you would like to joun us.

There are beautiful large homes In town that were built in the early 1900's by wealthy New Yorkers who thought this was a wonderful, cool place to spend their summers. Today, most of them are B and B's.

A view of the River from a hillside

Along the trail

We have no idea what Don is thinking. Looks like Sue is trying to fugue it out and is as perplexed as we are.

A really neat diner. The only one at the counter that doesn't belong to our group is the guy in the maroon shirt.

Some of the old mansions, now B & B's.

Round Robin

Our last summer Round Robin was a big success. Thanks to Gene Bohman's suggestion, we played two separate tournaments, one ladies and one men's. It was a nice change and everyone enjoined it.

We had fierce competition between ourselves and the wind. Sometimes the wind won!

The ladies winners were: 1st Diane lambert,  tie for 2nd Pat Wehmeyer and Kathy Zugel, 3rd Sharon Stangel.

The men's winners were: 1st Tom Rieman, 2nd Harold Kislweski, 3rd Gene Bohman

Thanks to everyone who donated prizes. As you can see we had a table full of very nice gifts. Don't worry, we saved some for the next time in case you weren't able to join us today.

After the competition we had a feast. Everyone brought food and you know it's always delicious. I think we'll have to request recipe cards to be handed out next time. We sure do have good cooks in our group.

Stretches and Pickleball 411 Channel

Here's information from the USAPA Newsletter.

 

Fitness...
The Benefits of Stretching...

By Barbara Wintroub
 

Next month I will travel to Arizona to get certified in Fascial Stretch Therapy, just in time to share my knowledge with all of you at Huntsman, Nationals VI and in this column. Flexibility is the ability to move muscles and joints during pickleball play without getting injured. Flexibility is achieved by stretching -- preferably correctly. Warming up the muscles first is key for the best stretching. The warmup simulates the pickleball movements like forehand, backhand and overhead. Add some jogging in place and moving sideways around the court to warm up the lower body. The two stretches below should be done every day in the afternoon when you are good and warm. The first is Prayer Stretch, which stretches your triceps, neck and back. The second is a hip stretch that also stretches your back. I do these while watching TV. As we age we lose 10 percent of our flexibility every 10 years (move it or lose it). Better get started ASAP.

 

 

Hip Stretch: Sit on hip with knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Lean forward. Hold for a count if 20 or longer then change hips. Repeat several times.

 

 

 

Prayer Stretch: Place elbows and forehead on the net as if praying. Pull body away until stretch is felt in neck and shoulders.
 

Ed. Note: Fitness guru Barbara Wintroub is the author of Fighting Gravity. 

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The Pickleball Channel is a great resource. Be sure to click on their Home Page to see a variety of helpful videos.

Pickleball Channel...
The Third Shot...

It is common knowledge that the third shot typically should be soft and drop in your opponents’ non-volley zone. For more about how that is done, visit the Pickleball Channel’s Pickleball 411, where the Villages’ Matt and Brian Staub walk you through the process.

RULES AND STROKES

I thought some of you might want to see the basic rules as well as how to execute basic strokes. Check out the "How to win at Pickleball" list.

Basic Rules Overview

 ·         Pickleball is played either as doubles (two players per team) or singles; doubles is most common

·         The same size playing area and rules are used for both singles and doubles

The Serve

·         The serve must be made underhand.
·         Paddle contact with the ball must be below the server’s waist (navel level).
·         The serve is initiated with at least one foot behind the baseline; neither foot may contact the     baseline or court until after the ball is struck.
·         The serve is made diagonally crosscourt and must land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court.
·         Only one serve attempt is allowed, except in the event of a let (the ball touches the net on the serve and lands on the proper service court; let serves are replayed).

Service Sequence

·         Both players on the serving doubles team have the opportunity to serve and score points until they commit a fault *(except for the first service sequence of each new game).
·         The first serve of each side-out is made from the right-hand court.
·         If a point is scored, the server switches sides and the server initiates the next serve from the left-hand court.
·         As subsequent points are scored, the server continues switching back and forth until a fault is committed and the first server loses the serve.
·         When the first server loses the serve the partner then serves from their correct side of the court (except for the first service sequence of the game*).
·         The second server continues serving until his team commits a fault and loses the serve to the opposing team.
·         Once the service goes to the opposition (at side out), the first serve is from the right-hand court and both players on that team have the opportunity to serve and score points until their team commits two faults.
·         In singles the server serves from the right-hand court when his or her score is even and from the left when the score is odd.

*At the beginning of each new game only one partner on the serving team has the opportunity to serve before faulting, after which the service passes to the receiving team.

Scoring

• Points are scored only by the serving team.
• Games are normally played to 11 points, win by 2.
• Tournament games may be to 15 or 21, win by 2.
• When the serving team’s score is even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) the player who was the first server in the game for that team will be in the right-side court when serving or receiving; when odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) that player will be in the left-side court when serving or receiving.

    Double-Bounce Rule

·         When the ball is served, the receiving team must let it bounce before returning, and then the serving team must let it bounce before returning, thus two bounces.

·         After the ball has bounced once in each team’s court, both teams may either volley the ball (hit the ball before it bounces) or play it off a bounce (ground stroke).
·         The double bounce rule eliminates the serve and volley advantage and extends rallies.

Non-Volley Zone

·         The non-volley zone is the court area within 7 feet on both sides of the net.
·         Volleying is prohibited within the non-volley zone. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.
·         It is a fault if, when volleying a ball, the player steps on the non-volley zone, including the line and/or when the player’s momentum causes them or anything they are wearing or carrying to touch the non-volley zone including the associated lines.
·         It is a fault if, after volleying, a player is carried by momentum into or touches the non-volley zone, even if the volleyed ball is declared dead before this happens.
·         A player may legally be in the non-volley zone any time other than when volleying a ball.
·         The non-volley zone is commonly referred to as “the kitchen.”

Line Calls

• A ball contacting any line, except the non-volley zone line on a serve, is considered “in.”
• A serve contacting the non-volley zone line is short and a fault.

Faults

·         A fault is any action that stops play because of a rule violation.
·         A fault by the receiving team results in a point for the serving team.
·         A fault by the serving team results in the server’s loss of serve or side out.
·         A fault occurs when:

•      A serve does not land within the confines of the receiving court
•     The ball is volleyed before a bounce has occurred on each side
•       The ball is hit out of bounds
•        A ball is volleyed from the non-volley zone
•        A ball bounces twice before being struck by the receiver
•        A player, player’s clothing, or any part of a player’s paddle touches the net or the net post    when the ball is in play
•       There is a violation of a service rule
•         A ball in play strikes a player or anything the player is wearing or carrying
•          A ball in play strikes any permanent object before bouncing on the court

 

 

HOW TO WIN AT PICKLEBALL

1.       Perfect the serve. Be sure it is ALWAYS in.

2.       Return the serve at the receiver’s feet.

3.       Do not play balls headed for out of bounds

4.       Return fast shots defensively

5.       Let your partner take easy his/her easy forehand shot

6.       Place the ball at your opponent’s feet when possible

7.       Play at the Non-Volley Zone (kitchen) line

8.       Play high percentage shots down the middle

                                    BASIC STROKES AND TECHNIQUES

 GRIP

·         There is only one grip in Pickleball which is the Continental grip.

·         Shake hands with your paddle with the paddle face perpendicular to the ground

READY POSITION – “Paddle UP”

·         Paddle and elbow should be out in front of your body with the non- dominant hand resting on the paddle face.

·         Feet are shoulder width apart

·         Weight is on your toes

·         Assume the ready position when your opponent’s ball contacts the paddle.

THE SERVE

·         Use a bowling motion

·         Place on foot in front of the other with weight on back foot

·         Point your paddle head toward the ground with knees bent

·         Toss or drop the ball in front of your body

·         Step toward the target with your front shoulder pointing at the target

·         Swing in an upward motion with the paddle below the wrist and watch the ball contact your paddle below the waist

·         Follow through in the direction of the target

·         Step back behind the baseline in anticipation of the return of service

RETURN OF SERVE

·         The safest return is deep and down the middle of the court

·         The next best return is deep and to the backhand side of your opponent keeping the ball well within the court

 FOREHAND GROUND STROKE (right handed player)

·         With Continental grip, ready the paddle back into position with your left hand as a guide to keep the paddle level

·         Step toward the ball with our left foot to make contact while pointing your shoulder toward your target spot

·         Your left hand is out in front of you for balance

·         Watch the ball make paddle contact

·         Keep a firm wrist and pretend you’re hitting through 4 balls in a row during your follow through toward your target spot

·         If hitting a low forehand shot, bend your knees keeping your right knee as close to the ground as possible. Stay down all the way through the shot

·         Return to the ready position.

 

BACKHAND GROUNDSTROKE

·         Run to the spot where the ball with be as close to waist high as possible

·         Set your feet side by side (closed stance) pointing your right shoulder at your target spot

·          Bend your knees on low balls and stay down through the shot

·         Step with your front foot toward your target

·         Paddle face should be perpendicular to the ground.

·          Contact point is out in front of your front foot.

·         Keep a firm wrist, watch the ball hit your paddle

·         Make a long follow through toward target spot pretending you’re hitting through 4 balls in a row.

THE DINK

·         Stand just behind the “kitchen” line squarely facing the net

·         Paddle is held high in the ready position out in front of you

·         Allow the ball to bounce in the kitchen

·         Step into the kitchen with one foot and softly hit the ball over the net so it lands in your opponent’s kitchen

·         Aim for your opponent’s feet or the middle of the court

·         Immediately step back out of the kitchen and return the paddle to the ready position