PT pickleball players take gold at State Senior Games

PT Leader August 14, 2018
by Kirk Boxleitner



All five pickleball players from Port Townsend who took part in the Washington State Senior Games in Lakewood won gold medals in their respective age and skill divisions.

Lynn Pierle, one of the PT players, explained divisions with four or fewer entries went into a round robin format, while those with five or more entries were sorted into bracket play.

“Bracket play usually involves more games,” Pierle said. “The skill ranges from 3.0 to 5.0, with 5.0 being the 'pro' level, and they often combined skill levels.”

The State Senior Games' Pickleball Tournament ran Aug. 4-5, at Clover Park High School in Lakewood, with Pierle, Bob Bruns, Jeannie Ramsey, Rick Kelley and Doug Warren representing Port Townsend.

When asked what got her and her Port Townsend teammates into pickleball in the first place, Pierle credited the Mountain View YMCA playing an “instrumental” role in helping to grow the sport locally. (Read More)

Pickleball Beginner Tips Reduce Unforced Errors Video Resource Guide

NOTE: This is a work in progress. Welcome to the rabbit hole




Before you can run, you must learn how to walk
Before you can walk, you must learn how to crawl

Unforced errors kill the pickleball fun factor
Unforced errors are frustrating
Unforced errors make you cuss on court
Unforced errors make you throw your paddle
Unforced errors make you doubt yourself
Unforced errors shake your confidence
Unforced errors make you lose
Unforced errors are the difference between 3.5 and 4.5 players



Become a Student Of The Game

• Know the rules of the game (USAPA Rule Book)
• Watch videos of top players
• Watch instructional videos
• On YouTube, learn how to analyze pickleball games: Pickleball Game Analysis - Shots, Strokes, Skills, Strategy
• Learn how to record your practice sessions and rec games on video and publish them YouTube
• Connect with other students of the game players that are studying the game just like you
• Until you can hit the paddle sweet spot 99 times out of 100, hit the ball daily: Backboard, Ball/Paddle, Practice, Play

Be Consistent

1. Ball Control: Consistently Bounce ball on paddle (Ball/Paddle) Developing Ball Control
2. Ball Control: Consistently hit ball on a backboard to develop muscle memory
3. Ball Control: Consistently hit ball anywhere on the court - Pickleball Basic Strokes
4. Serve: Consistently get your serve in - Pickleball Pendulum Serve, Pickleball Serves
5. Return of Serve: Consistently get your return of serve in
6. Non Volley Zone: Consistently hit the ball over the net from both wings on a bounce and on the fly
7. Relax

Teach/Share ASAP

• Annie Murphy Paul: Why Teaching Someone Else is the Best Way To Learn | TIME.com
• Toui Pomsouvan, 70+
• Authentic Pickleball Training Series by Damon Little, 15

Keep an online journal and/or post regularly to an online Facebook Group with like minded individuals: Pickleball Forum, Port Townsend Pickleball, Pickleball For Beginners, Pickleball Game Analysis Group, Your local club Facebook Group Page, newsletter, website, etc.

 

Link List

• Tips to Avoid Pickleball Unforced Errors
• Pickleball Forum Discussion
• The Mental Side of the Game
• Pickleball Statistical Analysis - Unforced Errors
• 25 Simple Pickleball Tips for Beginners
• Reduce Unforced Errors Pickleball
• The Winning Ingredient - Reducing Unforced Errors
• Unforced Errors Drill
• Pickleball Clinic – Six Sets of Five
• Steve Mueller’s Pickleball 'Invitation' Training Module