Links and Articles I like
Mini Singles (12.O) an approved format!
4.K Wrong Score Called
If the wrong score is called, the referee or any player may stop play before the return of serve to correct the score.
The rally shall be replayed with the correct score called.
After the return of serve, play shall continue to the end of the rally and the score correction made before the next serve.
After the return of serve, a player who stops play to identify or ask for a score correction will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.
A player who stops play after the serve to identify or ask for a score correction when the score was correctly called will have committed a fault and shall lose the rally.
'In last year's rule changes, players were told to ask "AM I good?" to clarify their position or server status to avoid incorrect server / returner error faults.'
Wrong Score Called (4.K)
If the wrong score is called, the referee or any player may stop play before the return of serve to correct the score.
It is a fault to stop play after the return of serve to identify or ask for a score correction.
It is a fault to stop play to identify or ask for a score correction when the score was correctly called.
Line Call Rules Section 6 Page 30
6A - A ball contacting the playing surface completely outside of the court is “out.”
6D1
Players are responsible for calling the lines on their end of the court.
If a player makes an initial line call, and then asks for either the opponent(s) ... opinion, if the opponent ... can make a clear “in” or “out” call, the clear call will stand.
If no clear call can be made, the initial line call by the player will stand.
6D3
The opponent gets the benefit of the doubt on line calls made.
Any ball that cannot be called “out” will be considered “in.”
A player cannot claim a replay because the ball was not seen or there is uncertainty.
6D4 - Spectators should not be consulted on any line call.
6D6 - Players shall not call a ball “out” unless they can clearly see a space between the line and the ball as it hits the ground.
6D7 - All “out” calls must be made prior to the ball being hit by the opponent or before the ball becomes dead.
Player Ratings https://usapickleball.org/tournaments/tournament-player-ratings/player-skill-rating-definitions/
Forehand: Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.BACKHAND:
Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.SERVE / RETURN:
Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.Dink: Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand difference between attackable balls and those that are not.
3rd Shot: Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.
Volley: Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.
Strategy: Aware of partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponents weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.
Doubles / Teammate Articles
How to be a Better Playing Partner
Playing with Stronger / Weaker Players
Characters You See in Open Play
The Line Cheat. This person may be doing it on purpose to take advantage, could be losing their vision and just not know, or could literally not know that “the line is in.” But one or two shady line calls from “Cheatin’ Bob” can really sour a game.
Player who never hits to the better player: We all know this person. Begs to play with the 4.5 guy at open play, and then proceeds to hit *every shot* to the weaker player. It’s open play, not a tournament. Don’t ice out better players, or else they won’t play with you any more. You want to know why the top players in your area don’t go to open play anymore? This is why.
Guy who hits to the female all the time: a variation of the above, where a mixed doubles situation turns ugly when an aggressive male player blasts balls at a lesser female. Again, this is open play and not a tournament; instead of proving you can overpower someone weaker than you, why not work on your dink game?
Friendly Fire? Social versus Serious Play
In a friendly game, it's bad form to completely avoid hitting to the better opponent. Not only will that person not enjoy the game, but you will miss out on the practice that playing with someone better gives.
Poaching takes practice, so it's appropriate to include it in social games when it's decided together. An occasional unexpected poach is also fine, assuming the poacher makes the point! Otherwise, overzealous poaching during social games is also frowned upon.
Mental Training https://www.paddletek.com/blogs/news/pickleball-mental-training
Staying Calm Under Pressure (Edited and I changed the 'you' to "I" statements.)
When my mind experiences stress, cortisol levels spike. This hormone causes the body to react in less than favorable ways, although it can show itself uniquely from person to person. Playing under unneeded stress isn't conducive to performing my best. It’s a good idea to start noticing what my body does when it’s stressed so I know what signs to look for.
When I'm stressed, a part of the brain called the amygdala takes over. This is where I process emotions, anxiety, and fears, and it’s what triggers a fight or flight response. It's a critical physiological element to my species' survival, but on the pickleball court, it's not as helpful.
When the amygdala takes over while I am under stress, I lose the ability to think calmly and rationally - that's where preventable errors occur and poor decisions get made.
The good news is that I can minimize these signs of stress and prevent the amygdala from taking over by staying calm and taking a few deep breaths to start thinking again. Grounding myself, practicing mindfulness, and many other techniques are incredibly helpful in overcoming this innate biological mechanism.
Advancing from 3.5 to 4.0
https://www.paddletek.com/blogs/news/7-pickleball-shots
Lob
'Third' shot drop.
Bonus! Around the Post
Work slower to the net
Take more dinks out of the air
Reset (slow) the ball
Play better competition
Play more aggressively
Minimize unforced errors
Practice one-shot putaways
Mental toughness
Science, Strategy and Technique
The Physics of Paddle and Ball - Google Doc
Pickleball Science - Paddletek
Equipment Paddles
https://www.paddletek.com/products/the-badger (not 'The Badger Edition'; it looks like the TWP is now in version three.
A little more 'pop' (?) https://www.paddletek.com/products/bantam-alw-c-14-3