The Pinetop-Lakeside pickleball club with the town of Pinetop-Lakeside donated use of this indoor 3 court facility to the High School Pickleball Club of Blue Ridge. 

This is an example of cooperation between schools, clubs, and their community.

 Thanks goes out to Coach Gerry Corcoran & Loren Webb - Blue Ridge, David Ronald &  Mike Koehlmoos Pinetop/Lakeside Pickleball Club, and the Melina Spillman Town of Pinetop/Lakeside.

Coaches  Corner

"Coaches Corner " provides ideas of how to set up a club, encourage sportsmanship, avoid missteps, and develop player skill. 

Always seek School Administrative direction in endeavors outside of set practices. This would include audio announcements, field trips, competitionwith other schools, fundraising activities, are some examples.

Sportsmanship Award is our highest award. 

In our journey we will fail at sportsmanship, but we will pick ourselves up to try again. It is not a daily test, it is a test we take with every point.

“Admiring the light that shines.” 

This is seeking opportunities to support our team mates in the struggle,

 provide positive leadership, analyze ways to overcome, 

communicate adjustments to game plans, reassurance after the battle, 

and recognizing the accomplishments of our opponents. 

“Realizing the battle within.”

We will all face the sting of failure to meet our personal expectations. This is human nature.

It is how we express our disappointments with resolve, grace, and humor. 

We say no to the childish self absorbed life and become an adult who can see others. 

This is to honor our opponents with the respect of a professional. 

Be aware that official AIA sports has priority in any  situation. 

 Try to avoid practice times or the participation of athletes that are in season. 

Club practice should be the last concern of a competing school athlete or a coach of a sanctioned sport. 

Encourage your participants to support other sports within their school. 

For example: Attending plays, concerts,  games and cheering/supporting other teams  will show your respect and interest in their activities.

As a coach you have probably noticed there are 2 main reasons why a player loses the point or has a sideout. The first reason is they picked the correct shot but it was improperly executed. They made an error. Are they over hitting and using too much power? Are they spraying their shots wide, long or into the net? At the beginner and intermediate levels of play, 80% of points are won because of errors. 

The second reason is the player executed the shot properly, but it was the incorrect shot. i.e. the player hit down the line when they should have hit cross court, or tried to drive the shot when they should have dropped it into the kitchen. 

As a coach, are you able to help your player overcome a losing or ineffective strategy and game plan? It is best to only give them one suggestion to work on. The logic behind this is: Your brain can only do one important thing at a time. More than one suggestion can put them into sensory overload and their performance will decrease even more. 

Too many coaches give their players the following advice: “Watch the ball. Move your feet. Get your paddle back early.” Etc etc. While these suggestions are all great, given all at once makes it impossible to do any of them!

Get to know your players. Watch them play for several minutes. Are they having fun? Then give them only one thing to work on or to focus on. 

Good luck! And happy coaching!

PickleBob

Bob Caldwell 

Learning and Development Specialist

Introduce yourself and learn your opponents names.  

Respect all players, coaches and referees.

Take time to vocally acknowledge good play on both sides between points. It is good to acknowledge higher level play,  including your opponent.

Be mindful of expressing disappointment in yourself and others, recognizing everyone will make mistakes.

Win with Grace, lose with dignity, be fair, and be truthful.

Prioritize safety of your team and your opponents.

Follow the rules of the game, school codes of conduct, and eligibility standards.

Accept the decisions of referees, umpires, and officials even if you disagree with them.

As a spectator support your team without showing disrespectful behavior to opposing teams or fans.

Respect the facilities and equipment. Clean up after yourself.

Athletes and coaches should be mindful of being a positive role model.

You finished the game, a little lopsided, you meet in the center to say “Good  Game”. Your opponents may have played well, but missed shots by the barest of  margins. They are disappointed with the score. You want to encourage them  with the idea of Iron Sharpens Iron. You as a player grow with competition from equal or  tougher opponents. By saying Iron Sharpens Iron you acknowledge the worth of your  opponents.  

It’s important as athletes we realize that we learn from each other. Your friends  on the team make you a better player. Have you considered that your  opponents are doing the same? We as players should celebrate good effort,  strategy, and shots from our team and partners.  

This celebration should include your opponents. This type of response from you  will show an appreciation for the game played, a recognition of your opponent, and a higher level of sportsmanship. 

Hey Coaches,

Here are the 5 dimensions of pickleball.  Get solid with the first one before you move on to the next.

1. Keep the ball in play.

You lose a point on every return and rally you miss on their serve.

2. Direction.

Be able to hit the ball where you want to and where they aren't.

3. Depth.

Keep your serves and returns deep into the back court.

4. Spin. 

Learn top spin on serves and ground strokes.  Also be able to mix in slice and back spin on returns.

5. Power.

Usually 70%-75% is enough on overheads and smash volleys. Placement over power until you can keep it in play 90% of the time. Then you can increase the power.

• FACT: 80% of points are won because of errors. Get consistent and reduce the errors.

• Play to improve and not just to win.

• Would you rather play poorly and win or play well and lose?

Thanks

PickleBob

We have contacte the APP to negotiate for a fun field trip to see and cheer Professional level players compete at Legacy Park  March 7 and 8th.  further information will follow. 

Useful Dual Meet Score Sheet . This sheet allows you to record scores, total team points, and has a pool level designation (A,B,C,D -J) so that all of your club members can play, scorepoints for their club,  and represent your school. Every player counts. You may also want to review game day best practices. 

In any case, as a coach you should set up a "Purple -V- Gold Meet" at some time to gain experience in duals and/or as fundraiser. Dividing your own players equally based on their ranking within the club.

This is easy if both teams have same number of individual teams  in sets of 3

It will be  rare that no adjustment is needed. 

Normal Situation:

A team brought higher number of teams

B team numbers are smaller

+1  A team has 1 more team than B team

Bottom pool will have 

A team:  will have 2 matches and 1 forfeit 

B team: 3 matches

+2 for A team

Bottom 2 pools

A team:2 matches 1 forfeit 

B team: 3 matches

+3 A team

Bottom 3 pools

A team:2 matches 1 forfeit 

B team: 3 matches

Larger differences in play may involve “a best fit” dual match. For example where the Larger team of 100 duals a team of 50.

 They may dual on 2 seperate days sending the Odd Squad 1,3,5.7.9 ranked teams one day and the Even Squad 2,4,6,8,10 ranked teams the next day.

I met Mary Lou, who was an avid pickleball player when she was 78. Her mobility was not her strength. Her love of people, her faith, family, and the game were her foundation. A smile would be on her face, her right foot would tap behind her left foot to start her serve, and it was time for play! She always gave her best.

If you played to beat her, you would hit the ball where she could not get to the ball. 

If you hit the ball within her wheelhouse: fast, slow, un-unattackable, or with spin, it was coming back, and you became the player who was being tested.  Not all of your shots go where you expect them to go. You may want to show the lower player just how good you can play. Remember your job is to hit unattackable balls at a slower speed a skill that is very useful in higher play.  This is also an opportunity to congratulate and encourage members of your team to excel. Being a leader by letting the lesser player more opportunities creates connections with all teammates. 

Giving your team members a returnable ball during recreation play will build their repetitions and confidence so that they can develop a better game. It may turn around and make you a better defensive player. 

Mary Lou Dewitt was my good friend, my pickleball partner, and will be remembered. She passed June 16, 2023.