Players of the Navidad Knockout at Mirador pickleball courts got all decked out to play. Thanks to President James Main (pictured left) for organizing the day.
Invierno Invitational, January 30 & 31
Happy New Year to all members of the San Carlos Pickleball Association. To ring in 2021, we are hosting the Invierno Invitational during the last weekend in January at Mirador Courts.
All skill levels are welcome. See below for more details and information on how to register (with or without a partner). On the day of play, meet 1/2 hour before Start Time to check in.
The new pickleball rules (see article below) will be in effect.
Format: Classic Competitive Double Elimination Brackets within Skill level groups. Matches will be best 2 out of 3 to 11 win by 2 on the top side of the bracket and 1 game to 15 win by 2 on the bottom side of the bracket. All medal matches will have a referee and are best 2 out of 3.
Schedule:
- Men’s/Women’s Ultra Competitive, Skill level 4.0 and higher
Saturday, January 30: 9:00am start - Men’s/Women’s Recreational Competitive, Skill level 3.5 and below
Saturday, January 30: 1:00pm start - Mixed Ultra Competitive, Skill level 4.0 and higher
Sunday, January 31: 9:00am start - Mixed Recreational Competitive, Skill level 3.5 and below
Sunday, January 31: 1:00pm start
Cost: Mirador Court Members: Free, Non-Members: 500 pesos / $25 USD
Tournament Director: James Main, destinationpickleball@yahoo.com
Registration: To register, please complete and submit this form on the website (if you already registered for the Invierno Invitational on Global Pickleball Networks, we have your information and you do not need to register again).
Featured Article: Get Up There Bro!!
Anyone who has played pickleball for a while knows that coming to the non-volley zone line is an important strategy. Being at the NVZ line gives you an advantage of not only coverage, but offensive power. More points are scored from this position on the court than any other. We all get into games with players who haven’t quite gotten into the habit of coming up to the NVZ line. Some might be new and just don’t know they should, while others continue to drive the ball from the baseline and become trapped there, while still others are afraid to come up. Hanging back gives a false impression of being able to see where the ball is going longer, and cover more court. If you’re 20 and lightning fast, this might be the case, but that isn’t so for most of us. Taking away the ability of your opponent to hit at your feet, cutting off angles, and creating a physical barrier are invaluable assets of playing the NVZ line.
But, new players have to be taught this. Until they begin to see the benefits, they will continue to do what is most comfortable, or what they think feels best to them. I try to help newer players when I play as their partner in recreational games. I continually remind them to come up to the line, and don’t hesitate to point out when their poor position resulted in a winner for the opponent. For example, if they hung back and the opponent hit a ball at their feet, which they then hit into the net, I will demonstrate (showing the probable arc of the ball) how if they had been at the NVZ line, that ball would have come to them at chest or waist level, allowing them the chance for a kill shot, or at least the ability to keep it in play. I also take every opportunity to praise them when they come to the NVZ line and are able to hit a point winner! It is so important to have positive reinforcement to show them why their position is so important.
More than once, players who I have mentored and who are trying to improve will come to me and ask, “what should I do if my partner doesn’t come to the kitchen line?” That’s a very good question, as we are also taught that we should move forward to the NVZ line together, and not split with one player up and one player back. That formation causes a huge gap between players and is an easy target for the opponent. My answer is, I believe you continue to remind your partner to MOVE UP! Perhaps they just haven’t created the habit, and you’ll be helping them. However, if they don’t and seem to not appreciate coaching, take that opportunity to hang back with them and practice your defensive skills. Work your volley blocks from mid court and try your best to keep the ball in play no matter where your partner has you stuck playing.
We all have our own learning curve. Some learn faster than others, so be patient and keep reminding new players things that will help them improve. That’s how I improved. Someone kept helping me. Now it’s my turn to help someone else.
by James Main, President, San Carlos Pickleball Association
Pro Corner with James: Improve your Mid-Court Drop Volley
To go along with the featured article, if you get stuck with a partner that doesn’t want to move forward, that’s okay, work your drop volleys. This easy drill can be done with a ball machine or a feeder that can be practicing their new drop serves. Take a look and see you on the court.
Beginner & Intermediate Skills & Drills
Starting January 19 and 21, Skills & Drills are back.
Theresa Melius will provide Beginner Pickleball Skills & Drills at Mirador Courts on Tuesdays, starting January 19 at 11:00am. Have you wanted to try the sport of pickleball but didn’t know where to start? Or have you played a few games and know the rules (Beyond Beginners) but want to review the fundamentals? Then this is for you!
Deb Forrester will lead Intermediate Skills & Drills (level 3.0-3.49) on Thursdays starting January 21 at 11:00am. Learn the different shots and drills to improve them. Learn and improve shots like volley, dink, third shot, soft shot and drive.
Skills & Drills are open to all Mirador Court members, but class sizes are limited, so register today by emailing: theresamelius23@gmail.com. Let her know which session (Beginner or Intermediate) you wish to attend.
If you’re not already a member, now is a great time to join Mirador Courts.
Open Play, Monday – Saturday
The courts are starting to fill up for daily Open Play so we are back to our regular court rotation schedule.
Open Play is every morning except Sunday from 8:00am to 11:00am. In order to accommodate all the skill levels, we are scheduling the Open Play as follows:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays:
Players under skill level 3.5 will play on four courts — Courts 4, 5, 6 and 3.
Players skill level 3.5 and above will play on two courts – Courts 1 and 2.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays:
Players skill level 3.5 and above will play on four courts — Courts 1, 2, 3 and 6.
Players under skill level 3.5 will play on two courts – Courts 4 and 5.
Use the paddle racks to determine next up. The paddle racks closest to court 1 are for the 3.5+ courts and conversely, the paddle racks closest to court 4 are for the 3.0 and Beginner players
You can also check the calendar or court reservation system for Open Play days and times.
And remember, you can reserve a court anytime around the Open Play times if you want to play with specific people for a few hours or do some drills with a few friends.
Round Robin, Sundays
All Mirador Court members are invited to join us on Sundays at 8:30am for Round Robin play (note time change). We play for 15 minutes and then rotate players and courts. It’s a great way to meet and play with new people, without worrying about your scores.
Therefore on Sundays from 8:00am – 11:00am, the courts are reserved for the weekly Round Robin.
Private Lessons with James
Private Lessons are available with James Main during available times. Text or email James directly to set up a time. destinationpickleball@gmail.com
2021 New Rules
Word is out. New rules for 2021! The rules committee meets every year to try to simplify definitions or completely change rules in order to make the game less subjective and extend rallies longer. The two biggest new rules are the drop serve and the let serve both of which will keep the game moving and promote longer play.
The Drop Serve: Drop the ball from an open hand, let it bounce, and hit away. No more ball has to be waist high, wrist has to be higher than the paddle head, upward arc, yada yada yada. Simply drop the ball and you can do whatever you want after that.
Let Serve: If the ball hits the net and lands in the servers box, play on. Much like all the other hits that graze the net and most continue to be played, so shall the serve.
Also important for tournament play … Asking about positions. Serving teams can now ask both whether they are the correct server and in correct position.
Other Stuff
Alcohol will no longer be allowed within the fenced area at El Mirador.
For tournaments, open play, or other events, you are welcome to bring your own alcoholic beverages but they must remain outside the perimeter fencing. No glass, please.
sancarlospickleball.com
We gave the Global Pickleball Network a try but the consensus is that it just doesn’t do what we want it to do in the friendly manner that we need to do it in. So, we will be using our website at sancarlospickleball.com to sign up for tournaments. Other information you will find on our website:
- Archived Newsletters
- Court Reservation System
- Membership Dues and Instructions
- Open Court and Skills & Drills Days and Times
- And other news
If it’s not open play, skills & drills or the Sunday round robin, all other times are open to reserve private sessions. It is strongly recommended to use the Court Reservation System on our website to reserve courts outside of Open Play time. That way you are guaranteed a court.
Bookmark sancarlospickleball.com on your phone. Add it to your favorites on your desktop. Pin the link to your homepage so you will have all the latest and greatest news concerning the San Carlos Pickleball Association.
Playing Pickleball during COVID-19
It’s up to you to assess your own risk and decide whether or not you should play at this time. If you choose to play at Mirador Courts, please engage in everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The restrooms are available for our use (keys are hanging on the post at court entrance; please lock the restroom after use).
- Maintain a healthy distance from each other when off the courts.
- Feel free to bring your own chair, or place your Membership Card on your chair from the court to reserve it so that others will not use it during play.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. No hugs, handshakes, high fives or paddle taps.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily. Coronavirus can live on plastic and metal. At the courts, that’s the balls, tables, chairs, locks on the doors, the fence, the paddle holder, the umbrella handle, etc. etc. The Board will not be doing daily disinfecting of the courts, so it is up to anyone who chooses to play to clean and disinfect any surfaces that they will come into contact with.
Gear for sale
James has lots of Gearbox paddles, backpacks, eyewear, grips, edge guard, and yes, even socks for sale. All of the Gearbox GX5 and GX6 series paddles are $140 (2800 pesos).
If you are interested in any of these paddles or other items, please contact James at: destinationpickleball@yahoo.com.
Discount on Pickleball Gear
Members of the San Carlos Pickleball Association get a 5% discount at PickleballCentral.com.
If you’re looking to buy a paddle, balls or gear, visit pickleballcentral.com.
Click on “My Account” (in red font at the top of the page). If you have an account, sign in. Otherwise, go to New Customers, and click on Continue…and go through the prompts until you have an Account set up.
At Check Out, there is a box where you should put the following Coupon Code: CRSANCARLOS
Then click Apply.
This will give you a 5% discount on your order. You will see San Carlos Pickleball Association with the discounted amount beside it. It will also give our San Carlos Pickleball Association a 5% Club Reward that will accumulate over the year, and next year they will give our club a credit for that amount. It’s a win-win for both you and for our club!
Skills & Drills: improve your pickleball game
Here’s a video on the new provisional drop serve rule