Pickleball Dedication Ceremony in Paso Robles

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Our Pickleball courts were officially dedicated today with a nice ceremony that included the Mayor, Councilmen, and many members of our group. The day started with 7:30 a.m. play, followed by a noon ceremony, speeches, ribbon cutting, etc. A BBQ luncheon followed on our courts. The day was hot (104 degrees), but we found shade and had a great time. Good food, good vino, good friends....

Drills - 10 Good Pickleball Drills

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

10 Good Pickleball Drills….All Drills are Team Drills-2 vs. 2

1.  5 Minute Dink Warm-Up.  Same side and cross court

2.  3-D Drill (Deep-Deep-Dink).  Deep Serve….Deep Return….Dink (3rd shot).  Both players on one side serving.

3.  Dink Game - No Lob.  Start with a dink serve which must land inside the no volley zone. The ball must be hit over the net at least 4 times (all dinks) not including the dink serve. Beginning with the 5th hit, you can win a point with a dink or a kill shot. No lobs.  Just like the regular game, points can only be won by the serving team.  Play to 11.

4.  Lob Only Game - Play a complete game using only lobs….including the serves.  Any lob that lands in the NVZ is a fault or loss of point.  Play to 7 or 11.

5.  1 vs. 2 Dink Game.  The single person moves from Left to Middle to Right position on court AND dinks to both players on the opposite side.  After moving to all three positions, and back the other way, rotate to the other side.  If more than three on court, have the others wait near the net post and rotate in.

6. Feed-Split-Hit:  1 person on one side of net; others on other side at the baseline.  The multiple person line has one person approach net, on the run. Split-Step when other person feeds (hits) the ball. Play the “soft” shot into the NVZ.  Go through two cycles of the line.  Someone take the single side feeder’s place.

7.  4-4 Game.  2 vs. 2.  One ball.  4 Volleys, 4 Dinks.  Continue pattern until there is a miss.  Repeat.  Not trying to win the rally, just keep ball in play.

8.  Figure 8 Dink Game:    Play to 15. Rally scoring.  Ball must move in a figure 8 direction.  After 4 dinks,  a player can change the direction of the ball.  Every time there is a miss, the two partners change positions on the same side of the court.

9. Dink-Lob Drill:  2 on 2.  All at the NVZ line.  Dink 6 times and then lob a winner.  Angle person goes to get the ball BUT does not return or hit it back.  Just pick it up.  Resume drill.  Make sure you alternate who is lobbing.

10. 5 Minute Volley Drill:  1 ball.  Both teams volley only.  Not trying to hit winners.  Keep ball in the air and flat back and forth.

Stay tuned for Drills 11-20.....

If you have any additional drills you would like to contribute, please see my email address on our website (above).  Would love to hear from you.  Any questions on the above drills, email me.

Paso Robles Pickleball Welcomes Byron and Marsha Freso

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Paso Robles Pickleball extended a warm welcome to Byron and Marsha Freso, visiting from Florida.  Recently the winners of seven medals, including Gold in three different events at the So Cal Classic in Oceanside, the two stopped by to visit and play Pickleball with us.  Their excellent play (both 4.5 players) over the past three days was the highlight of our week....and it's only Wednesday!

Pickleball Etiquette

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Any questions on the correct and courteous way to acknowledge a game well-played?  Anybody can tap the large end of the paddle.  Kind of like fist bumping.  The respectful way....tap handle ends.  It takes a little more time and is a little more personal.

Pickleball Courts Renovation Continues

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Recently completed another phase of our court conversion....installing the windscreens.  Our facility is looking better every day.  We are now averaging 35 players a session (on five courts), which is good news and bad.  Pickleball is becoming more popular in our area, but the wait for a court is a little longer (still not bad--about 5-10 minutes).  Trying to get one of the four adjacent tennis courts for overflow use.  Guess how that is going?.....

Pickleball Courts Completed. What A Difference A Year Makes....

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We recently completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Our courts last year......

Our courts last week......

The Pickleball Exodus Continues.......

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  We just completed our new five court facility.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

This For Sale box says it all.....

For Sale...$20.00.  Gave Up Tennis For Pickleball

First Day On Our New Courts

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Our first day on our new courts.....39 players in attendance.

New Permanent, Dedicated Courts Completed

The transformation of an old, unused outdoor roller hockey rink is complete.  Work was finished Thursday in the early afternoon.  First Serve Tennis (our contractors) did a superb job.  You can see the attached photos below.  The nets are right out of the box, so they are a little wrinkled.  Give them a few days.

Thanks for following us and for all your kind comments.  I am not going to miss the year and a half of carting around all the equipment and nets in the back of my car….well, maybe a little.

Paso Robles Pickleball is on the map….the first permanent, dedicated multi-court Pickleball facility on the Central Coast.  We play MWFSat: 7:30-11:00 a.m.  Please join us when you are visiting the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year--Paso Robles."  Our Website:

www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com

Pickleball On KSBY-TV

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

Local NBC affiliate KSBY-TV did a piece on Pickleball here in Paso Robles.  This segment came on the heels of Brian Williams' NBC Nightly News Special on Pickleball that aired in March.

See the link below to view the KSBY special:

http://www.ksby.com/news/pickleball-on-the-central-coast

By the end of May, we should have our new, five court, permanent, dedicated Pickleball facility here in Paso Robles.  We have been fundraising and are very close to raising the total monies needed.  These courts will be the first permanent venue of its kind on the California Central Coast.

What's In A Paddle?

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Could be a great weekend!

When our newer Club players ask the proverbial question, "I am ready to buy a paddle.  What should I order?".....I respond by saying it is a matter of personal preference.  Usually, they have tried our loaner paddles (we have a bag of 12 different paddles), or, they have used one of the Club member's paddles.  Honestly, I think all the right things are said, but maybe not remembered.  I also advise calling a supplier and giving them information on the type of player they are, what results they are expecting, and what paddles they have used that seem to work.

However, it is always good to put the above mentioned advice in writing.....

1.  Weight is important.  An ounce or two can make a difference.  Heavier paddles tend to do a little more work (mass helps with deflection, power, etc.), but can cost you in reaction time at the net.  Lighter paddles require a little more oomph on the part of the paddler, but help with reaction time at the net.  Players who play both singles and doubles may use two different paddles---heavier for singles, a little lighter for doubles.

2.  Grip is important.  The grip should fit your hand.  You can easily replace grips.  There should be at least a width of one finger between the tips of your fingers and the fatty part of your palm at the base of your thumb.  A more cushioned grip helps defray paddle vibration (good for the elbow) and allows for more control of the ball.

3.  The composition of the paddle is always a concern, and, for many, is very confusing.  Here is a little bit of good advice....aluminum core/graphite face helps with control and touch, but you lose a bit of power.  Composite paddles with a little more weight help with power and pop.  You can go on the usapa.org website to read about paddles that are legal and what the deflection rating is for particular paddles.  Higher deflection = less effort, but you will likely sacrifice a little control in the soft game.  Lower deflection means more effort and swing speed, but a better soft game (at least in theory).  It is still always best to speak to a paddle supplier and ask their advice.  They should know.

"How did the ball come off your paddle today?"  Hopefully with good touch and placement.

Pickleball Handshake - Do It Right!!!!

Important Pickleball Meeting On Monday, January 13th

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Sounds great!!!!

A reminder that we have an important meeting on Monday, 4 PM, in the Live Oak Room at Centennial Park.  We are making a proposal to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.  Your attendance and support would be greatly appreciated.  Should not take very long.  We are the only presentation on the agenda.

29 players today.  This is a new attendance record, and although we do not like to see players having to wait for courts, we knew this day was coming.  Thank you for your continued attendance and passion for the game.  We are growing and it is nice to see.

Enjoy a few pictures from today's play.....

New Year's Resolutions

                                            Will She Hit A Placement Or Power Shot?

Our Paso Robles Pickleball Club Website:  www.pickleballpasorobles.shutterfly.com  Join us for Pickleball anytime you are visiting the Central Coast of California.  Paso Robles was recently named the 2013 "Wine Region Of The Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Pickleball and wine tasting.  Nice way to spend the New Year!

Albert Einstein once said "it is a form of insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results."  Hmmmm.....sound familiar?  You are six months....nine months....a year....into playing Pickleball, still swinging away, still trying that service ace, still playing a power game, still neglecting the short game, still losing against the better players....and still expecting that your game will produce different results.  Time to make some changes.  Time to set some 2014 Pickleball resolutions.

Ever heard of 'living backwards?'  This is a goal-setting technique (let's look at it in terms of Pickleball) whereby you decide what kind of game you want to be playing in 3-6 months.  Set some goals:  (1) more consistent placement of serve; (2) better, softer return of serve that allows you to get to the net; (3) less power game, better placement game; (4) better, more patient short (dink) game; (5) better understanding of positioning on the court; (6) better communication with partner.  OK, you get the idea.  NOW, move back in time to the present and decide what is is you need to do every time you play to achieve these goals.  Sounds easy, but if it were easy, everybody would be good.  1% daily improvement over a hundred days....not 100% improvement in one day.  There's that patience thing again.

Start with fundamentals.  Get to the courts a little earlier and work on your game.  Decide what you are going to work on and do so while playing.  Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals....without them, the fancy stuff is not going to work.

Improvement comes by choice, not chance.