I don't know about you guys but I had a busy week. Weeks like this make me think I need to go back to work to get some rest.  The Pickleverse is full of stuff this week, let's blast off to explore.

1. New Courts Part 1:  On Friday evening I worked with members of Faith Church in Bellefonte to measure and line a pickleball court in their back parking lot.  Faith Church is located at 512 Hughes Street.  At this time the roll away net, balls and paddles are reserved for church programs/events.  The public is welcome to use the court when not being used by the church.  This is a BYON (bring your own net) and other equipment situation.  The site is still a work in progress in terms of implementing a ball stop system behind each baseline.  If the court is popular with church members and the public upgrades may be made.  Sort of "if we build it, will they come'' thing.  There is a photo of the court below.

2. New courts Part 2:  This morning I worked with members of the Walker Township Recreation Committee to install pickleball court lines on the tennis court at Walker Township Park off of Route 64 between Zion and Lamar.  The court surface had been power washed by the Walker Township Fire Department as part of the site prep.  The net was adjusted for pickleball play.  It was a choice of a ¼ inch high or a ¼ inch low, I picked high.  It gives you an excuse if the ball doesn't go over.  Like Faith Church, this court is a test case to demonstrate its value to the community and hopefully lead to some dominos falling for improvements or expansion in the future.  Walker Township peeps, do you need a TeamReach page?  If you do, may I suggest the group title of Walker Whackers?  A photo of the court can be seen below.

3. Tyrone Movin' On Up : Tyrone made a tremendous leap by having their courts resurfaced (photo down below) and while there are lines of roller hockey also, the pickleball lines are primary.  When not being used by the Tyrone Pickleball Club or the roller hockey folks there are a few open hours but you need your own net and the hours are usually not prime.  Your best bet is to become a member of Tyrone Pickleball club.  Great people, a number of social events, ladders and shootouts.  For more information contact Donna at pickleballvisions@gmail.com.

4. Getting Schooled:  This past Wednesday a few of us from Centre County traveled to Altoona to attend a one day IPTPA Level ! instructor's course.  There is a class photo below.  While we successfully completed the course we have not become certified through IPTPA until we take an exam - after paying the $140 exam fee.  Now if you do pass the exam, you do also get $2,000,000 in group liability for the year.  Strangely enough the majority of the exam is from the USAPA rule book and only a small part covers adult education, teaching methodology, etc.  So we have some decisions to make about whether to go for those letters after the name or not.  If nothing else I did win the door prize for being the first student to arrive.  It is a nice little book called FUNdamental of Pickleball by John Amrein.  John was the assistant instructor of the class.  I will throw it in my bag if you want to take a look at it.  It is available on Amazon for $20.00.

5. Pickleball 101:  While sitting in the instructor class I got an email inquiring about when the next Pickleball 101 session would be.  I would guess late August or early September after the kids are back in school and a sense of calm once again settles in at The Centre.  I will announce a date when I learn The Centre's schedule.

6. Tip Of The Week:  I have covered this topic previously but I picked up some fresh terminology at school that may connect with you.  The first term I learned was to refer to the NVZ line (kitchen line) as the WINNING LINE.  The concept is to impress on players that obtaining command of that line with your partner will dramatically improve your chance of winning that point.  So the goal is to get to the winning line.  At the start of each point 3 of the 4 players are back at the baseline, which by the way is called the LOSING LINE.  As you may have previously heard, players no longer call the area between the winning and losing line as "no man's land" and now call it the transition zone.  Moving through the transition zone can be a tricky deal if you don't handle it well.  As many players have learned the hard way, hitting a ball while running will often lead to a ball into the net or a juicy pop up to our opponent.  I previously talked about doing a split step then hitting the ball if it comes to you.  I now have a better way, especially for beginners, to visualize the progression.  When the ball is hit, start moving towards the winning line.  Watch the opponent that is hitting the ball.  Just before their paddle hits the ball, BUNNY HOP to a stop and get in a ready position.  If the ball goes to your partner, resume your quest to reach the WL.  If the ball is coming to you, this will position you to make a more controlled return shot.  When you go to bed tonight, close your eyes and visualize yourself wearing a bunny suit and executing your move through the transition line to the WL!  The key is making that bunny hop just before the opposition has hit the ball.  If you stop too soon you may telegraph your position to your opponent and give them an idea of how to best attack you.  If you wait too long you will often be off balance and will hit shots into the net or pop ups.
   
   

Have a great week, watch some Olympics.  How soon until pickleball ends up in the Olympics?  I hope to see you on the court soon!  The sign-up for AM drop-in at The Centre is below.

The Centre:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-50454649-nvsc

Randy Hoffman

Holbrook PIckleball Ambassador

https://holbrookpickleball.com/

Discount Code = RANDYHOFFMAN20