Pickleball Links

A. CTV News Feature On the Inaugural STPC Secondary School Pickleball Tournament, May 27, 2019


B. How the Game Got It's Name.  There have been conflicting versions of how the game was named. This should set the record straight.


C. Sing Along To the "Pickleball Blues"


D. Equipment Suppliers

There are many suppliers of paddles, balls and accessories. However, there are very few suppliers in Canada. Importing from the U.S. is an option but it can be costly and may take longer. Here are our suggestions for the best places to buy equipment. Some are conveniently close and others are not but offer better selection.
NOTE:  Check our Discounts page before buying.

Canadian Sources:
  •  Local - Canadian Tire St. Thomas - not a lot of selection but a quick & easy way to get started NOTE: stay away from cheap paddles, 
     recommend you buy a brand name paddle e.g. Head
  • Online - Pickleball Depot (www.pickleballdepot.ca) in B.C.
  • Local - OfCourts in London (https://ofcourts.com/). 10% discount for club members on all stock, 15-25% discount on selected paddles 
  • Local - Ontario Pickleball Store in Chatham (http://ontariopickleballstore.ca/), 
  • Local - Bob's Racquet Works in Goderich (https://www.bobsracquetworks.com/)
E. Rules

    2021 Rule Changes - There are 5 rule changes that every player should be aware of. For an explanation of
    each change, the reason for the change & the impact it will have on the game please
F. What's Legal - Paddles, Non-Volley Zone, Serve, Balls
G. Beginners - to understand the game, start with the videos in 1. to 4. below:
     1. Part 1:  Intro & Definitions click here
     2. Part 2:  Serving & Scoring click here for an alternative explanation of scoring click here
     3. Part 3:  Basic Rules & Gameplay click here
    4, 2021 Rule Changes -  https://pickleballnexus.com/2020/12/five-2021-pickleball-rule-changes-that-will-affect-everyone/
     5. Everything You Need To Know About the Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen) click here     
    6. Top 10 Mistakes For Beginners click here
     7. What Shoes Should I Buy (or Not Buy) For Pickleball click here
     8. What Pickleball Paddle Should I Buy - this is covered in our lessons but for a great article click here. Be 
         sure to watch the video & follow the extra links
     9. Line Calls - how to make correct line calls (determining if ball is in or out) click here https://youtu.be/rIqZCgR6_hQ
    11. How To Choose a Paddle That's Right for You  https://youtu.be/R6vMj912Cqw
      12. What Shoes Should I Buy https://youtu.be/P0wFOk8FIyk   UPDATE: Dedicated pickleball shoe now available - https://thevolleyllama.com/kswiss-express-light-review/

H. Instructional Resources
     a)
      b) STPC members may borrow any of the following resources from our club's resource collection
         1. History of Pickleball - Book
            2. The Art of Pickleball - Book
            3. Smart Pickleball: The Pickleball Guru’s Guide - Book
            4. Pickleball Zen: The Inner Game - Book
            5. Mind Game: A Quantum Leap for Competitive Pickleball and Tennis - Book
            6. Pickleball: Less is More - Book
            7. At the Line: Pickleball  - Book
            8. USAPA Pickleball: 2018 Official Tournament Rulebook - Book
            9. A Pickleball Playbook: A Guide for Instructors and Self-Instruction - Book
            10. Pickleball 5.0 - Book
            11. 20 Drills & Games to Play Better Pickleball - binder
            12. Pickleball Clinics: Strategies & Techniques, by Coach Mo - DVD
            13. Pickleball Clinics: Percentage Pickleball, with Coach Mo and Coach Matty - DVD
            14. How to Play Pickleball:  The Complete Guide from A to Z - book

I. Skills & Drills:  

a) Learn The Proper Technique for Pickleball Shots -  Watch these clips with a view to emulating the technique. Get your paddle
out at home & practice hit as you watch.  If you have questions or need help feel free to ask at your next session.

Ready Position - at the net https://youtu.be/hHR24Fa6lUY  NOTE:  Use the ready position anywhere on the court when waiting for a ball to be returned

Serve -  https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Serve
               Vary your serve: 1. high & deep 2. power serve 3. soft angled serve - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lgkeru0nwg 

Return of Serve -  https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Return%20of%20Serve

Third Shot Drop - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Third%20Shot%20Drop

Dinking - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Dink or  https://youtu.be/q916JLPW-BA

Overhead Smash -  https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Overhead+Smash

Lobs -  How to hit a lob: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUatethB8d8  How to return a lob:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5dUYHmg1Eg

Volleys -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzalidF8KZU&list=PLDco1Ex21UXnXSCINo7PTpMqJMOpIv3-a
                 OR   Half Volley Pickup - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrgCsK9Q9PQ

Backhand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19I7i93AuH8  OR  https://youtu.be/kCHXClnyVH8 OR https://youtu.be/BhJ4lyU68bY OR https://youtu.be/kCHXClnyVH8
                       or https://youtu.be/xL8X8p4JOEg

Forehand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pn4TfbYpWM  OR  https://youtu.be/t2LcNYu27Sc

Strategy - https://www.pickleballteachers.com/videos?category[]=Strategy

BONUS - How To Keep Score:  http://www.pickleburg.com/info.php?pnum=20

 b)  Sample Drills:

Note: Use these drills to improve your game. You can pick & choose from the list. To learn the proper execution of a particular shot refer to part a) above.  Suggestions for new drills are welcome.


Serve – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court.  Serve & Catch. Switch sides. Targets can be placed on the court. Player can also vary the type of serve (see Serve in part a) above

Serve & Return of Serve – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court.  Hit serve &  hit return of serve back. Catch the ball on the return of serve & repeat.
                                     Targets on the floor is optional.  Hit return deep to the middle of the court with arc on the ball.

Third Shot Drill – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court.  Each team of 2 – feeder stays at NVZ line. Feeder throws or hits ball whichever works better. Partner hits drop shots into the NVZ
                         starting at NVZ line & moves back a little further for each return until reaching the baseline & then starts moving back up to the NVZ line. Players then switch jobs. 

Dinking – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Dink back & forth between partner. Ball must bounce in NVZ.
           Count number of consecutive dinks with no errors OR try dinking 2 balls at a time between 2 players. This is more difficult but excellent for hand/eye co-ordination.

Dinking – 4 players, 1 ball., 1 team/court. Dink the ball back and forth. Cannot dink two balls in a row to
            same player.  Work on angled shots & shots to backhand. Can play a game to five & start over.

Overheads – 4 players as a team/court, 2 or more balls.  1 hitter, 1 feeder, 2 receivers.

                                                                                        A  (Hitter) stands about half way back

                               _____________________________________________________________
                                              NET                              B (Feeder)                                                                       

                                                             C (Receiver in front of baseline)              D (Receiver in front of baseline)                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                 B tosses high balls high to the hitter (A) & A alternates overhead smashes to C  &  D who stop balls
                                                           & return them to B. Everyone rotates after 6-8 hits.

Lobs

a) 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Feeder in no man’s land tosses or hits ball to hitter at the baseline. Hitter hits lob to opposite baseline. Try top spin lob (see internet clip in a) above.

b)  2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. 2 players at NVZ line start dinking the ball. After several dinks one
player hits lob over partner’s head.

Volleys 

       a)  2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. One player at NVZ line. Feeder is near baseline. Hit fairly hard balls
      from baseline to player at net who drop volleys the return into NVZ.

       b)  2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Mid-court volley & half volley. Play “war”. Easy at first and then
      harder. Keep ball as low as possible. Object is to keep the ball going not to beat the other player.

Backhand & Forehand – 2 players, 1 ball, 2 teams/court. Play half court with partner. Practice forehands & backhands separately or mix the two together. Occasionally
                                    switch partners with other team to hit diagonally across court for variety. Focus on placement cross court & down the line

Game Situation:  Consider playing a game where a skill is mandatory  e.g.       

  •        3rd shot must always be a drop shot into the NVZ or it’s a fault
  •         return of serve must be deep & 3rd shot must be a deep lob
  •         cannot hit same type of serve consecutively
  •         all shots in a game must be hit with a backhand to the opponents backhand