Our Proposed Summer Outdoor Home In Reading (next to BB Court)

Reading Picklers Picking Up Steam

Announcements

I  have re-surfaced to make some announcements. More courts at the Coolidge!

see below for more

April 2 6-8 PM Malden
April 14 Reading Resumes
Beverly Sterling Y opens on Saturday April 19th 10AM-1 PM

Tournaments:
Men/Women Doubles Gorham Maine April 26
Men/Women Doubles May 10, Mixed May 11
Mixed Doubles in Malden June 16th
Senior Games (40 and up) Shrewsbury MA August TBA

Proposed:
Plaistow YMCA NH July
Sterling YMCA Beverly TBD
Masconomet High School Topsfield September

There was rioting in the streets of Reading

Pickleball Slots had sold out by 9:00 AM of the first day!!!

Peter Piper is in hiding. There are reports that he is searching for a third net for the Coolidge School. 

For those who missed the NBC Nightly News Broadcast on Pickleball

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/pickleball-fastest-growing-sport-america-n56181

More Great Tips passed on by Dave Brower, Pickleball Ambassador in the Northborough Area

The Serve: 

Serve the ball deep, and frequently to your opponent's backhand.  For most people, the serve will not win you a point, so just get the ball in play and concentrate on the third shot.  I repeat - get the ball in play, a tricky serve that only lands in the service box two thirds of the time costs you more points than it will win you.  (Note to Dave - read these tips occasionally)

The Return of Serve:

Return the ball softly and deep into the court, which gives you time to get to the NVZ ( Non-Volley Zone line, from where the game is won).  If possible, place the return of serve on the weaker opponent's backhand.  Alternatively, if the stronger opponent likes to poach, hit a soft deep return to that player.  That will keep the poacher at the baseline longer, giving you time to get into position.  Stay away from fast returns, which encourage a fast shot back to your team before you are in position.  Also stay away from short returns, which give your opponents too many shot choices.  Mixing in an occasional fast or short return may be effective if you have an opponent who does not move quickly.  Watch your partner's return, if it is soft and deep, hustle up to the NVZ.  If it is short and high, stop where you are, split step into the ready position, and prepare to block an overhead smash.  You are better off in no-man's-land, but in position to watch the opponent's paddle for an indication of where they are aiming, than you are if you rush to the NVZ and try to block a shot before you are in the ready position.

The (all important) Third Shot:

The third shot is important because you and your partner are back near the baseline where you must wait until the return of serve bounces.  This puts the serving team at a disadvantage.  A hard shot at either of two opponents who are at the NVZ line is a low percentage shot.  You are much better off with a lob or a soft shot into the NVZ.  A lob is a lower percentage shot - too long and it is out of bounds, too short and it is an overhead smash with not much chance to keep the point alive.  Therefore, work on placing the third shot softly just over the net into the NVZ.  This forces your opponents to hit the ball back upward, giving you time to get into position for another soft shot into the NVZ, or, if they get their shot up too high, a smash back at their feet or down the middle of the court.

Rules of Thumb:

Hit the ball hard when it is above your waist, softly when it is below the level of the net. 

Watch the Youtube videos of championship matches, there are more dinks than smashes. 

If you become an expert at the soft game, you will win more matches than if you become an expert at topspin line drives.

Lastly, do not confuse my poor execution with lack of knowledge - knowledge and skill are two different attributes.  You may agree that I can describe my knowledge of the proper technique for hitting a golf ball off a tight lie, but you wouldn't want to lie down and let me hit one off your forehead!

A Pickler's Farewell

"Oh What a Night"

A wonderful turnout for Brian and Irene Morrissey

who are soon to be "The Villages" newest everyday people.

PBall Equipment

So you need some equipment?

Paddles, Balls, and Accessories

All About Pickleball Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Courtside Sports  Paddles, balls, and accessories.

I Got It...pickleball Apparel and accessories.

Pickle-Ball Inc. Pickle-Ball Inc brand paddles, outdoor balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Apparel Apparel only

The Pickleball Bug Shirts, Mugs, etc.

Pickleball Central Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Cheaper Paddles 

Pickleball Direct Paddles and balls.

Pickleball Goodies Paddles and balls. Southeast Michigan.

Pickleball Mall Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Now Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Outfitters Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Paddles Plus Paddles, balls, apparel, and accessories.

Pickleball Specialties Paddles, balls, apparel, and accessories.

Pickleball Stuff Paddles, balls, and accessories.

Pickleball Teez Apparel

Pickleball Zone Paddles, balls, apparel, and accessories.

Pro-Lite Sports Pro-Lite brand paddles, indoor balls, "The Official Pickleball Handbook".

S-Type Sports S-Type brand paddles, balls, and accessories.

Spike's Paddles

USAPA Shirts Official USAPA designs on shirts, hats, and bumper stickers.

Amsterdam International Tourney

Anyone interested in a road er fly trip to the International Pickleball Tourney in Amsterdam?

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013

International Pickleball Tournament Amsterdam May 16-18, 2014

International Pickleball Tournament Amsterdam May 16-18, 2014

http://picklebal.nl/?page_id=457

International Tournament

What: Promotional skill level tournament

Why: to promote pickleball in the Netherlands

When: Date May 16-18 2014

Where: Sports Hall ‘De Pijp’, Lizzy Ansinghstraat 88, Amsterdam

Program:

Friday May 16 5 pm – 9 pm draw party, clinics, free playing

Saturday May 17 9 am – 7 pm matches, 7pm dinner

Sunday May 18 9 am – 4 pm matches, 4 pm award ceremony

We will try to arrange housing for participants from abroad.

Lexington Exhibition

We should have brought kites

 Despite the wind (gusts up to 40mph) a crazed band of picklers showed up in Lexington for an exhibition

What were we thinking?

Those names will remain anonymous to prevent any involuntary extended stay vacations at Bridgewater State Hospital

And if that wasn't enough, people came to learn the game. A dozen or so. Did they think we played with bocce balls? Can you imagine teaching the game while wondering if your car was being blown into Arlington?

Despite the near hurricane, Sheila Butts of the Rec Dept was impressed with the turnout and wants to go forward with Pickleball Lexington.

A special thanks to all who had endured

Lexington photos thanks to Judy Forester

It's Coming in April and it is Large

See the Pickledome

(otherwise known as the Salemwood School Gym)

Last night we had three pickleball courts filled, an indoor soccer game next to us and further up the gym a basketball game (purely coincidental that I have Colleen, a die hard Michigan fan, in the photo)

but in April

WE HAVE THE WHOLE GYM

Wednesdays 6 to 8 PM

Stay tuned for start date

What's Better Than an April Weekend in Maine? 

An April Weekend in Maine Playing Pickleball

WhenSaturday April 26, 2014 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM EDT
Add to Calendar


WhereUSM
37 College Ave
Gorham, ME 04038


Driving Directions


ContactJo Dill
Maine Senior Games
207-396-6519
jdill@smaaa.org







Join us for a day of Pickleball competition and fun.

For many, the thrill of competing in an athletic event never ends. Thanks to Maine Senior Games, adults over the age of 45 can continue to participate and compete in annual athletic and recreational events. Maine Senior Games is a great opportunity for older adults to have fun and stay fit.Maine Senior Games is a member of the U.S. National Senior Games Association, which hosts national athletic competitions every other year. Senior athletes who qualify at the state level, have the opportunity to compete at the national level—the largest multi-sport event in the world for seniors.

To qualify, you must be 50 years old during the qualifying year (the year prior to the national competition).

Upcoming Summer National Senior Games:
2015—Minneapolis (dates to be determined)
Register Now!

Padres Play Pickleball at Spring Training 2014

I would place the ball on the side where there isn't a net!

Reading's Finest

Two of Reading's Finest
Norm (left) and Donald