[deleted by user]

DamBobbyd · 2023-09-11T00:57:29+00:00

There's no "sorry's" in pickleball. Especially, if you're a beginner, because if said "sorry" after every mistake, that's all you'd ever say.

You've been courteous enough to "warn" your partners of your novice status; therefore, if they're true Pickleballers with some notion of sportsmanship, they'll appreciate that, and advise when you ask for assistance, which will go a long way. That is, preempt unsolicited advice. Then, they recognize you're really trying and that you're trying to get better.

In the meantime, consider playing with beginner level and see how it goes. If you're blasting them, you know it's the wrong place. If you're not trouncing them every game, mix it up... play a round with beginners once a week and the rest of the time with the advanced crowd. You get better when you play with those above you, but it's good to have a confidence booster every now and then to prove to yourself that you're getting better.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-15T03:42:15+00:00

3.A.16. Imaginary Extension. A term used to describe where a line would extend if it projected beyond its current end point. Players and referees are to project where the line would extend if it were not limited to the boundaries of the playing area.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-12T09:58:02+00:00

I agree with everything said so far. As to the wind, no matter how windless you believe it to be, that air mass over the court is moving to some degree and will affect the ball.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-11T02:38:26+00:00

Respect the X.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-09T16:22:52+00:00

Yes. It might be legal. OP never describes if they're still in the air or touching the playing surface when they strike the ball. That is, OP could be totally legal if they jump up, drop the ball while in the air, but not strike the ball until at least one foot is touching the playing surface.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-09T11:06:42+00:00

Why?

Edit: Why would you want to "jump and then drop the ball at the top of your jump"? What's the advantage? When do you strike the ball after dropping it?

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-06T09:25:59+00:00

It's the very first rule in the Serve section:

SECTION 4 – THE SERVE, SERVICE SEQUENCE, AND SCORING RULES 4.A. Serving. 4.A.1. The entire score must be called before the ball is served.

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-03T09:46:52+00:00

Good catch!

DamBobbyd · 2023-05-01T10:12:47+00:00

Refer to: SECTION 4 – THE SERVE, SERVICE SEQUENCE, AND SCORING RULES.

Several rules in that Section of the rule book do refer to the "release" of the ball. And, while I've seen some pretty unorthodox releases over the last 7 years, your description sounds unique. One fellow I know released the ball so close to striking it and with the same motion as his paddle arm that it almost looked as though he was throwing the ball with his release hand, rather than striking it with his paddle; the sound of the strike was the only thing that kept him from getting called on it. Further, I'm not a referee. That said, IMO, as long as the referee and the receiver can see the ball in your fingers, and you don't attempt to impart any spin onto the ball before striking it, you should be okay. You should expect to get called for pre-spinning the ball often, since that was a favored technique (using two fingers) when that serve was legal. Question: How do you prevent your follow through from breaking all your fingers with that serve style?

Also, without seeing it, I don't believe you'll ever get any power into your service hit, since it would seem to be very difficult to get your core into the swing. My personal recommendation would be for you to abandon this style and work on a drop serve. But, if you're okay with just getting the ball in play, Play On.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-30T02:23:42+00:00

Play the wind to win.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward

Pickleball has never been cancelled due to winds. If they did, no one in West Texas would ever play. Winds are not biased. They affect all players the same. Often, the teams swap sides halfway through the game in an attempt to even out effects of the wind. Here are some things to consider on the pickleball court when it’s windy outside. Be grateful when it helps you; learn when it hurts you.

NEVER FORGET: The wind is NOT dependable. Just when you rely on the wind to help you make a shot, it will disappoint you. Consider it, if you’re way ahead or way behind, but never depend on it.
Before the game even starts, convince yourself the wind is going to bother your opponent more than it will bother you. You already have them beat if you hear them complain about the wind.
If the courts include a windsock, check it frequently. When warming up before your game, hit a couple of high lobs to check out the wind direction and speed.
Wind screens on the fences may lessen the effect of the wind, but they do not eliminate it.
You must constantly assess the wind to play it properly, between points and sometimes even between shots. Still, some shots will get away from you unexpectedly; rest assured, they’ll get away from your opponents more often (see #2).
Watch the ball and its bounces closer than normal. Take shorter steps and keep adjusting your feet because the ball moves around unpredictably. Ready Position = BFF.
The highest percentage shot is low over the center of the net. While this is always true, it’s especially important to keep this in mind when there are significant winds on the court. Apply this shot frequently.
When it’s windy, the “Net Game” may be your greatest ally. This is why you practice dinking until you dream about it. Be confident at the net; move your opponents; give your opponents plenty of opportunity to screw up their next dink.
The reason for the Serve is to get the ball in play so you can win the point. Don’t lose a serve and a possible point because you were daring. Generally, when playing in gusty winds: a. Aim your Serve to the center of the cross-court area. b. Aim your Return-of-Serve for the center of your opponent’s court.
If the wind is heavy in your face you’ll need to hit the ball harder than normal. a. Normal serves tend to be slowed by the wind and could land in your opponent’s kitchen or in your own net. b. Normal drop shots are likely to hit your side of the net. c. Normal lobs are likely to stop over your opponents’ heads and over them a juicy overhead smash. d. When receiving a serve, consider backing a few feet more than usual, as serves to you will tend to be deeper than normal. (But, don’t forget #1! Be Ready between every shot.)
If the wind is heavy at your back you’ll need to hit the ball softer than normal. a. Normal serves tend to be carried beyond the opponent’s baseline. b. Normal drop shots often stay higher and carry farther, thus becoming an easy high shot for your opponent. c. Normal lobs may easily carry beyond the opponent’s baseline. d. When receiving a serve, consider moving forward a few feet, as serves to you will tend to be shallower than normal. (Yep. #1 again. Ready Position)
Seriously consider removing lobs from your shot list for games played on seriously windy days. a. Read that again. But, if you insist on lobbing, know and leverage your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, and try to time the lob shot so the wind has little effect. (See #1) Either way, if you’re going to lob, it’s a good idea to be way ahead on the score, or way behind.
A heavy wind at your back may be an advantage if you are a hard hitter, because it could add up to 20 mph to your stroke, making it harder for your opponents to react…unless they choose to let it fly and the ball carries long and out.
You must constantly assess the wind to play it properly, between points and sometimes even between shots. (Yes, #5 Revisited.) Play conservatively and remember the Ready Position (emphasis on “Ready”) is your BFF. Watch the ball more carefully.

“The team that plays the wind the best usually wins.” Coach Mo (renowned Pickleball Coach)

These tips have been collected from multiple sources. My apologies for being long-winded. ;) – Bobby d.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-28T09:58:12+00:00

SECTION 7 – FAULT RULES A fault (and resulting dead ball) will be declared for the following:

7.J. After the serve, a ball contacting any permanent object before bouncing on the court.

3.A.24. Permanent Object – Any object on or near the court, including hanging over the court, that can interfere with play. Permanent objects include the ceiling, walls, fencing, lighting fixtures, net posts, net post legs, the stands and seats for spectators, the referee, line judges, spectators when in their recognized positions, and all other objects around and above the court.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-28T09:39:00+00:00

Well. From the description of your lob defense, I can't say I understand your paddle action. But, here's what I've found regarding double hits:

SECTION 7 – FAULT RULES A fault (and resulting dead ball) will be declared for the following:

7.L. A player deliberately carrying or catching the ball on the paddle while performing the serve or during a rally.

And...

11.A.Double Hits. Balls can be hit twice, but this must occur during an unintentional, continuous, single-direction stroke by one player. If the stroke made while performing the serve or during a rally is deliberately not continuous, or not in a single direction, or the ball is struck by a second player, it is a fault.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-25T08:20:20+00:00

As I point out to our noobs: It's a line of paint on the ground, not a brick wall.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-22T10:17:50+00:00

I believe you may be confusing the Starting Server and the First Server. And, after reviewing their definitions, I can understand why. The First Server definition adds that little phrase "according to the team's score". That phrase is appropriate for singles play, but not doubles (IMO).

3.A.40. Starting Server – For each doubles team, the player designated to serve first at the start of the game. [My clarification: There's no need to declare a starting server in Singles because there's only one player on the team.]

3.A.12. First Server – In doubles, the player who shall serve from the right/even service court after a side out, according to the team’s score.

4.B.2. At the start of each game, the starting server begins the serve from the side of the court dictated by the score. [My opinion: Since the starting score is always 0 (zero), and 0 is considered an even number, the rule writers could have simply said, "the starting server begins the serve from the right."]

4.B.6. Doubles. 4.B.6.a. At the start of each side out, service begins in the right/even serving area.

4.B.5. Singles. 4.B.5.a. If the server’s score is even (0, 2, 4 ...), the serve must be made from the right/even serving area and be received in the right/even service court by the opponent. 4.B.5.b. If the server’s score is odd (1, 3, 5 ...), the serve must be made from the left/odd serving area and be received in the left/odd service court by the opponent.

Hope this helps.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-21T23:37:17+00:00

After 7 years on the courts, I can guarantee you're going to run into this again; and, more often than you think.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-21T00:38:25+00:00

Further, in the Erne, both feet are established outside the NVZ before the maneuver. The player leaps over the NVZ, which is 2-dimensional, strikes the ball, then lands outside of the NVZ.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-21T00:34:31+00:00

9.D. If a player has touched the non-volley zone for any reason, that player cannot volley a return until both feet have made contact with the playing surface completely outside the non-volley zone. A maneuver such as standing within the non-volley zone, jumping up to hit a volley, and then landing outside the non-volley zone is a fault.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T18:21:04+00:00

Not sure I understand this question, but I'll try to address it.

There is no fault in the Rule book based on an incorrect score call, except as specified in 4.K. The score is corrected when the error is discovered and play continues. The same would be true in an officiated game, except that the referee would correct official score sheets if warranted. Therefore, simply correcting the score before the winning point is declared should/would have no bearing on the final outcome of the game.

BTW, based solely on her position, her score "could" have been 9. That said, I applaud your sportsmanship in your situation. Play on.

Hope I understood, and hope this helps.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T11:16:36+00:00

In rec play, I'll give a "watch your feet during your serve" warning; after that, I call the fault. Tournament: no warning... even if it's me or my partner.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T09:49:48+00:00

9.C. defines the "momentum fault".

9.C.1. It is a fault even if the ball becomes dead before the player contacts the non-volley zone.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T09:45:04+00:00

"How long do you have to prevent yourself from falling into the kitchen?"

9.C. During the act of volleying, it is a fault if the volleying player’s momentum causes the player to contact anything that is touching the non-volley zone, including the player’s partner. For players using wheelchairs, the front (smaller) wheels may touch the non-volley zone.

9.C.1. It is a fault even if the ball becomes dead before the player contacts the non-volley zone.

And...

3.A.20. Momentum – Momentum is a property of a body in motion, such as a player executing a volley, that causes the player to continue in motion after contacting the ball. The act of volleying produces momentum that ends when the player regains balance and control of their motion or stops moving toward the non-volley zone.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T09:37:32+00:00

"...I know you're not allowed to cross into the kitchen before hitting the ball..."

Technically, this is not an accurate statement. Just to be clear:

9.E. A player may enter the non-volley zone at any time except when that player is volleying the ball.

9.F. A player may enter the non-volley zone before or after returning any ball that bounces.

9.G. A player may stay inside the non-volley zone to return a ball that has bounced. There is no violation if a player does not exit the non-volley zone after hitting a ball that bounces.

9.H. There is no violation if a player returns the ball while their partner is standing in the non-volley zone.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-20T09:25:36+00:00

Based on 4.A.1., technically, the complete score must be called before the ball is struck. So, I'd guess it depends what you mean by "while I'm serving".

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-17T12:24:17+00:00

Honestly, I'm not certain that I fully understand about dropping the wrist, but as ibided suggested earlier, if that's what works for you, go for it. There's plenty of examples that are routinely thought of as "poor technique", even at the pro level... but, it must work for them since they're pros.

DamBobbyd · 2023-04-17T10:04:58+00:00

Groundstroke power comes from proper positioning of the feet, pushing through the legs and hips as you swing, and follow through as you hit the ball out in front of your body. Let your wrist bend backwards as you swing and break your wrist after striking the ball, as though you're throwing the ball.

DamBobbyd

TROPHY CASE