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Best Off-The-Court Pickleball Workouts
Anatomy of a Paddle & The Pied Piper of Polar Pickleball
FIT PICKLER
February 15, 2024
Health, Fitness, News & Fun for Picklers of All Ages
What's Cooking in the Kitchen This Week:
Fitness Expert Glen Dawson: Strengthening Your Shoulder Muscles
A Comprehensive Approach to Pickleball Workouts
The Anatomy of a Pickleball Paddle
Pickleball in the Form of A Question: Jeopardy Fun
The Pied Piper of Polar Pickleball
Pro News: Waters Dominates, Winners Recap
Rally Rundown: Local Highlights
Coach Mary: Line Call Controversy: In or Out?
šļø STAYING FIT with GLEN
AVOIDING SHOULDER SURGERY
āļø HEALTH
Best Off-The-Court Pickleball Workouts:
Aging Well & Avoiding Injury
While Pickleball is a great exercise and has many benefits even beyond physical fitness and social connection, if we want to play well into our later years, research suggests we should incorporate other sports into our workout routines.
Jasmine Marcus, a physical therapist and strength coach in Ithaca, N.Y., notes that even professional athletes like Serena Williams will augment the practice of their main sport with other exercise routines.
She says, āWhen you look at Serena Williams and see how strong she is, itās easy to think thatās because of tennis, but sheās strong because of the strength work she does off the courts.ā
Hiking, running, swimming and strength training are some great off-the-court ways to stay in shape and develop strength and stamina. For a great article with explanations of specific workouts from the New York Times, read more here..
š„· SKILL MASTERY
The Anatomy of a Pickleball Paddle
Ever wonder what the differences are between certain types of paddles?
Most of us, throughout our playing career, will try several paddles and favor different ones as our skill level improves. Here is a quick primer on some of the main paddle options.
Wood Paddles: Wood was the traditional material for pickleball paddles and is still favored by some players today. Wood paddles offer excellent touch and control, making them popular among beginners. However, they tend to be heavier and less powerful than paddles made from modern materials. While wood provides a soft feel on impact, it lacks the same level of power and spin potential as composite or graphite paddles.
Composite Paddles: Composite paddles, typically constructed from a blend of fiberglass and polymer cores, offer a balance of power, control, and durability. The fiberglass face provides added strength and stiffness, allowing for greater shot accuracy and consistency. These paddles excel in generating spin, thanks to the textured surface of the composite material. Players can achieve impressive topspin and slice shots, making composite paddles a favorite among intermediate and advanced players seeking versatility on the court.
Graphite Paddles: Graphite paddles are renowned for their lightweight yet powerful performance. The graphite face offers exceptional responsiveness, allowing players to generate impressive ball speed with minimal effort. This responsiveness translates into increased power on both offensive and defensive shots, making graphite paddles popular among competitive players looking to gain an edge. Additionally, the smooth surface of graphite facilitates quick maneuverability, enabling players to react swiftly to fast-paced rallies.
Hybrid Paddles: Hybrid paddles combine elements of different materials to offer a unique blend of characteristics. For example, a paddle may feature a graphite face for power and speed, paired with a polymer core for enhanced control and feel. These paddles cater to players who prioritize customization and seek a personalized balance of power, spin, and touch. By blending materials strategically, hybrid paddles provide a tailored playing experience that caters to individual preferences and playing styles.
The materials used in paddle construction play a crucial role in determining power, spin, and speed, ultimately shaping the player's experience and effectiveness during gameplay. Our best advice is to try out as many as you can before purchasing and give yourself a little time to get used to a new paddle. And remember, a new paddle that gives you more power can be a game changer once you get the feel for it, but in the beginning you will likely hit a few more āoutā balls until you learn to harness that power, be patient.
š¤© ENTERTAINMENT
Quick Shoutout:
Jeopardy Spotlights Pickleball
What is Pickleball?
šCOMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
The Pied Piper of Polar Pickleball
While many of us may see the temperature drop and snow on the courts and think itās a good time to head to the local cafe and find some indoor fun until the sun returns, Christopher Vatis, chief organizer of the Polar Picklers, has other ideas!
Armed with shovels and the occasional snow blower, Vatis has created a community of players who bonded over their effort to extend this outdoor sport well into the winter months. Read more about this polar group and how they have built an amazing pickler community hereā¦
šļøPRO NEWS
PPA TOUR UPDATE:
Anna Leigh Waters Dominates
See All the Winners
Catherine Parenteau (L) and Anna Leigh Waters (PPA TOUR)
JW Marriott Resort in Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ hosted the most recent tournament on the PPA Pro Tour. Read about Anna Leigh Waters dominance and the impact of the new server rule as well as notable games hereā¦
Quick Winners Recap:
Menās Pro Singles: Gold: Federico Staksrud. Silver: Jaume Martinez Vich. Bronze: Jay Devilliers.
Womenās Pro Singles: Gold: Anna Leigh Waters. Silver: Mary Brascia. Bronze: Kaitlyn Christian
Mixed Pro Doubles: Gold: Waters & Johns. Silver: Bright & Ignatowich. Bronze: David & Wilson.
Menās Pro Doubles: Gold: Johns & Johns. Silver: McGuffin & Bar. Bronze: Lange & Navratil
Womenās Pro Doubles: Gold: Waters & Parenteau. Silver: Dizon & Wright. Bronze: Bright & Rohrabacher.
š§ COMMUNITY NEWS
RALLY RUNDOWN:
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA: The Rise of UVA Pickleball
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS: Sound Complaints Threaten Pickleball Courts at Windsor Park
FINKSBURG, MD: Dill Dinkers Host Marylandās Largest Pickleball Tournament Ever
TORONTO: Toronto Mall To Open a Huge FREE Pickleball Club
GRAND RAPIDS, MI: Indoor Pickleball and Golf Simulator Venue to Open In Grand Rapids
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: Brewing Company Uses Pickleball Courts to Support Local Musicians
LAKE CITY, IA: City Council Soliciting Pickleball Court Construction Bids at Goins Park
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL NEWS TO SHARE? REACH OUT TO US AT
[email protected] and send us a link to your story!
HOLDING COURT with
COACH MARY
šŖ In or Out? Line Call Controversy
Great review of when to call it in or out!
When I was in high school on the tennis team (Redwood Rangers Valley Champs 1975 and ā76!) our coach taught us that āWhen in doubt, call it in, not out.ā And just a shout out to him. . .I model my coaching on Sy Inamine, and he was my role model and idol early on and even now.
Sarah demonstrates that where the ball bounces is what determines the call. If you can see space between the line and the ball, it is out. If the ball is touching the line, or if you are not sure, call it in.
A tricky situation is when you see it in, but your partner sees it out. You and your partners should be sure to both make a verbal call if you see the ball land. Communicate about this and back each other up.
If you are in a tournament with a referee, you can ask them to make the call, and you can also appeal a call from your opponent to the referee. They can confirm or overrule a call, or say they did not see it, in which case the call stands.
Be sure to watch the video and listen to Sarahās explanation.
I want to add a scenario that happened to be at a big tournament in La Quinta two years ago. In our first match of the day, without a referee, we were having a tough battle with a team.
One of the players was very sportsmanlike and friendly. . .her partner, not so much. At game point in the second game for us (we won the first game), my partner Elicia hit a drive that hit our opponentās paddle, and then hit her in the shoulder. It came back over the net, but we stopped playing because we clearly saw the contact.
That should have been game and match for us. She argued that it had not hit her shoulder, and when it came back over the net, we had to play it. We appealed to her partner, who just said she did not know. We spent a good 20 minutes discussing this, and everyone in the stands saw the shoulder contact also.
(Spectators should not get involved in calls on the court, and you should not appeal to them to help you make a call.)
We ended up appealing to the head referee, who said it was her call without a referee. I asked her partner why she did not overrule it, and she said, āI have to back up my partner.ā We had to play a third game, and we squeaked it out, but we just got down to business and did not let her get under our skin.
We ended up in the finals, and took a silver, but that match has been in my memory ever since that day.
ā¢ Yes, back up your partner, but not at the expense of sportsmanship.
ā¢ Pay attention to all parts of the point, even if you are not the one playing the ball.
ā¢ Make your call verbally and loud, and right away if you see it out.
ā¢ When in doubt, give it to your opponent.
Another situation where you should call it on yourself besides illegal contact: double bounce. The rules state that your opponent can call a NVZ foot fault on you if step into the kitchen on a volley. However, this is also a time when you or your partner should make a call on yourself.
Everyone should want to play with and against you, so be the player that has a good reputation for sportsmanship!
