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.…
Tag: Pickleball
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.…
January 2024, Sports
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,…
Sports, June 2023
Relishing Pickleball: The Drop Shot
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 the drop shot after learning about the overhead smash the past two months. Mary Littlewood says the reason to hit a drop shot is to give the team deep in their…
Sports, May 2023
Relishing Pickleball: The Backhand Smash
David Zapatka Continuing our study of Pickleball Fundamentals Master the basics and compete with confidence by Mary Littlewood, this month we will focus on the backhand smash. Last month we introduced the overhead smash. Most overhead smashes are hit with a forehand. What should we do with that ball that is high over our head on…
Front Page, March 2023
Learn to Play and Love Pickleball
Lorie Stockton You’ve probably heard about the game sweeping the country. Is it tennis? Is it badminton? How about ping pong? No, it’s pickleball, the latest game sweeping the country that is fun, social, friendly, and, best of all, easy to learn. According to the USA Pickleball website, pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge…