David Zapatka Two months ago, we wrote an article on being the best partner. This month is about being the best you on the court by focusing on your skills to strengthen your side of the partnership. Open space—The best players I’ve played against in my pickleball-playing career have been the ones who could create…
Tag: Pickleball
September 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Be the Best Partner
David Zapatka The No. 1 priority is to always remember you are on the same team. Do everything possible to help your partner, support your partner, and encourage your partner. Words and body language are powerful. They both have meaning and influence on you and your partner. Your energy is real. Partner cannot only hear…
July 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: The 4th Shot
David Zapatka We have learned the importance of the 3rd shot drop and that the receiving team has the initial advantage in the rally. The question now becomes, what does the receiving team need to do to maintain their advantage? Court positioning is vital as you prepare for the 4th shot. Only the player receiving…
April 2024, Sports
Relishing Pickleball: Blocking Shots
David Zapatka Would you like to neutralize the hard shots being hit in your direction? Consider a blocking strategy. Blocking a shot properly requires technique, positioning, timing and strategy. Follow this advice to improve your blocking skills: * Stand with your knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. The lower you can get down, the better.…
Sports, February 2024
Relishing Pickleball: Slicing the Ball
David Zapatka Slicing serve returns and dinks are favorite shots of mine. A slice puts backspin on the ball. The slice makes the ball travel from 6 o’clock to 12 o’clock back toward the player who contacted the ball. These shots can be hit with a forehand or a backhand. A slice is effective for these reasons.…
Sports, January 2024
Relishing Pickleball: Pickleball Comes to U.S. Universities
David Zapatka Pickleball continues to grow in popularity around the country. It’s now making its way into U.S. universities. The leading example of this is my friend, Jarrod Smith, coach of Drury University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams, and in 2024, coach of Drury’s co-ed pickleball team in Springfield, Mo. In August, Drury announced the…
Sports, December 2023
A Letter of Thanks for Pink
Dee Wallace and Danna Winiesdorffer It has been an honor and a privilege for us to lead the charge this year to raise money for Women Rock, Inc. It was an incredible journey, and we had amazing support. First, we would like to thank our sponsors: ulrich Medical, PGA Tour Superstore, Yvonne Callahan/ERA Myers &…
Sports, December 2023
Pickleball Club Fall Tournament
Mark Kellam On Nov. 4 to Nov. 5 Robson Ranch Denton Pickleball Club (RRDPC) held our Fall Club Pickleball Tournament. The tournament also served as a food drive, helping the After Schoolers Club support Borman Elementary School in Denton. Eighty-five members enjoyed the great weather (with a bit of Texas wind!) in a very competitive event.…
Sports, July 2023
Relishing Pickleball
Shot Selection David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, it is time now to learn about shot selection. Mary Littlewood says the ideal sequence of shots provides a means for all four players to get to the net where pickleball is won and lost…
Sports, June 2023
Meet Donna Henry—Pickleball Club President
Lorie Stockton Growing up in California, Donna Henry was a competitive tennis player. It was also before the effects of Title IX were felt, so Donna played with the “boys” and got her high school letter in tennis playing on the boys athletic team. Recently re-elected as the president of the Robson Ranch Pickleball Club,…