Dominic - Pickleball

Top 5 Reasons Everyone Loves Playing Pickleball 🥒♥️
1 . Easy to Learn:
Pickleball has simple rules and an easy learning curve, making it accessible for beginners and enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels.
2 . Social Interaction:
Pickleball is a social sport that fosters community and camaraderie. Players often enjoy the friendly, inclusive atmosphere and the opportunity to meet new people.
3 . Health Benefits:
Pickleball provides a great workout, improving cardiovascular health, coordination, and overall fitness. It's a fun way to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
4 . Low Impact:
The sport is low-impact, making it easier on the joints compared to other racquet sports. This makes it a popular choice for older adults or those recovering from injuries.
5 . Versatility:
Pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors, on various surfaces, and in different formats (singles or doubles). This flexibility allows for a wide range of playing experiences and settings.
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Late Preparation

Late preparation means not getting your paddle back and ready to hit your stroke in time. You need to be ready at the bounce. If you're still moving when the ball is bouncing, you're too late, which puts you out of position and makes everything feel rushed.

Inconsistent Connection with the Ball

Focus on making a good connection with the ball on each stroke, hitting the center of the paddle (the sweet spot) every time. Hitting the ball in various places on the paddle face increases errors. To improve focus, try to see the holes in the ball as it hits your paddle.

Over-reaching

Stretching too far for the ball can cause errors due to being off-balance during the stroke. Keep your movements controlled to maintain balance and ensure accuracy.

Connecting Too Close to Your Body

The opposite of over-reaching, connecting too close to your body can cause you to become jammed up, making it difficult to execute a proper stroke and increasing the chance of errors.

Lea Jansen guts out her second victory on the PPA Tour in 2024 in singles

Jansen has been playing some of her best pickleball recently in all three disciplines. In singles, she finished 4th, 4th, 3rd, 9th, and 3rd before getting a well-deserved win at the PPA Houston. Lea also earned a silver medal at PPA Red Rock Open.

Devidze bested Jansen in the last tournament in Atlanta for a bronze medal. I think Jansen is happy to give up that bronze from Atlanta to win the gold in Texas.

Both Jansen and Devidze are known for their line-calling issues, and Devidze requested line judges in the final match of the day. They were EVERYWHERE. Even still, at one point in the match, an out call was confirmed by a line judge, only to be overturned after video replay.

In her post-match interview, Jansen gave a lot of credit to her new coach, Mike Wolf, for helping her develop her game. He is the coach of her MLP team, the NY Hustlers, and former tennis coach for Jack Sock. Jansen is playing some of the best pickleball of her career.

Ben Johns recently shared his thoughts on selecting coaches in pickleball, stating, "The best coaches are the best players." He elaborated that given the sport's rapid evolution, it's crucial to have coaches who are not only skilled players but have extensive experience in the game. "Most coaches are just coaching what they’ve been taught to coach," he added.

The obvious counterargument is that many great coaches in other sports weren't necessarily great players or hadn't played at all. This point is valid, particularly in well-established sports. However, I agree with Ben, especially when it comes to developing players beyond a 4.0 skill level. Advancing a player's game for the future, and understanding emerging or fading trends, requires much more than regular lessons or clinics.

Exceptional coaching transcends basic mechanics and rote information. It's a full-time, deeply immersive endeavor. Top-tier coaches are so dedicated to their craft that they often prioritize it over other aspects of life, constantly seeking innovative methods to enhance their students' performance

Master the ABC’s of Pickleball with Lon Krantz: Elevate Your Game!
This week, we're taking it back to the fundamentals and diving into the ABC’s of pickleball. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, pickleball instructor Lon Krantz has an essential tip to get your brain in the game, not just your brawn.

A – Anticipate
Once you've hit your shot, there's no time for a break. The game is always in motion! Train yourself to anticipate your opponent's next move. Watch closely as their paddle connects with the ball and use that moment to gauge where you need to position yourself.

B – Get Behind the Ball
Anticipation leads us to B: getting behind the ball. After you've predicted your opponent's shot, it's time to move! Positioning yourself correctly ensures you're ready to make a high-quality return.

C – Contact in Front
With anticipation and positioning in check, you're set to make a strong return. For optimal control and power, aim to make contact with the ball in front of your body. This is your sweet spot for a solid hit.

With pickleball's rising popularity, there's a growing demand for local amateur tournaments. The D**k Minor League Pickleball offers an exciting competitive format inspired by Major League Pickleball, featuring teams of four (two women and two men) competing in women's doubles, men's doubles, and two mixed doubles matches. In case of a tie, a singles-based tiebreaker called a "dreambreaker" is used.

The league's National Pathway allows teams to compete locally to qualify for the national championship, with a leaderboard to track player rankings. Since its first season in 2023, the league has expanded under the direction of Caroline Luelf, who started as a participant and now works to grow the organization. Luelf's involvement began after she and her husband enjoyed the convenience of one-day events, balancing their passion for pickleball with family commitments.

The D**k Minor League emphasizes teamwork and camaraderie, with opportunities for coaching and rally scoring. Events are open to all players, from amateurs to non-contracted pros, and participants range from ages 12 to 70. The league aims to expand to all 50 states and internationally, providing a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts.

Pickleball is an inclusive, social, and engaging sport with numerous health benefits, making it a great choice for people of all ages. In 2024, Humana and the PPA Tour launched the Humana Champions Showcase, celebrating senior amateur pickleball players (50+) at four PPA Tour stops. The series kicked off in Mesa, AZ, and Austin, TX, with 72 champions crowned so far.

Highlights include:

-Oldest Competitors: Robert Scharlach (85) and Camie Hildebrand (81)
-Top Player: Keith Hower, with a skill level of 5.215
-Next Events: CIBC Atlanta Slam (September 11-15) and Guaranteed Rate Championships (October 10-13)

Dave Fleming, PPA Tour's Lead Commentator, praised the partnership with Humana, emphasizing its positive impact on senior players. A "Celebration of Champions" series will feature senior athletes and offer lifestyle and coaching tips. To participate or watch, visit the PPA Tour’s website or stream on Pickleball TV.

Are you ready.